Cleaner Technology (CT)

Cleaner Technology (CT)

Introduction

Clean technology, in short cleantech, is any process, product, or service that reduces negative environmental impacts through significant 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 transportation, electric motors, green chemistry, lighting, Greywater, and more. Environmental finance is a method by which new clean technology projects that have proven that they are "additional" or "beyond business as usual" 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.

Definition

Cleantech products or services are those that improve operational performance, productivity, or efficiency while reducing costs, inputs, 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 fuels.

Passive environmental strategies

Reactive environmental strategies

Proactive environmental strategies

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: 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).

What is waste?

Where are you now?

Cleaner Technology Definition

Investment worldwide

In 2008, clean technology 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. China is seen as a major growth market for cleantech investments currently, with a focus on renewable energy technologies.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. 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.

Cleaner Technology principles

• conservation principle

• precaution principle

• preventive principle

• integration principle

How CT could be applied in practice?

Cleaner Technology practices

CT versus End-of-Pipe approach

What are the benefits ofCleaner Technology?

CP barriers

CT motivators and drivers

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.

The role of international organizations in CT development

• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

• United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)

• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

• World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

• Development Finance Institutions (DFIs)

Team for CT success

• Managers, engineers and finance people in industry and commerce, in particular those responsible for business strategy, product development, plant operations and finance

• Government officials, both central and regional, who play an important role in promoting CP

• Media representatives who play an important role in disseminating information on good environmental practice

Cleaner Technology procedures

Planning & Organization

• Obtain management commitment

• Identify potential barriers and solutions

• Set plant-wide goals

• Organize a project team

Assessment

• Identify sources

• Identify waste/pollution causes

• Generate possible options

Material and energy balances

Why are material and energy balances so important?

Possible causes for waste generation

CT assessment practices

Broader Application of CT

Cleaner Production and Sustainable Development