Future in 2025
The ClimateTech Revolu on Breakthroughs That Will Define the Next Decade
Decarboniza on at Scale The ClimateTech Driving Real Change
Yeonji Yeonji Kim Kim
ContributingTowardsMakingFinance
FlowsConsistentwithLowEmissionsand Climate-resilientDevelopment
YeonjiKim EvaluationUptakeSpecialist GreenClimateFund(GCF) independentevaluationunit
“The future of our planet depends on climate technology, not just climate talk.”
Editor's Note
Inanerawhereclimatechangestandsasoneofthe
mostpressingglobalchallenges,innovationin ClimateTechhasemergedasabeaconofhope.The urgencytotransitiontowardamoresustainableand resilientfuturehasdrivenremarkablebreakthroughs,and attheheartofthistransformationarevisionaryleaders whoareredefiningthewayweapproachenvironmental stewardship.
Inthisspecialfeature, 10 ClimateTech Leaders Shaping a Sustainable Future in 2025,wespotlightpioneerswho aredrivingimpactfulsolutionsacrossrenewableenergy, carboncapture,circulareconomymodels,sustainable agriculture,andbeyond.Thesetrailblazersarenotjust introducinggame-changingtechnologiesbutalso influencingpolicies,corporatesustainabilitystrategies, andindustry-wideshiftstowardagreenertomorrow
Eachleaderfeaturedinthiseditionexemplifiesthefusion ofinnovationandpurpose.Theireffortsunderscorethe poweroftechnologyinaddressingenvironmental
Innovators for the Planet PrinceBolton
crises—fromharnessingAIanddata-driveninsightsfor carbonreductiontoengineeringnext-generationenergy storagesolutionsandrethinkingwastemanagementona globalscale.Theircommitmenttosustainabilitygoes beyondbusiness;itisamovementtowardafuturewhere economicgrowthandenvironmentalresponsibility coexist.
Aswenavigatethepathtonetzeroandworktoward reversingtheeffectsofclimatechange,theseClimateTech leadersoffernotonlysolutionsbutalsoinspiration.Their workchallengesindustriestorethinkconventional approaches,provingthatsustainabilityisnotjusta necessitybutanopportunityforprogress.
Weinviteyoutoexploretheirgroundbreaking contributionsandjointheconversationonhowtechnology andleadershipcandriveasustainablefuture.
Yeonji Kim Yeonji Kim
ContributingTowardsMaking FinanceFlowsConsistent withLowEmissionsand Climate-resilientDevelopment
Carlijn Nouwen
Building a Resilient Future through Climate-Posi ve Growth
Inspiring Growth by Naviga ng the Marke ng Landscape
James Mwangi
Transforming Africa's Future Through Climate Ac on and Innova on
Kerry Dawes
Resourceful Leader Eleva ng Brands in the Digital Landscape
PoojaMBansal Editor-in-Chief
CONTENT
Deputy Editor Anish Miller
Managing Editor Prince Bolton
DESIGN
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Art & Design Director Davis Mar n
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Customer Success Manager Collins J.
Sales Execu ves Tim, Smith
TECHNICAL
Technical Head Peter Hayden
Technical Consultant Victor Collins
SME-SMO
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February,2025
CarlijnNouwen Co-founder
ChristinaO’Reilly
SeniorVicePresident Marketing
GabrielThoumi
PresidentandCEO
JamesMwangi
FounderandCEO
JaneGoodland GroupHeadof Sustainability
KerryDawes MarTechDirector
PaulSimpson Partner,ERM, ClimateChangeand Sustainability
RachelSolomon Williams ExecutiveDirector
SmrutiSandhya SeniorProgram Manager
ClimateActionPlatformfor Africa(CAP-A) cap-a.org
Pythian pythian.com
ResponsibleAlpha,Inc. responsiblealpha.com
AfricaClimateVentures africaclimateventures.com
LSEG(LondonStock ExchangeGroup) lseg.com/en
DigitasUK solvidigital.co.uk
ERM erm.com
AldersgateGroup aldersgategroup.org.uk
Withadeepcommitmenttosustainabledevelopment,she worksattheintersectionofclimateaction,economicprogress, andsocialimpact,drivinginitiativesthatempowerbusinesses, policymakers,andcommunitiestoembracesustainable solutions.
Christinaplaysapivotalroleinshapingimpactfulcampaigns, buildingstrongcustomerrelationships,anddrivingbusiness success.Herleadershipandvisioncontinuetoelevate marketingexcellencewithintheindustry
Gabrielisarecognizedthoughtleaderinsustainablefinance, committedtoadvancingresponsibleinvestmentpractices globally
UnderJames'leadership,AfricaClimateVenturesfosters collaborationbetweeninvestors,policymakers,and entrepreneurstoacceleratethetransitiontoalow-carbon future.Jamesisapassionateadvocateforclimateaction, leveragingstrategicinvestmentstocreateamoresustainable andprosperousAfrica.
