What is green technology?

Green technology refers to the development and use of technologies that minimize the negative impacts of human activities on the environment and society. It encompasses a wide range of products, services and practices that support a more sustainable future.

Key principles of green technology

Green technology solutions are meant to be sustainable; they are designed to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. They should limit environmental impact in various ways, including the use of renewable energy sources and a focus on energy efficiency.

Green tech strategies consider the entire lifecycle of a product or service, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal. Their proponents aim to understand the full environmental impact of their activities within a circular economyThey also recognize the social implications of technological development, promoting social equity and well-being. These implications include considering the impact of technology on local communities, workers and consumers, and striving to create innovative solutions that benefit society as a whole.

How is green tech different from clean tech, enviro tech and other terminology?

As interest in sustainability grows, various terms are emerging to describe eco-friendly efforts. They overlap but are not always interchangeable.

Green technology is a broad term. It refers to the use of research and innovation to create products and services that are less damaging to the environment and society.
	Clean technology, or clean tech, is a subset of green technology. It specifically refers to products, services or processes that use fewer resources and have a minimal impact on the environment compared to traditional technologies.
Environmental technology refers to tech designed to improve the quality of the environment. Though it overlaps with green and clean technology, enviro tech typically applies to large-scale infrastructure projects such as water treatment plants or air filtration systems.
	Climate technology is a specific part of green technology that focuses on mitigating or adapting to climate change. It includes developments that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance carbon sinks or help societies adjust to the impacts of climate change.
Green IT refers to technologies and practices that reduce the environmental impact of the information technology sector in particular. Sometimes called sustainable IT or green computing, green IT includes things such as energy-efficient computers or data centers.

Why is green technology important?

Green technology initiatives play an important role in addressing climate change. Greenhouse gas emissions from human activities (such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation) are producing unprecedented levels of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere. These concentrations lead to global warming and its consequences, including rising sea levels, extreme weather events and ecosystem disruption. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), immediate steps must be taken to limit global warming to 1.5°C (34.7°F) above preindustrial levels.

Adopting sustainable technologies can help mitigate emissions and reduce the carbon footprints of countries and companies. They can conserve resources, preserve biodiversity and reduce ecosystem disruption. But the benefits of green technology extend beyond environmental protection. They include: