Inside Greater Phoenix’s climate tech innovation and sustainability boom

Climate technology is revolutionizing industries and reshaping our world, and Greater Phoenix is a key market for spearheading leading-edge climate technology solutions.

What you need to know: Since 1989, the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) has propelled growth in emerging industries, such as climate technology, through strategic public/private collaborations across Greater Phoenix. This initiative has attracted high-caliber businesses like XNRGY, Carbon Capture, LG Energy Solution and KORE Power.

Why it's important: It's estimated that up to 90% of 2050 baseline man-made emissions could be abated with existing climate technologies.

With the increasing global focus on sustainability, Arizona has become a leading destination for climate technology research, development and testing.

• The Inflation Reduction Act has spurred $10.57 billion in new clean energy investments in Arizona.
• The Inflation Reduction Act has led to more than 14,100 new clean energy jobs in Arizona.
• Maricopa County ranked sixth in the nation in E2's Clean Jobs America 2023 report for most clean energy jobs.
• The county is home to 47,775 clean energy jobs, including 10,239 in renewable generation, 1,705 in energy storage, 33,065 in energy efficiency and 2,670 in clean vehicles.

"When you think about data and manufacturing demands, the Phoenix metropolitan area is a pronounced, attractive region for those industries," says Ted Geisler, President of Arizona Public Service. "Our level of growth, data and manufacturing is heightened here compared to elsewhere in the country."

The deets: Greater Phoenix supports climate tech in various ways and hosts numerous climate tech firms.

• LaunchPoint: Assists clean energy startups with space, development and networking.
• EPIXC: DOE's 7th Clean Energy Institute, that boosts U.S. climate tech manufacturing.
• Southwest Sustainability Innovation Engine (SWSIE): A NSF-funded project fostering innovation and developing labor for the net-zero economy.
• SOURCE: First solar-powered hydropanel for extracting clean water from the air.
• Carbon Collect: First commercial-scale mechanical tree that removes CO2 passively.
• Persefoni: Platform that enables firms to measure, track and cut carbon emissions.

Here's what else: Arizona is perfectly positioned to lead on climate tech and sustainability.

• Arizona has the second-highest solar energy potential of any state.
• It also has the second-most reliable grid in the nation.
• Arizona has a 100-year assured water supply and a superior water system compared to its peer states in the Southwest.
• Over the last 10-year period, Arizona recorded only 33 total hours of natural disaster disturbances, a fraction of the downtime experienced by California and Texas.
• On average, Arizona's operating costs are up to 28% lower than competing markets.

"With abundant natural resources, a strategic location and a supportive ecosystem, Greater Phoenix possesses the incredible opportunity to become a global climate tech hub and proving ground," says Chris Camacho, president & CEO at GPEC. "Innovations in advanced energy storage, carbon capture and atmospheric water generation will reshape our world. And the region's history of R&D that has attracted major, impactful companies for decades makes it an ideal market to launch and validate these novel technologies."

The takeaway: With a commitment to sustainability and forward-thinking policies, Arizona fosters the development and implementation of clean, renewable solutions.

Greater Phoenix stands ready to attract and support innovative companies driving positive change in the world of climate technology.

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