About the Climate Tech Landscape
The Global Climate Tech Landscape 1.0 is an open-source taxonomy for climate innovation, providing a common structure and language for identifying, tracking and making sense of the breadth and depth of innovation happening in climate technology globally. The purpose of the Global Climate Tech Landscape is to create a granular and global open-source framework to enable insights such as:
- Where are we seeing solutions and innovation? What is the velocity of formation, funding and growth? How is this changing over time?
- Where are the gaps? When compared to the challenges we are facing, which areas are under-weight or white-space?
- Where are we seeing traction and momentum? Where might new science and technology find a commercial market to apply new novel innovations and achieve self-sustainability?
Licensed under Creative Commons and as an open source project, the taxonomy is available for anyone to support their own work in climate innovation, to identify an area of focus, or to locate their organization and their peers on the landscape.
A global community of energy, environmental and infrastructure innovators can track and contribute to the taxonomy’s ongoing development. Following an agile approach, suggestions, ideas and iterations on enhancements will be open and available, where anyone can contribute, share ideas or transparently trace each step of the landscape's evolution. Join us on Notion to keep updating the Global Climate Landscape.
Methodology
The Global Climate Tech Landscape embraces two classical approaches to data, analytics and design. ‘Bottom Up’ analysis powered by HolonIQ’s Impact Intelligence Platform leveraging powerful machine learning and artificial intelligence, augmenting ‘Top Down’ analysis driven by a global network of experts across all Climate Tech domains.
Bottom Up - Machine Learning
To build the taxonomy, we undertook a ‘bottom-up’ analysis using HolonIQ’s proprietary machine learning and artificial intelligence engines to analyze tens of thousands of Energy, Environmental and Infrastructure organizations worldwide, including all Climate Tech 1000 applicants and nominees.
The self organizing map to the right started the process by looking for patterns in the data to establish natural segments, un-constrained by a traditional or conventional perspective. This step focuses on the boundaries between different segments and defining potential categories and segments that a human expert can investigate and qualify.
The ‘alpha’ prototype landscape below was an initial hypothesis and concept network map of several thousand Climate Tech companies from around the world. While the Climate Tech 1000 process was receiving applications and nominations, the ‘alpha’ was being stress-tested with leading scientists, governments and institutions, universities and technology companies around the world; informing the ‘beta’ with smarter and deeper insights into the landscape.

Understanding the ‘Alpha Prototype’
Networks are a powerful way to analyze and visualize complex relationships and help us better understand qualitative information like emerging technologies and business models.
Nodes & connections. Each node, or circle, represents an organization involved in climate innovation and technology. Connections represent a strong similarity between the organizations, indicating that they are using the same technology or business model or operating in a similar area.
Distance & orientation. Each node is like a charged particle that wants to repel all of the other nodes, and the links are springs that keep all of the particles from spreading too far away from each other. The more similarities between two organizations, the stronger the connections.
Clusters. A cluster is a set of organizations that group together, because many of them are connected due to similar technology, business models or operating in the same area of climate technology.
Network density. The more dense a cluster appears, the more similar its nodes are. Likewise, the more spread out a cluster appears, the broader its mix of nodes.
Bridging nodes and bridging clusters. Bridging nodes span across portions of the network and are often insightful. For example, it could indicate two mature technologies merging to tackle new problem. Similarly, bridging clusters help identify relationships and highlight gaps between specific applications and the core technologies.
Top Down - Human Expertise
HolonIQ’s Climate Intelligence Unit and our global network of experts from energy and the environment to agriculture, food and infrastructure bring deep expertise to our ‘top-down’ approach. The top-down analysis draws on the data-driven foundations of the bottom-up analysis to interpret patterns that the machine learning and artificial intelligence process produced. Considerations include context, history, purpose, business model, technologies and ecosystem relationships to add depth and interpretive understanding to the process. This also enables validation of findings against the models and innovations found in climate tech today or expected in the future.
Taxonomies are all about balance and trade-off's. Finding the right shape and structure to represent the spectrum of economic activities driving climate technology today, whilst leaving space to represent emerging technology with the potentially to drive accelerated adaptation and mitigation in the future.

Who we are
HolonIQ is the world’s leading platform for impact market intelligence. We power decisions that matter across education, healthcare and sustainability.
