Chapter 1
An introduction to sustainable technology
Consumers are beginning to make purchases with sustainability in mind. The modern shopper wants to know that the products they’re purchasing were manufactured with ethics at the forefront. There’s a growing demand for businesses to step up and show a sustainable initiative.
One of the leading industries for this green revolution is the technology sector. With tech playing such an integral role in the day-to-day life of most people, larger companies have had to do what they can to step up and embrace this new-found passion for sustainability.
Whether with a genuine desire to help the world, or just their bottom line in mind, a number of tech giants are doing what they can to make products greener. In this guide, we’re going to assess the current state of sustainable (or green) technology, while also looking at how larger businesses are doing their bit to help.
What is sustainable technology?
The phrase sustainable technology is something of an umbrella term. Technology that is sustainable operates through a trio of core principles:
Negative by-products of manufacturing are eliminated when green methods are utilised. That means things like contamination or anything that encourages deterioration. There’s also a focus on preventing any kind of potentially harmful environmental impact.
Perhaps at the core of sustainable tech use is the replacement of something which causes damage with a more environmentally friendly alternative. For example, a non-biodegradable substance being swapped out for something which will naturally break down over time, or a non-renewable resource being replaced with a renewable one.
The technology has to be as efficient as possible in terms of its use of energy and any natural resources. That means no wasteful use of any of the central materials being used in a process.
Anything which has been produced keeping these factors in mind can be considered a form of sustainable or green technology.
The importance of green technology in sustainability
It’s clear that sustainable technology has a big impact on the world around us. But just how valuable is it in the overall fight for sustainability and natural resource management? Here are some of the most important ways technology has a positive impact on sustainability efforts:
Ensuring that energy is only used to the extent it’s needed, without any form of excess waste, is at the forefront of green tech implementation. Smart thermostats and lightbulbs are good examples of this. They will automatically monitor the conditions of a room and switch off accordingly – so long as you’ve set them to a predetermined time or temperature.
It used to be practically impossible to have a clear picture of what your entire supply chain looked like from start to finish. But in the digital age, technology allows us to monitor and assess every step of the process. This has directly led to a more responsible sourcing of goods, while also making it easier to streamline a process and cut down on waste, pollution and a company’s carbon footprint.
Landfills might have felt like a bottomless pit for the best part of a century, but the reality is quite different. The need to recycle or upcycle materials for a second use has been widely promoted in recent decades. This limits the amount of material going to waste, while also lowering the need for more energy to be consumed in the production of new goods.
Digital technology also gives most companies the chance to educate and put responsibility in the hands of their employees. Automated systems make it easy for almost anyone to manage, while online resources allow a workforce to learn more about what they can do to help.
Types ofsustainabe technology
To really understand the impact of this kind of tech, it’s important to get a grounding in the kinds of things which fall into the sustainable bracket. Some of the most prevalent forms of this kind of tech include:
Sustainable technology at home:
While they might remind you more of something you’d find in decorative lighting, LEDs (light emitting diodes) are actually a fantastic way to illuminate a property without excess levels of energy consumption. These types of light use far less wattage than traditional options, making them a really desirable green alternative.
While the concept of using solar power from the sun has been prevalent for the majority of the 21st century, it’s only in the last few years that the renewable energy source has become seen as a viable alternative to traditional methods.The UK now produces a whopping 14 GW(gigawatts) of solar power per year, with hopes to expand this to 15 GW by the end of 2021. Homeowners can attach solar panels to their house in order to generate and store their own energy.
In order to prevent excess wastage, smart meters can be placed in a home to cap your usage. They are also able to monitor where you’re using the most amount of energy, and help you adjust your habits accordingly. Devices can often be accessed via mobile apps, meaning you can stay on top of things remotely.
The large scale turbines which can be found on wind farms aren’t the only way that power can be generated. There are also smaller versions which can be placed in the backyard to help power the home (or at the very least supplement energy usage).
By upgrading your toilet to one which uses a dual flush, you’ll waste less water every time you pull the chain. The flush works by letting you choose between a regular flush for liquid waste (which requires less water to remove), or a more industrial flush for solid matter.
Another sustainable form of technology which was teased for years, electric vehicles (EVs) are now becoming increasingly common on British roads.The RAC estimates there to be as many as 300,000 EVs on UK roads, with a further 995,000 different kinds of hybrids (which use both electricity and a combustion engine).Government plansare for there to be an outright ban on the sale of new petrol or diesel cars by the year 2030.
This form of gas-based power is tentatively being considered one of the great saviours of the modern era. As something of an alternative for EVs, hydrogen-powered cars are able to store energy using less weight. This healthy battle between electric and hydrogen could help to accelerate both to new sustainable heights.
