Clean Tech Innovation: A Crucial Lever Against Climate Change
On May 16 and 17, the Paris-Saclay ecosystem organized the 7th edition of Paris-Saclay SPRING, a flagship innovation event in Europe held on the HEC Paris campus. This year, the focus was on Cleantech, promising technologies to combat climate change. In response to this urgency, research and innovation have been identified as essential solutions to ensure a sustainable future. The conference "CleanTech Horizons: Innovation shaping a sustainable future" explored these issues in depth, bringing together renowned experts.
Experts Explore Innovative Solutions: An Enlightening Dialogue on Clean Tech
During a plenary session of Paris-Saclay SPRING, a leading innovation event in Europe, renowned experts gathered to explore Clean Tech technologies, which offer promising solutions in the fight against climate change. However, as François Gemenne, Academic Director of the Master Sustainability and Social Innovation (SASI) at HEC Paris, and Fernando Diaz Lopez, Executive Director of the HEC Paris Climate & Earth Center, pointed out, technology cannot act alone. A collective and concerted effort is indispensable, involving all stakeholders: policymakers, businesses, scientists and universities.
While the development of innovative technologies is crucial to meeting the climate challenge, it is only one piece of the puzzle. The experts stressed the importance of investment and the allocation of adequate resources to realize the potential of Clean Tech. In addition, a stable and favorable regulatory environment is essential to stimulate the widespread adoption of these solutions.
François Gemenne highlighted the central role of Clean Tech in combating climate change. Beyond their ability to decarbonize consumption, they also have the potential to influence consumer behavior and public policy. "We need clean tech not just for the possibility to decarbonize a lot of consumption and a lot of products, but we also need it to make our consumption habits," he said.
Fernando Diaz Lopez echoed this sentiment, underscoring the importance of comprehensive planning and a life-cycle approach in clean tech innovation. "Today we had the opportunity to discuss how clean tech innovation can be a driving force to address climate challenges. There is a clear business case for reducing greenhouse gas emissions," he said. He also highlighted the need for collaboration and skill development to bridge the gap between innovation and implementation, emphasizing that "clean techs are the solution in the sense that they are absolutely needed and are the better alternative to existing technologies. But we need careful planning and a full life-cycle approach when we design them."
Key Figures to Understand the Stakes
- Only 25% of the technologies needed to combat climate change had reached maturity.
- 70% of CEOs' investment decisions in Clean Tech were influenced by the perception of their company's technological and organizational capabilities, the regulatory environment, and the perception of economic risks or market opportunities.
- 80% of a product's environmental impacts could be avoided from the design stage (through eco-design).
- 40% of the solutions needed for climate adaptation and resilience did not yet exist.
A Call to Action for Entrepreneurs and Investors
A call to action was issued to entrepreneurs and investors committed to combating climate change:
"It's been an incredibly exciting time for climate tech startups. If you're an entrepreneur and you want to make a difference, focus on the end of life of products and climate adaptation technologies." expressed Fernando Diaz-Lopez
Promising Initiatives in Europe
They also highlighted the rise of promising Clean Tech initiatives in Europe, such as green hydrogen, direct uses of geothermal energy, carbon credits, carbon management, and AI and deeptech solutions for climate risks. However, they also pointed to a glaring lack of skills in these areas.
The HEC Climate & Earth Center at the Forefront of Training
To meet this crucial need, HEC's Climate & Earth Center has launched a new executive certificate for decision-makers, enabling them to better understand how to restructure businesses for the climate.
A Message of Hope for the Future
While the conference highlighted the scale of the climate challenge, it also underscored the immense potential of Clean Tech technologies to address it. Encouraging innovation, investing in research and training, and fostering a favorable regulatory framework are key actions to realize this potential and build a sustainable future.
"We are living in a time of war effort, where everyone must collaborate and innovate courageously, develop solutions and scale them up as much as possible." concludes François Gemenne