In a world obsessed with environmental sustainability, we constantly chase policies, technologies and global summits to preserve our planet. However, what it is we’re truly trying to sustain. Is it just the environment? Our comforts? Or something deeper that even science cannot articulate? In this article, we focus not just on technology for environmental sustainability, but also examine how sustainable green tech truly is.
Tech For Environmental Sustainability Highlights
- Globally, around 50 million tonnes of electronic waste are produced each year, yet only about 20% of it is properly recycled. (Source: UNEP)
- The energy industry accounts for roughly 40% of global carbon emissions, releasing an estimated 13.6 gigatons of CO₂ equivalent each year. (Source: UNEP)
- With the growing energy demands of an increasingly digital world, this number is projected to climb even higher.
- Last year, the global value of the green technology and sustainability sector reached approximately USD 20.90 billion. (Source: Fortune Business Insights)
Image Source: Fortune Business Insights
- Estimates suggest that by the year 2032, the global value of sustainable and green technologies could grow to approximately USD 105.26 billion, reflecting a rapid expansion in demand for environmentally responsible solutions. (Source: Fortune Business Insights)
What is Sustainability?
Environmental sustainability is traditionally defined as protecting the planet’s vital resources, such as clean air, fresh water and wildlife, so that future generations can thrive, not just survive. It is about ensuring today’s progress doesn’t come at tomorrow’s expense. It is also viewed as a commitment to live wisely, so that nature can continue to sustain life for centuries to come.
What Is Technology for Environmental Sustainability?
Technology that supports environmental sustainability is often referred to as green tech or eco-friendly innovation. As described in the name, this kind of technology primarily strives to fulfill three aims:
- To focus on carbon emissions and try to offset it.
- To employ green energy sources, also known as those energy sources perceived as ecologically more responsible.
- The aim is working to fulfill a combination of controlling carbon emissions and at the same time, using green energy sources.
Technology for environmental sustainability also refers to any innovation or system that helps reduce the negative impact of human activities on the planet. This includes everything from renewable energy systems and electric vehicles to artificial intelligence (AI)-driven climate models, smart agriculture tools and also, circular economy platforms.
These technologies are not only designed to mitigate harm but also to promote a positive relationship with the environment. Their purpose is twofold:
- To meet the needs of people today while preserving the planet’s capacity to sustain life for those who come after us.
- To reverse some of the ecological damage already caused.
But, why should technology be used to dilute the negative impact of human activities, and what could be the negative impact stemming from human activities?
Birth of Sustainable Technology
Though the majority think that the roots of sustainable technology can be traced back to the environmental awakening of the 1960s and 70s, when rising pollution, oil crises and ecological disasters triggered a global call for change, the foundation of the need for sustainable technology was actually laid during the industrial revolution period of 1760 to 1840.
This was the period when new technologies were introduced and though the world rejoiced in the progress of science and technology, it paved the way to more water and air pollution, and a disaster as far as carbon footprint is concerned.
- The poisonous emissions through the period of the industrial revolution led to the massive deterioration of the ozone, thereby also impacting climate and bringing about climate changes.
- Early innovations like solar panels, wind turbines and catalytic converters emerged in response to growing concerns over fossil fuel dependence and environmental degradation.
- These inventions laid the groundwork for what would evolve into the sustainable technology movement, one that blends scientific innovation with ecological responsibility.
- To preserve and protect the environment, numerous nations and regional governments have committed to adopting sustainable technology and eco-friendly practices.
- A major milestone in this global effort was the implementation of the Paris Agreement in 2015.
- This international accord (The Paris Agreement 2015), under the guidance of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), set a clear objective: to significantly reduce global warming by aiming to keep the global temperature rise significantly under 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts directed towards limiting it to no more than 1.5°C.
As environmental awareness deepened, so did the drive to create technologies that not only advanced human progress but also protected the natural world from the detrimental effects of technological innovation.
Everyday Examples of Sustainable Tech
Many people use sustainable technology in their daily lives, often without giving it much thought. Below are a few commonplace examples:
Smart Thermostats and Home Automation
Smart Thermostats Systems like Nest by Google, Hive or Tado allow users to control heating and cooling systems efficiently. They analyse user habits and automatically modify temperature settings to optimise energy use, which can lead to a notable drop in both carbon emissions and electricity costs at home.
Image Source: Smart Robotic Home
Electric Vehicles (EVs)
Electric vehicles such as the Tata Nexon EV and the widely recognised Tesla have brought significant change to the automotive sector. Running on electricity instead of fossil fuels, EVs emit less CO₂. They are believed to be powered by clean energy.