Our customers are governments, institutions, firms and investors who are shaping and influencing policy, innovation, technology and investment across the impact economy. In this constantly shifting landscape, our customers know that good decisions can’t be made without contextualised data, disciplined analysis and a global perspective.
We have developed open-source taxonomies and proprietary artificial intelligence to track these strategic developments around the world, as they happen.
Holon (ὅλον)
In systems theory, a Holon (ὅλον) is an evolving and self-organizing system. Each holon has integrity and identity on its own, but is simultaneously part of a larger system. We consider climate change and climate technology to be holonic systems, where holons (individual consumers and families, farmers and businesses, energy and resource giants to national governments) are simultaneously autonomous and co-operative.
Holonic systems are complex systems, efficient in the use of resources, highly resilient to disturbances yet adaptable to change, preserving the stability of a hierarchy while providing the dynamic flexibility of an adaptive system.
This is how we think about innovation in climate change. Not top-down, but rather innovating from within the system - constantly learning, cooperating and adapting. Enabled and empowered with new models that the network evolves and organizes around, maintaining a constant focus on sustainability.
Why we did this
Energy and the Environment, Agriculture and Infrastructure are all interconnected and complex systems, combining important social, economic, cultural, intellectual and personal factors and operating at global, national, local and personal levels. However, information and data about climate technology and the innovation that is occurring throughout the system is fragmented and anchored in its local environment, making cooperation across contexts difficult, thus hindering material innovation in the sector.
We have been building, investing and mapping innovation in the impact space for decades and have had the opportunity to work with entrepreneurs, academics, scientists, firms small and large and governments globally. One of the constant themes arising from our engagements and conversations with each of these stakeholders is the difficulty in accessing, understanding and learning from innovations undertaken elsewhere.
The Global Climate Tech Landscape provides common structure and language for identifying, tracking and making sense of the complexity and volume of innovation happening in sustainability all around the world by providing a well-defined, robust, accessible and community enabled taxonomy.
Using a common framework will support the discovery of, and access to innovation initiatives, provide opportunities for collaboration and benchmarking, reduce barriers to innovation and allow analysis and trend mapping within or across innovation clusters. Licenced under Creative Commons and as an open source project, the taxonomy is available for anyone to support their own work in education innovation.
Global Renewable Energy Generation
In the chart below we see the breakdown of renewable technologies by their individual components – hydropower, solar, wind, and others (geothermal and biomass). Globally we see that hydropower is by far the largest modern renewable source (excluding traditional biomass), and that wind and solar power are both growing rapidly.
Source. BP Statistical Review of World Energy
Global CO₂ emissions by fuel type
Carbon dioxide emissions associated with energy and industrial production come from a range of fuel types. The chart below shows the absolute and relative contribution of various CO2 emissions by source, differentiated between coal, gas, oil, flaring, and cement production.
Annual carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from different fuel types, measured in tonnes per year.
Source. Global Carbon Project (2020)
Food is responsible for approximately 26% of global GHG emissions.
Reducing emissions from food production is one of the greatest challenges in sustainability. Unlike energy, where viable alternatives such as renewable or nuclear energy are available, decarbonizing agriculture is much more complex.
Livestock & fisheries account for 31% of food emissions. Livestock raised for meat, dairy, eggs and seafood contribute to emissions in a number of ways from methane produced by cattle (through their digestive processes), manure and pasture management and fuel consumption from fishing vessels.
Crop production accounts for 27% of food emissions. 21% of food’s emissions comes from crop production for direct human consumption, and 6% comes from the production of animal feed. They are the direct emissions including elements such as the release of nitrous oxide from the application of fertilizers and manure; methane emissions from rice production; and carbon dioxide from agricultural machinery.
Land use accounts for 24% of food emissions. Land use for Livestock account for approx 16% of emissions and crops for human consumption approx 8%. Agricultural expansion results in the conversion of forests, grasslands and other carbon ‘sinks’ into cropland or pasture resulting in carbon dioxide emissions. ‘Land use’ is defined as the sum of land use change, savannah burning and organic soil cultivation (plowing and overturning of soils).
Supply chains account for 18% of food emissions. Food processing, transport, packaging and retail all require energy and resource inputs. Many assume that eating local is key to a low-carbon diet, however, transport emissions are often a very small percentage of food’s total emissions – only 6% globally. One-quarter of emissions (3.3 billion tonnes of CO2eq) from food production ends up as wastage either from supply chain losses or consumers. Durable packaging, refrigeration and food processing can all help to prevent food waste.
