The field of Green Technology seeks to develop and promote methods, products, processes, and infrastructure systems that increase sustainability and resilience of communities.

Our Mission

The Caribbean Green Technology Center develops and shares knowledge on how infrastructure, ecosystems, and institutions interact in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with the goal of helping the territory grow in more resilient and sustainable ways. Our work examines whether the systems we build actually deliver reliable, affordable, and equitable outcomes for residents over the long term, while creating opportunities for students and partners to expand their knowledge and capacity.

Our Pillars

Energy Security

Energy Security encompasses electricity, transportation, heating and cooking. The CGTC focuses on making energy accessible and affordable to Virgin Islander at all times.

Research Topics: Perceptions and uptake of renewable energy technologies; low-cost renewable energy technology options for residential homes

Policy Topics: Renewable energy financing; energy production and emergency management; energy efficiency and renewable energy incentives.

Outreach Topics: Energy conservation; Renewable energy production and energy policy; climate and environmental justice

Water Security

Water is abundant, but useable water is scarce. CGTC is dedicated to promoting sustainable water management in support of household needs to increase resilience.

Research Topics: Improved understanding of rainwater harvesting and effectiveness of water conservation efforts; improved understanding of hydrology and groundwater processes; impacts of humans and climate change on groundwater quality

Outreach Topics: Water conservation; basics of hydrology processes; impacts of climate change on hydrology and hydraulics; ecosystem services

Disaster Risk Reduction

We depend on infrastructure systems to provide critical services. CGTC is working to increase the resilience of infrastructure systems to ensure that we receive the services we need in times of major disruptions.

Research Topics: Infrastructure systems resilience; green infrastructure for risk reduction; coastal processes

Education Topics: Resilience concepts and application to Small Island Developing States (SIDS); hazards and risk reduction; ecosystem services; infrastructure systems

Policy Topics: Design guidelines; natural resource management and risk reduction

Outreach Topics: Best practices for community and household risk prevention and reduction; infrastructure systems; ecosystem services

Sustainable Materials Management

Sustainable Materials Management is the systemic approach to using and reusing material more productively over their entire life cycle (EPA). CGTC is dedicated to developing the circular economy in the Virgin Islands.

Research Topics: Waste characterization; solid waste management; incentives for entrepreneurs in recycling and reuse technologies

Policy Topics: Create incentives for waste reduction and recycling

Outreach Topics: Solid waste life cycle; recycling; ecological impacts of solid waste management