The Growth of Green Tech

Green technology, sustainable tech or clean tech, takes principles of environmentally-preferred purchasing, green nanotechnology and green energy production to create a more sustainable ecosystem aided by the latest technology.  

“Share of renewable energy more than doubled between 2004 and 2020”

  Dealing with both current and future environmental concerns, technology firms are reducing or eliminating sources of further damage from our energy production and pollution. Technology can help in many sectors, from electric vehicle technology in automotive to closed-loop manufacturing and reducing fuel emissions in the global supply chain.     The wave of green focused technology companies and initiatives available in Europe is fuelled partly by the EU’s goal of becoming the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050. This is part of the United Nation’s pledge of limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 °C, with many countries pledging to reduce their emissions to net zero by the year 2050.  

Carbon Capture

Capturing greenhouse gasses from their source is becoming ever more explored as technological advancements are made, then piping it to a place where it can be stored or used as energy once more. This energy can then be used to create hydrogen or in carbonating drinks. According to some sources, carbon capture could reduce global carbon dioxide emissions by up to 70%. UK businesses could achieve a world-first in hosting net zero manufacturing, aided by carbon capture – carbon from industrial manufacturing processes being captured and piped into underwater storage. More information about the barriers behind capture projects like the ones in UK manufacturing can be found in the UN’s report here.  

Agtech

Harnessing the efficiencies from technologies such as smart robots and livestock water recycling, all powered by big data – agricultural technology is a prominent example within the Green Tech space. Agriculture is a big polluter, making up around 11% of the overall greenhouse gasses emitted year-on-year from livestock such as cows, agricultural soils, and rice production.  

Summary

The appeal of green tech is that it can increase the performance, productivity or efficiency of production while reducing the impact on the environment, with innovation making all of this possible. Through the rise and push on national and international targets, as well as shifts in investors looking to shift their funds to more sustainable areas of industry – the trend will only increase towards greener tech and sustainable innovation.