Global greenhouse gas emissions from food production
Source. Joseph Poore & Thomas Nemeck (2018). Reducing food's environmental impacts through producers and consumers.
One third of the worlds forests have been lost. Half of this occurred in the last century.
71% of the earths surface are Oceans, leaving 10% covered by glaciers and a further 19% as barren land – deserts, dry salt flats, beaches, sand dunes, and exposed rocks. This leaves what we call ‘habitable land’.
Forests account for a little over one-third (38%) of habitable land area. This is around one-quarter (26%) of total (both habitable and uninhabitable) land area. This marks a significant change from the past: global forest area has reduced significantly due to the expansion of agriculture. Today half of global habitable land is used for farming. The area used for livestock farming in particular is equal in area to the world’s forests.
Sources. UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Williams, M (2003). Deforesting the earth: from pre-history to global crisis.
Solar
So
Solar
Adpt, MitgEnergy from the sun is abundant, renewable and powers life on earth.� Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels convert solar energy directly into electricity. Solar PVs can be manufactured in large plants, enabling economies of scale. Indeed, the cost of utility scale solar PV�s has declined by more than 89% since 2009, driven by increased take up. Solar PVs are modular and can be deployed in large arrays, residential homes or for small personal electronics and off-grid applications. In 2020, global solar capacity was about 511GWs, equivalent to 7% of the global generation mix. By 2030, could more than treble to 1804GWs, equivalent to 19% of the mix. More than half of these additions will be used in utility scale projects, however, commercial and residential take up will also be material.
Back to topWind
Wi
Wind
Adpt, MitgWind energy harnesses the power of the wind to turn wind turbine and generate electricity. Wind farms consist of many individual wind turbines, which are connected to the transmission network. Onshore wind farms are generally located in rural areas and turbines need to be spread over large areas of land with a minimum distance of 150m from any obstructions. Offshore wind farms are stronger and more reliable, but are significantly more expensive to construct and maintain. Wind power cannot be dispatched on-demand as it is dependent on the wind blowing. It must therefore be combined with other power sources to provide reliable supply. The use of wind power has increased dramatically over the past decade driving down the cost of wind. Indeed, wind energy has declined by more than 70% since 2009, thanks in part, to economies of scale.
In 2020, global wind capacity was about 622GWs, equivalent to 8% of the global generation mix. This could increase to about 1200GWs in 2030, equivalent to 13% of the mix.
Hydro and Wave
Hy
Hydro
Adpt, MitgWater can be used in different ways to generate power. Hydropower uses energy from moving water and includes hydro-electric dams, run-of-river and pumped storage facilities.� Hydroelectric dams make use of water accumulated in reservoirs created by dams on rivers. Water is released into hydro turbines as needed to generate electricity.� A run of river system harnesses the energy� from flowing water. A pumped-storage facility stores energy by pumping water uphill from a pool at a lower elevation to a reservoir located at a higher elevation. When there is high demand for electricity, water located in the higher pool is released. As this water flows back down to the lower reservoir, it turns a turbine to generate more electricity. Pumped storage is largely used to supply power at peak times of the day.
With capacity of 1120 GWs in 2020, hydropower is currently the largest renewable energy source, making up 16% of global mix. Over the last 20 years, global capacity has risen 70%. Although capacity is still expected to increase, its share of the mix is expected to decline due to significantly faster growth from other renewable sources including solar, wind and geothermal. In 2030, hydropower's capacity is expected to grow to 138GWs equivalent to 13% of total capacity.
Wave energy technologies use different solutions to harness energy from waves, depending on the water depth and proximity of the wave break to the shoreline.� Small commercial projects with capacities ranging from 10 kW to 1 MW have advanced in the UK, Canada, Australia and China.� These however, remain expensive and have not yet achieved the economies of scale necessary for significant cost reductions.
