Coming soon: Our 2026 list of Climate Tech Companies to Watch

The United Nations recently announced that the planet is likely to exceed 1.5 ˚C of global warming within the next few years, which is the more ambitious target set by the Paris climate agreement in 2015. This milestone was set to guide countries in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, progress has been uneven. The United States, the second-largest emitter of carbon dioxide, continues to face political challenges, with its leader denying climate change and rolling back environmental policies. Meanwhile, major technology companies are scaling back their climate commitments due to the high energy demands of building large AI data centers. Despite these setbacks, the world has made significant strides in climate solutions, including advances in renewable energy, electric vehicles (EVs), batteries, and industrial processes. Cities are also developing strategies to protect residents from worsening extreme weather events like heatwaves, wildfires, and floods.

Climate tech refers to technologies designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or adapt to climate change impacts. Since 2023, MIT Technology Review has published an annual list of Climate Tech Companies to Watch, highlighting 10 companies globally that are making notable progress in energy generation, transportation, industrial production, or climate resilience. The selection process involves multiple rounds of evaluation by the magazine’s editors and writers, who use industry knowledge and academic sources to identify the most impactful innovations. For 2026, the list will be published on October 6 and will feature companies working in areas such as energy storage, nuclear power, and transportation. These companies are selected for their potential to significantly reduce emissions or improve public safety, even amid challenging political climates.

Energy storage is critical for transitioning to renewable energy sources like wind and solar, which are intermittent and depend on weather conditions. In the United States, grid-scale batteries—large battery systems connected to the power grid—have seen record growth, enabling the storage of excess energy for use during peak demand or when renewable sources are not generating power. For example, grid-scale batteries have broken records in deployment, though smaller residential battery systems for homes have lagged behind. These technologies are essential for stabilizing the grid and ensuring a reliable energy supply as fossil fuel use declines. The success of grid-scale batteries highlights the progress being made in making renewable energy more practical and widespread.

The summer of 2024 has seen record-breaking heatwaves, devastating wildfires, and catastrophic floods, raising questions about their causes. Climate phenomena like El Niño—a periodic warming of the Pacific Ocean—can influence global weather patterns, including temperature and precipitation. However, climate change, driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, is also a major contributor to the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Scientists warn that 2027 could be even worse due to the combined effects of these factors. Understanding the role of both natural variability and climate change is crucial for preparing for and mitigating future risks.

Agriculture is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to the use of chemical fertilizers, which rely on fossil fuels for production. High fertilizer prices and their environmental impact have driven interest in alternative solutions. Startups like Switch Bioworks are exploring the use of engineered microbes—microscopic organisms modified in labs—to reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. These microbes can help crops absorb nutrients more efficiently, potentially lowering emissions and costs for farmers. Innovations in agriculture are part of a broader effort to make food production more sustainable and less dependent on fossil fuels, which could also address food security challenges.