Market Map for Climate Adaptation, Mitigation and Resilience

Author: Dwayne Pattison

After a brief break from maps, we present our latest market overview on companies and technologies related to climate adaptation, mitigation and resilience. This map is our first of 2025 and we anticipate this will be one of many we’ll provide throughout the year. 

And be sure to check out what we did in 2024:

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Introduction

The topic of climate adaptation is timely given the recent conclusion of the COP29 UN Climate Conference. One of the key components of the agreement was Adaptation. As part of this, the Baku Adaptation Road Map was released, and in a statement, the UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell stressed the importance of establishing National Adaptation Plans. 

Unfortunately, climate adaptation and resilience is also topical given the large-scale weather events that have taken place globally, which will require hundreds of millions of dollars in recovery costs. In the Philippines, the country had to deal with six large typhoons in November alone. The large-scale flooding in Spain was the worst in decades and caused hundreds of deaths and large-scale damage. And of course, closer to home, the fires currently raging in Los Angeles have been destructive, forcing mass evacuations and destroying thousands of homes in a short time. 

These and other events show the importance of all things related to mitigating, adapting and building resilience throughout our communities, ecosystems, and economies including our food systems, coastlines, homes and buildings, supply chains—the list goes on.

In previous overviews of climate technologies, we have touched on the immense costs of developing and implementing these diverse technologies across all sectors. Adapting to climate change may sound easier or less costly to implement in comparison but this is far from the case. As an example of potential price tags, Stiell indicated in his address that adaptation costs are increasing rapidly and could reach $340 billion per year by 2030, and possibly $565 billion per year by 2050. With growing costs, financing becomes a key consideration as well. For Pakistan alone, it was estimated that the country will have a finance gap of over $1.2 trillion by 2050

The Taxonomy of Climate Adaptation

To better understand this expansive domain, our taxonomy categorizes the space into the following secondary classifications:

  • Climate Risk and Resilience
  • Disaster Risk Reduction 
  • Resilient Infrastructure
  • Coastal and Marine Adaptation
  • Water Security Solutions
  • Climate-Resilient Food Systems
  • Ecosystem-Based Adaptation
  • Climate Pollutant Reduction

It is another all-encompassing topic as all the sectors we have visited in 2024  have to consider adaptation and resilience. For food and agriculture, we identified companies developing drought-resistent crops, for example. In the built environment, many startups were working to increase resilience of buildings particularly related to flooding. In energy, microgrids are one approach to increasing the resiliency of electrical grids. Risk and predicting risk are also primary considerations under this category, and we included many startups in our carbon management map. These companies are working to understand and predict the potential impact of extreme weather conditions and changing climate present for governments and industries. 

The segment is ever-evolving and we anticipate the number of companies involved in adaptation to continue to grow. This map is a snapshot in time that tries to capture a range of startups – big and small, funded and unfunded, new and old. Unfortunately, we can only fit in a few of the hundreds we now have in our database.

1. Climate Risk and Resilience

Climate risk and resilience focus on equipping communities, businesses, and governments to anticipate, prepare for, and recover from the impacts of climate change. These solutions integrate advanced analytics, predictive modeling, and real-time monitoring to assess vulnerabilities and craft effective responses. Resilience is achieved through understanding potential risks such as extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and shifting climate patterns, and implementing measures to mitigate their impacts. By leveraging data-driven insights, stakeholders can better allocate resources, enhance infrastructure, and safeguard livelihoods. This field also includes financial instruments like insurance that provide rapid payouts in disaster scenarios.

Technologies:

  • Climate risk modeling platforms
  • Early warning systems for natural disasters
  • Tools for insurance and risk financing

2. Disaster Risk Reduction

Disaster risk reduction aims to minimize the adverse impacts of natural and human-induced disasters on communities, ecosystems, and economies. It emphasizes proactive measures, including hazard assessment, preparedness planning, and risk mitigation strategies. By integrating technology and community engagement, disaster risk reduction creates a framework for effective crisis management, reducing loss of life and property. These solutions are particularly important in regions prone to recurring disasters, offering tools such as real-time monitoring, early warning systems, and efficient response mechanisms. Collaboration between governments, NGOs, and the private sector is often pivotal to the success of these initiatives.

Technologies:

  • Drones for disaster monitoring and rescue operations
  • Flood barriers and urban planning solutions
  • Community-based disaster preparedness platforms

3. Resilient Infrastructure

Resilient infrastructure encompasses the development of systems and structures capable of withstanding and adapting to the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related stressors. This includes heatwaves, storms, flooding, and rising sea levels. The goal is to ensure that critical infrastructure—such as transportation, energy, water, and communication networks—remains operational during and after climate events. Advanced materials, smart technologies, and nature-based solutions are integrated into design and construction processes to enhance durability and flexibility. Resilient infrastructure not only mitigates disaster impacts but also supports long-term economic stability and sustainability.

Technologies:

  • Green building materials
  • Smart grids and resilient energy systems
  • Climate-resilient urban design

4. Coastal and Marine Adaptation

Coastal and marine adaptation focuses on protecting vulnerable coastal communities and ecosystems from the threats of sea-level rise, erosion, and extreme weather events. This field employs both engineered solutions, such as seawalls and breakwaters, and nature-based approaches, including mangrove restoration and coral reef conservation. These strategies aim to safeguard livelihoods, reduce flood risks, and maintain biodiversity in coastal and marine environments. Furthermore, monitoring technologies provide critical data for informed decision-making and adaptive management. Coastal and marine adaptation ensures that these vital areas continue to provide ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration and fishery resources, while protecting human settlements.

