A significant driver of the green transition is the global implementation of new and established types of low-carbon technologies. From innovative new systems that turn algae into energy to well-established renewables mitigating fossil-fuel dependence, the tech is essential to lowering greenhouse gas emissions and combating global warming.
This article covers the most successful types of low carbon tech across the globe with the broad benefits of these technologies, from job creation to air quality, and highlights the importance of embracing these advancements and alternatives for a clearer, safer future.
What are Low or Zero Carbon Technologies?
Low carbon tech could be hybrid EVs, bioenergy, or carbon capture systems: technology that significantly reduces but doesn’t completely eliminate emissions. On the other hand, zero carbon tech is entirely emission-free, such as wind turbines, hydroelectric power, or solar panels. Both are necessary as part of a balanced approach in allowing society to transition towards decarbonisation.
Low Carbon Technologies
Low carbon technologies have been on the rise since the late 20th century and have come a long way from experimental prototypes to highly efficient, commercially viable solutions.
In recent years, technologies have rapidly evolved, as scientists pummel concentrations into planet-saving initiatives like renewable energy rollouts, sustainable transportation, and carbon capture projects.
The following are some of the most significant examples of zero or low-carbon tech, some transformed into entire industries providing masses of green jobs, and some still emerging and yet to reach their full potential.
The green transition is powered by low carbon tech—driving economic growth, environmental sustainability, and helping to secure a healthier future for generations to come.
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels
Solar panels have been feared in public perception for decades due to their cost, installation fees, and low efficiency. As tech has advanced, they have become much more accessible and into the mainstream. It reduces electricity bills and operates on a low maintenance cost once installed.
They work by converting sunlight directly into electricity using photovoltaic (PV) cells, and are becoming increasingly popular with the rise of subscription services such as solar leasing and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)—a financial arrangement that allows customers to pay for solar energy without upfront costs, only paying for the electricity generated.
Government-led schemes in the 2010s such as Feed-in Tariff Scheme incentivised widespread adoption of renewables by offering monetary gain for self-generated electricity (starting as high at £43.3p per kWh).
Wind Turbines
In the UK, we are one of the first major economies to set a legally binding target of net zero emissions by 2050 and a key reason we are able to do so are our wind power capabilities. The UK is one of the global leaders of offshore wind power with 44 wind farms and over 2,500 turbines in total.
While wind power dates back ancient civilisations to milling grain and sailing, the development of modern wind turbines we know today didn’t happen until Professor James Blyth in Scotland in 1887, using the power to light his cottage.
James Blyth’s was cloth-sailed and 10 metres tall, whereas a modern-day wind turbine tends to consist of steel, fibreglass or resin and towers at 80-100 metres tall achieving rotor diameters of up to 120 metres (the width of the circle made by the propellers).
Solar power is typically employed at a residential scale, whereas wind power tends to fall under commercial projects requiring large-scale energy production. Many private companies own turbines or wind farms and then sell and distribute them on to consumers.
Hydroelectric Power
Hydropower is when electricity is generated using water such as river systems and dams. The currents of the water turn turbines linked to generators, hence the water’s kinetic energy turns into mechanical energy. Using water, it’s a brilliant renewable source that will fail to run out.
They are predominantly used in Scotland as its high rainfall and rugged terrain create an ideal condition for dam creation and water storage. This has redirected many consumers from traditional energy suppliers like Scottish Power to renewable energy specialists, such as hydropower plant operations, offering ‘green’ tariffs.
Some challenges are the ecological impact on marine life, by disrupting the water temperature, flow and transport of sediment, risking water pollution. These human-made dams at a large scale could be a hundred metres high, such as the Hoover Dam in Nevada USA, but in the UK tend to be smaller-scale river projects. We ensure that our constructed dams align well with our natural landscape, supporting local environments rather than obstructing where possible.
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is heat from the Earth, so countries by the boundaries of tectonic plates like New Zealand or Iceland are optimal, however the energy can also be produced across the UK. This happens in landscapes with granite rocks retaining heat that can be drilled deeply for extraction, such as parts of the Lake District, Scotland, and Cornwall.
Cornwall’s United Downs Deep Geothermal Power project, for example, will use hot water from geothermal reservoirs to heat up our buildings or generate electricity. As of the latest update, the production well (bringing the water/steam up from the ground to make electricity) has reached 5275 metres and the injection well (putting used water back into the ground to keep it going) has reached 2383 metres. The former must reach deeper levels to access the temperatures at higher concentrations.
The project started drilling in 2018 and reached the intended depth at the geothermal reservoir after around 8 months. Now comes the necessary research, funding, grid connection and building of power plants, and they plan to start producing power soon, predicting to power 6,000 homes.
Tidal and Wave Energy
Tidal energy was discovered in the late 19th century and has since been harnessed to generate predictable renewable electricity. It’s used in coastal regions, predominantly for steady, reliable power. In recent years, its efficiency and affordability have significantly improved.
It works by capturing the movement of tides, usually using underwater turbines placed in tidal currents or barrages; the moving water spins these turbines to produce electricity. This can power homes, businesses, and even whole communities.
