Cleantech

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Cleantech is a term used to describe knowledge-based products or services that improve operational performance, productivity, or efficiency while reducing costs, inputs, energy consumption, waste, or 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 and the impact on the natural environment from the burning of fossil fuels. The term cleantech is often associated with venture capital funds.

Overview

The term "cleantech" first emerged in widespread use to describe 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, and global warming).

Investment

In 2008, clean technology venture investments in North America, Europe, China and India totaled a record $8.4 billion. The preliminary 2008 total represents the seventh consecutive year of growth in venture investing, widely recognized as a leading indicator of overall investment patterns.^[2] China is seen as a major growth market for cleantech investments currently, with a focus on renewable energy technologies. ^[3]

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%.

The 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark is expected to create a framework whereby limits would eventually be placed on greenhouse gas emissions. Many proponents of the cleantech industry hope an agreement is established there to replace the Kyoto Protocol. As this treaty is expected scholars have suggested a profound and inevitable shift from "business as usual." ^[4]

See also

Environment portal

Energy portal

• Alternate energy
• Alternative energy indexes
• Clean Edge
• Clean Energy Trends
• Clean Technology
• Cleantech Group
• Greenhouse Solutions with Sustainable Energy
• Photovoltaic power stations
• Plug-in hybrid
• Renewable energy
• Renewable energy commercialization
• Renewable energy industry
• Wind farms
• Winning the Oil Endgame
• Clean tech law

References

1. ^ http://cleantech.com/about/pressreleases/010609.cfm
2. ^ "Clean technology venture investment reaches record $8.4 billion in 2008 despite credit crisis and broadening recession". Cleantech Group. 2009-01-09. http://cleantech.com/about/pressreleases/010609.cfm. Retrieved 2009-03-23. 
3. ^ Caprotti F (2009) China's Cleantech Landscape: The Renewable Energy Technology Paradox Sustainable Development Law & Policy Spring 2009: 6-10
4. ^ "Climate Change Congress". University of Copenhagen. 2009-12-03. http://climatecongress.ku.dk/newsroom/congress_key_messages/.