Janeispassionateaboutleveragingfinancialmarketsto acceleratethetransitiontoalow-carboneconomy,fostering innovation,andpromotingtransparencyinsustainable investmentpractices.Herleadershipisinstrumentalinshaping amoreresilientandinclusiveglobalfinancialecosystem.
Kerry'sleadershipensuresthatDigitasUKremainsatthe forefrontofMarTechinnovation,deliveringimpactful strategiesthatenhancebrandperformanceandcustomer relationshipsinanever-evolvingdigitallandscape.
Paulisdedicatedtodrivingimpactfulclimateaction,fostering innovation,andenablingbusinessestoachievelong-term resiliencethroughsustainablepractices.
Rachelworkscloselywithbusinessleaders,policymakers,and keystakeholderstopromoteprogressivesustainability initiativesthatbalanceeconomicgrowthwithenvironmental responsibility
Smrutiispassionateaboutleveragingtechnologytosolve complexchallenges,streamlineoperations,anddrivedigital transformation. Microsoft microsoft.com
YeonjiKim EvaluationUptake Specialist
GreenClimateFund(GCF) greenclimate.fund
Passionateaboutevidence-basedpolicyandsustainability, Yeonjiplaysacriticalroleinenhancingtheeffectivenessof climateinvestments,fosteringlearning,andsupportingglobal effortstobuildresilienceanddriveclimateaction.
YeonjiKim
EvaluationUptakeSpecialist GreenClimateFund(GCF) independentevaluationunit
CIOLook had the privilege to conduct this exclusive interview in September, 2024. The views expressed in this article are author's own.
Yeonji Kim Yeonji Kim
ContributingTowardsMakingFinanceFlowsConsistent withLowEmissionsandClimate-resilientDevelopment
“
Yeonji’s leadership is marked by her ability to bridge the gap between policy and practice, ensuring that critical lessons from climate finance projects are shared and applied effectively.
“
Career Evolution in Climate Finance!
Climatefinanceisessentialintacklingthegrowing challengesofclimatechange,providingthe necessaryfundingtosupportmitigationand adaptationstrategiesworldwide.Withtherisingthreatsof climatechange,climatefinancehasevolvedintoakey componentofinternationalpolicy,focusingoninvestments thatsupportsustainabledevelopmentinvulnerableregions. Astheglobalcommunitycontinuestoadvanceitsclimate commitments,thereisanincreasingdemandfor transparency,accountability,andinnovationinhowfunds aredistributedandutilizedtocreatesubstantial,lasting impacts.
YeonjiKim,EvaluationUptakeSpecialistatGCF independentevaluationunit,hasbeenadrivingforceinthe internationalclimatefinancesector.Herleadershipis markedbyherabilitytobridgethegapbetweenpolicyand practice,ensuringthatcriticallessonsfromclimatefinance projectsaresharedandappliedeffectively.Knownforher strategicthinkingandpassionforsustainabledevelopment, Yeonjihasfocusedoncultivatingbettercommunicationand disseminationofknowledge,empoweringstakeholdersto makeinformeddecisions.Herleadingapproachencourages creativity,collaboration,andaccountability,makinghera significantfigureinclimatefinance.
TheGreenClimateFund(GCF),whereYeonjicurrently works,isthelargestdedicatedclimatefundtaskedwith supportingdevelopingcountriesintheirclimatemitigation andadaptationefforts.Byensuringtransparencyand efficiencyinitsoperations,theGCFplaysakeyrolein advancinginternationalclimategoals.Throughits commitmenttofundingimpactfulprojects,theGCFhas becomeacornerstoneintheglobalfightagainstclimate change.
Let’s explore Yeonji’s journey in advancing climate finance:
StrategicMoveintoClimateFinance
BeforeherfirstofficialUnitedNationscareer,Yeonji’s focuswasnotspecificallyonclimatenoronclimatepolicy orgovernance.However,havingpassedtheJunior ProfessionalOfficer(JPO)examin2015andthereby earningatickettoworkatanyUNorganizationofher choice,shedecidedtogetintointernationalclimatepolicy andgovernance.Typically,UNofficesororganizations facingpersonnelshortagesbutlackingtheresourcestofund additionalstaffrequestJuniorProfessionalOfficers(JPOs).
ThegovernmentsoftheJPOscovertheUN-levelsalaryfor adurationoftwotothreeyears,dependingonthe agreementbetweentherespectivecountry(suchasSouth Korea)andtheUN.ForSouthKorea,thedurationforits JPOsissetattwoyears.
Yeonji’schoicewastoworkattheUnitedNations FrameworkConventiononClimateChange(UNFCCC) Secretariat,basedinBonn,Germany.TheClimateChange Convention(UNFCCC)anditsConferenceoftheParties (COP),asthesupremedecision-makingbodyofthe Convention,areatthecenteroftheinternationalclimate governancearchitectureandpolicy-makingprocesses.
Naturally,UNFCCCseemedtherightplaceforherasshe wantedtogainmorespecializedknowledgeandtechnical skillsinclimatechange,whichsheknewwouldonlyget biggerandmoreimportantintheyearsahead.
