The UN says the world is likely to pass 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming within the next few years, and the US president denies climate realities while unraveling climate policy. Big Tech is pulling back on its climate ambitions as companies rush to build massive AI data centers. Yet amid all this, MIT Technology Review is preparing to publish its annual list of Climate Tech Companies to Watch, a collection of firms pushing renewable energy, batteries, electric vehicles, and industrial clean tech.
The 2026 edition will land on October 6. The editors and writers use their deep industry knowledge and academic sources to compile a long list of companies worldwide that are transforming how we generate energy, produce goods, move people and things, or mitigate rising climate dangers. They then hold several rounds of spirited debate to narrow that list down to 10 companies they believe have done the most, or have the best chance, to make a real dent in emissions or improve public safety and health.
The Record-Breaking Summer
This summer brought shattered heat records, raging wildfires, and deadly floods. The record-breaking heat has raised questions about what is driving the warmth and whether 2027 could be worse. One article asks whether El Niño, climate change, or both are behind the heat waves.
Batteries Thriving and Lagging
Batteries just broke another record in the US, according to a separate article. Grid-scale batteries are thriving, but smaller residential systems have lagged.
The disparity matters for climate progress. Grid-scale storage helps stabilize the electrical grid as more renewable energy comes online, smoothing out the variability of wind and solar power. Residential storage would let individual homes store their own power, reducing reliance on the grid during peak demand periods.
Microbes and Fertilizer
One startup, Switch Bioworks, is working on using engineered microbes to reduce demand for chemical fertilizer. The company hopes to help feed the world’s crops.
The approach fits the broader pattern of companies finding cleaner ways to produce industrial goods.
Companies Under Pressure
The list’s timing matters. Climate tech companies are operating in a difficult political environment. The US is the world’s second-largest emitter, and its leader continues to deny climate realities and unravel climate policies. Big Tech is backpedaling on its climate ambitions as companies race to build massive AI data centers.
Despite that, the companies on the list have continued to make progress. They are developing and deploying renewables, batteries, and electric vehicles; 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.
What the List Offers
The 10 companies selected for the 2026 list span energy storage, nuclear power, transportation, and other areas. They include firms that have figured out how to continue making progress amid the regressive climate politics of the moment.
“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.”
The list is a snapshot of where the industry stands. It shows which technologies are maturing, which markets are expanding, and which companies are leading the charge.
Why Hope Matters
The world has still made incredible progress on climate tech, despite the headwinds. Companies are advancing renewables, batteries, and electric vehicles. They are inventing cleaner ways to produce industrial goods and devising ways to keep cities and people safe amid more extreme weather.
That progress will only accelerate as costs decline and people demand greater climate action. The economic and health benefits that come with it will reinforce the momentum. The list celebrates those companies and the work they are doing.
The package is a reminder that climate action is possible, even in a difficult political moment. The companies on the list are making real progress, and their work deserves attention.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Publication of 2026 list | October 6 |
The list is a sign of hope. It shows that even in a difficult political moment, companies are making real progress. The work is not finished, but the direction is clear.
Source material: “Coming soon: Our 2026 list of Climate Tech Companies to Watch,” MIT Technology Review.
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