Clean technologies
Scotland is currently emerging as the global leader in renewable energy sources and also has long-standing, sound expertise in the clean technologies (cleantech) sector.
As part of its economic strategy, the Scottish Government want to create a low carbon Scotland. Therefore, a lot of research and development (R&D) devoted to environmental technologies is currently taking place in Scotland – in fact, 12 out of Scotland’s 14 universities are engaged in cleantech research.
What is clean technology?
Clean technology covers a diverse range of products, services and processes that harness renewable materials and energy sources, reduce the use of natural resources, and cut or eliminate emissions. It could be defined as new technology that has a positive environmental focus compared to the technology that preceeded it.
This section does not cover renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind or tidal energy – more can be found about these in our energy section.
Clean technologies can cover a wide range of sectors - SDI have categorised the top five of these, which are:
- Sustainable transport
- Building technologies
- Recovery and recycling
- Water supply and waste water treatment
- Environmental monitoring and instrumentation