The Con/Prop/Real-Tech Entrepreneurs "Cheat-Sheet" for Climate-tech

What is Climate-tech?

Climate-tech is a broad term that refers to technology and innovation that is aimed at addressing climate change. This can include a range of technologies and approaches, such as renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency measures, carbon capture and storage systems, and technologies for adapting to the impacts of climate change. Climate tech can also include innovative financing and business models that support the adoption and scaling of these technologies.

The goal of climate tech is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change, such as rising temperatures, sea level rise, and extreme weather events. Climate tech can be applied in a variety of sectors, including energy, transportation, agriculture, and buildings.

This “Cheat-Sheet” is meant for those entrepreneurs who consider their venture to be either Construction-Tech, Prop-Tech or Real-estate Tech, and wish to take on the biggest challenge faced by human beings, The climate change.

Climate change

Climate change is a global challenge that is caused by the emission of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, from human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. These emissions trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to an increase in global temperatures and a range of impacts, including sea level rise, more frequent and severe weather events, and changes in the distribution and abundance of plants and animals. Climate change is already having a range of negative impacts on people, communities, and ecosystems around the world, and these impacts are expected to become more severe in the coming decades. To address this challenge, it is necessary to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase efforts to adapt to the impacts of climate change. This will require a range of actions, including transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, protecting and restoring forests and other carbon sinks, and developing technologies and approaches to reduce and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The construction industry and the climate change

There is a growing recognition of the importance of climate tech in addressing the global challenge of climate change, and there is an increasing investment and support for the development and deployment of these technologies. The construction industry is a major contributor to global pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. According to a report by the World Green Building Council, the construction and operation of buildings is responsible for around 39% of global energy use and 38% of total CO2 emissions. The construction process itself can also generate significant amounts of pollution, through the use of energy-intensive materials and processes, as well as the emissions from transportation and the operation of machinery.

In addition to greenhouse gas emissions, the construction industry can also contribute to other forms of pollution, such as air pollution and water pollution. For example, the use of certain materials and processes can release particulates and other pollutants into the air, while the construction and operation of buildings can also generate waste materials that can end up in landfills or pollute waterways.

Material aspect

There are a number of materials used in construction that can contribute to pollution, either through their production or their use. Some of the most polluting materials include:

·       Concrete: The production of cement, a key ingredient in concrete, is a major source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

·       Steel: The production of steel involves the use of energy-intensive processes and the emission of greenhouse gases, including CO2.

·       Asphalt: The production of asphalt involves the use of fossil fuels, which can contribute to air pollution.

·       Glass: The production of glass can involve the use of high temperatures and energy, which can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

·       Plastics: The production of some types of plastic can involve the use of fossil fuels and the emission of greenhouse gases. In addition, the disposal of plastic can be a problem, as it can take hundreds of years to decompose and can release harmful chemicals into the environment.

·       There are also a number of other materials used in construction that can contribute to pollution, including wood, brick, and insulation materials. The specific impact of these materials on the environment can vary depending on the production processes used and how they are used in construction.

Construction process aspect

The construction process can be energy-intensive and generate significant amounts of pollution, through the use of materials and processes that require large amounts of energy and the emission of greenhouse gases. Some of the key ways in which the construction process can contribute to energy consumption and pollution include:

·       Material production: The production of building materials, such as concrete, steel, and glass, can involve the use of energy-intensive processes and the emission of greenhouse gases.

·       Transportation: The transportation of materials and workers to and from construction sites can generate emissions from the use of vehicles.

·       Construction machinery: The operation of construction machinery, such as excavators, bulldozers, and cranes, can consume large amounts of energy and emit pollutants, such as particulates and nitrogen oxides.

·       On-site power generation: In some cases, construction sites may use temporary power generation equipment, such as diesel generators, which can emit pollutants and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

Life span aspect

After construction, buildings can continue to generate greenhouse gas emissions over their lifespan through the energy used for heating, cooling, lighting, and other systems. The specific emissions of a building will depend on a number of factors, including the size of the building, the materials used in its construction, the efficiency of its systems and appliances, and the way in which it is used.

There are a number of initiatives and standards, such as LEED and BREEAM, that are aimed at reducing the environmental impact of buildings over their lifespan. These programs provide guidelines and certification for the design, construction, and operation of sustainable buildings. Adopting these practices can help to reduce the emissions generated by buildings over their lifespan.

Demolition aspect

The demolition of buildings can generate a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly if the demolition process is not carried out in an environmentally responsible manner. Some of the key sources of emissions during building demolition include: Transportation of materials and waste: The transportation of materials and waste generated during the demolition process can contribute to emissions through the use of vehicles. Use of energy-intensive equipment: The operation of heavy machinery, such as excavators and bulldozers, during the demolition process can consume large amounts of energy and emit pollutants, such as particulates and nitrogen oxides. Deconstruction and recycling: The process of deconstructing a building, rather than simply tearing it down, can be more energy-efficient and result in fewer emissions. However, the transportation and processing of materials for recycling can also generate emissions.

There are a number of ways in which the environmental impact of building demolition can be reduced, including the use of energy-efficient equipment, the adoption of sustainable transportation practices, and the use of deconstruction and recycling methods.

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