The Rise of Sustainable Tech: Green Innovations Set to Dominate

With humanity’s increasing awareness and concern for the future of our planet, the technology industry is seeing a green revolution. A greater focus on developing sustainable technology to reduce or eliminate contributors to global warming is driving innovation. It is an important area of technological development that strives to create a better tomorrow.

Green innovations in sustainable technology

There are many different forms that green innovations can take when technology is introduced:

Renewable energy solutions

In the past, humans largely relied on burning fossil fuels to provide the energy needed to generate electricity. Now, there is a push towards developing cost-effective renewable energy solutions for a range of applications. To date, these technologies include wind turbines, solar panels, hydroelectric power plants and tidal energy generators. 

Sustainable materials and manufacturing

Humans will always need to manufacture products. The question is how to do it sustainably, minimising negative environmental impacts while remaining economically viable. Finding successful solutions to this question can have a host of benefits, including improving manufacturing efficiency, decreasing waste, building public trust and sentiment toward the brand, meeting stricter environmental regulatory constraints and improving the long-term viability of the business.

Circular economy practices

The idea of a circular economy is to find ways to extend the life cycle of a product or material for as long as possible, resulting in an overall reduction of the environmental impact. Technology is a key part of finding new methods to reuse, recycle, repair and remake products effectively. HP has embraced this concept, upcycling materials from items like HP printer cartridges, apparel hangers and plastic bottles for use in new products, such as HP computer keyboards.

Eco-friendly consumer electronics

Consumer electronics require a huge amount of resources to make, and there is an environmental cost associated with their production, use and disposal. As a result of increased societal awareness of issues like climate change, manufacturers are developing ways to make their products more green. This includes improving energy efficiency, recycling materials from used products, reducing obsolescence and increasing customers' inclination to repair broken devices.

Industries transformed by sustainable tech

There are a number of industries that have been revolutionised by the continued development of sustainable technology:

Energy and utilities

The energy sector is changing as fossil fuels are slowly being phased out in favour of renewable energy sources. Significant time, money and resources devoted to developing the technology necessary to facilitate this change have changed how electricity is produced and lessened the reliance on natural gas for heating applications.

Transportation and electric vehicles

In the last decade, huge developments in electric vehicle technology have revolutionised the transportation industry. More consumers are looking toward electric vehicles as their next purchase, and Tesla has become one of the most recognisable vehicle manufacturers in the world. In the future, electric vehicles may match or outnumber combustion engines, with some countries considering a ban on the sale of new combustion engine vehicles after a set date.

Information technology and data centres

Information technology and data centres have become essential parts of society, and advancements in technology are making this sector greener. Areas being addressed include optimising energy consumption, improving manufacturing processes and finding ways to reuse and dispose of older tech to minimise environmental impact.

Agriculture and food production

In the agriculture and food production industries, technology is being developed for environmentally friendly processes and machinery that is safer, more efficient and more profitable. This includes farm drones for tasks that previously required a plane, remote irrigation monitoring systems to effectively manage water usage and fleet management technology optimising farming equipment use.

Fashion and textiles

The rise of fast fashion and textiles had a significantly detrimental impact on the environment, contributing to millions of tons of textile waste being sent to landfills each year. Now, ethical fashion has become the trend and part of that is using green innovations to improve sustainability. 3D sampling, developing recyclable textiles, using computer management systems to offer on-demand production and implementing circular economy practices are all examples of green technology in action.

Environmental impact and benefits

Here are just a few of the benefits that developing sustainable technology and green innovation can have:

Reduction in carbon footprint

A reduction in carbon footprint results in less greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere. These emissions are one of the leading causes of global warming and climate change, so reducing them is essential.

Resource conservation

Earth’s resources are finite. Finding ways to conserve those resources and reuse them is essential in ensuring a more sustainable future for the planet.

Cost savings and efficiency gains

Improving energy efficiency and reducing waste can streamline manufacturing production and result in cost savings for the companies involved. It’s a way of benefiting businesses and the environment, ensuring a good outcome for both.

Enhanced corporate sustainability

To remain viable in the future, corporations need to be socially, economically and environmentally sustainable. Developing green innovations tailored to the corporation's interests and goals addresses these concerns effectively.

Key trends in sustainable tech

Investment and funding in green tech startups

In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in interest in starting and investing in green tech startups. Funding supplied by various key sources includes governments, investment funds, not-for-profit organisations and corporations, showing that it’s a trend worth following.

Government policies and regulations

With the general increase in society's awareness of environmental issues, citizens have called on their governments to take action. Across the world, regulations and policies are being introduced to combat a host of environmental issues, with plans being developed at the local, state, federal and international levels.

Consumer demand for eco-friendly products

An analysis of online search results shows that searches for sustainable goods have increased by over 70% in the past five years. This data was worldwide, indicating there is a global concern for making ethical purchasing decisions. In retail, more and more vendors are advertising how and where their goods are made in response to this change in customer priorities.

Tech companies' sustainability commitments

Many of the world's large tech companies are making sustainability commitments that include tangible goals. HP’s initiatives include reducing its global operations’ greenhouse gas emissions by 65% from 2015 to 2025, reaching 75% circularity for products and packaging by 2030, and counteracting the deforestation impact of non-HP paper used in their products and prints by 2030.

The future of sustainable technology

Growth projections and industry outlook

As an industry, green technology and sustainability is currently worth billions. That figure is projected to rise in future. 

Development will continue in renewable energy sources, with potential advancements in battery technology set to pave the way for a significant decrease in the reliance on fossil fuels. The increased adoption of established technologies is also likely, and we should see a continued interest in the development of new, sustainable solutions to issues across all industries.

Emerging technologies in sustainability

A few emerging technologies in development may revolutionise the sustainability of their respective areas over the next year.

• Carbon dioxide absorption to reduce the amount of atmospheric CO2

• Wastewater treatment solutions to combat water pollution, including BPA

• Sustainable housing solutions, including 3D printing and new building materials

• Using Perovskite solar cells to significantly improve the efficiency of solar panels

• Developing nuclear fusion as a viable alternative to the nuclear fission process currently used

Global initiatives for a greener future

Global initiatives are needed to make a significant impact on worldwide issues. Developing a successful initiative requires the genuine cooperation of organisations, companies and governments across the world. 

Global initiatives in areas like healthcare have been ongoing for years. Now, sustainability seems set to receive the same long-term, cooperative engagement that can help produce significant change in the world. 

Summary

Sustainable technology has the power to transform how we do things, decreasing the environmental impact of human activities while improving economic outcomes. It is a mechanism through which a better tomorrow can be created, sustaining the Earth for generations.