Wave energy works similarly, but a key difference is it captures energy from wind-driven surface waves, making it less predictable than tidal energy.
Nuclear Energy
Nuclear energy occurs when atoms undergo nuclear fission. Operators take a fuel such as uranium and carefully initiate a controlled chain reaction by bombarding atoms with neutrons. This reaction produces heat, which creates steam to drive turbines, ultimately generating electricity.
It’s being used more and more as technology develops, with countries like France generating up to 70% of their electricity from nuclear energy. This mostly happens in large-scale nuclear power plants and provides jobs across construction, engineering, operations, and waste management.
The UK uses some nuclear energy but is currently expanding its capacity to meet net-zero targets.
Green Hydrogen Production
Green hydrogen works by sending renewable electricity into an electrolyser, splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen; the hydrogen gets stored in tanks, and then later used by a fuel cell to create clean electricity.
The process dates back to the 19th century and has seen recent developments including significant cost reductions, large-scale electrolyser advancements, and furthered technologies.
China is the largest producer of green hydrogen, with Saudi Arabia currently working on the world’s largest green hydrogen project.
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
BESS are large shipping container-sized units filled with cooling systems, inverters, and battery cells. Placed by energy providers such as power plants, solar/wind farms, or industrial sites, the unit charges battery cells when electricity is cheap or abundant (e.g. when the sun is at its peak) and discharges when demand is high or supply is low.
As a result, over time, the BESS will have amassed backup power that grants major cost savings and grid stability. It’s low carbon as it stores excess renewable energy instead of relying on fossil fuels.
Heat Pumps (Air & Ground Source)
Heat pumps are devices that bring thermal energy from one place to another—i.e. from air on a cold day into a home, or from water in a lake to a building. The heat is then used for the building’s heating or cooling, simply moving it rather than generating it and wasting energy.
These have been around since the 1940s and can be powered by renewables. Currently, models can be 3-5 times more energy efficient than a standard gas boiler.
District Heating Networks
DHNs are networks of underground pipes from a central energy plant such as a biomass plant, waste heat recovery facility, or combined heat and power (CHP) system to a range of homes, businesses, and public buildings. Instead of traditional, individual heating systems, the central energy plant works by generating heat centrally and distributing it efficiently through insulated pipes.
Copenhagen’s DHN services 98% of the city, installed in the 1980s and continuously expanded, having saved millions of tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
When heat pumps are integrated with renewable energy, DHNs are entirely future-proofed. In the upcoming years, we should see greater adoption in UK cities.
Electric Vehicles (EVs)
As tech advances, EVs are becoming increasingly accessible and mainstream. Compared to traditional combustion vehicles, they produce zero tailpipe emissions and tend to use electricity from renewable, cleaner sources.
All vehicles used by organisations, such as those delivering products, transporting staff, or providing services, should be swapped to electric vehicles to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
New policies and initiatives such as ULEZ (Ultra Low Emissions Zones), a daily charge for high-emission vehicles driving across London, have seen great success in encouraging EV adoption. The rate of ULEZ-compliant vehicles surged from 61% in Central London (2019) to 97% across Greater London in 2024.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles work by combining hydrogen gas with oxygen to make electricity and water.
Refuelling stations have become more popular in Japan, the US, and Germany. A hydrogen train exists in Germany, built in 2022, with several ongoing plans for more, such as ScotRail’s Class 614 train.
With a longer battery life than EVs and faster refuelling time, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are enticing to green consumers, however, they face high costs and limited refuelling infrastructure.
Energy-Efficient LED Lighting
LEDs are Light Emitting Diodes—little semiconductors that emit light when an electric current passes through them. LED bulbs come in a range of forms including strips, panels, and bulbs.
While traditional bulbs generate light by heating a filament, LEDs produce light directly through electroluminescence, using up to 90% less energy than incandescent. Beyond energy savings, they also reduce heat outputs and make cooling costs cheaper as they emit far less heat than traditional bulbs.
While upfront costs can be 2-5 times higher, they easily outcompete their traditional counterparts after a few years by lasting significantly longer and reducing energy bills.
Smart Grid Technology
Smart grids allow for efficient energy distribution, resulting in lower carbon intensities of energy consumption. They integrate heavily with renewable sources like solar and wind, removing dependencies on finite fossil fuels that exacerbate global warming.
Smart grids can also store energy, utilising the excess generated off-peak to use at peak demand. It fosters a connection with the grid, making changes to cooling, heating and lighting depending on the conditions of the grid.
Their technology offers real-time data on the business’s energy consumption status, overall lowering emissions by identifying issues and creating targets.
Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)
CCUS technology is used in large industrial facilities such as cement plants and steel mills. The technology looks like a network of pipelines, absorption towers, and underground injection wells, working by separating and capturing CO₂ from emissions, then either using it in products like concrete, synthetic fuels, or carbonated beverages or storing it deep underground.
While CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) strictly stores carbon and DAC (Direct Air Capture) removes it, carbon from CCUS can end up in a multitude of commercial products, enhanced oil recovery, or permanent mineralisation in materials like concrete.