Geothermal
Ge
Geothermal
AdptGeothermal electricity harnesses heat released from the earth�s core to generate heat and power. Unlike solar and wind, it can provide base load power, with no seasonal variations. It is used in 26 countries to generate electricity and in 70 countries for heating. Global geothermal electricity capacity is about 12 GW, equivalent to 0.2% of the global generation mix. With capacity of about 3.7 GW, the US is the largest geothermal producer. Other large producers include Indonesia and Turkey. Kenya and Iceland have the largest exposure to geothermal power, accounting for a respective 38% and 30% of their respective energy mixes. Although geothermal remains a small contributor to global capacity mix, it holds significant potential because of the abundance of this renewable energy source within the earth's surface which is estimated to contain 50 000 times more energy than all oil and gas resources worldwide. However, it is not yet cost competitive relative to solar and wind as geothermal activity is often too far from the earth�s surface to make drilling feasible.
Back to topBiomass
Bm
Biomass
MitgBiomass is plant or animal material used to produce heat and to fuel power stations. It is also used to produce biofuels for transportation. It includes wood and wood processing waste, agricultural crops and waste, manure and sewage and natural solid waste from paper, cotton and food. Burning plant based biomass releases CO2, however, it is considered carbon-neutral as the source of the biomass captures almost the same amount of CO2 through photosynthesis while growing as is released when it is burned.
In 2019, power capacity using biomass as a fuel source was about 134GWs, equivalent to about 2% of the global generation mix. This is an increase from 106GWs in 2015 when it represented 1.7% of the mix.
Hydrogen
H
Hydrogen
MitgHydrogen is used in a number of industrial processes such as in the production of steel, fertilizers, plastics and is used in oil recovery. Hydrogen can be used to generate heat, propulsion and electricity in fuel cells. Producing low carbon or carbon free hydrogen therefore opens up many decarbonization opportunities and provides a pathway for governments to achieve ambitious climate goals. Electrolysers that separate hydrogen from water using electricity are a key technology in producing green hydrogen. Electrolysers are energy intensive equipment and therefore need to be powered by renewable or low carbon energy sources to make hydrogen production carbon free.
Back to topNuclear
Nu
Nuclear
MitgThe number of nuclear reactors operational around the world has seen little change over the past 3 decades due to high upfront costs, negative public sentiment caused by nuclear disasters and few advancements in technology which overshadow its potential as a low carbon and stable source of electricity and role in meeting climate goals. Climate pressures have renewed interest in Nuclear and startups in Europe and the US aim to address the potential downsides to nuclear energy by developing low capacity reactors that operate at low pressure, have a higher heat threshold and are cheaper to build and install. Commercially operational reactors are based on fission while some startups are researching the possibility of commercially viable fusion reactors.�
Back to topCritical Minerals
Mi
Minerals
MitgMetals and non-metals that are vital in the development of the worlds leading and emerging economies. These metals are used in the production and manufacturing of many of the devices, buildings and transportation we use today.
Back to topOil Transition
Oi
Oil Trans
MitgThe oil sector is a significant contributor to CO2 emissions. The chemical and petrochemical sector is responsible for emitting as much as 3.6% of total emissions from the manufacturing of fertilizers, pharmaceuticals and refrigerants. Oil extraction and transportation process often results in emissions leaking into the atmosphere from damaged or poorly maintained pipes or from flaring. In a transition to a lower carbon economy, the sector is adopting more sustainable and efficient extraction and processing practices, incorporating IoT, analytics, satellite imagery and recycling.
Back to topGas Transition
Ga
Gas Trans
MitgThe extraction and transportation of gas often result in methane leakage into the atmosphere either from flaring or from damaged and poorly maintained pipes. In a transition to a lower carbon economy, the sector is adopting more sustainable and efficient extraction and processing practices, incorporating IoT, analytics, satellite imagery and recycling. The sector also has a role to play in supporting deep decarbonization technologies, such as carbon, capture and storage and methane efficiencies.
Back to topBatteries
B
Batteries
MitgBatteries, the most common energy storage technology, use chemicals mostly lithium-ion, to store and release energy. They are particularly useful in an energy system reliant on intermittent supply, as they are able to release stored energy much faster than any other type of generation or storage technology. Depending on the need, batteries can be arranged in small or large quantities. Utility scale battery storage for example can be connected into an electricity transmission system and supply stored power when wind and solar are unable. California is currently the global leader in utility scale storage with capacity of about 1440MWs. However, the rest of the world is rapidly following suit with large projects recently announced in other parts of the US, the UK, Lithuania and Chile. Smaller-scale batteries can also be installed in homes to provide backup power and can also form part of a smaller grid. Due to the technology�s versatility and falling costs, the use of batteries for renewable energy is expected to increase over the coming years.