OfthemanydivisionsoftheUNFCCCSecretariat,she workedattheClimateFinance,Technology,andCapacityBuildingProgramme,alsoknownasthe‘Means of Implementation’ Department.Thismeansthatclimate finance,climatetechnology,andcapacity-buildingarethe threecrucialmeanstoimplementtheUNClimateChange Convention(UNFCCC)aswellasthemoreadvanced2015 ParisAgreementonClimateChange.
Hereisanarticlethatshewroteonclimatefinance, publishedbytheKoreaTimes:Climatefinancetakescenter stageatCOP27|IndependentEvaluationUnit|Green ClimateFund
Shemadeastrategicdecisiontogetintointernational climatepolicy,particularlyclimatefinance,anddecidedher careerdestinationsaccordingly—thiswasaround 2015/2016.Shecamewithasolidacademicbackgroundin policy,thankstotheveryrigorousandhands-on courseworkatDukeUniversitySanfordSchoolofPublic Policy,wheresheearnedherMaster’sinPublicPolicy (MPP)degree.
PriortoherMPPcoursework,shewasprivilegedtoearn herBachelor’sdegreeinInternationalDevelopmentfrom theUniversityofCaliforniaLosAngeles(UCLA),which laidasolidgroundforhertofurtherbuildhertheoretical andpracticalknowledge,skills,andanexcitingcareerin theinternationaldevelopmentandclimate change/investmentspace.
DuringhertimeattheUNFCCCSecretariatasaclimate financeandcapacity-buildingofficerfrom2016to2019, shehadnotablewinsandmilestones,havingenabledand supportedthePartiestotheConvention(morethan190 countriesinnumber!)toreachconsensusoncrucialclimate financeandcapacity-building-relatedmattersthroughvery complexintergovernmentalnegotiationsbasedonadelicate setofdraftrulesofprocedure.Theseintergovernmental negotiationsonclimatechangearenowamongthelargest internationalmeetingsintheworld.Forinstance,UNFCCC COP28,heldinDubailastyear,wasattendedbyaround 85,000people,accordingtodatasources.Accordingtothe UNFCCCSecretariatthesenegotiationshavebecome increasinglycomplexwithanever-increasingnumberof participantsthatincludeofficialsfromgovernmentsallover theworldandhugenumbersofrepresentativesfromcivil societyandtheglobalnewsmedia.Youcanreadmore aboutthesenegotiationshere:WhatareUnitedNations ClimateChangeConferences?|CCNUCC(unfccc.int)
TheUNFCCCCOPandtheSubsidiaryBodyfor Implementation(SBI)agendaitemsthatshedirectly providedleadsupportforincludelong-termclimatefinance, COPguidancetotheGlobalEnvironmentFacility(GEF), COPguidancetotheGreenClimateFund(GCF),progress madeontheimplementationoftheUNFCCCcapacitybuildingframework,andmattersrelatingtotheStanding CommitteeonFinance(SCF),andmattersrelatingto capacity-buildingundertheConvention.Here,theGEFand theGCFaretheoperatingentitiesoftheFinancial MechanismoftheConvention,andtheCOPprovides guidanceonvariousoperational,policy,andprogramming mattersofthesetwoentities.
TheCOPguidance,intheformofanewdecisionbythe COP,adoptedattheendoftheCOPsession,heldeitherin NovemberorDecemberofeachyear,thenfeedsintoand informstheGCFgovernanceandpolicy-makingprocesses bytheGCFBoard.
AfterhavingaveryfulfillingcareerattheUNFCCC Secretariatandhavingsupportedtheultimatemultilateral climatenegotiationsprocessforseveralyears,shethen madeacareertransitionbyjoiningtheGreenClimateFund (GCF)inMarch2020.
Inparticular,shejoinedtheIndependentEvaluationUnit (IEU)oftheGCF,whichisoperationallyindependentofthe GCFSecretariatDivisions,toensurethelearningand accountabilityfunctionoftheFund.TheIEU,inshort, ensuresthattheGCFisaccountable,effective,and transparentastheworld’slargestdedicatedmultilateral climatefundservestheUNFCCCandtheParisAgreement.
InhercapacityastheEvaluationUptakeSpecialist,atthe IEU,shenotonlyconductsandcontributestoindependent evaluationsofGCF’sportfolio,policies,projectsand programsbutalsoleadstheprocessofdevelopingand implementingstrategiesforbettercommunication, dissemination,anduptakeofthefindingsandlessons learnedfromtheevaluations.
Herworkisveryinterestingbecauseshegetstoconduct corporateandprogramevaluationstolearnaboutwhatis workingwellandwhathasnotworkedaswellwithGCF investments,anditgoesbeyondonlyconducting evaluations.
We all have a role to play to turn this crisis into an opportunity –an opportunity to achieve and deepen a new development paradigm,” says Yeonji.
