The future of climate action is being forged by a new generation of brilliant minds, and MIT Technology Review has once again shone a spotlight on these transformative forces. The publication’s highly anticipated annual “Innovators Under 35” list for 2026 celebrates individuals under the age of 35 who are pushing the boundaries of science, technology, and entrepreneurship. This year, the editorial team dedicated months to curating a slate that includes nine exceptional individuals from across the globe specifically within the crucial climate and energy category. Their stories are not just inspiring; they offer a profound glimpse into the current state and future trajectory of climate technology.

Examining the climate and energy awardees as a collective reveals critical trends and emerging solutions. Their diverse innovations underscore a multifaceted approach to tackling the climate crisis, highlighting key areas of advancement and persistent challenges that demand urgent attention. The overarching narrative emerging from this cohort points to the pervasive influence of artificial intelligence, the urgent need for sustainable material sourcing, and the necessity of comprehensive societal overhauls to achieve net-zero emissions.

AI: The Double-Edged Sword of Climate Innovation

Artificial intelligence is undeniably the dominant technological narrative of our time, lauded for its immense potential while simultaneously scrutinized for its inherent challenges. The innovators honored this year reflect this duality, with AI not only being a distinct category but also deeply interwoven into advancements across other fields.

Jae-Won Chung, a climate innovator, exemplifies the responsible development of AI. He has engineered software designed to enhance the energy efficiency of AI models. By meticulously measuring the energy demands of open-source AI models, Chung aims to equip the industry with the data needed to better comprehend and mitigate AI’s environmental footprint. His work builds upon previous investigations into AI’s significant energy consumption, underscoring the critical need for sustainable AI development. This focus on efficiency is paramount as AI’s role in climate solutions expands.

Beyond optimizing AI’s own energy use, machine learning is proving to be an indispensable tool for environmental monitoring and analysis. Jing Wei is leveraging AI to revolutionize pollution tracking. Her innovative approach employs machine learning to bridge data gaps, intelligently integrating information from disparate sources such as satellite imagery and ground-based weather stations. This allows for a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of pollution patterns and their sources. Similarly, Zhonghua Zheng has developed advanced AI climate models specifically tailored for urban environments. Cities, often a blind spot for traditional climate models due to their complex microclimates and dense infrastructure, stand to benefit immensely from Zheng’s more localized and accurate predictive capabilities. These applications demonstrate AI’s power to provide granular insights and inform targeted climate interventions.

Securing the Building Blocks: Rethinking Critical Material Extraction

As the world transitions to a low-carbon economy, the demand for new technologies will inevitably drive a significant shift in the types of materials required. This presents a critical bottleneck, and innovators are stepping up to address the growing need for sustainable and efficient sourcing of these essential resources.

Lithium is a prime example of such a critical material. It forms the backbone of lithium-ion batteries, which are indispensable for both the burgeoning electric vehicle market and the large-scale energy storage solutions needed to stabilize renewable energy grids. Projections indicate potential lithium shortages as early as this decade, a concern that extends to other vital minerals like copper. The environmental and economic implications of such shortages are substantial.

Currently, brine extraction offers the most cost-effective method for obtaining lithium. However, the traditional process is time-consuming, often taking months, and can inflict considerable harm on local ecosystems. Mohammad Alkhadra, co-founder and CEO of Lithios, is at the forefront of developing a solution. His startup is pioneering a method to extract lithium from brines rapidly and efficiently, aiming to overcome the environmental and temporal limitations of existing techniques.

While brine extraction is cheaper, hardrock ore remains the most common source of lithium. This method, however, is more expensive. Benjamin Mowbray, co-founder and CTO of Rock Zero, is tackling this challenge by developing a novel process for extracting lithium from hardrock ore. His work promises to make this more common source more economically viable and potentially less resource-intensive. The innovations from Alkhadra and Mowbray highlight a crucial area of climate tech: ensuring that the materials needed for the green transition are sourced responsibly and efficiently, preventing supply chain disruptions and minimizing environmental impact.

A Holistic Overhaul: Transforming All Sectors for Net-Zero

Achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions necessitates a fundamental reevaluation of nearly every facet of modern society, often in ways that are unexpected and far-reaching. While the decarbonization of major sectors like the electrical grid and transportation is widely acknowledged, a vast array of less obvious, yet equally critical, challenges remain.

Heavy industry, a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions—accounting for approximately 7%—is a prime example. Laureen Meroueh is making significant strides in producing cleaner and more affordable steel. Her innovative approach involves a new type of furnace that simplifies the complex chemical processes involved in steel production, thereby reducing its carbon footprint. This breakthrough is vital for decarbonizing one of the world’s most fundamental manufacturing sectors.

The ubiquitous nature of plastics, predominantly derived from fossil fuels, demands the development of sustainable alternatives. Joseph Nguthiru is addressing this need by creating a bioplastic replacement for fossil-derived packaging. His ingenious solution utilizes an invasive weed, transforming an ecological problem into a valuable resource. Similarly, Diana Orembe is creatively repurposing food waste. She is developing fish food for aquaculture operations from discarded food, thereby diverting waste from landfills and creating a sustainable input for the aquaculture industry. These examples showcase how innovative thinking can turn waste streams into valuable resources, addressing multiple environmental challenges simultaneously.

Refrigerants, often potent greenhouse gases, also present a significant climate challenge. Jinyoung Seo is developing solid refrigerants that could revolutionize cooling systems. These novel materials aim to eliminate the environmental risks associated with leakage, and devices utilizing them have the potential to reduce energy consumption by an impressive 20% compared to conventional technologies. This innovation holds significant promise for reducing the climate impact of refrigeration and air conditioning, sectors with a substantial and growing energy demand.

The breadth of innovation showcased by these under-35 awardees is truly remarkable. Each individual is confronting complex and often overlooked aspects of the climate crisis with ingenuity and determination. Their work demonstrates that addressing climate change requires not only technological breakthroughs but also a fundamental rethinking of our industrial processes, material sourcing, and consumption patterns. The stories of these young innovators offer a powerful testament to the creativity and resilience of the human spirit in the face of our planet’s most pressing challenge, providing tangible hope for a sustainable future. For a comprehensive overview of all the innovators and their groundbreaking work, MIT Technology Review‘s full 2026 list is an essential resource.

This article is a product of The Spark, MIT Technology Review‘s dedicated weekly newsletter focused on climate and energy. To receive these insightful updates directly in your inbox every Wednesday, sign up through their provided link.