RESEARCH STARTER

Clean technology

Clean technology, often referred to as cleantech or greentech, encompasses a wide range of technologies and processes designed to reduce environmental impact by maximizing the efficient use of natural resources and minimizing pollution. This concept includes various sectors such as energy, water management, waste management, agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation. Examples of clean technology include renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower, as well as hybrid vehicles that utilize both gasoline and electricity. The term emerged in the late 1990s, initially focusing on cleaner energy production compared to fossil fuels, but has since expanded to include a broad array of sustainable practices and innovations.

Ongoing advancements in clean technology have gained momentum in the twenty-first century, driven by heightened awareness of environmental issues and decreasing costs associated with these technologies. They play a crucial role in efforts to preserve the environment, promote sustainable practices, and reduce reliance on finite fossil fuels. The growing acceptance and integration of clean technology into daily life—such as electric vehicles and energy-efficient appliances—reflect a shift towards more sustainable living. Ultimately, clean technology aims to enhance the quality and availability of Earth's resources while fostering economic growth and job creation through innovative solutions.

Full Article

Clean technology is a general term used to define technology and processes that reduce waste and improve the efficient use of natural resources. It also includes methods of using technology that minimize the negative effects of pollution, inefficient energy use, and other human actions on Earth. It is also sometimes known as cleantech or greentech. However, the term “clean technology” is not firmly defined. Ongoing research and discoveries are continually reshaping new technologies that fit under the broad definition of clean technology.

Cleantech is used in a variety of fields, including energy, water management and waste management, agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation. Examples of clean technology include energy production using solar, wind, and hydropower. Solar and wind power accounted for much of the renewable-electricity capacity added worldwide during the 2020s. Hybrid vehicles powered by both gasoline and electricity are another type of clean technology. Clean technology has grown in popularity in the twenty-first century. The world became increasingly aware of the effect human activities have on Earth’s ecosystems. At the same time, the cost of creating and using clean technology decreased significantly. Experts say clean technology is important to help preserve Earth’s environment.

Overview

The term “clean technology” became more common in business and investment writing in the late 1990s. It referred mostly to “clean” forms of energy production, such as solar and wind power. These types of energy caused minimal amounts of pollution and were renewable resources that replenished themselves naturally. The term clean was also used in contrast to more pollution-causing fossil fuels such as gasoline and coal. The field of clean technology expanded in 2001 as investors looked for new business investments as the computer technology industry took a hit on Wall Street. The use of the term “cleantech” was popularized largely by Nick Parker and Keith Raab who cofounded Cleantech Venture Network in 2002.

Clean technology is part of a variety of different types of businesses and services. Some of the most important areas include sustainable energy, water purification, pollution control, waste management services—including reusing and recycling existing items—and reducing the use of fossil fuels. Each of these areas encompasses a number of different technologies.

For example, there are different sources of sustainable energy. One of the most familiar is solar power, which converts the sun’s energy into electrical power. This can be done on a large scale to power entire buildings or even towns. It can also be done on a very small scale to charge batteries for cell phones and other household devices. Wind and hydroelectric systems use turbines driven by moving air or water. This allows the kinetic force of these elements to be converted into electricity. Large-scale battery systems can store electricity generated by solar and wind power for later use. While windmills and hydroelectric turbines (waterwheels) are sometimes used to provide power on a smaller scale for homes or family farms, wind and water power are most often captured in larger quantities to create more electricity. Geothermal energy, which uses heat from inside Earth to generate electricity or provide heating, is also a form of clean technology. Hydrogen produced using renewable electricity is another form of clean technology used for transportation and industrial use.

Clean technology can also be used to provide and protect safe drinking water. This includes systems and devices to test and treat water sources to ensure that they are clean. Technology that gathers and treats wastewater—water that has already been used in some way—is another example of clean technology. The treated water is then either returned to Earth’s natural water cycle or reused to help conserve water resources.

Pollution control and reduction is another key aspect of clean technology. Fossil fuels generate emissions, or discharges of gases and other substances, that can pollute the surrounding environment. Clean technology includes means to replace fossil fuels with clean alternatives and monitor the effects of emissions. In addition, companies focused on clean technology seek to minimize the pollution generated during the manufacturing and distribution of consumer products. For example, they may use lower-emission fuels to power factories and use minimal or recyclable packaging for the finished product.

