It's easy when you understand the definition of clean technology.
Clean Technology is defined by Australian CleanTech as: economically viable products, services and processes that harness renewable materials and energy sources, dramatically reduce the use of natural resources and cut or eliminate emissions and wastes (Sourced from the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research website, 2013).
The top 10 reasons why we're developing cleantech opportunities in Geelong are:
- The global trends in clean technology as they relate to Greater Geelong, show dominant growth areas to be clean cities, renewables, energy efficiency, waste management and recycling, water, green buildings, biomaterials, biofuels and stimulating demand for clean technology goods and services.
- The multiplier effect of medium technologies (as opposed to low or high technologies) is for every one job created, anywhere from two to six peripheral jobs will be generated.
- Greater Geelong has a diverse economy and current employment growth is being driven by healthcare and social assistance, construction, public administration and safety, education and training, and accommodation and food services.
- Manufacturing remains one of the region’s top four employers. However, the recent decline across a number of manufactured product categories (the greatest being in motor vehicle manufacture) has had ripple effects throughout Geelong’s economy.
- Developing a clean technology driven growth economy relies on the technical services and production businesses we already have, which are looking for their next opportunity to diversify their markets.
- Developing and expanding cleantech market opportunities will require investment and a broad range of business capabilities.
- There are opportunities for businesses to adapt their existing operations and create new business opportunities individually or through alliances.
- Education and training programs need to follow the demand stimulation work of cleantech Innovations Geelong (and not occur in isolation of it) and we need to embed cleantech training into existing training programs.
- Developing markets for cleantech is not about green or cleantech jobs, but rather ‘greening work’.
- We have a number of transferable skills in Geelong. In addition, there are opportunities for topping up skills we already have (for example: developing more green skills amongst plumbers and electricians); and developing more cleantech skills within management, procurement and architecture.
Source: the market research and skills and capabilities audit conducted in 2013 to inform the creation of Cleantech Innovations Geelong.