clean technology
Eco-friendly industrial methods
Clean technology refers to products, processes, or services that reduce environmental impact—through lower emissions, improved energy efficiency, or sustainable resource use.
The term encompasses renewable energy, electric vehicles, water purification, and waste reduction systems.
Often shortened to cleantech, especially in investment contexts: The fund focuses exclusively on cleantech startups.
Self-replenishing natural power
- solar powerEnergy derived from sunlight
- wind turbinesMachines converting air movement to electricity
- hydroelectricGenerated by flowing water
- geothermalRelating to underground heat
biomass · nuclear power · smart grid · battery storage · energy efficiency · power generation · tidal energy · wave power
Illumination via semiconductors
- insulationThermal transfer prevention
- smart thermostatsNetworked home temperature regulators
- heat pumpsDevices transferring thermal energy
- weatherizationSealing a building's envelope
green building · double glazing · smart meters · cogeneration
Reprocessing used materials
- upcyclingImproving discarded materials' value
- waste reductionDecreasing material for disposal
- compostingDecomposing organic matter deliberately
- circular economyRegenerative resource management model
closed-loop · biodegradable · waste-to-energy · industrial symbiosis · product lifecycle
Collecting and storing emissions
- decarbonizationEliminating fossil fuel emissions
- carbon footprintTotal greenhouse gases produced
- pollution controlReducing environmental contamination
- air qualityPollution level measurement
emissions reduction · carbon sequestration · scrubbers · catalytic converters · carbon neutral · greenhouse gas · flue gas treatment · carbon offset
Battery-powered motor transport
- hybrid carsVehicles using multiple propulsion sources
- bike-sharingPublic bicycle lending system
- public transitShared community vehicle system
- regenerative brakingBraking that recovers energy
renewable energy
Self-replenishing natural power
- solar powerEnergy derived from sunlight
- wind turbinesMachines converting air movement to electricity
- hydroelectricGenerated by flowing water
geothermal · biomass · nuclear power · smart grid · battery storage · energy efficiency · power generation · tidal energy · wave power · fuel cells
LED lighting
Illumination via semiconductors
- insulationThermal transfer prevention
- smart thermostatsNetworked home temperature regulators
- heat pumpsDevices transferring thermal energy
weatherization · green building · double glazing · smart meters · cogeneration
recycling
Reprocessing used materials
- upcyclingImproving discarded materials' value
- waste reductionDecreasing material for disposal
- compostingDecomposing organic matter deliberately
circular economy · closed-loop · biodegradable · waste-to-energy · industrial symbiosis · product lifecycle
carbon capture
Collecting and storing emissions
- decarbonizationEliminating fossil fuel emissions
- carbon footprintTotal greenhouse gases produced
- pollution controlReducing environmental contamination
air quality · emissions reduction · carbon sequestration · scrubbers · catalytic converters · carbon neutral · greenhouse gas · flue gas treatment · carbon offset
electric vehicles
Battery-powered motor transport
- hybrid carsVehicles using multiple propulsion sources
- bike-sharingPublic bicycle lending system
- public transitShared community vehicle system
- sustainabilityreduce, reuse, recycle, sustainable yield, recycling programs
- energy policyenergy policy, energy bills, energy independence, energy security, energy efficiency
- green businesssustainable business, corporate responsibility, ESG, CSR, green initiative
clean technologydirty energy
smokestack industries · dirty industry · industrial pollution · dirty power
clean technologyfossil fuels
Combustible prehistoric organic deposits
coal power · coal-fired power · internal combustion · oil and gas · natural gas
clean technologylegacy technology
Outdated but operational infrastructure