UK Climate Tech 2026: The Next Chapter for UK Climate Innovation

Discover the key trends shaping the UK’s $75.3b climate tech economy – from investment shifts to AI’s growing influence – and what it will take for the UK to lead the next chapter of global climate innovation. Plus, read about the 25 climate tech startups to watch!

The UK’s climate innovation economy is entering a decisive new chapter. With more than 2,200 climate tech startups, a combined sector valuation of $75.3 billion, and world-leading strengths in science, deep tech, and engineering, the UK has all the ingredients to lead the next wave of global climate transformation.

But momentum alone isn’t enough. Investment is cooling, AI is reshaping the competitive landscape, and hardware innovators – who make up 70% of the UK’s climate market value – face tougher scaling conditions than ever.

UK Climate Tech 2026: The Next Chapter for UK Climate Innovation shows where the UK truly leads, where we’re falling behind, and what needs to happen next to turn potential into global competitiveness.

From this report, you’ll learn:

  • Where the UK stands today – including a decade-long growth story that has taken market value from $5.8b to $75.3b.
  • Why investment has fallen 67% since 2023, what’s driving the disappearance of late-stage megadeals, and what this means for founders attempting to scale.
  • The hardware–software divide – and why the UK’s most valuable climate solutions are also the hardest to finance.
  • The role of AI in climate innovation – with AI-enabled climate startups already representing over 10% of UK market value and emerging as a major catalyst for progress.
  • What policy must fix next – distilled insights across 11 climate sub-sectors, from grid flexibility to future food, plus the most actionable policy recommendations to unlock deployment, capital, and scale.
  • The 25 Climate Tech Startups to Watch – a curated list of the UK companies redefining what climate leadership looks like, each selected for traction, partnerships, and breakthrough potential.

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