Overview
Watch the documentary series on the climate solutions developed by the first Innovation30 cohort, here.
Young people have been at the helm of the tech evolution, from revolutionizing social media to pioneering Artificial Intelligence (AI). Research shows that many of the most successful companies are led by entrepreneurs who started nurturing their ideas in their twenties. These innovators have created seismic shifts that transformed society on a global scale. Climate change – one of the most existential challenges of our times is no exception to the transformative impact of youth-led innovation.
About Innovation30
Innovation30 is on a mission to build a dynamic global network of climate innovators under the age of 30.
By the end of 2030, Innovation30 aims to impact the lives of at least 20 million children and young people towards a climate-resilient future by:
Expanding and diversifying partnerships with leading top climate innovation accelerators and universities to source the next generation of climate solutions. Identifying and supporting a continuous pipeline of scientifically vetted breakthrough climate solutions, facilitating their iteration and scale via our field presence in over 190 countries. Convening and mobilizing climate funds and investors to unlock critical capital for scaling solutions developed by young climate innovators, setting benchmarks for child-centric climate investments and equity in innovation.
Our Impact Goals
We are building a founding circle of catalytic partners committed to providing financial and non-financial strategic expertise. By 2030, together, we will:
Source and scientifically vet 500 climate solutions (104 vetted in 2023) through the co-creation of annual thematic cohorts Support the validation of at least 20 solutions, exploring their integration into UNICEF's multi-country programmatic work and scaling opportunities in collaboration with government, private sector, and civil society partners Scale at least 10 breakthrough solutions across 74 countries where children are most at risk from climate change Influence the global climate funding ecosystem and raise the profile of young climate innovators as critical contributors to a net-zero future.
By investing in young climate innovators and scaling their solutions, you are directly contributing to a climate-resilient future for all. Join us in accelerating meaningful, measurable climate action today.
"At CISL Canopy we're pleased to be working on the Innovation30 – Young Climate Innovators Shaping the Future with UNICEF and Undaunted to promote, support and scale up those youth-led enterprises with potential to provide solutions to the global challenge of climate change. We have many of the technologies we need to tackle climate change, but many more still need to be developed, and we need smart ways to deploy those we do have both at scale and in locally appropriate ways for people, nature and the climate."
James Cole, Chief Innovation Officer, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
The Investment Opportunity
Each solution in the Innovation30 pipeline undergoes rigorous vetting by independent climate scientists and experts in innovation commercialization from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) and Imperial College London. They are meticulously assessed for their climate impact, benefits for children, scientific credibility, scalability and business viability. Thus, this evaluation process ensures solutions are not only scientifically sound, but bankable and ready to scale globally with investment from the right partners.
"We are delighted to bring technical expertise from across Imperial College, together with our climate innovation experience at Undaunted, to the international stage. We hope our work will bring opportunity to young innovators from around the world whilst amplifying solutions that fit a wide range of contexts, helping us to build a more sustainable future for everyone."
— Alyssa Gilbert, Director, Undaunted & Director of Innovation, Grantham Institute for Climate Change
Our Vision for 2030
By the end of 2030, Innovation30 aims to impact the lives of at least 20 million children and young people towards a climate-resilient future by:
Expanding and diversifying partnerships with leading top climate innovation accelerators and universities to source the next generation of climate solutions. Identifying and supporting a continuous pipeline of scientifically vetted breakthrough climate solutions, facilitating their iteration and scale via our field presence in over 190 countries. Convening and mobilizing climate funds and investors to unlock critical capital for scaling solutions developed by young climate innovators, setting benchmarks for child-centric climate investments and equity in innovation.