Earlier this month, the UNannouncedthe planet will tip past 1.5 ˚C of warming, “likely within the next few years,” squashing any lingering hope that nations would cut emissions fast enough to achieve the loftiest goal of the Paris climate agreement.
In the US, the world’s second-largest-emitting country, its leader continues to deny climate realities andunravel climate policies. Big Tech is backpedaling on its climate ambitions, as companies race to build massive AI data centers.
And all this comes amid yet another season of shattered heat records, raging wildfires, and deadly floods.
It can be tempting to give in to climate doom and defeatism. But despite the headwinds, the world has still made incredible progress. Companies are developing and deploying renewables, batteries, and EVs; inventing cleaner means of producing industrial goods; and devising ways to keep cities and people safe even in the face of more extreme weather conditions.
Those advances will only accelerate as costs decline andpeople demandgreater climate action, as well as all the economic and health benefits that come with it.
Recognizing our ability to make such progress is whyMIT Technology Reviewbegan publishing our annual list ofClimate Tech Companies to Watchthree years ago.
Once a year the editors and writers use their deep industry knowledge and academic sources to compile a long list of companies around the world that are transforming the way we generate energy, produce goods, move people and things, or mitigate rising climate dangers.
We then conduct several rounds of spirited newsroom debate to winnow that list down to 10 that we believe have done the most, or have the best chance, to make a real dent in emissions or improve public safety and health.
We’re happy to say we’ve finalized that list for 2026, and will publish it on October 6. You cansign up for The Download newsletterto be among the first to see it, orsubscribe to receive full accessto this year’s list. It features a mix of companies making strides in energy storage, nuclear power, transportation, and other areas, including ones that have figured out how to continue to make progress amid the regressive climate politics of the moment.
We hope you’ll enjoy the package and perhaps come away feeling a bit more hopeful that we can move fast enough to avoid the gravest dangers of climate change, and build a safer, healthier, and more sustainable world.We hope you’ll enjoy the package and perhaps come away feeling a bit more hopeful that we can move fast enough to avoid the gravest dangers of climate change, and build a safer, healthier, and more sustainable world.
Deep Dive
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Startup Switch Bioworks hopes to use microbes to reduce demand for chemical fertilizer.
Agriculture relies on fossil fuels. It’s costing us.
Could new fertilizers help combat high prices?
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Illustration by Rose Wong
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