Another use for clean technology is to contain the potential damage when an area of land, water, or air has been significantly impacted by harmful emissions or pollutants. These can come from smoke or gaseous emissions from factories, or from dangerous chemicals or fertilizers that leak into water or soil. This type of clean technology can include devices, chemicals, and absorbent materials that help minimize damage and restore the environment.

Another important aspect of clean technology includes services and products that help either recycle or reduce the use of consumer items. For example, long-life light bulbs help reduce waste because they do not need to be replaced and discarded as often. Technology that aids with the collection and recycling of items such as paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum, metals, tires, and other objects helps reduce the amount of trash in landfills. When these items are recycled, they can be used to make other items, reducing pollution and the need to use up new resources. Some industries also use circular-economy practices that focus on repairing, reusing, and recycling materials to reduce waste. For example, plastic bottles can be recycled into outdoor chairs; tires are also ground up and worked into material used to pave roads.

Impact

Experts say that clean technology impacts society in a number of ways. More people are aware of and are choosing various forms of clean technology. This includes electric companies using wind farms to generate some or all of the power they distribute to communities. Individuals can also choose to install light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, which requires less electricity, lasts longer, and generates less waste heat while being used. More businesses and communities are also using solar power and driving electric or hybrid vehicles.

The strong and growing interest in clean technology—and the resulting increase in interest in financial investment of clean technology industries—helped reduce the cost of some of this technology. For example, the cost of solar photovoltaic technology declined greatly from late twentieth-century levels. This reduction in cost makes clean technology more attractive and increases its use. Government policies and infrastructure investments also helped expand the use of renewable energy, electric vehicles, and water-treatment technologies. From an economic standpoint, it creates new jobs and reduces dependence on fossil fuels, which are in limited supply. Experts hope that increased use of clean technology will help improve the quality of Earth’s resources.


Bibliography

Chowdhury, Piyal, et al. “Necessity for Recycling Photovoltaic Glass: Managing Resource Constraints and Environmental Impacts of Antimony in Terawatt Scale Photovoltaics.” Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, vol. 295, 15 Jan. 2026, article 114012, doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114012. Accessed 26 May 2026.

Dikeman, Neal. “What Is Clean Tech?” CNET, 10 Aug. 2008, www.cnet.com/news/what-is-clean-tech/. Accessed 26 May 2026.

“Environmentally Sound Technologies.” United Nations Environment Programme, www.unep.org/regions/asia-and-pacific/regional-initiatives/supporting-resource-efficiency/environmentally-sound. Accessed 26 May 2026.

Fernando, Jason. “Cleantech: Term for Environmentally-Friendly Practices and Tech.” Investopedia, 4 May 2025, www.investopedia.com/terms/c/cleantech.asp. Accessed 26 May 2026.

“Global EV Outlook 2025.” International Energy Agency, 14 May 2025, www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2025. Accessed 26 May 2026.

“Global Hydrogen Review 2024.” International Energy Agency, 2024, www.iea.org/reports/global-hydrogen-review-2024. Accessed 26 May 2026.

“Global EV Outlook 2026.” International Energy Agency, 20 May 2026, www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2026. Accessed 26 May 2026.

Jain, Harshita. "From Pollution to Progress: Groundbreaking Advances in Clean Technology Unveiled." Innovation and Green Development, vol. 3, no. 2, 2024, doi:10.1016/j.igd.2024.100143. Accessed 26 May 2026.

Pilkington, Ben. “What is Clean Technology?” AZOCleantech, 2 June 2015, www.azocleantech.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=532. Accessed 26 May 2026.

“Progress on Wastewater Treatment 2024 Update.” United Nations, 25 Aug. 2024, www.unwater.org/publications/progress-wastewater-treatment-2024-update. Accessed 26 May 2026.

“Renewables 2024.” International Energy Agency, 2024, www.iea.org/reports/renewables-2024. Accessed 26 May 2026.

