Green technology is the application of one or more of environmental science, green chemistry, environmentally friendly remanufacturing and industrial ecology to productively and sustainably manage resources, including energy, materials, water and waste. Green technology often aims to mitigate negative environmental impacts caused by industrial processes and/or products. For example, green technologies may prevent the release of harmful chemicals into the environment or reduce energy consumption.
A key goal of green technology is to minimize the use of scarce natural resources and protect ecosystems from degradation. Green technologies are also increasingly being developed with an eye toward reducing their carbon footprint – that is, their contribution to climate change. While many clean technologies are still in the development stage, some are already commercially available and are being used in a variety of industries.