Back to topAlternative Storage
Al
Alternative
MitgAll non-battery related storage technologies which have the ability to harness and store the power made from renewable sources such as solar, wind and hydro power for long periods of time.
Back to topGrids
Gr
Grids
MitgA microgrid is a local energy grid capable of operating independently from the main power grid, either permanently or temporarily. For decades, microgrids have been used in critical infrastructure such as hospitals and military bases. However, since 2010, the price of solar PVs, batteries, connection and control systems have declined making microgrids an attractive solution to powering suburbs, rural communities, commercial buildings and even industrial sites. This evolving technology has the ability to supply clean, stable energy to its microgrid, enhance resilience and reduce energy costs.
Back to topEV Charging
Ec
EV Charging
AdptServices and equipment which assist in the supply of power to electric and hybrid vehicles
Back to topP2P
Pp
P2P
AdptPeer-to-Peer storage systems leverage the combined storage capacity of a network of storage devices(peers) contributed typically by autonomous end-users as a common pool of storage space to store and share content.
Back to topLand (Lithosphere)
La
Land
AdptLand is fundamentally linked to both climate change mitigation and adaptation. The land-use sector has great potential to reduce emissions, sequester carbon and increase both human resilience.
Back to topForests
Fo
Forests
MitgForests account for a little over one-third (38%) of habitable land area. This is around one-quarter (26%) of�*total*�(both habitable and uninhabitable) land area. 10% of the world is covered by glaciers, and a further 19% is barren land � deserts, dry salt flats, beaches, sand dunes, and exposed rocks. This leaves what we call �habitable land�.
This marks a significant change from the past: global forest area has reduced significantly due to the expansion of agriculture. Today half of global habitable land is�[used for farming](https://ourworldindata.org/land-use). The area used for livestock farming in particular is equal in area to the world�s forests.
Forests are complex systems that are the home to people, plants, animals and insects. They provide us with many important ecosystem services and thanks to their ability to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen the forests of the world are often described as the lungs of the Earth. The sector can play an active role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions caused by deforestation and land use changes. Sustainable forestry and agroforestry practices can provide innovative sustainable landscape management to safeguard multiple ecosystem services for the provision of economic opportunities that support local livelihoods.
Oceans and Coastlines (Hydrosphere)
Oc
Oceans
AdptOceans, coastlines and coastal communities are being disproportionately impacted by increasing ocean pollution, increasing temperatures and rising sea levels. Ocean currents are changing, certain oxygen zones are being depleted and some marine species are being depleted. Furthermore, polar ice caps are melting causing rising sea levels with significant impacts on shorelines. A wide range of technologies already exist and are being developed to protect the oceans and its communities. These range from robots which collect beach pollution, sensors which detect ocean temperatures and underwater drones that collect data on marine life. Sustainable fisheries are also also wide spread. They help protect vulnerable marine life, increase food security and enhance the well-being of fishing communities. Coastal zones are being protected through wetland restoration, beach nourishment and a combination of other well-established and innovative technologies.
Back to topIce and Snow (Cryosphere)
Ic
Ice and Snow
AdptGlaciers and solar ice caps play an important role in cooling the planet and maintaining a stable climate. Rising temperatures have locked in a negative feedback loop which is accelerating the rate at which the ice is melting. Various technologies are being used to protect these solar sheets including satellite imagery. More daring technologies include building protecting walls using underwater robots.
Back to topAir (Atmosphere)
Ai
Air
AdptClean air is fundamental to human health and well-being. Rising green house gas emissions is raising global temperatures and leading to an increase in harmful pollutants and allergens. Innovations in air quality measuring, monitoring and purification are helping to reduce its negative effects.
Back to topVertical and Smart Farming
Sf
Smart Farming
Adpt, MitgVertical and Smart farming technologies aim to resolve the food shortages of the future through innovative and advanced farming solutions.
Back to topCrops
Cr
Crops
MitgInnovative and advanced technologies in the cropping industry with the aim of food security and sustainability for the future.
Back to topLivestock
Li
Livestock
MitgAdvanced technologies such as: drones, sensors and wearables, used in the livestock farming industry, supporting the sustainability and longevity of the livestock of the future.
