Climate Flash Report

Daily climate technology and sustainability news - Updated: 2025-12-26

Sustainability intelligence that saves the world

🌱 Clean Energy Stock Tracker

Tesla (TSLA)

$485.40

-0.16 (-0.0%)

Electric Vehicles

Enphase (ENPH)

$32.85

+0.63 (2.0%)

Solar Energy

First Solar (FSLR)

$272.21

+2.82 (1.1%)

Solar Panels

NextEra (NEE)

$80.45

+0.66 (0.8%)

Clean Utility

iShares Clean (ICLN)

$16.58

+0.04 (0.2%)

Clean Energy ETF

Plug Power (PLUG)

$2.10

+0.05 (2.4%)

Hydrogen Fuel

📈 Real-time prices • Updated daily with fresh content • Last updated: 2025-12-26 08:09

Climate Tech Startups and Funding

US climate tech funding reached $15.3 billion in H1 2025, up from $11.4 billion in H1 2024, with a shift toward later-stage rounds (Series C+ up 33.3%) and sectors like energy infrastructure (33.2% of funding) and industrial decarbonization (19.3%).[2] Key deals include:

•Fervo Energy (geothermal): $462 million Series E, backed by Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures, for 24/7 carbon-free power using oil-industry drilling tech; Google as customer.[1]

•Base Power (energy storage): $1 billion Series C, led by Addition with Andreessen Horowitz and Google’s CapitalG, via home-battery leasing for distributed grids.[1]

•KoBold Metals (AI for clean energy exploration): Additional funding from Breakthrough Energy Ventures.[1]

•Geoengineering startups: $115.8 million total across nine firms, with $75 million to Stardust (stratospheric reflective particles); others like Gama ($5 million) and Arctic Reflections ($4.41 million from UK ARIA).[5]

AI-climate convergence drove large rounds, with H1 AI funding at $116 billion overall.[1]

Clean Energy Developments

Q3 2025 saw federal policy shifts impacting clean energy: DOE rescinded grants/loans for hundreds of awards, with more cuts planned.[6] Tax credits changed:
| Credit | Key Changes |
|--------|-------------|
| 45Y PTC (Clean Electricity) | Ends for wind/solar after 2027; clean firm tech eligible to 2032.[6] |
| 48E ITC (Clean Electricity) | Ends for qualified facilities after 2027; wind/solar leasing ineligible.[6] |
| 45Z Biofuels | Extended to 2029; US/Canada/Mexico feedstocks only.[6] |
| 25E/45W Vehicle Credits | Terminate after Sep 30, 2025.[6] |

Energy generation/infrastructure led funding due to AI power demand and grid upgrades.[2]

ESG Investing and VC Trends

Investors prioritize scalable AI-climate solutions with strong unit economics; climate tech now 13.3% of total funding (up from 5.5%).[2][1] Active VCs include Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Addition, Andreessen Horowitz; lists highlight 9 top firms like Liquid 2 Ventures.[3][7] Y Combinator backs 49 climate startups.[4]

Environmental Innovations

•Geothermal (Fervo): Targets deep-rock power for baseload carbon-free electricity.[1]

•Geoengineering: Stratospheric aerosols (Stardust) and ice-growth aid (Arctic Reflections) as adaptation tech.[5]

•Industrial: Efficiency software, electrification, waste-heat recovery.[2]

No specific new carbon impact metrics reported; funding emphasizes profitability alongside emissions reduction.[1][2] Data reflects up to late December 2025 analyses.[3][6]