Decarbonize and Monetize : The Business of Green Innovation in the Era of Tech Disruption

This book examines the transformation of climate innovation from policy-driven environmental necessity into a vibrant, multi-trillion-dollar global economic opportunity. At the time when world is intensifying its commitment to net-zero targets, this book reveals how emerging technologies ranging from carbon capture and storage (CCS) and green fintech to digital carbon markets and AI-powered sustainability solutions are reshaping the climate agenda into a new surge of entrepreneurial and investment opportunity. In the context of rapid climate change, this book offers in-depth analysis of how digital disruption is intersecting with environmental innovation to redefine the worldwide green economy. Our central argument is that the challenge of decarbonisation is now deeply embedded in the architecture of markets, business models and digital technologies. What was prior seen as an ecological burden is swiftly being redefined as an economic engine reshaping investment strategies, industrial policies and international competitiveness. The book draws on a diverse body of evidence, such as market reports, venture capital investments, sartup ecosystems, industry case studies, regulatory structures and global development indicators. It underscores the growth of climate-tech investors, the emergence of sustainable financial markets and the integration of AI, blockchain and fintech in formulating scalable and economically feasible climate solutions. Our finding highlights how these transformative technologies are establishing new value chains in sectors like energy, mobility, agriculture and finance, while providing emerging economies new pathways for sustainable development. This publication is especially pressing and significant at present. Although growing awareness of climate change is increasing, a significant gap remains between sustainability objectives and the financial instruments and technologies required to meet them. This book aims to fill that gap. It outlines the mechanisms by which green innovations can be expanded, financed, and brought to market, providing actionable guidance for policymakers, investors, scholars, and business owners.

Dr. Muhammad Sohrab is a researcher at Huazhong University of Science and Technology (Shenzhen), with a focus on green finance, digital innovation, and sustainable economic policy. He has published extensively in international journals and is actively engaged in projects linking ESG performance with tech-driven finance.

Waseem Irshad is a postdoctoral fellow at Huazhong University of Science and Technology. His work intersects technology, policy, and sustainable development, and he is involved in various projects that support green entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Professor Changjun Zheng is affiliated with the School of Management at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China. His work encompasses sustainable development, management science, and the intersection of environmental policy with corporate strategy.

Changjun Zheng is a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the School of Management, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) in Wuhan, China. His research spans corporate finance, banking regulation, Fintech, and ESG investing, with a particular focus on bank risk-taking, digital transformation, and green finance frameworks. His contributions, which appear in leading international journals, reflect a sophisticated integration of empirical rigor and policy-relevant insights into the evolving landscape of sustainable and technology-driven financial systems.

Professor Liang Dapeng is a Professor at the School of Economics and Management and currently serves as Assistant to the President at Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), China. He holds several distinguished positions, including Vice Chairman of the Technology Incubation and Innovation Ecology Branch of the China Society for Technological Economics. He is also an active member of the International Association for Energy Economics and serves as a Director of both the China Energy Society and the Energy Economics Branch of the China Dual Law Research Association. In addition, Professor Liang is the Executive Director of the Low-Carbon Development Management Professional Committee and the Heilongjiang Technological Economics Research Association. He also holds the role of Director of the Emergency Management Branch of the China Dual Law Research Association. His work spans energy economics, innovation policy, and sustainable development.

Professor Daniel Balsalobre-Lorente is a Full Professor of Applied Economics at the University of Castilla-La Mancha, recognized globally for his contributions to environmental economics, energy transition, and innovation policy. With a PhD in Economic Sciences and inclusion in Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers list, he ranks among the top 0.1% most-cited scholars worldwide. His research focuses on the nexus between economic growth, renewable energy, innovation, and sustainability, with empirical studies spanning BRICS, ASEAN, and D-8 countries.He has authored over 150 scholarly publications and serves as Editor-in-Chief of Evaluation Review and on editorial boards of several high-impact journals. His work is widely cited, with an h-index of over 60 and around 15,000 citations. Balsalobre-Lorente’s research not only advances academic knowledge but also informs global policy debates on decarbonization and green innovation.