Monday brief · week of 26 October 2026
ClimateWorks Foundation sharpens focus on sectoral transformation and renewable energy manufacturing as the energy transition accelerates.
Written each Monday from this funder's own recent publications. Every point links to the sentence it rests on.
What they're leaning into
The foundation is leaning into sector-specific strategies, identifying seven key sectors across global regions to drive large-scale emissions reductions and meet climate goals by 2050. (3, 4, 5)
“we highlight seven sectors distributed across 10 global geographies where the world can target large-scale emissions reduction opportunities to meet global climate goals.”Achieving global climate goals by 2050: Actionable opportunities for this decade - ClimateWorks Foundation · 2050-01-01 ↗“Using a range of climate scenarios developed with the open-source Global Change Assessment Model (GCAM), and designed in partnership with the University of Maryland and program experts at ClimateWorks Foundation, the report provides detailed information on how deep transformations in seven sectors can help put the world on a path to a climate-safe future.”Achieving global climate goals by 2050: Actionable opportunities for this decade - ClimateWorks Foundation · 2050-01-01 ↗Renewable energy manufacturing—particularly solar PV, batteries, and electric two-wheelers—is emerging as a major opportunity, with projections of $90–100 billion in revenue and millions of jobs by 2030. (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
“Growing Southeast Asia’s solar photovoltaic (PV) cells, battery, and electric two-wheeler industries presents an estimated $90 billion to $100 billion revenue opportunity by 2030, with a potential 6 million renewable energy jobs to be created by 2050.”Renewable Energy Manufacturing in Southeast Asia Can Generate $90 billion to $100 billion in Sustainable Revenue by 2030 - ClimateWorks Foundation · 2030-01-01 ↗“This research shows the promise of renewable energy manufacturing – with policy, technical, and financing support – in helping the region’s developing countries to transition away from coal-based energy, while lowering carbon emissions, expanding local industrial capabilities, spurring job creation, and driving long-term economic growth.”Renewable Energy Manufacturing in Southeast Asia Can Generate $90 billion to $100 billion in Sustainable Revenue by 2030 - ClimateWorks Foundation · 2030-01-01 ↗Community ownership and governance in the energy transition are gaining emphasis, ensuring local voices shape the systems replacing fossil fuels. (13)
What has gone quiet
Agroecology, once a frequent topic, is no longer highlighted, as the foundation pivots toward fertilizers and food security within climate mitigation frameworks. (quiet concepts, 14, 16)
“Foundation funding for climate mitigation in food and agriculture grew 63% in 2024”Foundation funding for climate mitigation in food and agriculture grew 63% in 2024, the fastest growth of any sector, ac · 2026-10-27 ↗“why fertilizers are a hidden driver of warming”Foundation funding for climate mitigation in food and agriculture grew 63% in 2024, the fastest growth of any sector, ac · 2026-10-27 ↗
Framing to consider
Grantseekers might frame their work as advancing 'sectoral transformation'—tying local or regional projects to one of the seven high-impact sectors identified for emissions reductions. (3, 5)
“we highlight seven sectors distributed across 10 global geographies where the world can target large-scale emissions reduction opportunities to meet global climate goals.”Achieving global climate goals by 2050: Actionable opportunities for this decade - ClimateWorks Foundation · 2050-01-01 ↗“Figure 1 indicates that about 71 GtCO2e can be reduced by 2050, in line with what is needed to limit temperature rise to 1.5⁰C.”Achieving global climate goals by 2050: Actionable opportunities for this decade - ClimateWorks Foundation · 2050-01-01 ↗Projects could emphasize 'community ownership' in renewable energy or clean transportation, positioning local governance as central to equitable transitions. (13, 18)
“communities deserve genuine ownership and a real role in governing the systems that replace fossil fuels”The energy transition is no longer a question of "if" — it's already happening. Solar and wind are now the cheapest sour · 2026-10-28 ↗“The Drive Electric Campaign works to accelerate the global transition to 100% clean, zero-emission transportation — and some of the most meaningful progress comes from grantees and local organizations improving daily life in their own communities.”The Drive Electric Campaign works to accelerate the global transition to 100% clean, zero-emission transportation — and · 2026-10-22 ↗