In 2024, the world emitted around 41.6 billion metric tons of carbon, 50% of which came from Asia alone. This cannot be good for the environment. Right? For this reason, the world is looking for alternative power sources and green technologies to ensure their carbon footprint remains low. The same is the case with Asia.
However, it is even more crucial for Asia as it accounts for around 50% of the total population of the world. Being home to the most rapidly growing economies, this number will increase in the coming years. How can Asia deal with it? Green Technologies are the only way. Let’s look at some Green tech Asia can use to keep their carbon emission in check.
Green Technologies with the Potential to Save Asia
Here are a few technologies that can be used to ensure that Asia’s carbon emissions stay within the limit.
1. Renewable Energy Expansion
Asia is leading the global shift towards renewable energy, with wind and solar capacities growing at an impressive rate of 35% annually since 2015. In 2022, the continent invested $532 billion in renewables, accounting for 65% of the global expenditure in this sector. China has been at the forefront of renewable energy, doubling its wind capacity approximately every 1.5 years and its solar capacity every 2.5 years between 2000 and 2022. India’s renewable capacity growth has also outpaced that of coal power, reflecting a significant commitment to clean energy sources.
2. Electric Vehicle (EV) Adoption
The adoption of electric vehicles is accelerating across Asia and has emerged as the top green technology in the region. In Nepal, over 70% of newly imported passenger vehicles in the past year were electric, a substantial increase from just 250 vehicles in 2020-21 to over 13,000 annually. Cost savings, stable hydropower electricity, and reduced import taxes drive this surge. The Nepalese government aims for 90% of private and 60% of public vehicle sales to be electric by 2030, addressing both environmental concerns and public health issues related to air pollution.
3. Offshore Wind Power Development
China is rapidly expanding its offshore wind power capacity, commissioning 16.9 GW in 2021 alone—more than the rest of the world combined over the previous five years. This expansion has positioned China as the operator of almost half of the world’s installed offshore wind capacity, totaling 26 GW out of 54 GW globally. The country’s focus on offshore wind is part of its strategy to diversify energy sources and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. This is perhaps the best green technology for Asian countries, which are off the shore.
4. Waste-to-Energy Initiatives
Hong Kong has implemented low-carbon technologies to process food waste, converting 100–300 tonnes daily into biogas, a renewable energy source. The first facility of this kind is projected to generate 14 million kWh of electricity annually, sufficient to power approximately 3,000 households. This approach not only addresses waste management challenges but also contributes to the region’s renewable energy supply.
5. Hydrogen Power
In recent years, Hydrogen power has emerged as the new green technology that can significantly fulfil the energy needs of Asia. Many companies, including Tata, Hyundai, and many others, are pouring millions of dollars into the R&D of the hydrogen power tech. Once pioneered, Hydrogen can be useful in many use cases like for powering cars or even generators.
Making Way for a Clean and Green Future, Together!
If Asia wants its future to be prosperous and healthy, these green technologies can be vital. Many Asian countries already have the infrastructure to use green tech. However, the countries that are lagging can face dire consequences. It’s the moral duty of the superpowers in Asia to ensure that their neighbour is not left behind because, like it or not, the whole of Asia is in this together.