Back to topPlant-Based and Cellular Meat and Seafood
Me
Meat+Seafood
AdptPlant based meat and seafood alternatives are a solution to reducing our dependence on livestock farming for protein intake. Livestock farming contributes to approximately 16% of GHG emissions and is a significant contributor towards water pollution. Modern plant based alternatives source their protein from soy, peas, chick peas and mung beans, which are common sources of protein in a vegetarian or vegan diet. Cellular meat and seafood is a fast growing technology that aims to address the negative impact of livestock farming by growing meat using animal cells. This is also known as cultivated meat or lab grown meat. Plant based and cellular alternatives are sold in popular protein forms such as burgers, sausages, steak and chicken nuggets.
Back to topPlant Based and Cellular Dairy and Egg
De
Dairy+Egg
AdptPlant based meat and seafood alternatives are a solution to reducing our dependence on livestock farming for protein intake. Livestock farming contributes to approximately 16% of GHG emissions and is a significant contributor towards water pollution. Modern plant based alternatives source their protein from soy, peas, chick peas and mung beans, which are common sources of protein in a vegetarian or vegan diet. Cellular meat and seafood is a fast growing technology that aims to address the negative impact of livestock farming by growing meat using animal cells. This is also known as cultivated meat or lab grown meat. Plant based and cellular alternatives are sold in popular protein forms such as burgers, sausages, steak and chicken nuggets.
Back to topSustainable Materials
Ma
Materials
Adpt, MitgSustainable materials are those that be produced at scale without depleting non-renewable resources. These include sustainable packaging materials like polyurethane used in sustainable plastics, man-made leather and carbon efficient construction materials like cement.
Back to topRecycling
Re
Recycling
MitgRecycling is the process collecting, sorting and converting waste materials into reusable objects and materials, thereby diverting them from landfills and limiting their harmful effects on climate. A wide range of technologies exist to support the recycling process. For example, there are multiple platforms connecting individuals and corporates to waste management companies, sensors are available to identify, sort and weigh waste and innovations exist to return hard to recycle materials into valuable inputs.
Back to topSolid Waste
Sw
Solid Waste
MitgExisting waste management is leading to swelling landfills. Furthermore, landfills are often low-oxygen environments where organic matter is converted to methane when it decomposes. A wide range of technologies exist to keep waste out of landfills using sensors, robotics, IoT and and platforms that connect individuals and corporates to recyclers. Technologies to convert waste to energy are also widely deployed.
Back to topWater Waste
Ww
Water Waste
MitgWastewater includes municipal sewage effluents, industrial effluents and urban and agricultural runoffs, which could be harmful to human health without appropriate management. Technologies available to measure and treat waste water include sand filtration, membrane treatment technologies as well as using natural bacteria.
Back to topTextiles
Tx
Textiles
MitgIt is estimated that the fashion industry is responsible for as much as 10% of global carbon emissions. The manufacture of textiles and clothing consumes large quantities of water and occupies substantial space in landfills. A number of start-ups are involved in separating textile fibres for re-use in clothes. Sharing and hiring platforms are also increasing in popularity thereby diverting textiles from landfills.
Back to topCarbon Capture and Storage
Cc
CCS
MitgCCS is a combination of technologies designed to prevent the release of CO2 generated through conventional power generation and industrial production processes by injecting the CO2 in suitable underground storage reservoirs.
Mitigation of CO2 emissions requires a modernization of fossil-fuel based industry and processes. Fossil-fuel based carbon abatement technologies enable fossil fuels to be used with substantially reduced CO2 emissions. One possible way is via Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). CCS is a combination of technologies designed to prevent the release of CO2 generated through conventional power generation and industrial production processes by injecting the CO2 in suitable underground storage reservoirs.
B2B Offsets and Markets
Bo
B2B Offset
MitgBusinesses which provide other business with opportunities to reduce carbon emissions to compensate for their emissions made elsewhere.
Back to topB2C Offsets and Markets
Co
B2C Offset
MitgBusinesses which provide consumers with opportunities to reduce carbon emissions to compensate for their emissions made elsewhere.
