Zhehao Yan

V01043486

Starting

From the studies I have done, I became very interested about how technology improves nowadays and how these technology could affect climate.

The very first question came up to me is “What technologies exist to reduce carbon emissions?” and Here’s an overview of key technologies reducing carbon emissions, synthesized from the latest research and industry deployments (2024-2025):

Emissions Monitoring & Data Analytics

  • Satellite Monitoring: Carbon Mapper’s “Tanager” satellites (30m resolution) detect methane/CO₂ point sources globally, identifying “super emitters” with detection limits of 66–144 kgCH₄/h. A 4-satellite constellation will enable sub-daily monitoring by 2025. (Duren. etc, 2025)
  • AI-Driven Platforms: ASUS’s carbon data management platform tracks emissions across 800+ suppliers, enabling a 28% reduction in supplier carbon intensity (2020–2024). (ASUS, 2025)

Energy Efficiency & Smart Systems

  • Smart Grids: AI optimizes energy distribution, integrating renewables and reducing waste. ASUS laptops now exceed ENERGY STAR efficiency by 47.9%. (ASUS, 2025)
  • Data Center Innovations: Orbital Materials’ AI-designed carbon capture systems are being piloted in UK data centers, aiming to counter projected 2.5B-ton CO₂ emissions from data centers by 2030.(ESGNEWS, 2025)

Renewable Energy Integration

  • Green Hydrogen: Produced via solar/wind-powered electrolysis, replacing fossil fuels in heavy industry 4.(YAGAY, SUN, 2025)
  • Advanced Nuclear: Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) provide stable, carbon-free power to complement intermittent renewables.(YAGAY, SUN, 2025)
  • Building-Integrated PV: Solar panels embedded in windows/walls cut building emissions (e.g., 55% renewable energy use in ASUS operations, 2024)(YAGAY, SUN, 2025)

Deepening

From the first question I came up, we could deepen the question more, “How carbon emission was reduced from the development of technology?”

Satellite Monitoring (Carbon Mapper):

  • How it Eliminates: Identifies large, often unexpected leaks (“super emitters”) of methane (a potent GHG) and CO₂ from sources like pipelines, landfills, oil/gas fields, and industrial plants.

AI-Driven Carbon Management Platforms (ASUS):

  • How it Eliminates: Enables precise tracking and reduction of emissions across complex supply chains.

Smart Grids:

  • How it Eliminates: Reduces overall fossil fuel consumption needed for electricity generation.

Device Energy Efficiency (e.g., ASUS Laptops):

  • How it Eliminates: Reduces the amount of electricity consumed during use.

AI-Designed Carbon Capture (Orbital Materials):

  • How it Eliminates: Physically removes CO₂ emissions at the source (data centers) before they enter the atmosphere.

Green Hydrogen:

  • How it Eliminates: Replaces fossil fuels in sectors where direct electrification is difficult.

Advanced Nuclear (SMRs):

  • How it Eliminates: Provides large-scale, reliable electricity generation without fossil fuel combustion.

Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV):

  • How it Eliminates: Generates clean electricity directly at the point of consumption (buildings).

Refining

As I dig deeper into the question, I wonder about the policies on technologies, which leads me to “What policies accelerate clean tech adoption?”

The acceleration of clean technology adoption relies on a multifaceted policy framework combining industrial support and of course financial incentives.

1. Industrial Policy & Manufacturing Support

  • Localization Targets: The EU’s Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) mandates that 40% of solar panels, batteries, and heat pumps deployed by 2026 must be domestically produced, reducing import dependency and building resilient supply chains.(SOLARBE GLOBAL)
  • R&D Subsidies: China’s state-backed R&D investments in solar and battery tech drove a 42% drop in solar panel costs and a 50% reduction in battery prices (2023), making renewables cost-competitive with fossils.(QianYuan,2024)
  • Tax Credits & Grants: The U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds clean steel demonstration plants and covers “green premiums” for low-carbon industrial products, bridging commercialization gaps.(CAP,2025)

2. Financial Incentives & Market Creation

  • Green Hydrogen Investment: India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission allocates ₹19,744 crore ($2.4B) to produce 5 million tonnes/year by 2030, replacing fossil-based hydrogen in refining and transport.(Vyom Ramani, 2025)
  • Capital Market Access: China facilitates low-cost loans and equity financing for clean tech firms, enabling private companies to scale solar PV and EV battery production—key to clean energy contributing 40% of GDP growth in 2023.(QianYuan, 2024)
  • Carbon Pricing: U.S. proposals like the Clean Competition Act impose carbon intensity fees on imports and domestic production, incentivizing industrial decarbonization.(Ankita Gangotra, 2023)

Planning

For the future planning, I suppose each week I will extend more questions among the topic “How can technology help combat climate change?”

Design a project plan:
– Activity: Construct a final project that determines all criteria of the topic
– Timeline: 3 weeks (2 research, 1 test/reflect)
– Assessment: 1 research every week.

Execute the project:
– Weekly: 1 research
– Reflection: Journal
– Assessment: Peer review; final presentation to community.

Question could be chosen:

Starting:

– “How can tech improve renewable energy efficiency?” 
– “Can AI predict climate disasters?” 

Deepening:

– Renewable energy tech (solar, wind, grid storage)
– Carbon capture methods
– Climate monitoring (satellites, IoT sensors)

Refining:

– “How scalable is direct air capture technology?”
– “Can blockchain verify carbon offsets reliably?”

Reference

Duren, R., Cusworth, D., Ayasse, A., Howell, K., Diamond, A., Scarpelli, T., Kim, J., O’neill, K., Lai-Norling, J., Thorpe, A., Zandbergen, S. R., Shaw, L., Keremedjiev, M., Guido, J., Giuliano, P., Goldstein, M., Nallapu, R., Barentsen, G., Thompson, D. R., Roth, K., Jensen, D., Eastwood, M., Reuland, F., Adams, T., Brandt, A., Kort, E. A., Mason, J., and Green, R. O.: The Carbon Mapper emissions monitoring system, EGUsphere [preprint], https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2275, 2025.

ASUS, ASUS Net-Zero Science-Based Emissions Reduction Targets Validated by SBTi https://press.asus.com/news/press-releases/asus-net-zero-sbti-approval-en/, 2025.

YAGAY, SUN, Top 10 advanced technologies that are making a significant impact in the fight against climate change.https://www.taxmanagementindia.com/visitor/detail_article.asp?ArticleID=14547, 2025.

SOLARBE GLOBAL, EU Commission Adopts Net-Zero Industry Act Sub-Legislation, Ushering in New Phase for Clean Energy Development, https://en.geidco.org.cn/2025/0605/8501.shtml, 2025.

Qian Yuan, Kyrgyzstan’s former prime minister: Clean energy paves the way for China’s strong economic growth, https://www.enfamily.cn/thread-1036872-1-1.html, 2025.

Bingxueqing, The Next Frontier in American Industrial Policy: Saving the Steel Industry by Decarbonizing It. http://gcip.llas.ac.cn/handle/2XKMVOVA/311633, 2025.

Ankita, G. Willy, C. Kevin, K. US Congress Bills Related to Carbon Border Adjustments in 2023, http://ithinker.llas.ac.cn/beetl/trsp/item/detail?id=1741139098200039426, 2023.