Technologies:

  • Nature-based solutions like mangrove restoration
  • Coastal defense structures such as seawalls
  • Marine ecosystem monitoring technologies

Startups in the Space:

  1. Seawater Solutions: Develops saltwater agriculture to transform coastal landscapes.
  2. OceanRain: Focuses on ocean-based carbon removal and coastal resilience.

5. Water Security Solutions

Water security solutions address the growing challenges of water scarcity, pollution, and inequitable distribution exacerbated by climate change. These technologies aim to ensure sustainable access to clean water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial use. Innovative approaches include advanced desalination systems, wastewater recycling, and IoT-enabled water management platforms that monitor usage and detect leaks. By improving water efficiency and accessibility, these solutions enhance resilience to droughts, floods, and other water-related climate impacts. Water security is not only vital for public health but also for economic development and environmental sustainability, particularly in water-stressed regions.

Technologies:

  • Water recycling and desalination technologies
  • Smart water management systems
  • Leak detection and prevention tools

Startups in the Space:

  1. Aquacycl: Provides decentralized water treatment systems.
  2. Elemental Water Makers: Develops solar-powered desalination solutions.

6. Climate-Resilient Food Systems

Climate-resilient food systems focus on transforming agricultural practices to withstand the adverse effects of climate change while ensuring global food security. These systems prioritize sustainability, productivity, and adaptability, integrating technologies such as drought-resistant crops, precision agriculture, and agroforestry. By promoting soil health, reducing waste, and improving resource efficiency, climate-resilient food systems help mitigate risks like crop failure, food shortages, and market instability. Furthermore, these innovations support livelihoods in rural areas, fostering economic resilience and reducing hunger. This field also encourages regenerative practices that restore ecosystems while boosting agricultural output.

Technologies:

  • Drought-resistant crop varieties
  • Vertical farming and precision agriculture tools
  • Agroforestry and regenerative farming practices

7. Ecosystem-Based Adaptation

Ecosystem-based adaptation leverages the natural environment to mitigate the impacts of climate change and build resilience. This approach emphasizes the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of ecosystems, recognizing their critical role in buffering against extreme weather events and regulating climate systems. 

Examples include reforestation to prevent soil erosion, wetland restoration for flood control, and mangrove planting to protect coastlines. These strategies not only reduce vulnerabilities but also enhance biodiversity and provide economic benefits, such as improved fisheries and ecotourism opportunities. 

Technologies:

  • Reforestation and afforestation tools
  • Wetland restoration technologies
  • Biodiversity monitoring and management platforms

8. Climate Pollutant Reduction

Climate pollutant reduction targets short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) such as methane, black carbon, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and nitrous oxides, which significantly contribute to global warming despite their relatively short atmospheric lifespans. Nitrous oxide, for instance, is a potent GHG with a global warming potential nearly 300 times that of carbon dioxide and is primarily released from agricultural activities and industrial processes. Reducing these pollutants offers immediate climate benefits, complementing long-term carbon reduction efforts. 

Technologies in this space include methane capture systems, advanced filtration methods, and sustainable alternatives to HFCs in cooling systems. Additionally, initiatives focus on reducing emissions from agriculture, waste management, and industrial processes. Climate pollutant reduction not only mitigates climate impacts but also improves air quality and public health, particularly in urban and industrial areas.

Technologies:

  • Methane capture and conversion systems
  • Advanced air filtration and carbon capture technologies
  • Alternatives to HFCs in refrigeration and air conditioning

Companies

Acquora

AgGene

AIrJoule Technologies

AIR Worldwide

Aquo

ArkeaBio

Avalo

Baca Architects

Biohabitats

Biopipe Global Corp

BlueCircle.ai

bNovate Technologies

Boomi Environmental

Burnbot

Cadiz

CCELL

Climasens

ClimateAI

CLIMATIG

Climeverse

Deltares

Demex

Dendra Systems

Desalitech

Descartes Labs

Earthcare.ai

Earthscan

EF Polymer India

Epic Cleantec

Fathom

Fernleaf

FireSwarm Solutions

Flash Forest

Flocean

Floodbase

FloodMapp

Frontline Wildfire Defense

Funga

Geoneon

Green Infrastructure Solutions

Hillblock

ICHIJO Homes

Indra

Jupiter Intelligence

KWS Group

LiXia

LoCI Controls

Mangrove Action Project

N2OFF Inc

Neara

NestAbide

Nitricity

OlsAro

OneConcern

Oneka Technologies

Orbio Earth

Parsyl

Planette AI

Plover Parametrics

RCOAST

Reask

Repath

Resilient Analytics

Resilient Cities Catalyst

Resiliō Climate Solutions

Rumin8

Semios

Sidewalk Labs (Part of Google)

Sipremo

SupPlant

Teren

The Climate Company

Tomorrow.io

True Flood Risk

UrbanFootprint

ZeroCO2

ZestAI

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