MassCEC Launches Plan to Make Massachusetts the Global Leader in Climatetech

New Strategy Charts Path to Cement Massachusetts as the Global Hub for Climate Innovation, Create Thousands of Jobs, and Drive Equitable Economic Growth in Every Region of Massachusetts

WORCESTER, Mass. – Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) today released its Massachusetts Climatetech Economic Development Strategy & Implementation Plan, a comprehensive roadmap to solidify Massachusetts as the global leader in climatetech innovation, drive equitable economic growth, and advance the state’s net-zero climate goals. Developed in collaboration with the Executive Office of Economic Development, the plan outlines actionable steps to strengthen Massachusetts’ climatetech ecosystem over the next 10 years, supported by funding from the recently enacted Mass Leads Act.

MassCEC CEO Emily Reichert announced the plan today at Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s Sagamore Labs alongside Massachusetts Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer and Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao.

The plan emphasizes Massachusetts' unique position as #1 in U.S. climatetech startups per capita and the second-largest climatetech ecosystem in the country, with a proven track record of innovation and commercialization of breakthrough technologies. To maintain its leadership, the state must address gaps in infrastructure, talent, and investment through coordinated action across public and private sectors.

“Our economic development bill provides historic funding to make Massachusetts the climate innovation lab for the world,” said Governor Maura Healey. “MassCEC’s climatetech economic development plan is our roadmap to achieve this goal by investing in cutting-edge technologies, tapping into regional strengths, and attracting world-class talent. We’re committed to making Massachusetts a global leader that will create thousands of new jobs and generate billions of dollars for our economy.”

“The Climatetech Economic Development Strategy & Implementation Plan is a call to action for every region of our state to contribute to the climate innovation economy,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This strategy will not only drive economic growth and create thousands of good-paying jobs, but it will also ensure that communities across the state share in the opportunities of a sustainable future.”

“The release of this plan marks a pivotal moment for Massachusetts’ climatetech ecosystem,” said MassCEC CEO Emily Reichert. “With its focus on fostering regional collaboration, scaling innovation, and ensuring equitable access to economic opportunities, this plan will solidify the Commonwealth as a leader in tackling the world’s most pressing climate challenges through innovation. Together, we’re building the foundation for sustained growth and impactful change across Massachusetts.”

The plan highlights the urgency of addressing climate change, with 34% of the emissions reductions required to achieve global net zero targets reliant on technologies not yet commercialized. Massachusetts has a time-limited yet pivotal role to play in developing and scaling these innovations. Massachusetts’ climatetech industry is growing, with the potential to support over 1,300 companies, create 35,000 jobs, and train 25,000 individuals over the next decade.

A central feature of the plan is the establishment of a statewide Climate Corridor designed to harness Massachusetts' diverse regional strengths and ensure that all areas of the state benefit from its leadership in climatetech:

• Berkshires: Positioned for contributions to the climatetech supply chain and AgTech leadership, with long-term potential for large-scale manufacturing.
• Pioneer Valley: Offers the most significant opportunities for scaled industrial climatetech manufacturing, supported by affordable renewable energy, available sites, and a strong industrial talent base.
• Central Massachusetts: Serves as an innovation hub for advanced climatetech manufacturing, focusing on energy storage, biomanufacturing, and industrial decarbonization.
• Northeast Massachusetts: A leader in advanced climatetech manufacturing that requires high-skilled labor and a key player in the offshore wind ecosystem.
• Greater Boston: Home to the state’s densest cluster of climatetech innovation, driving research & development and startup activity across sectors and serving as the "HQ epicenter" of Massachusetts’ climatetech ecosystem.
• Southeast Massachusetts and Cape Cod: A pioneer in offshore wind as well as a national leader in the ocean innovation economy, leveraging extensive research and deployment assets.

