The term “Sustainable Technology” or “Cleantech” describes technologies that enable

more valuable use of natural resources and greatly reduced ecological impact among

other technological benefits. Although there is currently no standardized comprehensive definition for Sustainable Technology (such as the SIC code), there are three important characteristics that define a Sustainable Technology:

Dematerializiation and efficiency

The technology enables significant savings in terms of use of amounts of materials and energy.

Substitution

The technology enables a shift from (i) non-renewable resources (energy and material)

to renewable ones, (ii) non-biodegradable or persistent materials/chemicals to bio-odegradable ones or (iii) ecosystem consuming extractive systems to renewing and restorative ones.

Prevention

The technology prevents emissions, contamination and/or negative environmental impact.

"The Stone Age didn’t end for lack of stone, and the oil age will end long before the

world runs out of oil."

Sheik Ahmed Zaki Yamani