Shegetstodeviseandexperimentwithnewwaysand methodstoeffectivelycommunicatetheevidencetokey GCFstakeholders,includingtheBoard,Secretariat,GCF accreditedandimplementingentities,civilsocietyand privatesectorobserverorganizations,theglobalevaluations andresearchnetworks,andotherUNagenciesandMDBs. Shelovesthefactthat,togetherwithherteammembers,she canbemorecreativeandinnovative.Indoingthiswork,her priorTVbroadcastingcareerandexperienceinjournalism alsocomeinveryhandyandcreatean‘enabling environment’todoherjobwell.
AftercompletingherMaster’sstudiesintheStates,she returnedtoherhomecountry—SouthKorea—andstarted workingasaTVnewsreporterforKorea’s24-hourglobal TVbroadcastingnetwork.Inhermind,shehasalwayshad multiplecareergoalsandaspirations,includingworkingas
anewscasterandgoingintopolicy,andsheknewshewould gettoworkinpolicyatsomepointinherlife.
PromotingUptakeofClimateFinanceLessons
InhercurrentroleasEvaluationUptakeSpecialistatthe IndependentEvaluationUnitoftheGreenClimateFund, shecreates,curates,frames,andpackagescontentand lessonslearnedabouttherelevanceandeffectivenessof international(public)climatefinancetoensureawiderand betteruptakeofknowledgeandlessonslearned.
SupportingTeamGrowthandAchievement
Yeonji’sleadershipstyleatwork:Shehasfocusedondoing moreherselfasaleader,supportingherteammembersto removeanybottleneckstheyruninto,andactively acknowledgingtheirworkandcontributionsandgiving credit.
Recently,shehaslearnedthatit’sevenbetterforher individualteammembers’growthandempowermenttolet themthinkofpossiblesolutions(insteadofhergivingthem theanswersandtryingtobearthe‘burden’aloneasthe
leader)andenablethemtoworkmoreindependently.She hasbeentryingtodothatmore.Whathasn’tchangedisthat shecaresaboutherteammembersandtheirgrowth, happiness,andachievement.
HereisanarticleYeonjiwroteaboutthequalitiesofan effectiveleaderwhomentorsandempowersteammembers. Theblogalsospeaksaboutthequalitiesofagreatwork environmentinwhichteammembersareencouragedtoask questionsandsharetheirthoughtsandideaswithoutfear
Verticalandhorizontalworkcultures:Afirst-handaccount| IndependentEvaluationUnit|GreenClimateFund
EnsuringEffectiveandAccountableInvestments
Currently,assheisworkingtoensureGCFinvestmentsand fundedactivitiesareeffectiveandaccountable,itgivesher greatpleasureandsatisfactionwhenshewitnessesthe impactandresultoftheireffortindevelopingcountries, particularlyvulnerablecountriessuchasthesmallisland developingStates(SIDS)andtheleastdevelopedcountries (LDCs).
Especiallywhenshegetstohearfromthebeneficiariesand peopleofthecommunitieshowGCFsupport(international climatefinance)hasbroughtapositive(orunintended negative)changeandempoweredthemforgreaterclimate actionandclimateresilienceandseefirsthandsuchimpact intheirlocalenvironmentandcontext.Shefindsherwork particularlymeaningfulandinterestingwhenshegetsto hearfromthebeneficiariesandpeopleofthecommunities howtheGCFsupport(internationalclimatefinance)has broughtapositive(orunintendednegative)changeand empoweredthemforgreaterclimateactionandclimate resilienceintheirlocalenvironmentandcontext.
Afterseeingtheresultandimpactfirsthandinsucha localizedcontext,shefindsitveryrewardingtobringhome suchstoriesofresultsandlessonslearnedtoherday-to-day workcontextandlife—andtosharethoseinsightswithher colleaguesinSongdo(whereGCFisheadquartered)and otherkeystakeholderswithintheGCF/UNFCCC ecosystemandwithfellowclimateprofessionalsinthe internationalspace.
Youcanreadaboutherreflectionsandlearningsfromthe fieldintheseblogsthatshewrote.
Empoweringwomenthroughclimateadaptation:Whatare thenextsteps?|IndependentEvaluationUnit|Green ClimateFund
“Oneprintedbriefcangoalongway.Hereishow.”| IndependentEvaluationUnit|GreenClimateFund
CommunicatingOpportunityandDrivingAction
AccordingtoYeonji,aleaderwithempathy,passion, technicalskills,andanabilitytocommunicatehopeisnot afraidtogobeyondthe‘businessasusual’evenwithinthe climatespace.Asinotherareasandsectors,shebelieves therearemany‘businessasusual’casesevenwithinthe internationalclimatelandscape.The‘businessasusual’ trendandtheindustries’andourunwillingnesstobreak fromtheBAUinthisstateofemergencyquicklyenough haveaggravatedtheclimateemergencytoday
Therefore,aneffectiveleaderissomeonewhocan continuouslychallengethatBAUtendencyandisnotafraid tofindbetterandmoreeffectivewayswhileencouraging others(governments,sectors,andpeople)tostayfocused onovercomingthisstateofemergencyforpeopleand planetaryhealthandwellbeing.