Image Source: Tata Motors
Solar Panels
Many homes and businesses in India and worldwide are installing rooftop solar panels. These systems harness solar energy to generate electricity, helping to decrease dependence on fossil fuels and ease the load on traditional power grids.
Image Source: UN
E-waste Recycling Services
Apps and platforms like Karo Sambhav in India promote responsible disposal and recycling of electronic waste. Electronic waste is seen as one of the fastest-growing environmental threats.
Image Source: Karo Sambhav Foundation
Digital Platforms
Even ride-sharing apps (like UberPool) and video conferencing platforms (like Zoom) indirectly contribute by reducing the need for individual transport and unnecessary business travel.
Sectors Employing Technology for Environmental Sustainability
There are many sectors that use green technology or sustainable technology. Here we will touch upon five major sectors:
Energy
The shift to renewable energy is arguably the most significant example of tech driving sustainability.
- Wind farms, solar arrays, hydropower stations and energy storage innovations are helping reduce dependence on coal and oil.
- Example: Denmark produces nearly 50% of its electricity from wind power. This demonstrates how a national grid can be greened through technology.
India’s Power Capacity and Surge in Renewable Energy (as per PIB press release, dated 14th October 2024):
- The country’s total installed power generation capacity has reached 452.69 GW.
- Renewable energy sources now make up around 46.3% of this total capacity.
- Breakdown of India’s Renewable Capacity (as of October 2024):
- Solar Energy: 92.12 GW
- Wind Energy: 47.72 GW
- Large Hydro: 46.93 GW
- Small Hydro: 5.07 GW
- Biomass & Biogas: 11.32 GW
Image Source: PIB Press Release, dates 14th October 2024
Collectively, this amounts to approximately 203.18 GW from renewable sources
- Top Indian States in the adoption of renewable energy sources:
- Rajasthan: 29.98 GW
- Gujarat: 29.52 GW
- Tamil Nadu: 23.70 GW
- Karnataka: 22.37 GW
- By 2023, India’s renewable energy industry had created approximately 1.02 million employment opportunities, highlighting its expanding role in the nation’s workforce and economic development.
- India has recommitted to its enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), aligning with the Paris Agreement 2015, aiming to increase non-fossil capacity to 50% by 2030 and reduce carbon intensity by 45% relative to 2005 levels.
Despite the advantages, adoption of renewable energy sources is not without its own set of challenges.
Key challenges include:
- Difficulties with integrating intermittent energy sources (like solar and wind) into the grid.
- Need for upgrades in transmission and distribution infrastructure.
- Land acquisition issues for large-scale renewable projects.
- High investment requirements for new technologies and energy storage systems.
Agriculture
Agriculture is another sector that has made great efforts in adopting technology to focus on sustainability.
Though the topic of smart agriculture has already been covered in our article ‘Traditional Farming to Smart Agriculture’, a few points to note here:
- Precision agriculture technique uses GPS, drones, AI and IoT sensors to optimise water use, reduce fertiliser and pesticide consumption.
- It also helps to improve yields with minimal environmental impact.
- Example: The Indian startup Fasal provides farmers with climate-intelligent advice through a mobile app.
Image Source: Fasal
- It is aimed at increasing sustainability and profitability in farming.
- Fasal is an IoT-based application and uses AI and ML (machine learning) to gather data from farms.
- Based on this data, the app recommends proportionate actions to farmers.
Also Read: Causes and Remedies of Environmental Degradation
Construction and Architecture
Green buildings use materials and designs that reduce energy usage and promote natural light, ventilation and thermal regulation. Some new innovations to look out for are:
- 3D Printing in Construction: 3D printing is transforming modern construction by enabling the creation of entire building structures through automated, large-scale layering techniques. Using eco-friendly materials like recycled concrete or biodegradable composites, 3D printing reduces waste, speeds up construction and cuts down labour and transport emissions.
- India’s first 3D-printed villa has been built through a collaboration between Tvasta Engineering and Godrej Properties, marking a pioneering step in the country’s construction innovation.
- Modular and Prefabricated Building Systems: Off-site prefabrication and modular design drastically reduce construction waste and carbon footprints. These systems allow buildings to be assembled faster, with greater control over energy-efficient materials and processes.
- Smart and IoT-Enabled Buildings: Intelligent buildings now come equipped with sensors that monitor energy use, temperature, lighting and air quality. These systems adapt in real time, optimising resource consumption and improving indoor environmental health, leading to lower emissions and utility costs.
- Architects are embracing Advanced Sustainable Materials like:
- Self-healing concrete is designed to automatically mend cracks through the use of embedded bacteria or specialised chemical agents.
