Insider Brief:
- Bill Gates’ climate organization Breakthrough Energy has laid off “dozens” of staff, according to an internal memo from the founder on March 11
- Breakthrough’s European division was eliminated, as were the team working on American policy issues
- The group has reoriented its mission to building a clean energy pipeline through the Breakthrough Energy Catalyst program
Bill Gates has slashed “dozens” of staff at his climate-focused Breakthrough Energy organization, including U.S. policy teams and the entire European unit, The New York Times reported March 12.
Three people who were not allowed to speak publicly confirmed the organizational changes.
“Bill Gates remains as committed as ever to advancing the clean energy innovations needed to address climate change,” a Gates spokesperson said in a statement.
“His work in this area will continue and is focused on helping drive reliable, affordable, clean energy solutions that will enable people everywhere to thrive.”
Gates made the changes to reflect the new U.S. presidential administration’s priorities, and did not feel Breakthrough’s policy team could make inroads, according to the anonymous sources quoted by The Times.
Since Donald Trump’s inauguration in January, Washington has feverishly worked to undo green subsidies and policies implemented by his predecessor Joe Biden. Trump declared a “national energy emergency” on the first day of his presidential term, and vowed to dismantle all renewable projects supported by Biden’s IRA legislation.
The organization, founded by billionaire Microsoft co-founder Gates in 2015, will now shift to building a pipeline for clean energy companies through the Breakthrough Energy Catalyst program, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, and the Breakthrough Energy Fellows. These groups provide funding for startup companies working on a variety of renewable energy technologies.
This is not the first sign of trouble for Breakthrough Energy, Heatmap News reported. In February, the organization was decimated its budget for grant-making, while also laying off staff who ran the Breakthrough Energy Summit in London.