“Revolving Fund Grant Formula Could Better Reflect Infrastructure Needs, and EPA Could Improve Needs Estimate.” United States Government Accountability Office, 2024, www.gao.gov/assets/gao-24-106251.pdf.  Accessed 26 May 2026.

Yost, Daniel K., and Richard D. Harroch. “17 Key Issues for Clean Tech Startups.” Forbes, 6 Oct. 2018, www.forbes.com/sites/allbusiness/2018/10/06/clean-tech-startups-key-issues/#420c626b194e. Accessed 26 May 2026.

Full Article

Clean technology is a general term used to define technology and processes that reduce waste and improve the efficient use of natural resources. It also includes methods of using technology that minimize the negative effects of pollution, inefficient energy use, and other human actions on Earth. It is also sometimes known as cleantech or greentech. However, the term “clean technology” is not firmly defined. Ongoing research and discoveries are continually reshaping new technologies that fit under the broad definition of clean technology.

Cleantech is used in a variety of fields, including energy, water management and waste management, agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation. Examples of clean technology include energy production using solar, wind, and hydropower. Solar and wind power accounted for much of the renewable-electricity capacity added worldwide during the 2020s. Hybrid vehicles powered by both gasoline and electricity are another type of clean technology. Clean technology has grown in popularity in the twenty-first century. The world became increasingly aware of the effect human activities have on Earth’s ecosystems. At the same time, the cost of creating and using clean technology decreased significantly. Experts say clean technology is important to help preserve Earth’s environment.

Overview

The term “clean technology” became more common in business and investment writing in the late 1990s. It referred mostly to “clean” forms of energy production, such as solar and wind power. These types of energy caused minimal amounts of pollution and were renewable resources that replenished themselves naturally. The term clean was also used in contrast to more pollution-causing fossil fuels such as gasoline and coal. The field of clean technology expanded in 2001 as investors looked for new business investments as the computer technology industry took a hit on Wall Street. The use of the term “cleantech” was popularized largely by Nick Parker and Keith Raab who cofounded Cleantech Venture Network in 2002.

Clean technology is part of a variety of different types of businesses and services. Some of the most important areas include sustainable energy, water purification, pollution control, waste management services—including reusing and recycling existing items—and reducing the use of fossil fuels. Each of these areas encompasses a number of different technologies.

For example, there are different sources of sustainable energy. One of the most familiar is solar power, which converts the sun’s energy into electrical power. This can be done on a large scale to power entire buildings or even towns. It can also be done on a very small scale to charge batteries for cell phones and other household devices. Wind and hydroelectric systems use turbines driven by moving air or water. This allows the kinetic force of these elements to be converted into electricity. Large-scale battery systems can store electricity generated by solar and wind power for later use. While windmills and hydroelectric turbines (waterwheels) are sometimes used to provide power on a smaller scale for homes or family farms, wind and water power are most often captured in larger quantities to create more electricity. Geothermal energy, which uses heat from inside Earth to generate electricity or provide heating, is also a form of clean technology. Hydrogen produced using renewable electricity is another form of clean technology used for transportation and industrial use.

Clean technology can also be used to provide and protect safe drinking water. This includes systems and devices to test and treat water sources to ensure that they are clean. Technology that gathers and treats wastewater—water that has already been used in some way—is another example of clean technology. The treated water is then either returned to Earth’s natural water cycle or reused to help conserve water resources.

Pollution control and reduction is another key aspect of clean technology. Fossil fuels generate emissions, or discharges of gases and other substances, that can pollute the surrounding environment. Clean technology includes means to replace fossil fuels with clean alternatives and monitor the effects of emissions. In addition, companies focused on clean technology seek to minimize the pollution generated during the manufacturing and distribution of consumer products. For example, they may use lower-emission fuels to power factories and use minimal or recyclable packaging for the finished product.

Another use for clean technology is to contain the potential damage when an area of land, water, or air has been significantly impacted by harmful emissions or pollutants. These can come from smoke or gaseous emissions from factories, or from dangerous chemicals or fertilizers that leak into water or soil. This type of clean technology can include devices, chemicals, and absorbent materials that help minimize damage and restore the environment.