Wind power is a technology which has become increasingly popular in recent years. Roads could soon employ the use of street lights which produce energy as a result of the breeze. As most motorways are relatively exposed to the elements, there should be no shortage of supply.
Piezoelectric energy harvesting sees the natural heat and motion of cars running on the road converted into electricity. This is in turn used to power any electrical features of the road itself. The power is collected by a certain type of crystal, which can generate energy when pressure is applied to it.
Sustainable technology stats and facts
Now we have a better understanding of what sustainable technology actually is, we can assess how much of an impact it has on the world around us. One of the best examples of how important the sustainable market is comes in the form of areport from the IEA.
They found that renewable forms of electricity will account for 196.1 GW of global power come the end of 2021. That was a steep rise from the amount produced in 2020, which totalled just 166.7 GW.
When broken down by region, China is without doubt at the forefront of electric energy production. The figures show rates to be:
78.4gw
China
31.9gw
Europe
24.4gw
USA
61.4gw
Rest of the world
Encouragingly, all forms of renewable power capacity saw a predicted net growth for 2021. In most instances, these saw a huge step-up from the figures shown the previous year:
Wind
14gw
Growth (from 2020)
Utility Solar
13.6gw
Growth
Distributed solar
17.3gw
Growth
Hydropower
9.7gw
Growth
Encouragingly, the UK Government is looking to embrace the development and use of green technology to fund next-generation forms of sustainable energy. As part of their plan to kick-off a new green industrial revolution, they are introducingthe Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP).
This fund promises a total of £1bn across a number of priority areas, including the likes of:
Offshore wind
Energy storage and flexibility
Bioenergy
Hydrogen power
Disruptive technologies
As much as £92m of the total sum will be distributed to three core areas of green technology. Those being:
£68m
The bulk of the money will be directed towards enhancing the capabilities of energy storage technology. With the majority of renewable energy generated by the natural conditions of the weather (which can be unpredictable), it’s vital a constant supply of energy is kept stored year-round.
£4m
This form of energy is generated from organic materials, without the need to tap into any non-renewable sources such as fossil fuels. The money would be used towards cultivating low-cost and low-maintenance feed crops to be used for energy production.
£28m
With the UK fortunate enough to have a very expansive coastline, funding will also be diverted towards this form of natural energy production. Floating turbines can reach further out to sea than those embedded in the seafloor. This allows them to harness wind power which is much stronger, found in choppier waters.
Chapter 2
How tech giants are using sustainable technology
It’s the responsibility of bigger names in the tech industry to do what they can to promote the use and awareness of sustainable technology. Let’s look at what kinds of green tech are being implemented, as well as any efforts being made by larger corporations to make them a part of their day-to-day business operations.
What big companies are doing to be more sustainable
With so much weight placed on environmental issues by consumers across the world, it’s no surprise the tech giants of the world are doing what they can to embrace their demands. Here are some of the biggest changes which larger businesses are making in a commitment to be more green:
The global search engine giant that is Google has been at the forefront of sustainable technology for some time. In 2017, the company had managed to power itself with100% renewable energy, a few years ahead of schedule.
And with A.I. (artificial intelligence) and global mapping systems which are far in advance of most other businesses, they’ve been able to turn attention towards searching for sustainable wins. Some big successes have come inoptimising the use of solar energy, as well as regrowing and protecting forests.
Apple unquestionably holds dominion over the world of user-friendly smart technology, but what are they doing to ensure their impact on the world around them is a positive one? Well, it’s hard to really know. The company certainly makes something of a commitment to sustainability, but they lack the extra-curricular projects which Google can tout.
As part of their efforts to remain environmentally friendly,Apple claim to:
In truth, with what are relatively vague and somewhat unsubstantiated claims, it’s hard to really assess just how seriously Apple are taking their environmental impact.
Having come under some heavy fire for the amount of carbon their delivery vehicles were pumping into the atmosphere, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos was forced to act.In 2019, he announced the company’s commitmentto following the Paris Accord – a legally binding treaty which laid out plans to operate more sustainably by those involved.
To take it one step further, Amazon would also co-found the Climate Pledge, which strives to meet the targets of the Paris Accord as much as ten years early. As of early 2021, over 100 signatures (including some big names like Heineken, Visa and Alaska Airlines) can be found on the Pledge. They would go on to announce four different levels of certification for Climate Pledge Friendly products, which would be sold on their online marketplace with discounts of anywhere from 15-25%.
What’s more, the company can also boast 206 renewable energy products across the globe, with 71 utility-scale wind and solar projects, and a further 135 solar rooftops.
