The single biggest threat humanity is currently facing is climate change. It’s causing a rise in global temperature, sea level, flooding, and drought.
Who is responsible for it? Businesses, especially resource-intensive ones, shoulder the bulk of the responsibility for climate change.
Resource-intensive industries, like manufacturing, agriculture, and transportation, consume massive amounts of energy, water, and raw materials. That leaves behind a hefty carbon footprint.
So, how do these businesses move toward sustainability? Adopting green technologies.
Here, we’ll share a few green technologies that can make your resource-intensive business planet-friendly.
1. Energy-efficient smart grids
Traditional energy grids are wasteful and expensive. They rely heavily on fossil fuels like oil, coal, and natural gas for electricity generation, so their carbon emissions are significant.
Energy-efficient grids, or smart grids, are emerging as a viable alternative. The International Energy Agency explains them as electricity networks that use sensors, digital technologies, and software to optimize electricity supply demand in real-time.
Why should you switch to a smart grid? Energy is one of the largest expenses for businesses. This tech reduces unneeded distribution and manages time-of-use loads automatically. That will help you save on your monthly energy bills.
Don’t delay the transition if you own an industry where heavy machinery runs 24/7. You will notice massive savings, fewer outages, and a lower carbon footprint.
That isn’t all. Smart grids can seamlessly integrate renewable energy sources like solar and wind. They store excess energy when production is high and release it when needed—no waste, no sky-high bills. So, you can switch to solar or wind without any major hiccups.
2. Electric & hydrogen-powered fleet vehicles
Own a fleet of trucks, delivery vans, or any kind of transportation-heavy operation? Then you know fuel costs can eat into your profits.
However, diesel and gasoline-powered vehicles aren’t environmentally friendly. These vehicles emit pollutants like nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. That increases greenhouse gases.
Many businesses are switching to electric and hydrogen-powered fleet vehicles. Why should you stay behind
Electric vehicles don’t produce any exhaust emissions. That contributes to cleaner air and reduced carbon emissions. Plus, they have lower maintenance costs—no oil changes and fewer moving parts.
For long-haul transport, hydrogen-powered trucks are gaining traction. They refuel faster than EVs and offer longer driving ranges, which makes them perfect for heavy-duty logistics.
Major challenges surrounding hydrogen storage that hindered its adoption are also being addressed. Material-based storage, for example, is emerging as a promising alternative to compression or liquefaction, offering a pathway to efficient hydrogen storage.
Reticular materials such as MOFs, Metal-Organic Frameworks, use their nanoscale cavities to attract and hold hydrogen molecules at low pressure and near ambient temperature. This hydrogen storage technology doesn’t use as much energy as traditional methods like compression and cryogenic liquid storage and results in overall lower cost.
H2MOF adds that the adsorbent material’s high storage efficiencies make it possible to store the same hydrogen as a 700-bar tank at lower pressure in the same space.
Big names like Amazon, FedEx, and Walmart are already rolling out EV and hydrogen-powered fleets.
3. Carbon capture technology
It’s impossible for certain industries, such as power, chemical, cement, and steel, to eliminate carbon emissions. That is why they are often called hard-to-abate or hard-to-decarbonize sectors.
To decrease their carbon intensity, these industries need creative solutions. Carbon capture is one potential solution. This technology traps carbon dioxide before it can escape into the atmosphere, keeping it from contributing to climate change.
Where does the carbon go? Some companies store it underground in deep rock formations. Meanwhile, others repurpose it for industrial uses, like making synthetic fuels, concrete, or fizzy drinks.
There is no denying that carbon capture technology is expensive. But it can help capture over 90% of carbon dioxide emissions from industrial facilities and power plants. What’s more? It can help achieve 14% of the necessary global greenhouse gas emissions reductions by 2050.
4. Vertical farming
Agriculture is one of the biggest resource hogs. Farming guzzles water and takes up tons of land.
But vertical farming is flipping the script. It allows farmers to grow more food using less space and fewer resources.
Vertical farms stack crops in climate-controlled indoor environments. Using LED lighting, hydroponics (water-based growing), or aeroponics (mist-based growing), these farms significantly conserve water. They use 95% to 98% less water and require zero soil.
Since everything is indoors, crops grow year-round without worrying about weather, pests, or seasons. This means higher yields, faster growth, and fresher produce reaching customers quicker.
For businesses in food production, retail, or even hospitality, investing in vertical farming means fresher ingredients, lower costs, and a greener footprint.
Transitioning to green tech requires upfront investment. But these technologies pay for themselves faster than you’d think. Between reduced resource costs, tax incentives, and avoiding future carbon taxes, the ROI case is getting stronger by the day.
Plus, consumers and investors are increasingly voting with their wallets for sustainable businesses. All in all, going green isn’t just about saving the planet anymore, but it’s about staying competitive in a rapidly changing marketplace.
