View source for Clean technology

{{Short description|Any process, product, or service that reduces negative environmental impacts}}
[[File:Clean Technology is the Future.jpg|thumb|Fully electric car charging its battery at a public charging station.]]
[[File:Alternative fuel strategies.jpg|thumb|Renewable transportation fuel composed of organic waste. Alternative fuel strategies drastically lowers carbon emissions and air pollution. ]]
'''Clean technology''', in short '''cleantech''' or '''climatetech''', is any process, product, or service that reduces negative environmental impacts through significant [[Efficient energy use|energy efficiency]] improvements, the sustainable use of resources, or environmental protection activities. Clean technology includes a broad range of technology related to [[recycling]], [[renewable energy]], [[information technology]], [[green transport]]ation, [[electric motor]]s, [[green chemistry]], [[lighting]], [[Greywater|grey water]], and more. [[Environmental finance]] is a method by which new clean technology projects can obtain financing through the generation of [[carbon credits]].  A project that is developed with concern for [[climate change mitigation]] is also known as a [[carbon project]].

[[Clean Edge]], a clean technology research firm, describes clean technology "a diverse range of products, services, and processes that harness renewable materials and energy sources, dramatically reduce the use of natural resources, and cut or eliminate emissions and wastes." Clean Edge notes that, "Clean technologies are competitive with, if not superior to, their conventional counterparts. Many also offer significant additional benefits, notably their ability to improve the lives of those in both developed and developing countries."
[[File:Wind turbines on the drive back to Madrid from Huesca.jpg|thumb|Wind turbines in a field in Spain.]]
Investments in clean technology have grown considerably since coming into the spotlight around 2000. According to the [[United Nations Environment Program]], wind, solar, and biofuel companies received a record $148 billion in new funding in 2007 as rising oil prices and climate change policies encouraged investment in [[renewable energy]]. $50 billion of that funding went to [[wind power]]. Overall, investment in clean-energy and energy-efficiency industries rose 60 percent from 2006 to 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=apeyv.EIQQv4&refer=australia |title=Archived copy |website=[[Bloomberg News]] |access-date=2017-03-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100525071904/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081 |archive-date=2010-05-25 }}</ref> In 2009, Clean Edge forecasted that the three main clean technology sectors, solar [[photovoltaics]], wind power, and biofuels, would have revenues of $325.1 billion by 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://seekingalpha.com/article/125281-solar-wind-and-bio-fuels-impressive-growth-surge-in-08|title=Solar, Wind and Biofuels' Impressive Growth Surge in '08|last=Addison|first=John|date=2009-03-11|work=Seeking Alpha|access-date=2018-01-03|language=en-US}}</ref>

According to an MIT Energy Initiative Working Paper published in July 2016, about a half of over $25 billion funding provided by [[venture capital]] to cleantech from 2006 to 2011 was never recovered. The report cited cleantech's dismal risk/return profiles and the inability of companies developing new materials, chemistries, or processes to achieve manufacturing scale as contributing factors to its flop.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://energy.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/MITEI-WP-2016-06.pdf|title=Venture Capital and Cleantech: The Wrong Model for Clean Energy Innovation|last1=Gaddy|first1=Benjamin|last2=Sivaram|first2=Varun|year=2016|publisher=MIT Energy Initiative|location=77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA|language=en|last3=O’Sullivan|first3=Dr. Francis}}</ref>

Clean technology has also emerged as an essential topic among businesses and companies. It can reduce pollutants and dirty fuels for every company, regardless of which industry they are in, and using clean technology has become a competitive advantage. Through building their [[Corporate Social Responsibility]] (CSR) goals, they participate in using clean technology and other means by promoting Sustainability.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781498777117|title=Introduction to Sustainability Analytics|last=Ramanan|first=Ram|date=2018-07-04|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=9781315154909|edition=1|language=en|doi=10.1201/9781315154909|s2cid=135252457 }}</ref> [[Fortune Global 500]] firms spend around $20 billion a year on CSR activities in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://hbr.org/2018/01/stop-talking-about-how-csr-helps-your-bottom-line|title=Stop Talking About How CSR Helps Your Bottom Line|last1=Meier|first1=Stephan|date=2018-01-31|work=Harvard Business Review|last2=Cassar|first2=Lea|issn=0017-8012}}</ref>