Back to topCarbon Intelligence
Ci
Carbon Intel
Adpt, MitgData driven solutions that measure and manage climate mitigation and adaptation are emerging rapidly. The market for insight and data on the carbon economy, from emissions to offsets and evidence-based sustainability are powering the broad based move to a zero-carbon future. Carbon Intelligence firms are mapping and tracking supply chain emissions and giving decision makers the tools they need to identify and execute on decarbonization opportunities.
Back to topCarbon Accounting, Reporting and Ratings
Ca
Accounting
AdptProcesses by which companies and organisations use to quantify their emissions to assist in understanding their impact on the climate which then allows them to set goals to reduce and limit their emissions.
Back to topInternet of Things (IoT)
Io
IoT
Adpt, MitgIoT describes objects that are embedded with sensors and processing technologies that connect with other sensors. In the transition to a low carbon future IoT is used across a range of sectors including agriculture, residential homes and smart buildings to to measure, manage and reduce emissions.
Back to topClimate Data, Assessment and Forecasting
Da
Data
Adpt, MitgAs climate change increases the likelihood of unexpected weather patterns and natural disasters, communities need tools and methods to adapt to increased drought, floods, landslides and other climate-induced hazards. An important climate adaptation strategy is also for countries to be equipped with better data and environmental information such as assessments of water resources and invasive species, as they are an important basis for decision-makers.
Back to topClimate Finance
Fi
Finance
Adpt, MitgClimate finance ranges from traditional lending, crowd funding, venture capital and impact investing. The sector is a key enabler to funding the low carbon transition.
Back to topClimate Risk
Ri
Risk
Adpt, MitgA number of technologies and companies exist to measure, analyse and predict risks associated with rising emissions and climate change. These technologies include satellite imagery, drones, IoT and human intelligence.
Back to topInsurance
In
Insurance
Adpt, MitgExtreme weather events are a major consequence of rising emissions, rising temperatures and climate change. Climate risk insurance is designed to mitigate financial and other risk associated with climate change, especially phenomena like extreme weather events.
Back to topDesign and Construct
Cx
Construction
Adpt, MitgExtreme weather events are a major consequence of rising emissions, rising temperatures and climate change. Climate risk insurance is designed to mitigate financial and other risk associated with climate change, especially phenomena like extreme weather events.
Back to topHeating and Cooling
Hc
Heat + Cool
Adpt, MitgSmart heating and cooling systems which reduce emissions, improve efficiencies and cut down on costs.
Back to topResidential Buildings
Rs
Residential
Adpt, MitgThe residential industry focussed on building more affordable, eco-friendly and flexible homes to suit future demand for more sustainable living.
Back to topCommercial Buildings
Cm
Commercial
Adpt, MitgThe future of commercial buildings is demanding improved efficiencies, reduced energy usage and better work environments in an effort to create and maintain smart commercial buildings.
Back to topTransport Infrastructure
Ti
Transport Infra
MitgCompanies and organizations focussed on future-proofing transport infrastructure through increasing resilience, adaptability and sustainability.
Back to topMicro Mobility
Mm
Micro Mobility
MitgMicro mobility refers to a range of small, lightweight vehicles operating at speeds typically below 25 km/h. These could include electric bikes, scooters and skateboards. While these vehicles have been available for a long time, the rise of the sharing economy has vastly increased their adoption, especially in densely populated, traffic congested city centres in Europe, the US, and Asia. Micro mobility platforms enable the use of the closest micro mobility vehicle, available for a one-way trip, without needing to purchase or store it. They also help reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.
Back to topVehicles
Ve
Vehicles
MitgRoad transport contributes about 15% to global emissions. The transition to electric cars, trucks and motorcycles will therefore play a significant role in preventing carbon emissions from increasing further. Electric vehicles (EVs) can be battery or fuel cell powered, and can be plug-in and non plug-in hybrids. The latter are powered by either liquid fuel or electricity generated by the braking system which is used to recharge the battery. Electric cars are rapidly gaining traction and account for about 2% of the global car fleet or 10m vehicles. In 2020, this fleet increased by 43% y/y. China, with 4.5m electric cars has the largest fleet, however the European fleet is growing at a significantly faster rate. In 2020, the European fleet more than doubled to 3.2m while the Chinese fleet increased by only 9%. Over and above this, there are another 1m buses, trucks and vans.
