Benjamin Downing’s Post

Since Initialized started investing in climate a few years ago, we've seen innovative solutions emerge, from climate adaptation to renewable energy software and construction tech. Last year, deal value for the industry hit a record $16.5 billion, up more than 3x from 2020, proving it to be one of the most resilient investing categories in venture. Read our climate investor Kim-Mai Cutler's blog post highlighting some of our founders (Sonia Kastner, Glen Meyerowitz, Abdullah Al-Zandani, Lee Hoffman, Eloa Guillotin, Francis Thumpasery, Topher Haddad) and outlining what we’ve learned so far investing in the space ⬇ https://lnkd.in/gDrAPdZ4

💪 NECEC Supports Governor Maura Healey's Massachusetts Leads Act in Joint Letter and Committee Testimony 💪 We're proud to be one of the 81 leading Massachusetts businesses and institutions to sign a letter of support for Governor Maura Healey's Massachusetts Leads Act. In this letter, sent to Chair Jerald A. Parisella and Chair Barry Finegold of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, we advocate for at least $1.3 billion in climate technology investments over the next decade. This bold ambition signals to companies, venture capitalists, and innovators that Massachusetts is the place to be for climatetech. Governor Healey's legislation, first released on March 1, presents a unique opportunity to integrate climate and clean energy priorities into Massachusetts' economic development strategy. If implemented, according to the UMass Donahue Institute, this bill will create $16.4 billion in new economic activity and 6,640 jobs over the next 10 years. By leveraging public investment to catalyze growth, we can position Massachusetts as a global leader in climatetech, building on the success of past initiatives like the 2008 Life Sciences Initiative. These investments not only boost our economy but also bring us closer to our climate goals of reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050. It's an exciting step forward in accelerating our transition to a net-zero future. Tomorrow, NECEC President Joe Curtatone will testify in the bill's hearing before the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, further demonstrating our commitment to advancing climate technology and sustainable economic development in Massachusetts. You can tune into the hearing live tomorrow at 10am here: https://lnkd.in/dN4Xz-8A We are proud to take a stand for this critical legislation alongside the Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM), Agilitas Energy, Akamai Technologies, Amalgamated Bank, Associated Industries of Massachusetts, Autodesk, Baldwin Brothers - Wealth Management, Bemis Associates, Berkshire Bank, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, BlueHub Capital, BlueWave, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston Medical Center (BMC), Boston Trust Walden Company, Building Ventures, Clean Energy Ventures, Cleantech Adoption LLC, Comfort Inn and Suites, Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Dimagi, DSM, Eastern Bank, Electrified Thermal Solutions, Encore Boston Harbor, Jill Feblowitz, Fermata Energy, FirstLight, FLxDER, Form Energy, Franklin Cummings Tech , Greentown Labs, Highland Electric Fleets, Independence Solar, LLC, Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), LineVision, Longwood Energy Group, Lyft, Massachusetts Business Roundtable. Let's work together to build a greener, more prosperous future for all. #ClimateTech #MassachusettsLeadsAct #Sustainability #CleanEnergy #EconomicDevelopment

Excited to share some of my high-level research on climate tech sectors, with an intriguing title picked by Brian Yang. Stay tuned for more articles to come! Many thanks to the editorial team at Responsible Investing Advocate League (RIA League） #climatetech #climatesolutions #climatefinance

The business case is real… the ecological and societal benefits are too!

EPACT, BIL, Chips and Science, and IRA were historical pieces of legislation and transformative to the way the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) operates and focuses innovation. But we're not done. In order to continue bridging gaps and accelerating the innovation process, we need a Fast Track program to pull early-stage technologies toward commercial demonstration. Let's capitalize on our successes and build the next program that ensures the public and private sector are moving breakthrough energy technologies from idea to market-ready solutions at a faster pace than ever before. Meet Fast Track: https://lnkd.in/eJncZaTi

Published today in the Boston Business Journal, Engine Ventures General Partner Michael Kearney and The Engine Accelerator VP of Public Affairs Benjamin Downing called for even bolder ambition from Massachusetts to retain its leadership role in the clean energy economy. Among their recommendations: ▪ Passing Governor Healy’s Mass Leads Act into law as soon as possible to meet our climate mandates and maximize the economic benefits of the energy transition ▪ Expand the Act to include demand formation mechanisms for new technologies including sustainable cement and steel and those reducing carbon emissions from our natural gas infrastructure with hydrogen and heat pumps, built around the same type of incentives that spurred Massachusetts to be a leader in solar and energy efficiency ▪ Launching a re-energized “Leading by Example” initiative designed to make it easier for public entities to adopt clean energy ▪ Making it easier for climate tech companies to scale and deploy their technology here in Massachusetts  ▪ Allocating resources for a public-private-partnership demonstration center where technologies can be tested in real-world conditions and validated by potential partners Read more on their vision for Massachusetts’ green future. https://lnkd.in/eRbnwSMg