This tech giant has been ahead of the curve for some time when it comes to sustainability efforts, having introduced the Samsung Environmental Declaration as far back as 1992. Their PlanetFirst initiative ensures that they approach every product with environmental impact in mind.
They use as few resources as possible in construction, while also reusing waste and end-of-life products. Just some of the steps they’re taking to ensure they reduce the size of their carbon footprint include:
Every Samsung worksite operates by strict rules, meaning these practices are carried across countries and continents.
South Korean company LG acknowledges that while technological advancements are important, they shouldn’t be a priority over the health of the planet. That’s why they’ve introduced a zero negative environmental impact plan, which lays out a set of targets to strive for by 2030.
Those include:
As well as this, they’re also looking to transition to 100% renewable energy across all areas of their business by 2050.
Japanese firm Sony has introduced an environmental plan called “Road to Zero.” In truth, the targets for the plan aren’t entirely clear, but they intend to have reduced their environmental footprint by the year 2050.
While it’s something of a vague goal, they are at least taking steps to try and improve their sustainability efforts. Those include by:
Even these changes are a little vague, so it will be interesting to see if the company comes out with further details about what they’re doing in the future.
With an aim to ensure that energy usage is made as efficient as possible, Panasonic have introduced their Environment Vision for 2050. They were prompted to begin reassessing energy waste when they realised that just 10% of all energy they were creating was being put to good use.
Key areas of focus include:
While most companies strive to become carbon neutral, Microsoft have set their sights a little higher. They are striving to become carbon negative by 2030 – meaning they not only offset the amount of carbon they put into the atmosphere, but actually reduce the amount.
A year into the project thingsappear to be going well. Some milestones the company have already hit include:
As if the pledge of carbon negativity wasn’t enough, Microsoft have also made it a goal to offset all of the carbon produced directly or through electricity which has been pumped into the atmosphere since their founding in 1973.
Dell has implemented a project calledProgress Made Realin order to hit their ambitious sustainability goals. These targets range from those which could be achieved in a few years, to more challenging endeavours. Some of their most important include:
Keep what you’ve learnt in mind when considering which tech giants to opt for in the future. And remember, if you’re someone who likes to make ethically conscious purchasing choices, always do your own research first.
What businesses can do to be more sustainable
It’s not just the giants of the world who can do their bit to protect the world around them. Other businesses also have the potential to step up and make a real and meaningful impact. While they might not have the same resources available to them as the likes of Apple or Google, there’s still plenty that can be done to have a positive impact.
Some of the most effective ways to make a change include:
A remote-first policy means your workforce are using considerably less carbon during their daily commute to work. This can have a huge impact on the overall carbon footprint of a business. What’s more, recent global events have highlighted how working from is a feasible option for a huge proportion of companies.
There are a host of energy-efficient upgrades any company can make to have a positive impact on their carbon footprint. They include things like LEDs, automated light sensors, smart thermostats and any other kind of smart sensory device. You can also make the switch to an energy supplier who offers a more sustainable approach. You’ll find that not only will the size of your footprint drop, but most likely also your monthly energy bills.
While it might not seem like it, the internet, websites and even emails all use energy and even produce carbon. After all, something needs to power these digital marvels. Shop around and find a web-hosting service who have a proven commitment to remaining ethical.
If you’re finding that the changes you’ve made aren’t doing enough to satisfy your need to be more sustainable, you can make direct investments by purchasing carbon offsets. This means paying a third-party a set amount of money to save emissions equivalent to those you’ve produced
Schemes to promote sustainable technology
Fortunately for both larger and smaller companies looking to improve their environmental impact, a series of schemes exist to help support them. Here are just some of the initiatives which have been created to ensure sustainability is at the forefront in the digital sector:
As part of their initiative for a green industrial revolution,the Government has made £134m availableto more than 1,000 of the UK’s greenest businesses in order to help them thrive. A total of 1,069 businesses in total have been given £175,000 to further progress projects which look to heighten sustainability in the UK.
Some of the most exciting initiative who’ve benefited from this funding include:
A.I. used to help reduce beer waste
Robots that detect and repair cracks or potholes in roads
Seaweed conversion into compostable packaging
It’s hoped the money will provide these companies, which range in size, with a foothold to go out and make a significant difference.
This initiative is aimed at championing the use of biomass for energy. Grants are awarded which can be used to fund the installation of equipment in biomass-fuelled projects in the commercial, industrial and community sectors. Some of the schemes primary aims are to:
Stimulate the UK renewable industry
Provide learning benefits that will accelerate the industry
Help contribute to UK targets for reducing greenhouse gas
This scheme was created with the aim of encouraging businesses to invest in efficient technologies. You’ll be able to get total tax relief on certain investments, technologies and products for the first year, as long as they comply with the scheme’s interpretation of sustainability.