Image Source: University of Chicago
- Cross-laminated timber (CLT), a low-carbon alternative to steel and concrete.
Image Source: Naturally Wood
- Recycled insulation and mycelium-based materials that are biodegradable and thermally efficient.
Image Source: Arch Daily
- Example: Infosys campuses in India feature energy-efficient buildings with integrated rainwater harvesting, waste treatment systems and smart lighting.
Image Title: Infosys Campus, Nagpur
Image Source: Architect and Interiors India
Transportation
Beyond EVs, sustainable transport also includes hydrogen fuel cells, hyperloop projects and smart traffic systems aimed at reducing congestion and emissions.
Example: The Delhi Metro has integrated solar energy into its operations and has been recognised with carbon credits for its efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions.
Image Title: Solar Panels as seen on the roof of a Delhi Metro Station
Image Source: Renewable Watch
Waste Management
Smart bins, automated recycling centres and blockchain-based waste tracking systems help manage urban waste more effectively.
Example: Pune’s SWaCH initiative uses GPS and data analytics to coordinate door-to-door waste collection. Residents are also given access to an app that allows them to monitor the location of SWaCH waste collection vehicles in real time.
Some Developments in Technology for Environmental Sustainability to Watch Out For
Here are some promising developments in sustainable technology:
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
These systems capture CO₂ emissions from factories and power plants. These emissions are either securely stored beneath the earth’s surface or transformed into practical, reusable products.
Image Source: EDI Weekly
Biotechnology
Biodegradable plastics and engineered crops are believed to offer eco-friendly alternatives to resource-intensive products. However, the acceptance of engineered crops is questionable among consumers.
Artificial Intelligence
AI models are being used to predict extreme weather, optimise urban planning and even identify poachers in real-time using camera traps. This technology is continuously evolving.
Circular Economy Platforms
Tech startups are developing tools to support recycling, refurbishing, sharing and reusing goods in order to minimise waste.
Vertical Farming
Using stacked layers and controlled environments, vertical farming is believed to enable high-yield. As the food is pesticide-free food, vertical farming is seen as a great alternative in urban areas as it dramatically reduces land and water use.
Image Source: Agribazaar
Benefits of Tech for Environmental Sustainability
The potential of technology to protect and rejuvenate the environment is seen as significant by experts. Some of its notable advantages include:
Efficiency and Accuracy
Green technology can reduce waste by increasing efficiency. For instance, smart irrigation systems deliver just the right amount of water, cutting waste by up to 50%.
Data-Driven Decisions
Satellite monitoring, AI simulations and IoT sensors can provide real-time data on climate patterns, pollution levels or even biodiversity. This can enable informed decision-making on various aspects such as climate-related, farming, traffic systems, etc.
Scalability
Once developed, technologies for environmental sustainability can be deployed at scale. Solar energy, for example, has the capability to power everything from small homes to entire cities, as also seen in examples in this article.
Economic Growth
Sustainable industries are generating jobs and boosting economies. Globally, the renewable energy industry provides jobs for more than 12 million individuals. (Source: Mercom)
Challenges and Drawbacks
Despite the optimism, there are significant hurdles to overcome, as is always the case with science and technology:
High Initial Costs
Although prices are falling, the upfront cost of technologies for environmental sustainability (like EVs or solar panels) remains a barrier for many, especially in developing nations.
E-waste and Resource Extraction
Ironically, producing green tech (like batteries or solar panels) can lead to environmental harm if raw materials are mined unsustainably and waste is not managed. The handling and disposal of electric vehicle batteries continues to be a globally debated issue.
Image Source: Cowboy State Daily
Digital Divide
Not everyone has equal access to the internet or tech-based services. Rural and underprivileged communities may be left behind in the implementation of the green tech revolution.
Greenwashing
Certain companies label themselves as ‘green’ or ‘sustainable’ while failing to implement any substantial environmental improvements. This undermines genuine sustainability efforts.
Dependence on Energy
Most digital solutions require electricity and data centres. This can result in significant consumption of electricity unless they too are run on clean energy.
The Bonn Climate Conference 2025
Despite the big talk about technology for environmental sustainability, the global divide on several climate issues, especially funding, has been explicitly evident in the ongoing Bonn Climate Conference 2025. Some highlights to note:
- The opening plenary of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies (SB 62), held in Bonn from 16th to 26th June 2025, was delayed as developed countries blocked two agenda items proposed by the LMDC (Like-Minded Developing Countries, including India).