New York Energy Week 2024: "The Crucial Role of Transmission in Shaping New York’s Sustainable Future" New York Energy Week 2024, taking place from June 24 to June 28, stands as a key event in the global energy sector, celebrating eleven years of fostering collaboration and innovation. This annual gathering brings together a diverse array of participants from renewable and fossil fuel industries, utilities, regulatory bodies, finance, government, academia, law, and media. NYEW is renowned for its ability to inspire groundbreaking innovations and form strategic partnerships, providing a vital platform for sharing insights and exploring the latest trends in energy. A pivotal session in this year's agenda is "The Crucial Role of Transmission in Shaping New York’s Sustainable Future," featuring Luke Falk, COO of Clean Path NY for energyRe. Scheduled for Tuesday, June 25, from 10:00 am to 10:30 am, this session will delve into the essential role of transmission infrastructure in the state's journey towards sustainability. Falk will address how robust transmission systems are critical for integrating renewable energy sources and ensuring a reliable, efficient energy grid. Falk will provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and challenges involved in modernizing and expanding transmission networks. His discussion will highlight the strategic importance of transmission in supporting large-scale renewable projects and achieving New York's ambitious climate goals. By examining real-world examples and current initiatives, Falk will illustrate how enhanced transmission capabilities can facilitate the seamless flow of clean energy across the state. This session is particularly relevant for stakeholders focused on infrastructure development, policy-making, and sustainability. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the strategic planning and investments required to build a resilient energy grid that supports a sustainable future. New York Energy Week continues to be an essential event for those committed to advancing the energy sector. It offers a unique opportunity to connect with thought leaders, engage in meaningful discussions, and collaborate on innovative solutions that will drive the energy transition forward. Participation in this event is crucial for staying at the forefront of industry advancements and contributing to the shaping of a sustainable energy landscape. https://lnkd.in/e6tw2TS2

As part of New York Energy Week 2024, we are excited to present "Empowering a Greener Future with Decarbonization and ITEN," a session led by Kevin A., Managing Partner at Ruhl TecConsult. This virtual event will take place on June 26 from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm US Eastern Time. Pioneering Decarbonization and ITEN In the quest for a sustainable future, decarbonization and Integrated Transition Energy Networks (ITEN) stand out as pivotal strategies. Kevin Appleby will discuss the critical role these elements play in reducing carbon footprints and transitioning to a more sustainable energy system. This session will delve into the innovative approaches and technologies that are driving decarbonization efforts and the implementation of ITEN. Insights from an Industry Expert Kevin Appleby, with his extensive experience in sustainable energy solutions, will share valuable insights into: - Decarbonization Strategies: Effective methods and technologies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. - Integrated Transition Energy Networks (ITEN): How ITEN can streamline and enhance the efficiency of energy transitions. - Real-World Applications: Case studies and examples of successful decarbonization and ITEN projects. - Future Outlook: Emerging trends and future opportunities in the realm of sustainable energy transitions. Why Attend This Session This session is essential for industry professionals, policymakers, investors, and sustainability advocates who are committed to advancing decarbonization and sustainable energy practices. Participants will gain actionable insights into how to leverage ITEN to achieve significant environmental and economic benefits. Engage with Thought Leaders New York Energy Week 2024 offers a unique platform for engaging with leaders and innovators in the energy sector. This session aims to foster dialogue and collaboration among participants, providing a fertile ground for sharing ideas and forging partnerships. Join Us This is a virtual event, and registration is required. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from a leading expert and to be part of the conversation on advancing decarbonization and ITEN. Ensure you add this critical session to your calendar. New York Energy Week 2024 continues to champion innovation and leadership in the energy sector, celebrating eleven years of pioneering efforts. Join us as we work together to empower a greener, more sustainable future. #Decarbonization #ITEN #SustainableEnergy #NYEnergyWeek2024

In September 2023, Zenobē secured investment of c.£600 million from leading global investment firm KKR, made possible through its global climate strategy and its commitment to sustainability-focused investments. Read Luis Garcia's piece in the The Wall Street Journal featuring KKR’s investment in Zenobē and how it will back our aims to ✅ Support 4,000 electric buses, trucks and commercial vehicles by 2026 ✅ Commission c.1.2GW of battery storage in the UK by 2026 ✅ Develop an additional 2.5GW of battery energy storage assets in North America and Australia by 2030 Read more > https://lnkd.in/e7WGZs86 #electrictransport #electricfleets #batterystorage #energystorage #networkinfrastructure #cleanenergy #wsj

APRIL 2, 2024 – The First State Community Green Energy Coalition, an alliance of seven Delaware-based organizations, announced today it was one of 23 teams nationwide to be awarded a Community Energy Innovation Prize from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Designed to promote equitable access to clean energy resources among underserved communities, this award will help enhance Delaware’s future as a national model for sustainable energy solutions.        Led by BASEStud.io – a Delaware public benefit corporation dedicated to producing climate resilient community lighting – the prize-winning First State team also includes Delaware Prosperity Partnership, New Castle Prevention Coalition, Coming Clean, the Foundation for Renewable Energy and Environment (FREE), the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew, and the American Sustainable Business Network. Its goal is to build a solar-powered clean energy hub for disadvantaged communities along the Route 9 Corridor between Wilmington and the City of New Castle, which will seed innovation, while providing workforce training and clean energy jobs.  #CommunityEnergyInnovationPrize #AMCprize #AmericanMade #RenewableEnergy #ClimateResilient Delaware Prosperity Partnership Foundation for Renewable Energy and Environment American Sustainable Business Network BASEstud.io yet2 Entrepreneur Futures Network ADL Ventures Clean Energy Business Network (CEBN)