Suchaleaderwillhaveastrongbeliefthatwecanindeed makeadifferenceandeffectivelyaddressthegreatest challengethathumanityfacesinthe21stcentury,andan abilitytoeffectivelycallstakeholders,countries,andthe privatesectortoaction—withgreatstorytelling,data,and narrativeframingskills.Theleadershouldalsohavean extraordinaryabilitytoexecuteandimplementinnovative andeffectivesolutions.
HereisanarticleYeonjiwroteaboutthequalitiesofan effectiveleader
Verticalandhorizontalworkcultures:Afirst-handaccount| IndependentEvaluationUnit|GreenClimateFund
BalancingCareerDemandsandPersonalWell-being
TherewasatimewhenYeonjisuddenlytastedbloodinher mouthwhileworkingaspartoftheUNFCCCSecretariat teamatCOP24heldinKatowice,Poland,inDecember 2018duetosevereinflammationandmouthulcers.Fatigue andexhaustionfromtheverydemandingandlengthyCOP multilateralprocessesareverycommon.
DuringhertimeatUNFCCC,COP24wasthelongestrunningCOP,lastingnearly16to17daysstraightinstead oftheusual14days.Atthattime,whilelivinginBonn, Germany,shetriedbalancingthechallengesofavery demandingcareerbyengaginginsmallactivitiesthat helpedhermindoffsuchhighdegreesofstress.
TheseactivitiesincludeddoingPilates,goingforwalks, hangingoutwithasmallgroupoffriends,andorganizinga Biblestudygroupwiththem.Anothertipshefounduseful wastokeephermindateasenomatterhowchallengingthe COPnegotiationsbecame,knowingthattheprocesswould notfailandthatPartieswouldnotgobackhomeunless theyreachedameaningfulconclusionandagreementabout awayforward.Thishasputhermindatease,andshewas abletoenjoytheoftenlengthyandcomplexnegotiation process.
StayingUpdatedwithClimateNetworks
Yeonjisubscribestovariousclimateprofessionals’ networksonLinkedInandtriestocatchuponthelatest developmentsregularlybyfollowingthenews.Shealso activelyutilizesopportunitiessuchaswebinarsand participationinglobalconferencestoexchangeinformation andlearnthelatestfromothercolleaguesandprofessionals.
AcceleratingConsensusinClimateNegotiations
Sheobservesthatduetotheincreasedurgencyandthe widerrecognitionthatnotimecanbelost,thePartiestothe Convention/countriesseemtohavefoundawaytoreacha consensusfasterthanbefore.Theyaremorewillingto cometoanagreementatafasterpacethanpreviously Itwasremarkabletoseethecountriesagreeingtocreatea lossanddamagefundonDay1ofUNFCCCCOP28in Dubai,forinstance.Additionally,theyagreedtomove towardsusingfewerfossilfuels,whichisalsoremarkable. ShehopesthattheParties(countries)willnotlosesightof whatistrulyimportant—ensuringthehealth,well-being, andresilienceofpeopleandtheplanetinthefaceofthe changingandalreadychangedclimate—andcontinueto accelerateclimateactionandinvestments.
DevelopingClimatePolicyandGovernanceSkills
AccordingtoYeonji,closelymonitoringandobservingthe UNFCCCCOPnegotiationsandrelevantentitygovernance processes,suchasGCFBoardmeetings,whichgetlivestreamed,couldbeveryhelpfulforthosewhowishto pursueacareerininternationalclimatepolicy.Itisalso importanttofocusondevelopingskillsthatarerelevantto theareaswithintheclimatespacethatonewishestopursue.
Forinstance,ifinterestedinclimatepolicyandgovernance, itisbeneficialtodevelopskillsinnegotiations, environmentallaw,internationalrelations,andpolicy Additionally,enhancingphysicalandpsychological strengthandenduranceiscrucialforthosewhowantto supporttheCOPnegotiationsdirectly.
Forthoseinterestedinclimateevaluationand accountability,developingskillsinmonitoringand evaluation,quantitativedatamodelingandanalysis, qualitativemethods,andMRV(measurement,reporting, andverification)willbehelpful.
ConnectingClimateFinancewithSector-LevelActions
Yeonjiaimstofurtherdevelopherskillsandleadershipin theclimatespacebybuildingonherkeystrengthsand forte.Shewillalsohoneherskillsinevaluation,lead climateprogramevaluations,andhandleallaspectsofthe evaluationcycle,withtheaimtoinformtheGCF/UNFCCC stakeholders,worldleaders,anddecision-makersonthe effectivenessandresultsofclimatefinanceandinvestments.
Shehasapersonaldesireandgoaltobringverytechnical knowledgeandexpertisetothelargerpublicandsocietyby findingawaytomakethecontentandlanguagemore relevanttotheindustries/sectors,aswellasacademia,the public,andthemedia.
