GITNUXREPORT 2025

Environmental Industry Statistics

Environmental industry worth trillions, advancing renewable energy and sustainable solutions.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

The global environmental industry was valued at approximately $1.38 trillion in 2022

Statistic 2

The global market for air pollution control equipment was valued at $12.4 billion in 2022, projected to reach $18 billion by 2030

Statistic 3

Forests cover approximately 31% of the planet’s land area, providing vital ecosystem services

Statistic 4

The global market for carbon capture and storage (CCS) is expected to reach $8.2 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 14%

Statistic 5

Up to 99% of the global population breathes air exceeding WHO pollution guidelines, impacting public health

Statistic 6

The global market for organic food, which promotes sustainable agriculture, reached $227.4 billion in 2020 and is growing rapidly

Statistic 7

The total number of protected areas around the world surpassed 160,000 in 2021, covering approximately 15% of terrestrial and freshwater areas

Statistic 8

The use of sustainable agriculture practices can increase crop yields by up to 20% while reducing environmental impact

Statistic 9

The number of electric buses worldwide reached over 600,000 in 2023, representing a significant shift towards cleaner public transport

Statistic 10

The global environmental sensors market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9% between 2022 and 2030, reaching $5 billion

Statistic 11

Forests and other natural landscapes absorb about 25% of the annual global CO2 emissions, playing a critical role in climate mitigation

Statistic 12

The global market for climate-smart agriculture solutions is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.2% from 2022 to 2028

Statistic 13

The global green building materials market was valued at $720 billion in 2022

Statistic 14

Climate-resilient infrastructure investments are projected to grow at a CAGR of 7% between 2022 and 2028

Statistic 15

The global market for environmental consulting services was valued at $36.2 billion in 2022, with expected steady growth

Statistic 16

The global market for green and sustainable building materials is projected to grow to $1.2 trillion by 2030

Statistic 17

The total global investment in sustainable infrastructure is projected to reach $4 trillion annually by 2030

Statistic 18

The renewable energy sector accounted for around 12% of the world's electricity generation in 2022

Statistic 19

Approximately 26.9% of global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by the energy sector

Statistic 20

The EV (electric vehicle) market is projected to reach a valuation of over $1.3 trillion by 2030

Statistic 21

Global investments in clean energy reached $282.2 billion in 2022

Statistic 22

The global solar photovoltaic (PV) market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.4% from 2023 to 2030

Statistic 23

The global electric power storage market is projected to grow from $15 billion in 2022 to $44 billion by 2030

Statistic 24

The global market for biofuels was valued at around $148 billion in 2022

Statistic 25

In 2022, China led the world in renewable energy capacity additions, accounting for 45% of global new capacity

Statistic 26

The global green finance market was valued at over $12 trillion in assets under management in 2022

Statistic 27

The global electric vehicle stock surpassed 10 million vehicles in 2023, a significant increase from 7 million in 2020

Statistic 28

The total renewable energy capacity in Africa was approximately 40 GW in 2022, with significant potential for growth

Statistic 29

Renewable energy jobs worldwide totaled approximately 12 million in 2022 and are expected to increase as transition accelerates

Statistic 30

The global market for geothermal energy is expected to reach $7.3 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.7%

Statistic 31

In 2020, the global waste management market was valued at approximately $1.4 trillion

Statistic 32

Sustainable packaging is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7% from 2022 to 2030

Statistic 33

Approximately 90% of plastic waste ends up in landfills or the environment

Statistic 34

Global e-waste generation reached 53.6 million metric tons in 2021, and it is expected to grow annually by 3-5%

Statistic 35

The recycling rate of aluminum cans is approximately 69%, saving 95% of the energy compared to new production

Statistic 36

The global market for eco-friendly cleaning products is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% from 2023 to 2030

Statistic 37

The global landfill gas management market is expected to reach $2.5 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of about 5.5%

Statistic 38

The global market for biodegradable plastics is projected to reach $9.7 billion in 2027, growing at a CAGR of 7.8%

Statistic 39

The average lifespan of a solar panel is approximately 25-30 years, after which efficiency declines but can be recycled

Statistic 40

About 60% of global plastic packaging is not recycled, leading to environmental pollution

Statistic 41

The global water treatment market size was valued at $53.8 billion in 2021

Statistic 42

About 70% of the world’s freshwater withdrawals are used for agriculture

Statistic 43

The global tide and wave energy market is projected to reach $3 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of approximately 10%

Statistic 44

The number of people living in water-stressed areas is projected to reach 3.2 billion by 2050, driven by climate change and population growth

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Key Highlights

  • The global environmental industry was valued at approximately $1.38 trillion in 2022
  • The renewable energy sector accounted for around 12% of the world's electricity generation in 2022
  • In 2020, the global waste management market was valued at approximately $1.4 trillion
  • The global water treatment market size was valued at $53.8 billion in 2021
  • Sustainable packaging is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7% from 2022 to 2030
  • Approximately 26.9% of global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by the energy sector
  • The global green building materials market was valued at $720 billion in 2022
  • About 70% of the world’s freshwater withdrawals are used for agriculture
  • The EV (electric vehicle) market is projected to reach a valuation of over $1.3 trillion by 2030
  • Global investments in clean energy reached $282.2 billion in 2022
  • The global solar photovoltaic (PV) market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.4% from 2023 to 2030
  • Approximately 90% of plastic waste ends up in landfills or the environment
  • The global electric power storage market is projected to grow from $15 billion in 2022 to $44 billion by 2030

The Environmental Industry is booming, with a valuation exceeding $1.38 trillion in 2022 and rapid growth across renewable energy, green building, sustainable transportation, and pollution control sectors shaping a more sustainable future.

