What are cleantechs and why is there so much talk about them?
Cleantech, or clean technologies, refers to all innovations aimed at reducing the environmental impact of human activities. They cover a wide range of sectors: renewable energies, energy efficiency, natural resource management and even sustainable agriculture. Basically, it's anything that helps reduce our carbon footprint 🌱.
The term has been on everyone's lips in recent years, and for good reason! According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the world needs to halve its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Stings, doesn't it? 🤯
The different cleantech categories 🛠️
To fully understand cleantechs, let's break them down into broad families. This will help you pinpoint where they can have a direct impact on your business.
1. Renewable energies: harnessing the power of nature
We're all familiar with the big stars of green energies: solar, wind and hydroelectric. These solutions enable us to produce electricity without CO2 emissions. Investment in these technologies is exploding, and with good reason: according to IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency), by 2050, 90% of the world's electricity could be generated by renewable energies.
2. Energy efficiency: consume better, not more
Energy efficiency is like the saying: "do more with less". In practical terms, this means using less energy to produce the same output. Whether through more efficient equipment or better resource management, energy efficiency is crucial to reducing emissions.
Rising momentum: the reasons behind a global craze
The rise of cleantech can be explained by a number of factors. Governments, businesses and consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the seriousness of the climate crisis. Reports from the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) are unequivocal: if we want to limit global warming to 1.5°C, it is imperative to halve our CO2 emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
1. The climate emergency and regulatory pressure
International legislation, particularly in Europe, now imposes carbon quotas. These quotas encourage companies to adopt clean technologies to limit their greenhouse gas emissions. Ignoring these new standards means incurring financial penalties and losing competitiveness on the global market.
In addition, the European Union, through programs such as the Green Deal, plans to mobilize almost 1,000 billion euros of investment to promote the ecological transition and encourage economic players to adopt green solutions. This funding is accelerating the growth of cleantech by encouraging companies to innovate and invest in sustainable technologies.
2. An essential economic lever
Long perceived as costly, green technologies are now proving to be profitable in the long term. Studies by firms such as McKinsey show that companies that invest in cleantech often see their operating costs fall, thanks in particular to energy savings and waste reduction.
Take manufacturing, for example. Adopting more energy-efficient machinery not only reduces environmental impact, but also significantly lowers production costs. What's more, companies that take advantage of these innovations can benefit from tax breaks and public subsidies, reducing the initial cost of investment.
3. Changing consumer expectations
The third driver of the cleantech boom comes from consumers themselves.75% of Europeans say they are concerned about climate change, according to a 2022 Eurobarometer survey. Faced with this growing concern, customers are becoming increasingly demanding when it comes to corporate environmental responsibility. They prefer brands that are actively committed to the ecological transition, and cleantech is a way for these companies to demonstrate their commitment.
Companies that adapt to new expectations benefit from a positive brand image and differentiate themselves from the competition. In the automotive sector, for example, brands such as Tesla have succeeded in revolutionizing the market by focusing solely on electric vehicles that are both efficient and environmentally friendly.
Cleantech on a personal scale: a booming market
Green technologies are not just a matter for big business. They are becoming more and more widespread among private individuals, transforming their consumption habits and daily lives.
1. Electric mobility on the rise
Electric bikes, scooters, cars: electric means of transport are multiplying and attracting more and more consumers keen to reduce their carbon footprint. In France, sales of electric bikes are set to rise by 30% by 2022, supported by public subsidies such as conversion bonuses. This equipment is no longer a luxury, but an affordable response to environmental and urban mobility issues.
2. Energy efficiency at home
Individuals are also increasingly equipping their homes with green technologies: solar panels, renewable energy boilers, heat pumps and smart thermostats. In addition to reducing their ecological impact, these technologies can also save money on energy bills. According to the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME), the installation of a solar water heater can reduce energy consumption for domestic hot water by between 40% and 60%**.
Challenges to overcome if cleantech is to be adopted on a massive scale
Despite their great potential, cleantechs face a number of challenges.
1. Initial cost
Adopting green technologies can be costly, especially for small businesses and modest households. Even if public subsidies and grants exist, the initial cost of installation (solar panels, charging stations, etc.) remains high for some.
2. Dependence on raw materials
Despite their ecological credentials, cleantech still depends on the extraction of rare raw materials such as lithium and cobalt, often obtained under controversial conditions. Innovation is still needed to find less polluting and more equitable alternatives.
Focus on ... The battery recycling revolution, the cleantech challenge ⚡
One of the major breakthroughs in cleantech concerns battery recycling. With the rise of electric cars and mobile devices, demand for lithium-ion batteries is exploding. However, the extraction of rare materials (lithium, cobalt, nickel) comes at a considerable environmental and social cost. This is where companies like Northvolt in Sweden come in, having developed technologies that enable up to 95% of a battery's components to be recycled.
By 2030, the battery recycling market should be worth over $18 billion, according to Allied Market Research. These innovations not only reduce demand for raw materials, but also limit the ecological impact of producing new batteries.
In fact, Tesla CEOElon Musk declares in his own magazine, Tesla mag, that "The future of energy is electric and recyclable."
What do we remember about cleantech?
✅ Reduce CO2 emissions and help decarbonize the economy.
✅ Offer substantial long-term savings for businesses and individuals.
✅ Still dependent on scarce raw materials, requiring innovation to make the sector more sustainable.
✅ Attract customers who are increasingly concerned about the environment and demanding in terms of social responsibility.
✅ Benefit from public aid and subsidies to encourage their adoption.