In Norway, millions of tons of carbon are stored in their Northern Lights project, a major offshore geological storage site in the North Sea.
Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS)
Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) combines bioenergy (BE) production with carbon capture and storage (CCS). Not only does this generate renewable energy, but it also actively removes CO₂, simultaneously addressing climate and energy goals.
This involves collecting biomass such as dedicated energy crops, agricultural residues, or wood, which absorb CO₂ during growth. It is then harvested and converted into bioenergy through burning (and sometimes gasification or fermentation), whereby it can be used to generate electricity or produce biofuels.
BECCS projects can resemble power plants, with combustion chambers or boilers to burn the biomass, carbon capture units in the form of towers or columns to separate exhaust gases and CO₂, plus compression equipment or pipelines for storage.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
While traditional fuel is made from fossil fuels, SAF can be made from waste biomass, algae, cooking oil, and other renewable feedstocks.
SAF is blended up to 50% with regular fuel due to its chemical similarity and takes up less than 1% of global aviation fuel. Implementation strategies are being widely considered, with Neste’s a significant example.
As new carbon taxes such as the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) are implemented across countries, the aviation industry must strive for SAF to outcompete conventional fossil jet fuel.
Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)
When solar panels are integrated into buildings it’s referred to as BIPV. Solar panels have been gaining popularity since the 1970s, however BIPV has not been prevalent until the 2000s. Prime examples are solar cells in windows or panels on rooftops—used by forward-thinking architects, urban developers, and building owners.
A benefit of BIPV beyond just installing solar panels is that it reduces energy costs, and contributes to a building’s aesthetic appeal, seamlessly blending energy generation with design.
Low-Carbon Concrete and Cement
If all the concrete and cement in the world were replaced with their low-carbon alternatives, global CO2 emissions would be significantly reduced.
Carbon and cement production processes involve the high-temperature heating of limestone and other materials, making them some of the most emission-intensive industries. Invented in the early 2000s, the alternatives have grown in popularity but faced challenges in widespread adoption due to cost and scalability.
While visually identical, they use materials like fly ash or slag instead of traditional limestone and clay and are being adopted especially in regions with significant construction such as the United States, Europe, and China.
Advanced Recycling Technologies
The biggest bottleneck of recycling is, unfortunately, that humans often fail to sort or dispose of waste properly. Advanced recycling technologies combat this flaw with innovative methods such as robotic sorters, advanced shredders, or chemical recycling sorters.
Beyond reducing waste sent to landfills, they crucially make the waste reusable, such as turning plastic waste back into raw materials or creating high-quality recycled metals.
A growing industry; facilities are being created to process more materials efficiently in places like Europe, the U.S., and parts of Asia.
Benefits of Low Carbon Tech
- Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions – At its core, low carbon tech creates sustainable solutions to replace emission-heavy fossil fuel-based systems. Technology has advanced so that low-carbon alternatives are not only the obvious planet-smart option, but more cost-effective, practical, and even scalable. The impact that renewable energy has had on lowering GHG emissions since its inception is significant, and innovative new technology continues to improve emissions reduction rates.
- Lower Energy Costs – Even if upfront costs can be high, low-carbon tech will most often have lower energy costs in the long run, making it an economically viable option. With new carbon taxes such as the Carbon Price Floor, fossil-fuel-based energy sources will only be more expensive to run as time goes on—making the alternatives the go-to option.
- Improved Air Quality – With less reliance on nuclear plants pouring radioactive waste into the atmosphere, and more reliance on low-carbon tech such as wind and solar, air quality is improving. For instance, invented in the U.S., solar panels have contributed to cleaner air as they produce electricity without emitting pollutants.
- Energy Security – Compared to around 75% now, 95% of the UK was dependent on fossil fuels just 50 years ago. If it continued at that level, 50 years from now, we would be experiencing energy crises.
- Low carbon tech offers us energy security. Oil is finite, but the wind propelling wind turbines is not, and the sun powering solar panels is not.
- Job Creation – The green transition in the UK alone has created upwards of 400,000 jobs. These are stable, crucial careers that allow individuals to pursue sustainable industries and organisations to expand their renewable sectors.
- The number of job losses from fossil fuels compared to the number of new jobs from low carbon is significantly lower, with many new jobs emerging in renewable energy, energy storage, and green construction.
- Climate Change Mitigation – The low carbon transition is mitigating climate change by reducing emissions and shifting energy production away from fossil fuels. Whether it’s the tech directly pulling carbon out of the atmosphere for new purposes or the deployment of renewable energy systems, it plays a key role in achieving net-zero targets.
- Increased Energy Efficiency – Low carbon tech is smart, traditional bulbs can use 90% more energy than LEDs, for instance. Many of the alternatives are not only built for renewable or low-carbon energy sources but are highly efficient, so as to not waste energy.
More Information
https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/environment/checklist-new-builds/low-and-zero-carbon-technologies
https://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/distribution-network-energy-losses/low-carbon-technology