Shebelievesthatallhandsareneededondecktoaddress theclimatecrisis,anditcannotbelefttojustthe governmentsortheindustries—individualsandhouseholds alsohaveanimportantroletoplay.Sheacknowledgesthe needtodobetterasanindividualtoresistherbusiness-asusualtendency(resistingthetendencytocontinuetouse lotsofunnecessaryplasticbagsandproductsandthe tendencytocontinuewiththeusual,unsustainable consumptionofgoods,forinstance).
Inthisregard,sheisintheprocessofwritingabook (tentativelytitled ‘The Age of Climanomics,’ whichis climate+economics)thatframesandunderstandsclimate changeasamajoreconomicissueratherthanan environmentalissueonlytobetterorganizeandelicit supportfrompeopleandindustries.
EspeciallyintheSouthKoreancontext,sheconcludedthat societycontinuestotreatclimatechangeasasimple ‘environmentalissue,’whichdoesnottriggerfocused investmentsandactiveinvolvementfromallsectorsandthe public.Bywritingthebook,shealsohopestobetter connecttheinternationalclimatefinancearchitectureand policywiththecountry-levelandindustry/sector-level actions,solutions,andwaysforward.Shebelievessuchan effortcanhelpenableprivatesectorentities,financial institutions,andhouseholdstothinkactivelyaboutand contributetoimplementingtheParisAgreementarticle2.1. (c)–whichsaysweareto“makefinanceflowsconsistent withapathwaytowardslowgreenhousegasemissionsand climate-resilientdevelopment.”Weallhavearoletoplayto turnthiscrisisintoanopportunity–anopportunityto achieveanddeepenanewdevelopmentparadigm.
YeonjiKim-Blog
“Climate change is a global problem, and we must work together to solve it.”
Breakthroughs That Will Dene
the Next Decade
Theglobalfightagainstclimatechangehasreacheda
criticaljuncture,andtechnologicalinnovationis emergingasapowerfulforceindrivingsustainability. ClimateTech,arapidlygrowingsectorfocusedondeveloping solutionsfordecarbonization,energyefficiency,and environmentalresilience,ispoisedtodefinethenextdecade. Asgovernments,corporations,andinvestorsincreasingly prioritizesustainability,transformativebreakthroughsinclean energy,carboncapture,andsustainablematerialsare reshapingindustriesandacceleratingthetransitiontoa greenerfuture.
RenewableEnergyInnovationsPoweringtheFuture
Thenextdecadewillwitnessunprecedentedadvancementsin renewableenergy,particularlyinsolar,wind,andnextgenerationbatterystorage.Innovationsinperovskitesolar cells,whichofferhigherefficiencyandlowerproductioncosts thantraditionalsilicon-basedpanels,aresettorevolutionize solarenergy.Floatingoffshorewindfarmsareexpandingwind powergenerationtodeeperwaters,unlockingvastuntapped energypotential.Meanwhile,breakthroughsinbattery technology,includingsolid-stateandsodium-ionbatteries, willenhanceenergystoragecapabilities,makingrenewables morereliableandaccessible.
CarbonCaptureandUtilization:TurningEmissionsinto Assets
Asindustriesstrivetoreachnet-zeroemissions,carbon capture,utilization,andstorage(CCUS)technologiesare
gainingtraction.Advanceddirectaircapture(DAC) systemsarebecomingmoreefficient,allowingcompanies toextractCO₂fromtheatmosphereandrepurposeitinto valuableproductssuchassyntheticfuels,building materials,andcarbon-negativeplastics.Innovationsin biocharandmineralizationtechniquesarealsoproviding scalablesolutionsforpermanentcarbonsequestration, ensuringthatemissionsareeffectivelyremovedfromthe environmentratherthansimplyoffset.
TheRiseofGreenHydrogenasaCleanEnergySource
Greenhydrogen,producedthroughelectrolysispoweredby renewableenergy,issettobecomeagame-changerinthe decarbonizationofheavyindustriessuchassteel,cement, andtransportation.Withtherapidexpansionofelectrolyzer productionanddecreasingcostsofrenewableenergy,green hydrogenisbecomingincreasinglyviableasasubstitutefor fossilfuels.Countriesandcorporationsworldwideare investinginhydrogeninfrastructure,fromfuelcell-powered shippingandaviationtohydrogen-basedindustrial processes,pavingthewayforacleanerenergyecosystem.
SustainableMaterialsRedefiningManufacturing
Theshifttowardcirculareconomiesisdrivingtheadoption ofsustainablematerialsthatminimizewasteandreduce environmentalimpact.Biodegradableplastics,lab-grown leather,andmycelium-basedpackagingarereplacing traditionalmaterialsinconsumergoodsandfashion.In construction,carbon-negativeconcreteandcross-laminated timber(CLT)areemergingassustainablealternativesto conventionalbuildingmaterials,significantlyreducingthe carbonfootprintofurbandevelopment.Theseinnovations arenotonlyreshapingmanufacturingbutalsofosteringnew businessmodelscenteredaroundsustainability
PrecisionAgricultureandFoodTechTransformingFood Systems
Climatechangethreatensglobalfoodsecurity,but breakthroughsinprecisionagricultureandFoodTechare addressingthesechallenges.AI-poweredsensorsand dronesareoptimizingwaterusage,soilhealth,andcrop yields,makingfarmingmoreefficientandresilientto climatevariability.Lab-grownmeatandplant-based proteinsaredisruptingthefoodindustrybyreducing dependenceonresource-intensivelivestockfarming. Additionally,verticalfarmingandcontrolled-environment agricultureareenablingyear-roundfoodproductionwith
minimallandandwateruse,reducingthecarbonfootprint oftraditionalagriculture.
