Climate Tech California USA 2024
In response to the growing UK climate tech market and targeted investments into research and innovation projects, a Global Expert Mission (GEM) was undertaken by Innovate UK to identify collaboration opportunities with California.
Executive Summary from outcome report
The California Global Expert Mission explored opportunities for collaboration between the UK and California in climate technology innovation, specifically in the themes of:
- AI-driven decision-making tools
- Climate risk modelling
- Land use and inland use
- Nature-based carbon capture and carbon sinks.
Both regions are leaders in advancing climate solutions, with complementary strengths that can be leveraged to address shared environmental challenges.
California has emerged as a leading hub for climate tech innovation in the United States, with a robust ecosystem built on strong environmental policies, world-class research institutions, and a thriving entrepreneurial culture. The state aims to achieve 100% clean energy by 2045 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030, spending over $3 billion annually on clean tech initiatives.1 California plays a key national role, hosting approximately one-fifth of U.S. climate tech startups and accounting for 46% of total U.S. funding in 2023.
The Global Expert Mission (GEM) highlighted California’s particular strengths in addressing specific climate issues like wildfires, groundwater depletion, and drought control, as well as its strength in scaling innovations in areas like AI-driven decision-making tools and carbon markets. California and the UK could collaborate to translate climate learnings through frameworks, policies, standards and open data platforms. However, challenges to collaboration exist, including regulatory differences, market dynamics, and data accessibility. The California GEM took place prior to the change in administration, and although California is a state leader in climate policy, national regulatory changes with the Trump administration could have unforeseen consequences to the climate tech landscape.
By leveraging their respective strengths, California and the UK can co-develop scalable climate solutions and frameworks that contribute to global decarbonisation goals. The outcomes of this GEM underscore the need for continued engagement, joint investment, and shared innovation to build a sustainable future. These partnerships will not only enhance the competitiveness of both regions but also set a global precedent for collaborative climate action.
About Global Expert Missions
Global Expert Missions (GEM) is funded by Innovate UK and designed to build international collaborations with governments, societies, enterprises, institutions, and people from every corner of the globe. With global challenges requiring international perspectives, the programme aims to support the UK government’s ambition to be the international partner of choice and a global hub for innovation by 2035.