Most people are aware that the earth is going through some troubling temperature changes. Scientists even let us know that if humans stay the course we could make the planet uninhabitable for our species. Thankfully humans have an incredible capacity to innovate and are working on new technologies to combat climate change.
In this post we’re going to examine the types of technology companies that people are building to reverse climate change.
Before we get into showcasing the types of companies working on solutions to climate change, let’s take a minute to look at the problem: What is causing climate change anyways?
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in Earth’s atmosphere and the Greenhouse Effect
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring gas in the Earth's atmosphere, but human activities, primarily burning fossil fuels, has significantly increased its concentration. Check out this graph of the amount of CO2 in Earth’s atmosphere over the past 2,000 years 📈📈📈
The increased CO2 in Earth's atmosphere causes a phenomenon called the greenhouse effect.
Here's how the greenhouse effect works..
- The sun's energy reaches Earth as light, warming the planet's surface. The Earth then radiates this energy back into space as infrared radiation (heat).
- Greenhouse gasses, including CO2, act like a blanket, trapping some of this outgoing heat in the atmosphere. This trapped heat raises the Earth's average temperature, similar to how a greenhouse works.
- CO2 is a particularly effective greenhouse gas, meaning it's very good at trapping heat. As CO2 levels rise, more heat is trapped, leading to a warming planet and climate changes.
Excess CO2 trapped in Earth’s atmosphere results in:
- Rising global temperatures
- Extreme weather events like heat waves, droughts, super storms and wildfires
- Melting glaciers and ice caps leading to higher sea levels and coastal flooding
- Ocean acidification killing marine life and global food chains
To stop climate change, removing CO2 from the atmosphere is critical. Thankfully lots of people are working hard to develop technologies to rewrite the doomsday narrative.
Areas in the war against climate change
In this post we're going to examine some of the American climate tech companies playing in these spaces with a focus on the data. We’re utilizing the research done by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The graphic above shows the total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by economic sector. It shows what sectors are responsible for the most CO2 emissions and can help guide us where we need innovation in order to meet our global climate goals.
After looking through over a thousand climate and environmental companies we've identified some broad sectors where climate innovation is happening:
- Renewable Energy Companies
- Transport Companies
- Food & Agriculture Companies
- Manufacturing Companies
- Carbon Removal Companies
In the following sections we'll look at each one in depth. But before that we wanted to share that Employbl members can explore our full dataset of over nine hundred and counting climate companies in the USA by using the "Industries" filter.
Use the companies page, companies map view or job search page to explore job opportunities at American companies working to reverse climate change.
Combining filters further hones your search to surface new opportunities that don't exist or are buried below ads, spam or unhelpful navigation on other sites.
Definitely check out the search and filtering capabilities on Employbl, but let's also explore what each of these industry tags mean, starting with...
Renewable Energy Companies
Renewable energy companies like EcoFlow, Peregrine Hydrogen, and NextEra play a pivotal role in the fight against climate change by harnessing natural resources such as sunlight, wind, and water to generate clean and sustainable power. Some of these companies are at the forefront of innovation, developing advanced technologies in solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal energy generation. Other renewable energy companies rely on existing technology to scale the energy transition from coal to renewables.
From large-scale utility projects (Monarch Energy) to decentralized residential solutions (Lunar Energy), renewable energy companies are diversifying the energy landscape and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. With a focus on efficiency, affordability, and scalability, these companies are driving the transition towards a greener and more sustainable energy future. Thank goodness because electric power generation is responsible for a whopping 25% of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions according to the EPA, shown in the graphic above.
Transport Companies
Transportation is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions (as seen above: 28% in 2024), making it a critical sector for climate action. The globalization of manufacturing has resulted in complex global supply chains, where raw materials, components, and finished goods are transported across borders. Transportation activities associated with global supply chains contribute to carbon emissions, especially when dependent on fossil fuel-powered modes of transport.
Transport companies are changing the way people and goods move, with a focus on electrification, alternative fuels, and efficiency. By embracing electrification, investigating alternative fuels, and implementing sustainable and efficient strategies the transportation sector will have a significant impact on how much CO2 continues to be emitted.
Electric vehicle manufacturers such as Tesla, and Rivian are leading the charge, producing vehicles that can be powered by clean energy sources, while companies developing public transit systems and shared mobility platforms are promoting more efficient and eco-friendly transportation options like Glydways.
Through innovation in vehicle technology, infrastructure development, and transportation logistics, these companies are paving the way for a low-carbon transportation revolution:
- Flock Freight (creating more efficient freight transportation logistics)
- Forum Mobility (zero- emission fleet and infrastructure provider)
- Niosense (traffic signal efficiency to cut down vehicle emissions)
- Sixwheel (hybrid semi-trucks)
Food & Agriculture Companies
Food production and agriculture are relevant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and habitat destruction.