==Definition==
[[File:Buddy Alder, a Leon County farmer, stands in a rye grass field intended for biofuel production. (25112163465).jpg|thumb|Farmer using crops for biofuel]]
Cleantech products or services are those that improve operational performance, [[productivity]], or efficiency while reducing costs, inputs, [[World energy resources and consumption|energy consumption]], [[waste]], or environmental [[pollution]]. Its origin is the increased consumer, regulatory, and industry interest in clean forms of energy generation—specifically, perhaps, the rise in awareness of [[global warming]], [[climate change]], and the impact on the [[natural environment]] from the burning of [[fossil fuel]]s.  Cleantech is often associated with [[venture capital]] funds and land use organizations.  The term has historically been differentiated from various definitions of green business, sustainability, or triple bottom line industries by its origins in the venture capital investment community and has grown to define a business sector that includes significant and high growth industries such as solar, wind, water purification, and biofuels.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cleantech.org/what-is-cleantech/|title=What is Cleantech?|via=www.cleantech.org}}</ref>

===Nomenclature===
While the expanding industry has grown rapidly in recent years and attracted billions of dollars of capital, the clean technology space has not settled on an agreed-upon term. ''Cleantech'', is used fairly widely, although variant spellings include {{angbr|clean-tech}} and {{angbr|clean tech}}. In recent years, some clean technology companies have de-emphasized that aspect of their business to tap into broader trends, such as [[smart cities]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-28/cleantech-rebrands-as-smart-city-to-attract-venture-dollars|title=Cleantech Rebrands as 'Smart City' to Attract Venture Dollars|date=28 October 2016|via=www.bloomberg.com}}</ref>

==Origins of the concept==
The idea of cleantech first emerged among a group of emerging technologies and industries, based on principles of [[biology]], [[resource efficiency]], and second-generation production concepts in basic industries. Examples include: [[Efficient energy use|energy efficiency]], [[selective catalytic reduction]], [[non-toxic]] materials, [[water purification]], [[solar energy]], [[wind energy]], and new paradigms in energy conservation. Since the 1990s, interest in these technologies has increased with two trends: a decline in the relative cost of these technologies and a growing understanding of the link between industrial design used in the 19th century and early 20th century, such as fossil fuel power plants, the [[internal combustion engine]], and [[chemical manufacturing]], and an emerging understanding of human-caused impact on earth systems resulting from their use (see articles: [[ozone hole]], [[acid rain]], [[desertification]], [[climate change]], and [[global warming]]).

==Investment worldwide==
{| class="wikitable" style="clear:right;float:right"
|+Annual cleantech investment in North America, Europe, Israel, China, India
|-
!Year
!Investment ($mil)
|-
| '''2001'''
| {{Align|right|506.8}}
|-
| '''2002'''
| {{Align|right|883.2}}
|-
| '''2003'''
| {{Align|right|1,258.6}}
|-
| '''2004'''
| {{Align|right|1,398.3}}
|-
| '''2005'''
| {{Align|right|2,077.5}}
|-
| '''2006'''
| {{Align|right|4,520.2}}
|-
| '''2007'''
| {{Align|right|6,087.2}}
|-
| '''2008'''*
| {{Align|right|8,414.3}}
|-
|colspan=3|*2008 data preliminary
|-
| colspan=3|Source: Cleantech Group<ref name="CCgroup">{{cite web |url=http://www.ccgrouppr.com/insights/uncategorized/clean-technology-venture-investment-reaches-record-8-4-billion-in-2008-despite-credit-crisis-and-broadening-recession/ |title=Clean technology venture investment reaches record $8.4 billion in 2008 despite credit crisis and broadening recession |work=Insights |date=2009-01-06 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021113400/https://www.ccgrouppr.com/insights/uncategorized/clean-technology-venture-investment-reaches-record-8-4-billion-in-2008-despite-credit-crisis-and-broadening-recession/ |archive-date=2013-10-21 |access-date=2018-10-25 }}</ref>
|}

In 2008, clean technology [[Venture capital|venture investments]] in North America, Europe, China, and India totaled a record $8.4 billion. Cleantech Venture Capital firms include NTEC, [[Cleantech Ventures]], and [[Foundation Capital]]. The preliminary 2008 total represents the seventh consecutive year of growth in venture investing, widely recognized as a leading indicator of overall investment patterns.<ref name="CCgroup" /> [[China]] is seen as a major growth market for cleantech investments currently, with a focus on renewable energy technologies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eprints.ucl.ac.uk/16051/1/16051.pdf|author=Caprotti F|date=2009|title=China's Cleantech Landscape: The Renewable Energy Technology Paradox|publisher=Sustainable Development Law & Policy|pages=6–10|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609155830/http://eprints.ucl.ac.uk/16051/1/16051.pdf|archive-date=2011-06-09}}</ref> In 2014, Israel, Finland and the US were leading the Global Cleantech Innovation Index, out of 40 countries assessed, while Russia and Greece were last.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/israel-finland-and-the-us-top-the-globa-60674/ |title=Israel, Finland and the US top the Global Cleantech Innovation Index 2014 &#124; FPA Patent Attorneys |website=JDSupra.com |date=2014-11-13 |access-date=2016-12-29}}</ref> With regards to private investments, the investment group Element 8 has received the 2014 CleanTech Achievement award from the CleanTech Alliance, a trade association focused on clean tech in the State of Washington, for its contribution in Washington State's cleantech industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/element-8-wins-2014-cleantech-214617723.html |title=Element 8 Wins 2014 CleanTech Achievement Award |website=Finance.yahoo.com |date=2014-11-12 |access-date=2016-12-29}}</ref>