- These blocked items focused on implementation of Article 9.1 (binding finance commitments from richer countries) and objection to unilateral climate trade measures like the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
- LMDCs sought a full discussion on Article 9.1, emphasising additional, predictable, concessional and transparent public finance from developed countries. This was to build on COP29’s collective goal to mobilize $300 billion annually and ultimately reach $1.3 trillion by 2035.
- The EU and allies resisted this, preferring broader terms referencing Articles 9.2 and 9.3, which encompass both public and private funding.
- Developing nations also requested a formal discussion on trade barriers presumed to aid climate goals, such as CBAM and similar policies by the UK and Canada.
- LMDCs argued these unilateral measures threaten global trade equity and violate UNFCCC principles.
- After nearly 48 hours of negotiations, the conference finally adopted its agenda, but, with both contentious items downgraded.
- Article 9.1: Removed as a direct agenda topic but slated for ‘substantive consultations’ during SB62, with findings to be reported at the upcoming COP30 to be held in Belem, Brazil.
- Several LMDC representatives, including Bolivia and India, condemned the outcome. Nigeria described sidelining Article 9.1 as sidelining ‘the blood of the Convention’.
Sustainability: The Word That Deceives
Sustainability is commonly understood as the responsible management of natural resources to maintain harmony within the environment. But what if the very idea of sustainability is one of the greatest illusions ever sold to humankind? A comforting lie that keeps us hoping – hoping that there will always be enough, that technology will rescue us, that the Earth can endlessly recover.
In an age overflowing with tech breakthroughs and scientific marvels, why do we offer such a stark perspective? Because it’s not pessimism – it’s clarity. It’s the uncomfortable truth we must confront before it’s too late.
Why this relentless human obsession with abundance, with ensuring that we never run out of resources? Why do we chase sustainability in a world built on decay, scarcity and impermanence?
The reality is that Earth was never designed to last forever. The more we chase the mirage of sustainability, the deeper we fall into denial. However, when we pause to look beyond the glittering claims of modern science and view life through the profound insight of a Complete Saint (a Tatvdarshi Sant), we begin to see what we’ve long ignored.
And no, science and spirituality are not opposites. In fact, where science ends, spirituality begins. It’s not just a shift in thinking; it’s the gateway to understanding life’s greatest secret.
The Truth Behind Sustainability: A Spiritual Revelation
Jagatguru Tatvdarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj unveils a truth far deeper than what science or policy ever dares to admit.
The Earth we inhabit is not eternal. It is merely a small part of the 21 perishable universes ruled by Kaal Brahm, popularly also known as Satan. Every world within this domain is destined for destruction. No amount of sustainability efforts, green tech or climate pledges can halt the cosmic design of decay and dissolution known as the Mahapralaya – the grand cataclysm that resets all creation within this realm post complete destruction.
Humanity’s blind pursuit of technological progress has not elevated us, instead, it has distanced us from our true essence, our true purpose. Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj explains that we have lost sight of our life’s real purpose, chasing hollow goals like ‘Save the Planet’, which, in truth, can never be achieved. How can you save a realm that was never built to last?
Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj quotes Sant Garibdas Ji’s Vaani from Amar Granth Sahib:
Drishti pade so dhokha re. Khand pind brahmand chalenge thir nahi rahsi loka re. thir nahi rahsi loka re.
Why, then, do we constantly seek stability, security, and endless abundance? The answer lies in a forgotten truth that Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj has brought back into the world. Our souls do not belong to this doomed universe. Our origin lies in Satlok, the everlasting and blissful abode of Supreme God Kabir, a divine realm free from death, pain and lack of anything.
The longing we call ‘sustainability’ is not a goal of this world, but a subconscious cry to return to our true home. It is the soul’s deep remembrance of a divine kingdom where peace, abundance and security are not dreams, but reality.
To discover why we were separated from that eternal realm, to grasp the workings of birth, death, and illusion – and above all, to realise the way back to Satlok, listen with an open heart to the spiritual discourses of Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj.
It is this supreme spiritual knowledge that truly sustains us and guides the soul through the endless cycle of life and death, leading us back to eternal peace in Satlok.
The true spiritual knowledge offered by Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj holds the key to more deeper spiritual revelations. His spiritual discourses are available in detail at ‘Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj’ YouTube channel or one can also visit www.jagatgururampalji.org for more information.
Tech For Environmental Sustainability FAQs
Q1: How can technology help environmental sustainability?
Answer: There are many ways in which tech can help environmental sustainability, as discussed in the article above.
Q2: What are sustainable technologies?
Answer: Technologies that are designed to lessen the negative impact of tech innovations and scientific advancements are known as sustainable technologies.
