The world needs better green technologies

Context

Countries are currently facing the crisis of land scarcity, geopolitical conflicts, rising carbon dioxide levels and the urgency of energy self-sufficiency. As a result, there is an increasing need to adopt more renewable fuels as well as invest in smarter, more efficient and diverse energy innovation.

Need for better green technologies

Tackling climate change

• Global warming is increasing due to CO₂ emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels.
• Green technologies (solar, wind, hydrogen, battery storage) are essential for low-carbon development.

Ensuring energy equality

• According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), more than 750 million people globally do not have access to electricity.
• Green energy must be affordable and scalable to bridge energy access gaps, especially in the Global South.

Reducing dependency on critical minerals

• Current clean technologies (e.g. lithium-ion batteries) are often heavily reliant on rare minerals (lithium, cobalt, nickel). These pose geopolitical, ethical and ecological concerns.
• Alternative materials and recycling technologies are needed.

Fostering inclusive innovation

• The dominance of the Global North in clean tech innovation creates technology dependency.
• Local R&D and technology transfer are essential for equitable green transitions.

Reducing technological risks

• Current renewable energy sources are unregulated and land-intensive. Next-generation solutions such as green hydrogen, carbon capture, small modular reactors, grid-scale storage are needed.

Reducing lifecycle emissions

Green technologies (e.g. solar panels, electric vehicles) also generate carbon footprints during production and disposal. Hence, there is a need to focus on clean production technologies and circular economy.

Challenges of better green technologies

• High R&D costs and slow commercialization
• Limited international collaboration on open-source green innovations
• Patent monopolies and lack of access in the global South

Way forward

• Publicly funded research on low-cost, sustainable green technologies
• Global collaboration under frameworks such as UNFCCC, G-20 and COP
• Promote technology-transfer mechanisms, especially for developing countries
• Encourage startups and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to innovate in green sectors