When asked to define Cleantech I usually count off using my fingers to make sure I’ve listed the myriad of industries captured under this umbrella term. Each industry is redefining business as usual to reduce its impact to the environment. Despite sharing a common moniker these industries mostly work in isolation from each other – much to our disadvantage. At Nordic Green II there was broad representation from each of cleantech’s subcategories as companies, commissions and experts updated us on the progress being made by Scandinavian countries. The need for synergy among these industries was identified and well illustrated by Sweden’s Energy Agency in a fun simulation game called SymBioCity. As a mayor for the day you gain an appreciation of how challenging it can be to integrate these industries, and what trade-offs you need to make to increase energy efficiency and optimize utilization of other natural resources all while reducing the carbon footprint of this make-believe city.
While the event kicked off with this holistic view, the numerous presenters seemed to be developing very exciting cleantech innovations in isolation from broader resource or climate affecting issues. Unfortunately I cannot point to any good examples of synergies among cleantech industries outside of Sweden. Can you?
Who takes the risks? The payoff in social responsibility…
May 11th, 2010
The nearly 40 year lead that the Nordic countries have on the US in clean technology is a direct outcome of a socially responsible decision by national governments which drove investment in basic research. At Nordic Green II, it was striking how advanced the Nordic countries are when it comes to clean technology innovation. The results are compelling. While the US is hard at work to make up the difference, and we bring many resources to bear on the issues at hand, it will be a costly exercise to match the Nordic success.
What is the cost of playing catch up?
• Korea: “Green New Deal” ? $46 billion over 5 years
• Japan: invests $63 billion over 5 years
• US: plans to invest $172 billion over 5 years
• China: invests $440 billion over 10 years
Fortunately for the US, industry is playing a critical role in funding cleantech ventures: the US represented 21% of 2009 VC investments as compared to China at 14% and India at 6%.
What are other risks we should be taking now? In cleantech? In healthcare? Or In education? Where are the next disruptive ideas for socially responsible innovations?