Clean Tech and Climate Tech – What Do They Actually Mean?
As with any sector, there is a lot of specific language used in sustainability circles.
As technology intertwines more closely with sustainability efforts, both climate tech and clean tech have emerged as significant tools for decarbonisation. Both terms however, are often used interchangeably.
Both fields are geared towards addressing environmental challenges but focus on distinct areas and methods that are transforming industries and drawing considerable investments.
Dissecting the differences between clean tech and climate tech
Let's delve into the differences between clean tech and climate tech.
In a sentence?
Clean tech is primarily about improving efficiency and curtailing waste across various industries, while climate tech is about reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the changing climate.
Looking in more detail, the term clean tech was first introduced in the early 2000s and spans a diverse array of technologies and business models intended to boost environmental sustainability across multiple sectors.
It aims to reduce the environmental footprint by enhancing efficiency, reducing waste and tapping into renewable sources.
This includes advancements in energy efficiency, renewable energy sources like solar and wind, green transportation solutions, water purification technologies and efficient waste management systems.
Climate tech, meanwhile, zeroes in on mitigating the impacts of and adapting to climate change.
It focuses directly on technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and includes innovations like carbon capture and storage and climate modelling, as well as technologies for coping with the effects of climate changes.
This distinction not only drives investment decisions but also fuels the creation of new technologies that are imperative for achieving a sustainable, low-carbon economy.
Pioneering climate tech innovations
Among the leading breakthroughs in climate technology is direct air capture (DAC). This innovative process involves removing CO₂ directly from the atmosphere and either reusing it or sequestering it underground.
Leading the charge in this field are companies such as Climeworks, partnering with notable names like Morgan Stanley, Coca-Cola HBC Switzerland, and LEGO.
Climeworks has ambitious expansion plans aiming to capture 1.3 million metric tons of CO₂ annually by 2030.
Speaking during his time as General Manager, Onshore Wind Product Management at GE, Paul Judge, General Manager, Technical Wind at Fortescue says: “DAC is a time machine. It can do the things we wished we’d done in the past.”
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has pointed out that whilst promising, capturing CO₂ from the air is currently the most expensive method of carbon capture.
CUR8’s Co-Founder and Chief Scientist Dr Gabrielle Walker says: “As well as coordinating the ecosystem, we need to embed carbon dioxide removal (CDR) in the wider climate conversation, both to look for opportunities and to ease fears.
CUR8’s Co-Founder and Chief Scientist Dr Gabrielle Walker says: “As well as coordinating the ecosystem, we need to embed carbon dioxide removal (CDR) in the wider climate conversation, both to look for opportunities and to ease fears.
“CDR goes along with other climate actions, like the phase out of fossil fuels investments, the required 7% reduction of emissions or the protection of existing sinks and rainforests.
“This is a moment of truth. We have an immense challenge and an immense opportunity ahead of us.”
Clean tech in everyday life
There are lots of everyday examples of clean tech that might not be instantly recognisable as clean tech, but renewable energy, electric vehicles (EVs), recycling and waste management processes, water reuse practices and the development of bioplastics all fall within the clean tech umbrella.
Carbon Clean is a pioneer in transforming carbon capture technology.
Its patented CycloneCC system has been implemented by major companies including PETRONAS, significantly lowering the cost and size of carbon capture systems to make them more feasible for industries that are harder to reform.
As of 2023, Carbon Clean has successfully removed more than 1.9 million metric tonnes of carbon from 49 facilities globally, showcasing the scalability and effectiveness of their solutions.
Aniruddha Sharma, Chair and CEO of Carbon Clean, says: “We are on a mission to solve the biggest decarbonisation challenges faced by hard-to-abate sectors: cost and space.
“Our focus is on rapidly commercialising and scaling CycloneCC so it can help heavy industries play their part in a clean energy future.”
******
Make sure you check out the latest edition of Sustainability Magazine and also sign up to our global conference series - Sustainability LIVE 2024
******
Sustainability Magazine is a BizClik brand
******