Why the World Needs Better Green Technologies in 2025?
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: Climate and Energy
Source: TH
Context: Amid climate pressures, geopolitical tensions, and India’s push for energy self-reliance, experts urge a shift from conventional solar tech to next-gen, efficient alternatives.
About Why the World Needs Better Green Technologies in 2025:
What Are Green Technologies?
Green technologies refer to scientific innovations and engineering systems designed to reduce environmental harm, minimize carbon emissions, and promote sustainable energy generation and resource use.
Why the World Needs Better Green Technologies:
• Low Efficiency of Conventional Solar Panels:
• Silicon photovoltaics dominate global markets but deliver only 15–18% field efficiency. More efficient alternatives (e.g., gallium arsenide-based panels at ~47%) exist but lack large-scale deployment.
• Silicon photovoltaics dominate global markets but deliver only 15–18% field efficiency.
• More efficient alternatives (e.g., gallium arsenide-based panels at ~47%) exist but lack large-scale deployment.
E.g. Doubling efficiency would halve the land requirement — a crucial factor as urbanization and conservation pressures rise.
• Land Scarcity and Energy Density Trade-offs
• Solar plants require vast land areas due to low energy density. Competing needs: urban sprawl, agriculture, biodiversity conservation vs. solar expansion.
• Solar plants require vast land areas due to low energy density.
• Competing needs: urban sprawl, agriculture, biodiversity conservation vs. solar expansion.
E.g. In countries like India, with high population density and rising per capita energy needs, efficient land use becomes critical.
• Questionable Sustainability of Green Hydrogen:
• Green hydrogen production via electrolysis consumes more energy than it returns. Hydrogen is difficult to store and transport due to leakage and low density.
• Green hydrogen production via electrolysis consumes more energy than it returns.
• Hydrogen is difficult to store and transport due to leakage and low density.
E.g. Converting green hydrogen to ammonia/methanol for transport adds another energy-intensive step, making the process less “green.”
• Carbon Dioxide Still Rising Despite Renewable Growth:
• Global CO₂ levels increased from 350 ppm (1990) to 425 ppm (2025) despite exponential solar installations. Suggests renewable growth isn’t outpacing demand or emissions.
• Global CO₂ levels increased from 350 ppm (1990) to 425 ppm (2025) despite exponential solar installations.
• Suggests renewable growth isn’t outpacing demand or emissions.
E.g. India’s 6 GW silicon solar cell capacity isn’t sufficient to make a dent without efficiency upgrades or technology diversification.
• Need for Disruptive Innovation: Artificial Photosynthesis & RFNBO:
• Artificial Photosynthesis (APS) mimics plants to convert water + CO₂ → fuel. Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO): EU push to create carbon-neutral fuels directly from sunlight and air.
• Artificial Photosynthesis (APS) mimics plants to convert water + CO₂ → fuel.
• Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO): EU push to create carbon-neutral fuels directly from sunlight and air.
E.g. Such technologies could bypass multi-step conversion processes, cut emissions at source, and enable energy independence.
Challenges to Realising Better Green Technologies:
• High R&D Costs and Long Gestation Periods: Developing advanced green technologies like gallium arsenide cells or APS demands large upfront investments.
• Overdependence on China for Solar Supply Chains: India relies on China for over 80% of its solar panel components, creating geopolitical and trade risks.
• Lack of Large-Scale Validation of Emerging Tech: Technologies like Artificial Photosynthesis or multi-junction photovoltaics remain lab-proven.
• Private Sector Hesitation Due to Market Uncertainty: Investors are reluctant to fund futuristic innovations without guaranteed returns or proven viability.
Way Forward:
• Prioritise R&D Funding: Allocate a larger share of climate budget to disruptive innovations like APS and RFNBOs.
• Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Encourage Indian startups and industries to collaborate with national labs.
• Technology Diversification: Avoid over-reliance on one tech. Build an ecosystem of solar, wind, hydrogen, waste-to-energy, and nuclear innovation.
• Land-Efficient Designs: Promote floating solar, solar rooftops, and building-integrated PVs to address land issues.
• Global Collaboration: Engage in tech transfer, joint ventures, and climate innovation missions (e.g., Mission Innovation, India-EU Green Deal).
Conclusion:
In a world battling geopolitical shocks, ecological fragility, and rising energy demands, today’s green technologies — while crucial — are not enough. Energy innovation must outpace energy demand, and “green” must not just be a label but a measurable standard of efficiency, sustainability, and independence. India must lead with technology foresight, not just technology deployment.