IB DT: Topic 2.4: Clean Technology

credits https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1E2rY-DzYgeaXJMUWr8JnCg2rcSZhLXNajbv436j_k0I/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000&slide=id.g13f1151ba5_3_268

what does clean technology seek to achieve?

reduction of waste/pollution from production processes through radical or incremental development of a production system

what are the drivers for cleaning up manufacturing?

• manufacturers responding to current legislation or pressure created by the local community and media (to conform and to avoid penalties)

• promoting positive impacts

• ensuring neutral impact

• minimising negative impact

• reducing pollution and use of energy

• reducing waste of energy and resources

examples of international legislation reducing waste and pollution

• the earth summit (rio 1992): the un sought to help govs. rethink economic development and find ways to halt the destruction of natural resources and pollution. this summit helped the development of renewable energy sources, increased reliance on public transport, and raised awareness over water scarcity

• the kyoto protocol (1997): an international treaty that sets binding obligations on industrialised countries to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. legally bound developed countries to reduce their emissions, and encouraged developing countries.

• the copenhagen accord (2009): states that global warming should be limited to below 2 degrees Celsius relative to pre-industrial temps.

what is an end of pipe technology?

adding clean up technologies at the end of the manufacturing process - technical measures for reactive environmental protection. usually expensive and only becomes effective when “damage” has already occurred.

what is carbon capture?

the process of capturing waste carbon dioxide from large point sources such as fossil fuel power plants, transporting them to a storage site, and depositing it where it will not enter the atmosphere (like an underground geological formation).

what is the difference between end of pipe and clean manufacturing?

• we have witnessed a paradigm shift from pollution control (end of pipe) to pollution prevention strategies.

• unlike on the past when pollution was simply controlled, pollution prevention and clean production programs attempt to reduce or eliminate pollution in an efficient and sustainable manner.

what is an incremental solution for cleaning up manufacturing? what are the advantages and disadvantages?

• gradual improvement of technologies or approaches to manufacturing over time

• advantages: exploit existing technology, don’t need to invest in large changes, respond to legislation quickly, improvement to competitiveness, predictable development

• disadvantages: small changes must be made frequently, may not be enough to fully satisfy legislation, crowded mature marketplace with many competitors and low potential for market growth

what is a radical solution for cleaning up manufacturing? what are the advantages and disadvantages?

• new and untried approach - devising a new product by going back to the roots of the problem and thinking about the solution in a different way

• advantages: exploration of new tech, high potential for market growth, creation of new industries, fewer competitors, improved reputation

• disadvantages: expensive and timely r&d, high uncertainty of success, high investment, can be risky

what is a systems level solution?

solutions that embrace the idea of a solution to the problem of pollution and waste as whole and is concerned with the interrelationship rather than individual elements. it helps policy and energy planners understand the impacts of existing and proposed legislation, policy and plans on renewable energy development and deployment at the local, state, regional and national levels.

• this includes things like favourable tax concessions: offered to industries that integrate pollution controls into a process, reducing waste as opposed to end-of-pipe technologies