12 investors dish on what 2026 will bring for climate tech

The article discusses investor perspectives on the outlook for climate tech in 2026, highlighting the sector's resilience despite political headwinds and economic uncertainties. Venture investments in climate and clean energy technologies in the U.S. and Europe remained stable relative to 2024, driven by the ongoing threat of climate change and significant cost reductions in solar, wind, and battery technologies. These advancements have made many climate solutions cheaper or more efficient than fossil fuels, creating ample opportunities for funding cleaner energy alternatives. Data centers continue to be a central focus for climate tech investment, largely due to their massive electricity demand and growing role in AI development. Investors expect the conversation around data center energy use in 2026 to shift from simply meeting demand to enhancing resilience and decoupling from traditional power grids, addressing challenges related to grid operator resistance and rising electricity prices. Renewable energy sources like geothermal, nuclear, solar, and batteries are seen as key beneficiaries of this trend. While some investors acknowledge the possibility of an AI bubble burst,