According to the published research, the top clean technology sectors in 2008 were solar, biofuels, transportation, and wind. Solar accounted for almost 40% of total clean technology investment dollars in 2008, followed by biofuels at 11%. In 2019, sovereign wealth funds directly invested just under US$3 billion in renewable energy .<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.swfinstitute.org/news/83380/see-why-sovereign-wealth-funds-are-betting-on-clean-tech |title=See Why Sovereign Wealth Funds are Betting on Clean Tech |website=swfinstitute.org |date=2020-12-24 |access-date=2020-12-24}}</ref>

The [[2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference]] in [[Copenhagen]], [[Denmark]] was expected to create a framework whereby limits would eventually be placed on greenhouse gas emissions. Many proponents of the cleantech industry hoped for an agreement to be established there to replace the [[Kyoto Protocol]]. As this treaty was expected, scholars had suggested a profound and inevitable shift from "[[business as usual (business)|business as usual]]."<ref name="Meeting the Challenge ">{{cite news|title=Climate Change Congress|publisher=University of Copenhagen|date=2009-12-03|url=http://climatecongress.ku.dk/newsroom/congress_key_messages/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090316181631/http://climatecongress.ku.dk/newsroom/congress_key_messages/|archive-date=2009-03-16}}</ref> However, the participating States failed to provide a global framework for clean technologies. The outburst of the 2008 economic crisis then hampered private investments in clean technologies, which were back at their 2007 level only in 2014. The [[2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference]] in [[Paris]] is expected to achieve a universal agreement on climate, which would foster clean technologies development.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/12/european-cleantech-innovation-13-future-energy-system-gamechangers/ |title=European Cleantech Innovation: 13 Future Energy System Gamechangers |website=[[Cleantechnica.com]] |date=2014-11-12 |access-date=2016-12-29}}</ref> On 23 September 2019, the Secretary-General of the United Nations hosted a Climate Action Summit in New York.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/un-climate-summit-2019.shtml |title=UN Climate Action Summit 2019|website=www.un.org |date=2018-11-28}}</ref>

In 2022 the investment in cleantech (also called climatetech) boomed. "In fact, climate tech investment in the 12 months to Q3 2022 represented more than a quarter of every venture dollar invested, a greater proportion than 12 of the prior 16 quarters."<ref>{{Cite web |last=PricewaterhouseCoopers |title=Overcoming inertia in climate tech investing |url=https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/services/sustainability/publications/overcoming-inertia-in-climate-tech-investing.html |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=PwC |language=en-gx}}</ref>

== Implementation worldwide ==
'''[[India]]''' is one of the countries that have achieved remarkable success in sustainable development by implementing clean technology, and it became a global clean energy powerhouse. India, who was the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, advanced a scheme of converting to renewable energy with sun and wind from fossil fuels. This continuous effort has created an increase in the country's renewable energy capacity (around 80 gigawatts of installed renewable energy capacity, 2019), with a compound annual growth rate of over 20%. By steadily increasing India's renewable capacity, India is achieving the Paris Agreement with a significant reduction in producing carbon emissions.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Lathia|first1=Rutvik Vasudev|last2=Dadhaniya|first2=Sujal|date=February 2017|title=Policy formation for Renewable Energy sources|journal=Journal of Cleaner Production|language=en|volume=144|pages=334–336|doi=10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.01.023}}</ref> Adopting renewable energy not only brought technological advances to India, but it also impacted employment by creating around 330,000 new jobs by 2022 and more than 24 million new jobs by 2030, according to the [[International Labour Organization]] in the renewable energy sector.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/09/here-s-how-india-became-a-global-clean-energy-powerhouse/|title=Here's how India became a global clean energy powerhouse|website=World Economic Forum}}</ref>