Environmental Impact and Conservation

  • The global environmental industry was valued at approximately $1.38 trillion in 2022
  • The global market for air pollution control equipment was valued at $12.4 billion in 2022, projected to reach $18 billion by 2030
  • Forests cover approximately 31% of the planet’s land area, providing vital ecosystem services
  • The global market for carbon capture and storage (CCS) is expected to reach $8.2 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 14%
  • Up to 99% of the global population breathes air exceeding WHO pollution guidelines, impacting public health
  • The global market for organic food, which promotes sustainable agriculture, reached $227.4 billion in 2020 and is growing rapidly
  • The total number of protected areas around the world surpassed 160,000 in 2021, covering approximately 15% of terrestrial and freshwater areas
  • The use of sustainable agriculture practices can increase crop yields by up to 20% while reducing environmental impact
  • The number of electric buses worldwide reached over 600,000 in 2023, representing a significant shift towards cleaner public transport
  • The global environmental sensors market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9% between 2022 and 2030, reaching $5 billion
  • Forests and other natural landscapes absorb about 25% of the annual global CO2 emissions, playing a critical role in climate mitigation
  • The global market for climate-smart agriculture solutions is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.2% from 2022 to 2028

Environmental Impact and Conservation Interpretation

With a staggering $1.38 trillion valuation, the global environmental industry signals both a burgeoning investment in planet preservation and a desperate need, as 99% of humanity breathes polluted air—making the case that greening the economy is both a wise investment and urgent health imperative.

Green Building and Sustainable Infrastructure

  • The global green building materials market was valued at $720 billion in 2022
  • Climate-resilient infrastructure investments are projected to grow at a CAGR of 7% between 2022 and 2028
  • The global market for environmental consulting services was valued at $36.2 billion in 2022, with expected steady growth
  • The global market for green and sustainable building materials is projected to grow to $1.2 trillion by 2030
  • The total global investment in sustainable infrastructure is projected to reach $4 trillion annually by 2030

Green Building and Sustainable Infrastructure Interpretation

With the green building market soaring toward $1.2 trillion and sustainable infrastructure investments set to hit $4 trillion annually by 2030, it's clear that Earth’s future hinges on us building smarter, greener, and more resilient — or risking a costly, climate-pocalyse scenario.

Renewable Energy and Energy Storage

  • The renewable energy sector accounted for around 12% of the world's electricity generation in 2022
  • Approximately 26.9% of global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by the energy sector
  • The EV (electric vehicle) market is projected to reach a valuation of over $1.3 trillion by 2030
  • Global investments in clean energy reached $282.2 billion in 2022
  • The global solar photovoltaic (PV) market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.4% from 2023 to 2030
  • The global electric power storage market is projected to grow from $15 billion in 2022 to $44 billion by 2030
  • The global market for biofuels was valued at around $148 billion in 2022
  • In 2022, China led the world in renewable energy capacity additions, accounting for 45% of global new capacity
  • The global green finance market was valued at over $12 trillion in assets under management in 2022
  • The global electric vehicle stock surpassed 10 million vehicles in 2023, a significant increase from 7 million in 2020
  • The total renewable energy capacity in Africa was approximately 40 GW in 2022, with significant potential for growth
  • Renewable energy jobs worldwide totaled approximately 12 million in 2022 and are expected to increase as transition accelerates
  • The global market for geothermal energy is expected to reach $7.3 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.7%

Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Interpretation

While renewable energy made up only 12% of global electricity in 2022, the sector’s surging investments, rapidly expanding markets like EVs and solar, and China’s leadership signal that the world is slowly turning the tide on emissions—though with a long road ahead to truly power down greenhouse gases and flip the fossil fuel script.

Waste Management and Recycling

  • In 2020, the global waste management market was valued at approximately $1.4 trillion
  • Sustainable packaging is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7% from 2022 to 2030
  • Approximately 90% of plastic waste ends up in landfills or the environment
  • Global e-waste generation reached 53.6 million metric tons in 2021, and it is expected to grow annually by 3-5%
  • The recycling rate of aluminum cans is approximately 69%, saving 95% of the energy compared to new production
  • The global market for eco-friendly cleaning products is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% from 2023 to 2030
  • The global landfill gas management market is expected to reach $2.5 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of about 5.5%
  • The global market for biodegradable plastics is projected to reach $9.7 billion in 2027, growing at a CAGR of 7.8%
  • The average lifespan of a solar panel is approximately 25-30 years, after which efficiency declines but can be recycled
  • About 60% of global plastic packaging is not recycled, leading to environmental pollution

Waste Management and Recycling Interpretation

As the world races to manage a $1.4 trillion waste industry and a surge in plastic, e-waste, and biodegradable plastics, the growing markets for sustainable packaging, eco-friendly cleaning, and landfill gas management underscore a crucial push toward greener solutions—yet with 90% of plastics still ending up in landfills or worse, it's clear that recycling gains, like aluminum's 69% rate, are vital but insufficient in turning the tide on global pollution.

Water and Marine Resources

  • The global water treatment market size was valued at $53.8 billion in 2021
  • About 70% of the world’s freshwater withdrawals are used for agriculture
  • The global tide and wave energy market is projected to reach $3 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of approximately 10%
  • The number of people living in water-stressed areas is projected to reach 3.2 billion by 2050, driven by climate change and population growth

Water and Marine Resources Interpretation

With nearly 70% of freshwater dedicated to agriculture and a water-stressed population projected to hit 3.2 billion by 2050, the $54 billion water treatment industry must urgently evolve—harnessing innovative energy solutions like tides and waves—if it hopes to turn the tide on a future where clean water is still a global currency.

Sources & References