SmartCitiesandtheFutureofSustainable Urbanization
Urbanareasaccountforthemajorityofglobalemissions, butthenextdecadewillseecitiesintegratingClimateTech solutionstobecomemoresustainable.Smartgrids,energyefficientbuildings,andAI-driventrafficmanagement systemsareoptimizingenergyuseandreducingemissions. Theelectrificationofpublictransport,expansionofbikefriendlyinfrastructure,anddeploymentofautonomous electricvehiclesaretransformingurbanmobility.Green roofs,urbanforests,andwater-efficientlandscapingare furtherenhancingclimateresilienceincities,improvingair qualityandreducingheatislandeffects.
TheRoleofArtificialIntelligenceinClimateTech
AIandmachinelearningareacceleratingClimateTech advancementsbyenablingpredictiveanalytics,optimizing energysystems,andidentifyingclimaterisks.AI-powered climatemodelingisimprovingtheaccuracyofweather predictionsanddisasterresponsestrategies.Inindustrial sectors,AI-drivenautomationisenhancingenergy efficiencyandminimizingwaste.Additionally,blockchain technologyisbeingintegratedintocarboncreditmarketsto ensuretransparencyandaccountabilityinemissions trading,makingsustainabilityeffortsmoreverifiableand impactful.
Conclusion
Thenextdecadewillbedefinedbygroundbreaking ClimateTechinnovationsthatdrivedecarbonization, resourceefficiency,andenvironmentalresilience. Renewableenergybreakthroughs,carboncapture advancements,sustainablematerials,andAI-driven solutionsarereshapingindustriesandacceleratingthe transitiontowardagreenereconomy.Asbusinesses, governments,andinvestorsaligntheirstrategieswith climategoals,theClimateTechrevolutionwillnotonly mitigatetheeffectsofclimatechangebutalsounlocknew economicopportunities,creatingamoresustainableand prosperousfutureforall.
DecarbonizationatScale
The ClimateTech Driving Real Change
Astheurgencytocombatclimatechangeintensifies,decarbonizationhas
becomeaglobalpriority.Governments,businesses,andindustriesare underincreasingpressuretoreducegreenhousegasemissionsand transitiontoalow-carboneconomy Achievingthisatscalerequires groundbreakingClimateTechsolutionsthatgobeyondincrementalchangeto drivesystemictransformation.Fromrenewableenergyexpansionandcarbon captureinnovationstoAI-poweredefficiencyandsustainableindustrial practices,anewwaveoftechnologiesismakinglarge-scaledecarbonizationnot onlypossiblebuteconomicallyviable.
ScalingRenewableEnergyforaZero-CarbonFuture
Thefoundationoflarge-scaledecarbonizationliesintherapiddeploymentof renewableenergy.Solarandwindpowerhavealreadyseenexponentialgrowth, butfurtherbreakthroughsinenergystorage,gridmodernization,and decentralizedenergysystemsareessentialforsustainedprogress.Advanced batterytechnologies,suchassolid-stateandiron-airbatteries,areimproving energystoragecapacity,enablingastableandcontinuoussupplyofrenewable energyevenwhenthesunisn’tshiningorthewindisn’tblowing.Smartgrids equippedwithAI-drivendemandresponsesystemsareenhancingefficiencyand minimizingenergywaste,pavingthewayforacarbon-freeelectricitysector
IndustrialDecarbonizationandtheRiseofGreenHydrogen
Heavyindustriessuchassteel,cement,andchemicalsareamongthelargest contributorstoglobalemissions.Traditionalfossilfuel-basedprocessesmustbe replacedwithcleaneralternativestoachievedeepdecarbonization.Green hydrogen,producedthroughelectrolysisusingrenewableenergy,isemergingas akeysolution.Itoffersacarbon-freeenergysourceforindustrialprocesses, long-haultransportation,andenergystorage.Countriesandcorporationsare investingheavilyinhydrogeninfrastructure,withlarge-scaleprojectsaimingto makegreenhydrogencost-competitivewithinthenextdecade.Additionally, electrificationofindustrialprocesses,fromelectricarcfurnacesinsteel productiontoheatpumpsinmanufacturing,isfurtherreducingrelianceonfossil fuels.
