Daily brief on deep tech and climate tech news from India and around the world.
Nobel laureate urges open sharing of climate technologies
Joseph Stiglitz, a Nobel Prize winning economist, has called for climate technologies to be shared freely to accelerate global decarbonization and ensure equitable access to solutions worldwide, Research Professional News reports. The appeal highlights concerns that restricting climate tech through patents or proprietary deals could slow progress on emissions reduction and sustainability goals, especially for developing nations, and urges collective action to overcome barriers to technology transfer.
Listen to the podcast
UN climate chief urges nations to submit climate goals before deadline
UN climate chief Simon Stiell has called on governments to urgently present new national climate action plans, warning that fewer than 30 countries have submitted their NDCs ahead of the looming deadline, Climate Change News reports. Countries including China, India, and the EU are yet to announce targets. Stiell stressed robust climate plans are vital for tackling global warming and capturing economic benefits from the clean energy transition.
WMO warns air pollution and climate change create a vicious cycle
The World Meteorological Organization has published its latest annual air quality bulletin, which underscores how air quality and climate change are tightly linked, impacting health, economies and ecosystems, according to a press release from the organisation. It highlights risks from wildfires, winter fog, shipping, and urban pollution, and calls for integrated action and improved monitoring. International coordination is crucial to address aerosol hazards and enhance forecasts for effective risk management.
Dutch pension giant drops US asset managers in green revamp
PFZW, the world’s 11th largest pension fund, has pulled €33.5bn from BlackRock, Legal & General, and AQR Capital Management to focus on sustainability and market-level returns, Green Central Banking reports. The move comes as climate risk pressures mount and activists push for greener investments. PFZW will now lean on Robeco, UBS, PGGM and others for its €50bn equity portfolio, signaling a wider EU pivot away from US climate policies.
Commonwealth Fusion Systems raises $863m for fusion push
MIT spinoff Commonwealth Fusion Systems closed an $863 million Series B2 round, bringing its total funding near $3 billion, Latitude Media reports. The capital will accelerate progress on its SPARC fusion demonstrator and commercial ARC plant in Virginia, backed by investors including Nvidia, Bill Gates, and Jeff Bezos. The company aims for continuous fusion and $50/MWh energy costs, but economic viability depends on breakthroughs in technology and manufacturing.
Breakthrough Energy, Khosla and DCVC launch $300m climate tech coalition
Breakthrough Energy, Khosla Ventures, and DCVC have launched the All Aboard Coalition, a $300 million fund to support climate tech startups amid declining US funding, PE Insights reports. Backed by over $40 billion in investor assets, the group will target emissions reduction technologies like carbon removal, green hydrogen, and long-duration storage. The fund aims to address the capital gap leaving many early-stage companies struggling to scale.
RMI’s Third Derivative adds 18 global startups to climate tech accelerator
Third Derivative, the RMI climate tech accelerator, has welcomed 18 new startups from six countries to its portfolio, which now totals over 280 companies, RMI said in a press release. Selected firms span innovations from bamboo building systems and green hydrogen to recyclable wind turbines and zero-emission cooling. Third Derivative aims to bridge finance and resource gaps for market-ready decarbonization tech, with portfolio startups raising $3.7 billion and creating 4,400 jobs since inception.
Singapore’s TLC 2026 opens with S$4m climate tech funding boost
The Liveability Challenge 2026 has launched in Singapore with a record S$4 million (US$3.1m) funding for climate tech startups, Eco Business reports. This 9th edition has a new partner A*Star, which has pledged S$2 million annually to support pilot decarbonisation projects, while Temasek Foundation anchors the initiative. Finalists will access testbeds and pitch at Ecosperity Week 2026. Catalytic funding and policy reforms are highlighted as key to scaling climate solutions amid global venture funding challenges.
Sinbon invests in Swobbee to accelerate green urban mobility
Taiwanese electronics firm Sinbon has made a minority investment in Berlin-based Swobbee, giving the climate tech company access to Sinbon’s global manufacturing and engineering expertise, the companies said in a press release. The partnership aims to advance battery swapping infrastructure for sustainable last-mile urban transport and will support broader adoption of swappable batteries. The deal underscores rising collaboration in e-mobility and green tech between Europe and Asia.
Climafix Summit 2025 to spotlight 400+ climate startups in Chennai
CLIMAFIX Summit 2025, among India’s largest climate startup events, will gather over 400 startups, 150 investors, and 250 corporates at IIT Madras Research Park on Sep 11-12. The agenda spans bio-solutions, energy efficiency, deep tech, and translational research, featuring expert talks, startup journeys, curated pitches, and AI for climate sessions to accelerate climate innovation and cross-sector partnerships. Key speakers include Ashok Jhunjhunwala (IITMRP), Suhas Baxi (Biofuel Circle), and Janani Mittal (Technip).
