With the world population reaching and exceeding 7 billion, it’s time to ask the question, is society is coming to terms with the reality of the damage done to the planet and the possibility of exhausting available resources?
People are now beginning to ask, starting to ask important questions like, what is being done to combat climate change, and what technologies and enabling policies are in the works to ensure environmentalism is more efficient and cost-effective.
Sustainability tech is at the forefront in solving this crisis that can worsen if it’s not dealt with early enough.
Read on to learn about the sustainability tech vertical, why it’s important, and the numerous opportunities sustainability tech presents.
In order to get an idea of the size and growth potential for the sustainability tech industry, it’s essential first to understand what defines this industry.
The sustainability tech vertical encompasses a broad range of technologies and services that aim to reduce negative environmental impacts or help achieve sustainable development goals.
This growing industry is poised for significant growth over the next few years as more businesses, consumers, and governments become aware of the importance of sustainability and seek solutions to pressing environmental issues.
However, a reckoning of possible resource scarcity and the ensuing disaster setting in sooner, could help spur more effort and investments into sustainability tech.
Some key players in this market include technology companies, consultants, financiers, rating agencies, and software developers.
The sustainability tech industry had an estimated value of $11.49 billion in 2021, and it’s projected to grow at a rate of 20.6% annually through 2029. This presents opportunities for strategic organizations and individuals that can capitalize on this trend by developing effective solutions and products that meet business and consumer needs.
Sustainability technologies are slowly but surely becoming more and more mainstream. From renewable energy to reducing environmental waste to improving food production, the industry is growing exponentially, thanks in part to technological advancements.
Some of the technologies already developed or under development to support sustainability tech include:
Sustainability tech can potentially create millions of new jobs in the US over the next decade.
According to a recent study, sustainability tech and the “green economy” employs at least 9.5 million people in the US while bringing in annual sales worth approximately $1.3 trillion.
This is in addition to the nearly 2 million jobs that will be created through other forms of sustainable technology, like solar energy and electric vehicles.
Some of these jobs will be in traditional sectors like engineering and construction, but others will be in new industries created due to sustainability tech. For instance, there is now an opportunity for software developers, machine learning engineers, and cloud developers to work on projects that help reduce environmental impact.
Additionally, businesses that use or develop sustainability tech solutions can benefit from increased demand for their products and services and a better perception by the market that they’re advocating for sustainability.
The adoption of sustainability tech can augment other industries, among other endless possibilities. Here are a few examples:
Here are a few projections on the sustainable tech industry vertical:
Moving forward, it will be increasingly crucial for businesses to consider how their sustainability practices can help them maintain or improve their competitive edge in an ever-changing market.
There is no doubt that sustainability tech is growing, and it’s here to stay. For the enterprising individuals and organizations, there has never been a more prime opportunity than now to improve the environment and help businesses save money while still being profitable.