Climate tech: a vital sustainability toolset

Invent, invest, innovate

Climate tech:
a vital sustainability toolset

Invent, invest, innovate

Organizations can invest in climate tech, i.e., hardware and software solutions designed to address climate change. We asked executives which solutions might prove most impactful in their respective fields.

Aerospace and defense
Three-quarters of aerospace and defense executives named advanced propulsion technology as a potential low-emissions solution. Today, the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is exploring if magnetic propulsion could enable fuel-less space exploration.⁵Discover more examples in the Capgemini Research Institute's full report.

72%

of aerospace executives believe advanced propulsion technology will reduce industry emissions

Automotive

The majority of executives in this sector believe electrification and alternative fuels will decrease emissions. This year, Volvo Trucks North America revealed vehicles powered by Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a biofuel.⁶

Learn about automotive climate tech in the report.

Download full report

62%

of automotive executives believe electrification and alternative fuels will decrease emissions

_{5 Businessner, “Magnetic propulsion in aerospace: The future of fuel-less space travel,” January 2024.
6 Volvo, “Volvo Trucks North America continues ‘toward zero’ by fueling all new trucks with HVO at the New River Valley Plant,” April 2024.}

Agriculture and forestry

Among agriculture and forestry executives, 86% believe that bioplastics developed from plant materials will significantly reduce GHG emissions in the next 2–3 years. Eighty one percent of them believe that agroforestry techniques are promising. Currently, Unilever and Barry Callebaut are supporting cocoa farmers in Côte d’Ivoire through agroforestry.^7,8

Read more about the future of agriculture and forestry here.

_^Nearly
9 in 10

agriculture executives believe bioplastics to be critical to reducing industry emissions

Energy and utilities

Almost two-thirds of energy and utilities executives believe low-carbon hydrogen will significantly reduce GHG emissions, and, as observed in a previous research, 90% of them plan to invest in it by 2050.⁹ US-based Constellation Energy will soon establish a $900 million clean hydrogen facility.¹⁰

Find other energy and utilities projects in the Capgemini Research Institute's full report.

Download full report

65%

of energy and utilities executives say low-carbon hydrogen will significantly reduce GHG emissions

_{7 Unilever, “Agroforestry in action: Supporting cocoa farmers in Côte d’Ivoire,” July 2023.
8 Barry Callebaut, “Barry Callebaut and Nestlé partner on large scale agroforestry project in Côte d’Ivoire,” March 2023.
9 Capgemini Research Institute, Low-carbon hydrogen: A path to a greener future, April 2023.
10 Constellation, “Constellation to play key role in $1 billion clean hydrogen hub awarded by US Department of Energy,” October 2023.}

Industrial manufacturing
The majority of industrial executives polled by Capgemini believe that industrial carbon capture (CCUS) will reduce GHG emissions. In Switzerland, Climeworks is collaborating with giants like Audi, Microsoft, and Swiss Re to develop and implement CCUs technology.Consult our full report for more examples from industry.

Download full report

68%

of industrial executives believe that CCUS will reduce GHG emissions

Generative AI

Many executives believe that AI’s benefits outweigh its negative impact on the environment. Even so, it is vital to measure these impacts. In another recent generative AI study, we see that one in three companies in our survey are monitoring AI-related energy and water consumption, as well as carbon emissions.

The majority of executives agree that the benefits of generative AI outweigh the negative environmental impact

_{Source: Capgemini Research Institute, Sustainability transformation trends survey, June–July 2024, N = 2,152 executives.}

Environmental leadership:
Capgemini’s industry insights

In our research, the vast majority (91%) of frontrunners agreed they will never be able to achieve their sustainability goals without climate tech – compared to 75% of beginners.

Executives wanting to join the forefront of this movement can invest in climate tech and data and digital technologies that reduces emissions, optimizes resources, and enhances resilience.

You can make the transition smoother for your organization by innovating across the organization, from overhauling the business model to digitalizing existing processes, and seamlessly integrating technological solutions that can help drive the adoption of climate tech and digital solutions.

To cut CO₂ emissions and boost operational efficiency, one example is that we are using technologies that can improve the efficiency of turbine aircraft engines and also compatibility and utilization of sustainable aviation fuels. We are also pushing simulation technologies to help our customers avoid flying all the time, thereby saving costs and reducing emissions. On space technologies, a very big problem is space debris, so we are working together with customers and the industry on technologies to reduce emissions and also find efficient ways to re-utilize satellites after they reach end-of-life.

José Antonio Coll, Head of Sustainability at Airbus Defense and Space at Airbus