CarbonCapture,Utilization,andStorage(CCUS)atScale
Whiletransitioningtocleanenergyiscrucial,capturingandrepurposing existingemissionsisequallyimportant.CarbonCapture,Utilization,and Storage(CCUS)technologiesareevolvingtobecomemoreefficientand economicallyfeasible.DirectAirCapture(DAC)systemsarenowcapableof removingCO₂directlyfromtheatmosphere,withleadingcompaniesexploring waystoconvertcapturedcarbonintousefulproductssuchasfuels,building materials,andsyntheticchemicals.GeologicalstorageofCO₂indeep undergroundreservoirsisalsogainingtraction,ensuringlong-termcarbon
sequestration.Asgovernmentsintroduceincentivesand carbonpricingmechanisms,CCUSispoisedtoplayavital roleinlarge-scaleemissionsreduction.
ElectrificationofTransportationandSustainable Mobility
Decarbonizingthetransportationsectorisacriticalstep towardreducingglobalemissions.Theelectrificationof vehicles,frompassengercarstofreighttrucksandpublic transit,isacceleratingrapidly Advancesinbattery technologyareincreasingtherangeandefficiencyof electricvehicles(EVs),whileimprovementsincharging infrastructurearemakingwidespreadadoptionmore feasible.Beyondroadtransport,sustainableaviationfuels (SAFs)andelectricaircraftarebeginningtorevolutionize airtravel,whilehydrogen-poweredshipsareemergingas viablesolutionsforreducingmaritimeemissions.Urban mobilitysolutions,includingelectricbuses,ride-sharing programs,andsmarttrafficmanagementsystems,are furthercontributingtotransportationdecarbonizationat scale.
AIandData-DrivenDecarbonization
Artificialintelligenceanddataanalyticsareplayinga transformativeroleinlarge-scaleemissionsreduction.AIpoweredenergymanagementsystemsoptimizeelectricity consumptioninbuildings,factories,andcities,significantly improvingefficiency.Predictiveanalyticsinindustrial operationsarereducingwaste,improvingsupplychain sustainability,andoptimizingresourceuse.Blockchain technologyisalsoemergingasatoolfortrackingcarbon credits,ensuringtransparencyinemissionsreduction efforts.WithAIandautomationdrivinggreaterefficiency acrosssectors,theabilitytocutemissionswithout compromisingeconomicgrowthisbecomingareality
SustainableAgricultureandFoodProduction
Theagricultureandfoodsectorcontributesnearlyone-third ofglobalemissions,makingitacriticalareafor decarbonization.ClimateTechinnovationsarereshaping foodproductionbyintroducingprecisionagriculture techniquesthatoptimizewaterandfertilizerusewhile reducingmethaneemissionsfromlivestock.Lab-grown meatandplant-basedproteinsareprovidingsustainable alternativestotraditionalanimalfarming,drasticallycutting theenvironmentalfootprintoffoodproduction.Vertical farmingandregenerativeagriculturepracticesarealso gainingmomentum,offeringscalablesolutionstoenhance
foodsecuritywhilereducinglanddegradationand emissions.
TheCircularEconomyandSustainableMaterials
Shiftingfromalinear“take-make-waste”economytoa circularmodelisessentialforlarge-scaledecarbonization. Innovationsinsustainablematerialsarereducingthe environmentalimpactofconsumergoodsandconstruction. Biodegradableplastics,recycledmetals,andcarbonnegativeconcretearereplacingtraditionalmaterials, significantlycuttingemissionsfrommanufacturing. Companiesareintegratingcirculareconomyprinciplesinto theirbusinessmodelsbydesigningproductsforlongevity, reusability,andrecyclability Asmoreindustriesembrace closed-loopsystems,wastereductionandcarbonfootprint minimizationwillbecomeintegraltocorporate sustainabilitystrategies.
Policy,Investment,andGlobalCollaboration
Thesuccessoflarge-scaledecarbonizationeffortsdepends onstrongpolicyframeworks,strategicinvestments,and internationalcooperation.Governmentsareimplementing stricteremissionsregulations,carbonpricingmechanisms, andincentivesforcleanenergyadoption.Thefinancial sectorisplayingacrucialrolebydirectinginvestments towardsustainableprojects,greenbonds,andClimateTech startups.Globalcollaborationthroughinitiativessuchasthe ParisAgreementandtheRacetoZerocampaignisfostering asharedcommitmenttoachievingnet-zeroemissions.By aligningpolicy,finance,andinnovation,decarbonizationat scaleisbecomingarealisticandachievablegoal.
Conclusion
Decarbonizationatscaleisnotjustanenvironmental imperative—itisaneconomicandtechnologicalrevolution. ThenextdecadewillbedefinedbyClimateTech innovationsthattransformhowenergyisgenerated, industriesoperate,andresourcesaremanaged.From renewableenergyexpansionandgreenhydrogenadoption toAI-drivenefficiencyandsustainablematerials,these solutionsaredrivingrealchangeacrosssectors.Withstrong policysupport,corporateleadership,andglobal collaboration,thetransitiontoalow-carbonfutureiswithin reach.TheClimateTechrevolutionishere,anditsimpact willshapeeconomies,industries,andsocietiesfor generationstocome.
“Sustainability is no longer about doing less harm. It's about doing more good”