'''[[Germany]]''' has been one of the renewable energy leaders in the world, and their efforts have expedited the progress after the nuclear power plant meltdown in Japan in 2011, by deciding to switch off all 17 reactors by 2022. Still, this is just one of Germany's ultimate goals; and Germany is aiming to set the usage of renewable energy at 80% by 2050, which is currently 47% (2020).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.destatis.de/EN/Press/2021/03/PE21_101_43312.html|title=Electricity production in 2020: 5.9% less electricity fed into the grid than in 2019|date=2021-05-05}}</ref> Also, Germany is investing in renewable energy from offshore wind and anticipating its investment to result in one-third of total wind energy in Germany. The importance of clean technology also impacted the transportation sector of Germany, which produces 17 percent of its emission. The famous car-producing companies, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, and Audi, in Germany, are also providing new electric cars to meet Germany's energy transition movement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2015/11/germany-renewable-energy-revolution/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305003854/http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2015/11/germany-renewable-energy-revolution/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 5, 2017|title=Germany Has Some Revolutionary Ideas, and They're Working|date=2015-10-15|website=Magazine|language=en}}</ref>

'''[[Africa]] and the [[Middle East]]''' has drawn worldwide attention for its potential share and new market of solar electricity. Notably, the countries in the Middle East have been utilizing their natural resources, an abundant amount of oil and gas, to develop solar electricity. Also, to practice the renewable energy, the energy ministers from 14 Arab countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding for an Arab Common Market for electricity by committing to the development of the electricity supply system with renewable energy.<ref>{{Citation|last1=Varadi|first1=Peter F.|title=Local Value Creation|date=2018-03-26|work=The Sun is Rising in Africa and the Middle East|pages=187–198|publisher=Jenny Stanford Publishing|isbn=9781351007320|last2=Wouters|first2=Frank|last3=Hoffman|first3=Allan R.|doi=10.1201/9781351007320-8}}</ref>

== United Nations: Sustainable Development Goals ==
[[File:Sustainable Development Goals.png|thumb|368x368px|United Nations: 17 Sustainable Development Goals]]
The '''[[United Nations]]''' has set goals for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which is called "[[Sustainable Development Goals]]" composed of 17 goals and 232 indicators total. These goals are designed to build a sustainable future and to implement in the countries (member states) in the UN. Many parts of the 17 goals are related to the usage of clean technology since it is eventually an essential part of designing a sustainable future in various areas such as land, cities, industries, climate, etc.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs|title=SDGs .:. Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform|website=sustainabledevelopment.un.org}}</ref>

* '''Goal 6''': "Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg6|title=Goal 6 .:. Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform|website=sustainabledevelopment.un.org}}</ref>
** Various kinds of clean water technology are used to fulfill this goal, such as filters, technology for desalination, filtered water fountains for communities, etc.
* '''Goal 7''': "Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all"
** Promoting countries for implementing renewable energy is making remarkable progress, such as:
*** "From 2012 to 2014, three quarters of the world’s 20 largest energy-consuming countries had reduced their energy intensity — the ratio of energy used per unit of GDP. The reduction was driven mainly by greater efficiencies in the industry and transport sectors. However, that progress is still not sufficient to meet the target of doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg7|title=Goal 7 .:. Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform|website=sustainabledevelopment.un.org}}</ref>
* '''Goal 11''': "Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg11|title=Goal 11 .:. Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform|website=sustainabledevelopment.un.org}}</ref>
** By designing sustainable cities and communities, clean technology takes parts in the architectural aspect, transportation, and city environment. For example:
*** Global Fuel Economy Initiative (GFEI) - Relaunched to accelerate progress on decarbonizing road transport. Its main goal for passenger vehicles, in line with [[Sustainable Development Goal 7|SDG 7]].3, is to double the energy efficiency of new vehicles by 2030. This will also help mitigate climate change by reducing harmful {{CO2}} emissions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/partnerships/goal11/|title=Goal 11 - United Nations Partnerships for SDGs platform|website=sustainabledevelopment.un.org}}</ref>
* '''Goal 13''': "Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts*"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg13|title=Goal 13 .:. Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform|website=sustainabledevelopment.un.org|access-date=2019-11-03}}</ref>
** Greenhouse gas emissions have significantly impacted the climate, and this results in a rapid solution for consistently increasing emission levels. United Nations held the "[[Paris Agreement]]" for dealing with greenhouse gas emissions mainly within countries and for finding solutions and setting goals.

==See also==
*[[Environmental science]]
*[[Greentech (disambiguation)]]
*[[Sustainable engineering]]
* [[WIPO GREEN]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-leckey-20110828,0,2237159.story Investing: Green technology has big growth potential], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', 2011
*[http://awsassets.panda.org/downloads/wwf_report___global_cleantech_innovation_index_2014__final_.pdf The Global Cleantech Innovation Index 2014], by Cleantech Group and [[World Wide Fund for Nature|WWF]]

{{Environmental technology}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Clean Technology}}
[[Category:Economics of sustainability]]
[[Category:Environmental technology]]