A number of factors are underpinning demand for EVs. Prices are gradually becoming more competitive and some governments are providing economic incentives and regulatory support to encourage their take-up.� This may be via fuel economy standards, zero-emission vehicle mandates and minimum requirements related to publicly accessible charging infrastructure.� Policy support is likely to continue, while pricing should become more competitive hence the EV market is well positioned for growth while playing a pivotal role in the transition to a low carbon future.
Trains
Tr
Trains
MitgAn electric rolling stock is powered by electricity from overhead lines, a third rail or on-board storage system such as a battery or a supercapacitor. Electric rolling stock is widely preferred to diesel as it emits less carbon, has higher performance, lower energy costs and is quieter. It also has less friction on the track, hence track maintenance is lower. The key disadvantage of electric rolling stock is the high cost for infrastructure such overhead lines or third rail, substations and control systems. The cost of maintaining rolling stock, stations and berth sites is also relatively high.
Back to topBoats & Ships
Sh
Boats & Ships
MitgOver 90% of world trade is carried across the world�s oceans by more than 90,000 ships powered by fossil fuels. The shipping industry at large is responsible for emitting 3% of all greenhouse gases. More efficient designs and technologies to harness wind are helping to reduce emissions. Hybrid engines, currently being tested on small passenger ferries, will also be beneficial. Arguably, the most likely long-term solution for a low carbon shipping industry is the use of hydrogen based fuels. These include green hydrogen, green ammonia and fuel cells. Turning green hydrogen into ammonia is considered by many as the front runner as it is significantly cheaper to store.
Back to topAircraft
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Aircraft
MitgAir travel accounts for as much as 2-3% of global CO2 emissions and could grow dramatically as demand increases. For the sector to become more sustainable, a radical innovation in propulsion technology is required to replace jet fuel combustion. For large aircraft, a low carbon solution is likely decades away. However, an all-electric solution for short haul, commuter flights for less than 20 passengers is much closer to being commercialized. Startups are currently making significant progress in battery electric and hydrogen fuel cells for these planes. A further innovation which will ease both traffic congestion and reduce emissions, is the development of flying cars. Advances in battery energy density, materials science and computer simulation have prompted the development of a range of personal flying vehicles. Most are designed with rotors instead of wings, which allow for vertical takeoff and landing.
Back to topGlobal Giants
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Global Giants
Global technology companies provide infrastructure, applications and services to support governments and major energy, environmental and infrastructure contexts. Technology providers are increasingly focusing on the energy and environmental market by providing a �one stop shop�, including hardware, software, infrastructure, hosting and support. Traditionally servicing consumer and business, tech companies are seeking to become an ecosystem platform for the sustainability sector.
Back to topInvestors
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Investors
Firms, individuals and government organizations support climate innovation by providing capital funding through direct investment, grants and equity financing. Venture capital investors in climate range from individual �angels� to social impact funds, broad based investors to those who focus specifically on sustainability investment. In addition to traditional investment houses, corporate venture funds within energy, agriculture and infrastructure organizations, construction and later stage ClimateTech startups also undertake climate tech investment and acquisition activity.
Back to topAccelerators
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Accelerators
Accelerator and incubator programs provide much needed support and structure for early stage ClimateTech entrepreneurs, from those with an idea through to assisting startups to develop their business model, pitch and product, through to help finding investors. Typically between 3-6 months in length, accelerator programs provide working space, structured support via programs and mentoring, and cash funding, often in exchange for a small percentage of equity. There are a handful of dedicated ClimateTech accelerators globally and many climate startups participate in broader programs allowing for collaboration across sectors.
Back to topEvents
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Events
ClimateTech and climate innovation events range from mega-conferences and expos to small meetups and practice sharing sessions. Events provide a focus for learning about specific topics, sharing practices and making connections to people working in the broader climate ecosystem. Expo events provide opportunities for products and services to connect with potential customers. Large ClimateTech conferences attract a global audience and allow connections between thought leaders, entrepreneurs, scientists, government, investors and service providers
Back to topAwards
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Awards
Competitions and awards are numerous in early stage ClimateTech ecosystems, enabling entrepreneurs an opportunity to gain exposure their products and services and as practice �pitching� their ideas and business model. Making it through to the finals of competitions or awards provides an easy �finding and filtering� mechanism for early stage investors. National (and international) awards are fewer in number but range from effective use of technology in energy and sustainability innovation awards, through to tech-product awards in the energy, environmental and infrastructure sectors.
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