Grid of images showing experts talking and examples of innovative technologies like gene modification and bio-based materials

Spotlight

Technology innovation for sustainability

Advancing towards a climate-smart economy

Cutting edge science and technology play a pivotal role in advancing towards a climate-smart economy. Scaling up promising solutions like next generation recycling, agri-tech, and green hydrogen is essential, while mature technologies such as digital optimisation and additive manufacturing need integration into global ecosystems.

We delve into the critical science and technology solutions required to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Discover their benefits, explore surprising applications, and learn about the necessary steps for unlocking their full potential.

In this collaborative video series with the UN Global Compact (UNGC), we aim to educate and empower viewers by showcasing how disruptive technologies can effectively drive impactful change towards achieving the UN SDGs.

Decarbonisation

Green hydrogen

Technology for sustainability: Green hydrogen

Green hydrogen is critical to replace fossil fuel produced ‘grey’ hydrogen – used mainly in refining and fertiliser production – and to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors like steel production, shipping, aviation, and possibly some heavy goods vehicles.

Green hydrogen

Low-carbon concrete

Technology for sustainability: Low-carbon concrete

Low-carbon concrete could make a massive difference in sustainable waste plastic management and manage ongoing plastic production and growing consumption by offering a high volume, value-added end-of-life solution.

Low-carbon concrete

Low-carbon IT

Technology for sustainability: Low-carbon IT

Low-carbon IT allows us to do more with less, extending the life of assets while providing the infrastructure to enable modernisation, delivering benefits for the cloud as well as the ability to rationalise estates and save costs.

Low-carbon IT

Next generation batteries

Technology for sustainability: Next generation batteries

Batteries are the foundation of electrifying transportation and a critical solution to decarbonising the electric grid.

Next generation batteries

Carbon capture

Technology for sustainability: Carbon capture

Carbon capture reduces CO2 concentration in the atmosphere and is a key short- to medium-term solution for decarbonisation.

Carbon capture

Low carbon heating and cooling

Technology for sustainability: Low-carbon heating and cooling

Enhancing energy efficiency and transitioning from fossil fuel-based heating and cooling to low-carbon alternatives will play a pivotal role in substantially mitigating carbon emissions.

Low carbon heating and cooling

Smarter, more efficient systems

Autonomous vehicles

Technology for sustainability: Autonomous vehicles

AVs can reinforce safety and act as an enabler for a low-carbon consumption future.

Autonomous vehicles

Digital optimisation

Technology for sustainability: Digital optimisation

Digital optimisation uses advances in systems to optimise existing processes, practices, operations, and business models, enabling us to collect data from assets to make better decisions.

Digital optimisation

New realities

Technology for sustainability: New realities

Virtual and augmented reality can be used to help improve performance and enhance peoples’ realities.

New realities

Next generation robotics

Technology for sustainability: Next generation robotics

Next generation robotics is a key driver in artificial intelligence (AI) research and will help to overcome the complex environments in which advanced robots operate.

Next generation robotics

Improving nutrition quality and human health

Agri-tech

Technology for sustainability: Agri-tech

Agri-tech can help improve decision making, decrease water consumption, support food security, improve the quality of fruit and vegetables, and much more.

Agri-tech

Gene editing

Technology for sustainability: Gene editing

Gene editing holds immense potential in both the medical and agricultural sectors, from addressing genetic diseases to enhancing the nutritional value in crops.

Gene editing

Plant microbiome

Technology for sustainability: Plant microbiomes

Plant microbiomes enable soil to retain water, improve nutrient uptake and resilience, and promote carbon sequestration in the soil.

Plant microbiome

Quantum computing

Technology for sustainability: Quantum computing

Quantum computing helps us increase our understanding of crop genetics which can contribute to hardier produce, greater yields, increased food security, better water treatment methods, and improved weather prediction.

Quantum computing

Unmanned Air Systems

Technology for sustainability: Unmanned Air Systems

Unmanned Air Systems, also known as drones, can provide opportunities for significant efficiencies in crop management and environment monitoring, unlocking strong potential for increased yields.

Unmanned Air Systems

Human microbiome

Technology for sustainability: Human microbiomes

By activating our microbiomes and keeping them healthy through good nutrition, hygiene, and sanitation, we will promote human health.

Human microbiome

Reducing waste

Bio-based materials

Technology for sustainability: Bio-based materials

Bio-based materials are a renewable source of material, tend to have a lower environmental impact, and can be used across multiple lifecycles.

Bio-based materials

Next generation recycling

Technology for sustainability: Next generation recycling

Next generation recycling enables us to optimise material recovery at end-of-life.

Next generation recycling

Additive manufacturing

Technology for sustainability: Additive manufacturing

Additive manufacturing brings specific supply chain and product-based benefits, helping to minimise material waste and enable distributed manufacturing.

Additive manufacturing

Water stewardship

Technology for sustainability: Water stewardship

Technology can play a vital role in responsible water management, increasing the efficiency of industrial processes, helping to reduce leakage in the distribution of water, and guiding reduced personal consumption.

Water stewardship

Explore more

Bring ideas to life, translate theory into reality, and create future growth platforms, together.

Elevate data and digital from technologies to drivers of lasting impact.

a yellow construction truck

Energy transition

Achieving our 1.5°C 2050 Paris target will take ambitious planning and impactful action. We need to launch a coordinated climate response, and energy transition will play a significant role.

a yellow construction truck

Global Innovation and Technology Centre

Where we turn ideas into physical and digital reality.

Sustainable world

In this decisive decade, we can deliver world-saving change by working together to deliver targeted action.

Contact the team

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