Food and agriculture companies are tackling these challenges by promoting sustainable farming practices, reducing food waste, and innovating in plant-based and alternative protein products which should lead to less deforestation.
From precision agriculture technologies that optimize resource use to regenerative farming methods that sequester carbon in soil, companies are reshaping the food system to be more resilient and environmentally friendly. If you're not working in the food and agriculture sector, you can still make more conscientious choices around your diet and food choices, such as buying from local farmers and supporting sustainable food practices. By fostering a shift towards sustainable diets and supporting local food systems, food and agriculture companies are working towards a more sustainable and equitable future for food production.
Some examples of companies working to reduce output of greenhouse gasses in the American food and agriculture sector include Beeflow and Greenwave.
Manufacturing Companies
The manufacturing sector is a significant source of carbon emissions due to how energy intensive manufacturing is and the industry's reliance on fossil fuels.The manufacturing sector, a crucial component of the global economy, significantly contributes to carbon emissions, posing a substantial challenge in the fight against climate change.
These are areas where the manufacturing sector can be improved in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions:
Energy Consumption (via Fossil Fuels):
- The manufacturing sector is responsible for a large share of global energy consumption, primarily due to the use of energy-intensive machinery, equipment, and processes.
- Energy is required for various stages of production, including mining and extraction of raw materials, processing, assembly, and transportation of finished goods.
- Many manufacturing industries heavily rely on fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil to generate energy needed for manufacturing goods.
Industrial Processes:
- Certain manufacturing processes, such as cement production, steelmaking, and petrochemicals, generate high levels of carbon emissions as an inherent part of their operations.
- These processes involve chemical reactions that release CO2 or other greenhouse gases as byproducts.
Waste Generation:
- Manufacturing processes often generate substantial amounts of waste, including solid waste, wastewater, and hazardous waste.
- Improper waste management practices can lead to the release of greenhouse gases, such as methane (CH4) from landfills or nitrous oxide (N2O) from wastewater treatment plants.
- Not to mention the waste we create when we buy things we don’t need or that don’t last.
Companies like Tangible and Verity are thinking about manufacturing differently, by putting the planet first.
Carbon Removal Companies
Carbon removal companies are pioneering technologies and solutions to actively remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to mitigate the climate impact of humans on Earth. .
There are a range of approaches to remove carbon from the atmosphere, namely, direct air capture, enhanced weathering, afforestation, and carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies.
Let’s take a look at each of these carbon removal technologies and the companies looking to make them work for humanity. Carbon removal companies are playing a crucial role in achieving carbon neutrality and even negative emissions.
These are the different strategies carbon removal companies are using to remove carbon from Earth's atmosphere:
Direct Air Capture (DAC) Carbon Removal
One of the most promising technologies is direct air capture (DAC). DAC systems use large fans to draw air into a chamber, where the carbon dioxide is selectively removed. The captured carbon dioxide can then be stored underground or used for industrial purposes. Several companies, such as Spiritus, Carbon Reform, and Carbon Capture, are developing and deploying DAC systems, and the technology is rapidly becoming more cost-effective.
Enhanced Weathering Carbon Removal
Another approach is enhanced weathering, which involves spreading crushed silicate rocks on land or in the ocean. These rocks react with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to form stable carbonate minerals, effectively sequestering the carbon dioxide. Enhanced weathering is a natural process that has been occurring for millions of years, but some companies like Vesta and Mantel are accelerating the process by coveted intervention.
Afforestation Carbon Removal
Afforestation, or the planting of trees, is another effective way to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Trees absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, and they store it in their biomass. Afforestation projects can be implemented on a large scale, and they provide additional benefits such as improved air quality, water filtration, and habitat for wildlife. There are some innovative companies that are bioengineering plants to be more productive at carbon sequestration such as Mast Reforestation, Forest Carbon Works, and Rainforest Action Network.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Technology
You may have also heard of carbon capture and storage (CCS), a technology that captures carbon dioxide from industrial processes, power plants, and other sources and stores it underground. CCS is currently the most widely used carbon removal technology, and it is an essential component of many countries' climate change mitigation strategies.
Carbon removal companies such as Patch and Vaulted are playing a crucial role in the fight against climate change. By capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, these companies are helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. As the world transitions to a low-carbon economy, carbon removal technologies will become increasingly important, and carbon removal companies will be at the forefront of this transition.
In conclusion…
The companies we've highlighted in this blog post are just a few examples of the many organizations working to address the climate crisis. By embracing sustainable practices, investing in clean technologies, and advocating for climate action, these companies are making a positive impact on the planet.
If, like me, you're passionate about climate change and want to work for a company that shares your values, I encourage you to continue your research on employbl.com. Our platform provides talented professionals the data they need to land their next opportunity, maybe this time with a company that serves people and the planet.
Together, we can create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.