This global standard for the creation of products that are safe and sustainable is used as a stamp of authority for anyone looking to ensure they buy ethically. To be given a C2C certification, five different areas are assessed. Those being:
Material health
Product circularity
Clean air and climate protection
Water and soil stewardship
Social fairness
Once you’ve designated a product for certification, you can apply to one of the scheme’s manyaccredited assessment bodiesfor approval. You’ll work with an assessor to compile data, before being given a pass or fail mark for your efforts.
Chapter 3
The future of sustainable technology
Now we’ve taken a look at what companies are doing to fight for sustainability, let’s turn our attention towards the future. The way in which technology governs our lives is adapting and evolving on a daily basis. So it only stands to reason that our green tech will continue to change at the same rate. So what comes next for sustainable technology?
What a more sustainable future might look like
It’s impossible to know what the future has in store for us. But with something as data-driven as technology, you can at least make an educated guess. If the prioritisation of sustainable technology continues at the rate which you’d expect, here is a snapshot of what our society may one day look like:
With carbon continuing to stand out as the main antagonist of an environmentally-friendly future, it wouldn’t be unthinkable to see entire cities which have developed to the point of carbon non-dependency. With so many alternatives to carbon-based energy now available, it wouldn’t be out of the question to see cities outright ban its use.
The global push for EVs has and will continue to see a huge variety of electric cars on roads. If targets across the next few decades are met, we could see a near-exclusive electric motorway in the future. Should that happen, electric roads themselves may become the norm. These could take a number of forms.
There are already plans in placeto use overhead wires to charge trucks, but this may not be a feasible option for regular vehicles. As such, we might see charging technologies employed in the road themselves. These would keep a vehicle topped up on electric power as they drive, reducing the need to stop and use manual charging points.
Sustainability has already become a major talking point in a number of debates and even elections. But the growing pressure from voters to see global warming taken seriously could result in it overtaking the likes of taxation, international relations, education and even healthcare as the primary topic of debate.
A recent report found as many as 77% of votersacross 11 European countries saw issues around climate change as one of the most important factors in deciding their vote. This was closely mirrored by young people (those aged 30 and less), where 75% chose based on this.
Sustainable technology currently being developed
We’ve already covered some of the incredible forms of green tech which have been introduced. But what’s currently in the pipeline? Here are some forms of sustainable technology which we might be seeing sooner rather than later:
Sustainable Technology
This tower stands at a little over seven feet in height, and has the ability to suck in and purify air at a rate of 30,000 m3 an hour. Patrons are able to buy a ring made of compressed smog particles, which each account for 10,700 square feet of clean air. There are currently projects underway in China, The Netherlands, Mexico, South Korea and Poland.
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Sustainable Technology
This may sound like the stuff of science fiction, but the B-Droid is a futuristic robot which could help to subsidise the need for pollination of flowers. Created by specialists at the University of Warsaw, the B-Droid initiative consists of a series of autonomous and semi-autonomous robots, which help boost the bee population by taking on the low-nutritional and high-labour tasks of natural insects.
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Sustainable Technology
This ingenious creation from the University of Michigan could be used as a window substitute in large buildings and even houses in the future. The glass has the ability to absorb and store solar energy, which can then be used to power the property it’s attached to (as well as others). They estimate that there are 5-to-7 billion square metres of window space available in the US alone. That would be enough to power as much as 40% of the country.
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Sustainable Technology
This clever ocean cleaner has the power to suck in water, filter out any unwanted substances like plastic, oil and detergents, and then pump the clean water left behind out into the sea again. The catch bag inside the bin only needs to be changed once a month. Implementation of these on a wider scale could make a huge difference at major ports and harbors.
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Sustainable Technology
Exclusively using solar power and thermal desalination, Sundrop Farms in South Australia are able to operate while using far fewer resources than a traditional farm. Water is taken from the nearby Spencer Gulf, which is desalinated before being used to feed crops. This process is entirely powered by solar energy.
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Chapter 4
Useful Links
We’ve covered a lot in this guide, but there might still be more you want to learn about the world of sustainable technology. Make sure to check out these helpful secondary sources to discover more about the constantly evolving world of sustainable tech.
Earth.org assess who they feel are the 50 most sustainable countries in 2021
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Are you considering buying an EV in the next few years? Read EDF’s guide to ensure you find the perfect vehicle
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The Good Trade provide 10 sustainable changes which you can make at home for a greener life
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Read all about the Governments Sustainable Development Goals
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Grants Online highlight a variety of grants, loans and other financial options for companies looking for support with green schemes
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