The Download: 10 Climate Tech Companies to Watch in 2026
This is today's edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what's going on in the world of technology.
10 Climate Tech Companies to Watch
Each year, MIT Technology Review compiles a list of the most promising climate tech companies worldwide. In 2026, the stakes feel higher than ever. The world is on track for one of its hottest years on record, climate-fueled disasters are claiming lives and costing billions, while political shifts and international conflicts have stalled progress.
We urgently need to cut emissions and avoid the most harmful effects of climate changeβand that's where our 10 companies come in.
They're working on everything from mobile flood barriers and semi-solid-state batteries to compressed-COβ energy storage and next-generation nuclear reactors. They also reflect the biggest shifts in climate tech, including the surging energy demands of AI data centers.
Meet the 10 companies working on some of the biggest challenges in climate tech.
Over the coming days, we'll take a closer look at each of the 10 companies, along with how we chose this year's list, right here in The Download. So stay tuned!
Also in This Edition: Musk's Pentagon Role Raises Conflict-of-Interest Fears
Elon Musk's new role at the Pentagon has sparked concerns about potential conflicts of interest, given his extensive business interests. This development is part of today's technology news roundup.
For more in-depth coverage, read the full story on MIT Technology Review.