“Massachusetts is home to a dynamic innovation ecosystem with expertise in the commercialization of new technologies and is already a recognized leader in climatetech,” said Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer. “My 2023 recommendations to the Governor called for MassCEC, in consultation with our Executive Office of Economic Development, to leverage these trends by developing and implementing a comprehensive climatetech economic development strategy and investment plan that is well coordinated with academic institutions, private sector, municipalities, and existing climate tech incubators. MassCEC has gone above and beyond to deliver a vision for our future that recognizes we can have a thriving economy, clean energy, and community resilience—indeed, the stability and success of our economy depends on it.”

“State leadership in climate action is more important than ever,” said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper. “This is a forward-thinking approach that will set Massachusetts apart as a leader in climate innovation and economic growth. By taking bold steps now, we can ensure a future where our communities are resilient, our economy thrives, and we continue to lead in climate solutions.”

“This strategy is key to positioning Massachusetts as a global leader in climate innovation,” said Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao. “Advancing climate innovation will drive job creation, foster regional growth, and ensure Massachusetts leads in both climate action and sustainable economic opportunity.”

The plan outlines concrete steps Massachusetts will take to meet its goals. Key actions include:

• Providing hands-on concierge support to connect climatetech companies with the Massachusetts’ resources and partners needed to scale their business.
• Expanding funding opportunities across all stages of growth, including grants and tax incentives for climatetech firms.
• Investing in shared infrastructure and equipment to create a statewide testing and demonstration network, anchored in regional clusters and supported by the climate corridor, climate concierge services, and ecosystem-building efforts.
• Building markets for emerging technologies by stimulating early demand, facilitating customer matching, and supporting green procurement.
• Advancing equitable workforce development through targeted training and career advancement programs, informed by a forthcoming statewide workforce plan—another key recommendation from Chief Hoffer.
• Raising awareness of Massachusetts’ climatetech leadership through strategic communications, marketing and events.

For more information on the Climatetech Economic Development Strategy & Implementation Plan and to download the full plan, visit www.masscec.com.

Statements of Support

“WPI is a driving force in a powerful regional alliance of government, academia, and industry, united to spearhead innovation and collaboration for climate resilience and economic prosperity,” said Worcester Polytechnic Institute President Grace Wang. “With leading-edge research capacity, WPI is uniquely equipped to tackle critical challenges—like energy and resource recovery and regeneration—head-on. We are preparing the innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders of tomorrow while building momentum behind the Massachusetts climatetech economic development plan and the growth of our innovation ecosystem today.”

"This strategy is a game-changer for Massachusetts,” said State Senator Barry Finegold (D-Andover). “By leveraging our state's unparalleled innovation ecosystem, we're not just addressing climate change – we're creating thousands of jobs and positioning ourselves as the global hub for climatetech. The Mass Leads Act has laid the groundwork, and now we're ready to cement our leadership in this crucial sector.”

“The release of MassCEC’s Climatetech Economic Development Strategy & Implementation Plan is a major step in driving Massachusetts’ continued leadership in the climatetech industry,” said State Representative Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin). “I’d like to thank Speaker Mariano and my colleagues in the Legislature for their diligent work in crafting and shepherding the historic climatetech funding and tax incentive provisions of the Mass Leads Act into law, and I commend the Healey-Driscoll Administration and MassCEC for their leadership in charting a strategic path forward that will enable the all corners of the Commonwealth to unlock the economic and climate benefits of this growing and critical industry. As was previously done to great success through a similar strategic plan with the life sciences industry, this climatetech plan will spur the development of innovative new technologies, create thousands of jobs, and aid the Commonwealth in achieving its clean energy and climate goals.”

“Massachusetts is uniquely positioned to leverage climatetech for both environmental and economic benefit. With the investments made in the economic development bill, climatetech companies are incentivized to invent, build, and scale here. Workers across the Commonwealth will see higher wage jobs through a regional economic development approach to this sector,” said State Representative Andy Vargas (D-Haverhill). “Our state will be prepared to make the public-private partnerships necessary to transition to cleaner and more affordable energy for our residents. It’s an exciting time for climatetech in Massachusetts.”

About Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center is a state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of the clean energy and climatetech sector across the Commonwealth to spur job creation, deliver statewide environmental benefits, and to secure long-term economic growth for the people of Massachusetts.

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