Shell, IBM, Siemens: How can Climate Tech Reduce Emissions?
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says if the world is to have a chance at avoiding the worst impacts of climate change, CO2 emissions must reach net zero by 2050.
Technology and new innovations have already started to reduce emissions, but this needs to accelerate to meet the looming deadlines of the Paris Agreement.
By harnessing cutting-edge advancements, climate tech is paving the way for a more sustainable future.
António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, says: “Our climate is breaking down, threatening water and food security, driving displacement, and fueling political instability.
“We need far greater ambition to slash emissions and deliver climate justice, starting with the biggest emitters.”
The electric vehicle revolution
One of the most impactful ways climate tech is making a difference is through electrification.
The transition from petrol and diesel vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) is a monumental shift in the transportation sector.
However, it is not just about replacing one type of vehicle with another – climate tech is transforming the entire transport ecosystem.
Smart charging systems ensure that EVs draw power during periods of high renewable energy availability, while vehicle-to-grid technology allows these vehicles to contribute energy back to the grid during peak demand, enhancing grid stability.
Renewable energy and smarter grids
Renewable energy sources are at the forefront of climate tech advancements.
Solar panels are now capable of capturing more energy from sunlight than ever before and next-generation wind turbines are harnessing wind power with unprecedented efficiency.
However, current power grids are not equipped to handle the fluctuating power supply from renewable sources.
Energy storage technologies can address the intermittency issues with renewable power, from grid-scale batteries to cutting-edge thermal storage solutions.
Michael Weinhold, Chief Technology Officer at Siemens Smart Infrastructure, says: “If we want to use more electricity from renewable sources, we need greater flexibility in the energy system.”
Nuclear power
Despite controversy surrounding it, nuclear energy has the potential to make a big impact.
Modern nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors, offer safe and more efficient methods for generating low-carbon electricity.
Nuclear power can provide a steady baseload of power, ensuring a reliable energy supply whilst renewable sources are being adopted.
Technological innovations in nuclear power look to make it safer and provide solutions for the disposal of fuel at the end of its life.
Capturing carbon
Carbon capture, usage, and storage (CCUS) technologies can reduce the environmental impact of industries that are harder to decarbonise.
These advanced systems can capture carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes or even directly from the atmosphere.
Once captured, CO2 can either be stored or repurposed for useful products.
This innovative approach represents a proactive strategy for mitigating emissions at their source.
Heidelberg Materials is producing carbon neutral concrete using CCUS to manage raw material-related emissions.
“Carbon capture and storage is a breakthrough technology for the building materials industry and we are frontrunners in deploying it at scale,” says Dominik von Achten, CEO at Heidelberg Materials.
“On our journey towards climate-neutrality, CCUS – carbon capture, utilisation, and storage – is a crucial tool for us as a building materials manufacturer when it comes to dealing with the raw material-related process emissions that have been unavoidable up to now.”
AI and data
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to speed up climate efforts through automation.
To reduce emissions, it's important to have clear data that shows what needs to change.
AI can automate the collection and sorting of data, alongside tasks like optimising energy systems and predicting patterns.
It is even being used for biodiversity. IBM and the WWF partnered to track African forest elephants, supporting the ecosystems they’re a part of.
Oday Abbosh, Global Sustainability Services Leader at IBM Consulting, says: “By combining our expertise in technology and sustainability with WWF's conservation expertise, we aim to leverage the power of technology to create a more sustainable future."
Climate tech is also impacting data collection.
Satellite imaging used for deforestation analysis and Internet of Things (IoT) devices tracking real-time energy consumption are just two examples of how we can track environmental impact.
With access to accurate data, individuals and organisations can make informed, climate-friendly decisions.
Hydrogen as a fuel
Climate tech is enabling the production of clean hydrogen through electrolysis powered by renewable energy sources.
This versatile energy carrier has the potential to replace fossil fuels in industries where electrification is challenging, such as steel production and long-haul transport.
As a result, hydrogen is being hailed as a crucial component of a sustainable energy future.
Shell has partnered with Linde Engineering to build a 100-megawatt renewable hydrogen electrolyser in Germany to help reduce its emissions.
Huibert Vigeveno, Downstream, Renewables and Energy Solutions Director at Shell says the investment “is a visible demonstration of our commitment to the hydrogen economy, which will play an important role in helping to decarbonise Shell’s operations and customer products.”
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