Many people wonder what is defined as Greentech and what is the difference between Greentech and Cleantech.
The field is so new and many companies want to profile themselves as a Greentech and/or Cleantech company, but there is really no major difference between the concepts.
Most people naturally think of renewable energy such as solar and wind power when we talk about environmental technologies. Some may also think of water treatment plants and recycling. However, environmental technology is much broader than that.
The most common definition of environmental technologies is that made in the EU context in the Environmental Technology Action Plan (ETAP). According to this definition, environmental technologies include all technologies that are less harmful to the environment than available alternatives. This includes technologies and processes that limit pollution, are less polluting and use less resource-intensive goods and services, and methods for more efficient resource management. ETAP's definition implies that environmental technologies permeate all economic activities and sectors.
Sweden is one of the world's leading countries when it comes to developing, implementing and exporting environmental technology. It is also home to many of the jobs of the future, both at a specialist level and at a generalist level, where you want to be involved in influencing the environment based on your experience.
Areas defined as being in Greentech and Cleantech are:
- Advanced materials
- Waste and recycling
- Buildings and infrastructure
- Electricity grids and energy storage
- Energy efficiency
- District heating and cooling
- Renewable energy
- Resources and environment
- Transporters
- Water and sewerage
