Green Technology — Definition

Definition

Green technology is a technology designed or applied to reduce environmental pressures while providing a useful service. Its performance must be assessed against a stated alternative and boundary; the word “green” alone does not establish a benefit.

Relevant approaches include preventing pollution, improving material or energy efficiency, substituting safer inputs and recovering useful resources. A technology may improve one indicator while creating another pressure elsewhere.

Evaluation therefore follows the service from inputs through use and disposal, checks measurable outcomes, and considers whether the proposed system can operate reliably under the conditions in which it will be deployed.