Another important aspect of clean technology includes services and products that help either recycle or reduce the use of consumer items. For example, long-life light bulbs help reduce waste because they do not need to be replaced and discarded as often. Technology that aids with the collection and recycling of items such as paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum, metals, tires, and other objects helps reduce the amount of trash in landfills. When these items are recycled, they can be used to make other items, reducing pollution and the need to use up new resources. Some industries also use circular-economy practices that focus on repairing, reusing, and recycling materials to reduce waste. For example, plastic bottles can be recycled into outdoor chairs; tires are also ground up and worked into material used to pave roads.

Impact

Experts say that clean technology impacts society in a number of ways. More people are aware of and are choosing various forms of clean technology. This includes electric companies using wind farms to generate some or all of the power they distribute to communities. Individuals can also choose to install light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, which requires less electricity, lasts longer, and generates less waste heat while being used. More businesses and communities are also using solar power and driving electric or hybrid vehicles.

The strong and growing interest in clean technology—and the resulting increase in interest in financial investment of clean technology industries—helped reduce the cost of some of this technology. For example, the cost of solar photovoltaic technology declined greatly from late twentieth-century levels. This reduction in cost makes clean technology more attractive and increases its use. Government policies and infrastructure investments also helped expand the use of renewable energy, electric vehicles, and water-treatment technologies. From an economic standpoint, it creates new jobs and reduces dependence on fossil fuels, which are in limited supply. Experts hope that increased use of clean technology will help improve the quality of Earth’s resources.


Bibliography

Chowdhury, Piyal, et al. “Necessity for Recycling Photovoltaic Glass: Managing Resource Constraints and Environmental Impacts of Antimony in Terawatt Scale Photovoltaics.” Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, vol. 295, 15 Jan. 2026, article 114012, doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114012. Accessed 26 May 2026.

Dikeman, Neal. “What Is Clean Tech?” CNET, 10 Aug. 2008, www.cnet.com/news/what-is-clean-tech/. Accessed 26 May 2026.

“Environmentally Sound Technologies.” United Nations Environment Programme, www.unep.org/regions/asia-and-pacific/regional-initiatives/supporting-resource-efficiency/environmentally-sound. Accessed 26 May 2026.

Fernando, Jason. “Cleantech: Term for Environmentally-Friendly Practices and Tech.” Investopedia, 4 May 2025, www.investopedia.com/terms/c/cleantech.asp. Accessed 26 May 2026.

“Global EV Outlook 2025.” International Energy Agency, 14 May 2025, www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2025. Accessed 26 May 2026.

“Global Hydrogen Review 2024.” International Energy Agency, 2024, www.iea.org/reports/global-hydrogen-review-2024. Accessed 26 May 2026.

“Global EV Outlook 2026.” International Energy Agency, 20 May 2026, www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2026. Accessed 26 May 2026.

Jain, Harshita. "From Pollution to Progress: Groundbreaking Advances in Clean Technology Unveiled." Innovation and Green Development, vol. 3, no. 2, 2024, doi:10.1016/j.igd.2024.100143. Accessed 26 May 2026.

Pilkington, Ben. “What is Clean Technology?” AZOCleantech, 2 June 2015, www.azocleantech.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=532. Accessed 26 May 2026.

“Progress on Wastewater Treatment 2024 Update.” United Nations, 25 Aug. 2024, www.unwater.org/publications/progress-wastewater-treatment-2024-update. Accessed 26 May 2026.

“Renewables 2024.” International Energy Agency, 2024, www.iea.org/reports/renewables-2024. Accessed 26 May 2026.

“Revolving Fund Grant Formula Could Better Reflect Infrastructure Needs, and EPA Could Improve Needs Estimate.” United States Government Accountability Office, 2024, www.gao.gov/assets/gao-24-106251.pdf.  Accessed 26 May 2026.

Yost, Daniel K., and Richard D. Harroch. “17 Key Issues for Clean Tech Startups.” Forbes, 6 Oct. 2018, www.forbes.com/sites/allbusiness/2018/10/06/clean-tech-startups-key-issues/#420c626b194e. Accessed 26 May 2026.

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