Climate change is a very critical issue. Countries and corporations around the world are taking this issue very seriously. Responsible companies are incorporating environment friendly practices into their business processes.

New green technologies are helping companies towards an environmental friendly and sustainable future. Over the past few years, green business practices have become more practical. Companies are willing to invest in green technologies despite their cost.

In this article, we look at 11 such technologies that are helping companies to go green.       

1. Work from home to reduce emissions

Companies can help reduce carbon emissions by asking their employees to work from home. Even if employees don’t drive their cars for two days a week, it can make a big difference.

Thanks to digital communication technologies like Zoom and Skype, employees can connect with the team and do all the necessary work from their homes without affecting their productivity.

They can have face to face meetings with other employees and clients without being in the same room. They don’t have to be physically present.

If all the companies worldwide start doing this, we can reduce emissions substantially. 

2. Renewable energy

Most of our electricity is generated from fossil fuels. Either it can be coal or furnace oil. Both emit CO2 and pollute our environment.

We can switch to renewable sources of energy such as solar. Day by day, installing solar panels is becoming more affordable.

Solar panels can help small businesses and companies to cut their carbon emissions as well as operational costs.

For smaller businesses, the cost of using eco-friendly technologies like solar panels may be expensive at first, but companies will save a lot of money in the long run.    

Similarly, they can use wind technology to cut energy costs and carbon emissions. However, installing wind turbines can be very expensive, and only big companies can afford to do so.

3. Rainwater harvesting

The water supply that reaches to businesses costs much because of the energy that is required to move water from source to processing plant to homes.

The energy required in processing and distribution is usually fossil fuels. Therefore using the main water source isn’t that eco friendly.

What companies can do is harvest rainwater.

Rain can be directed to a rainwater tank by means of a catchment area and a number of pipes.

Rainwater itself is very clean and doesn’t need any purification. You only need to install filters in your office before drinking the water.

This water can be used for a variety of purposes, including petroleum refineries, the production of chemical products, food, and paper. BPCL Mumbai Refinery is a well-known example of using rainwater harvesting.

As a refinery, it requires a lot of water, so it implemented rainwater harvesting along with many other technologies to protect the environment.

This way companies and communities can help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

4. Go paper free

Another area where companies can go green is their use of paper. Already eco-friendly businesses are trying their best to reduce paper use. They are communicating with their employees, clients and customers through email.

Bills are being paid through digital channels. They are doing away with all the paperwork within the company. There are apps that allow businesses to schedule assignments, organize projects, and share documents and media with their employees without using paper. Digital project management tools can help eliminate a lot of paperwork.     

It is estimated that the cost of using paper is 30 times the purchasing cost. Go paper-free!   

5. Biodegradable plastic

Biodegradable plastic can help reduce soil and water pollution considerably. Although very difficult, companies are trying to switch to this type of plastic for a safer environment.

Companies are using biodegradable packaging material to help reduce sea and soil pollution. 

6. Eco-friendly construction machinery

The real estate industry is the backbone of a country’s economy. Construction of new housing units, pubic infrastructure etc is very important for the economy.

However, construction companies are often one of the major contributors to carbon emissions. Extensive use of heavy machinery for long hours has led to high emissions and energy consumption.

But things are changing now. With smart green technology tools like intelligent asphalt, compactors enable the construction crew to operate with greater efficiency. It reduces electricity and fuel consumption considerably hence reducing environmental impact.   

7. Electric vehicles

EV is the future of the automobile industry. This is the reason why Tesla is so successful.

Automobiles constitute well over 30% of the total carbon emissions. Conventional automobile relies heavily on fossil fuel. Therefore many big automobile companies are shifting to either electric vehicles or hybrid cars.

However, right now cost of an electric vehicle is very high and not everyone can afford it. But in coming years the cost is going to come down considerably.   

This shift from fossil fuel to electricity can have a positive impact on our environment.

8. Go online

Many companies are going online. They are taking their business online, especially after the pandemic.

Selling online is pretty straightforward. By going online companies can reduce the environmental impact of using concrete, electricity, water, and gas at that establishment.

Online companies also reduce the number of people who have to drive to and from the office. Not all businesses but small businesses can completely go digital. Ecommerce companies like Amazon, Alibaba etc are the best examples of online business. 

9. Energy efficient data centres

Computers may not emit any toxic fumes as they work, but they do require a lot of electricity and most power sources use fossil fuels.

Data centres that host big servers contribute to millions of tons of pollution from the energy they consume.

Therefore many businesses are transferring to energy-efficient data centres. Advanced servers that require less energy can minimize the carbon footprint.

Cloud computing is another technology that reduces energy consumption and emissions. With cloud computing, you don’t require physical infrastructure to work.  

10. Wireless power transfer

Wireless Power Transfer is quite a futuristic technology. Instead of transferring power through wires, wireless power transfer uses magnetic fields to charge electronic components without requiring any physical connection.

Wireless power transfer systems can power transports through the road allowing electric vehicles to travel over long distances.

Although the technology is still in its infancy companies are willing to experiment and make it commercially viable.

This technology can reduce carbon footprints substantially by making electric transportation practical. 

11. Track energy consumption with IoT

Small businesses can use IoT or Internet of things technology to go green. IoT means a network of appliances fitted with sensors that send information to a central database. Data is then analyzed and translated into information that people can use to know how well their appliance is working.

Restaurants can use this technology to make sure their refrigerators are maintaining the proper temperature so that they can reduce food wastage and save money.

Manufacturers can also use IoT to monitor the performance of their heavy machinery.

These were some of the technologies that are helping small and big companies to go green. More and more companies are willing to incorporate these technologies into their business.