Future Cleantech Architects: Recommendation

Giving Green classifies Future Cleantech Architects (FCA) as one of our top recommendations to address climate change. Hard-to-abate sectors—such as heavy industry, baseload power, and aviation—require significant technological advances to decarbonize, yet are often neglected by funders and governments. FCA works to close these innovation gaps by (i) engaging with policymakers to prioritize R&D for critical interventions and (ii) leading research consortia to advance scientific knowledge for these applications.

We specifically assessed FCA’s work to decarbonize cement production, hydrogen production, and high-temperature heat processes across heavy industry, as well as the organization’s general work to strengthen EU climate policy. We were impressed by the level of FCA’s in-house expertise, depth of engagement with technical research, and sophisticated understanding of the innovation landscape. In addition, despite being a relatively new organization, FCA has already developed an effective track record of shaping EU policy and contributing to international climate discourse through engagement with UN organizations. We think FCA fills a critical gap in the climate policy ecosystem by connecting lessons and learnings from its ‘boots on the ground’ technical work to high-level policymaking. 

While we have not assessed FCA’s other program areas (aviation, long-duration energy storage, and thermal energy storage) in detail, we are confident in FCA’s strategy and work overall; our recommendation is for unrestricted funding for the organization at large. 

For more information, see our broader report on decarbonizing heavy industry.

What is Future Cleantech Architects?

Future Cleantech Architects (FCA) is a climate innovation think tank based in Germany. FCA was founded in 2020, and its work focuses on neglected and hard-to-decarbonize sectors, such as heavy industry, aviation, and firm power. 

How could Future Cleantech Architects help address climate change?

FCA promotes and advances innovation in hard-to-abate sectors by engaging with policymakers to prioritize R&D and leading consortia on technical research in these sectors. We believe this will accelerate the transition towards clean industrial processes.

What does Future Cleantech Architects do?

FCA uses the following strategies to promote innovation in hard-to-abate sectors:

• Educating key decision-makers on mitigation strategies for hard-to-abate sectors. 

• Helping policymakers design and implement effective climate policies.

• Continuously monitoring the innovation landscape and building and coordinating research consortia to address technological bottlenecks.

• Participating in influential discussions at events like COP and convening key stakeholders at its annual Future Cleantech Festival 

What would Future Cleantech Architects do with your donation?

FCA has ambitious growth plans to double in size in 2025. This expansion aims to build capacity to shape the agenda of the next EU policy cycle, deepen analytical and advocacy work on clean firm power, and strengthen international reach by leveraging its connections to intergovernmental organizations and building a presence in key countries.

Why is Giving Green excited about Future Cleantech Architects?

Because of its focus on and expertise in neglected areas of climate mitigation, we think FCA fills a critical gap in the civil society ecosystem. In addition, our impression is that FCA successfully integrates this technical expertise into the EU policymaking process, thereby increasing policymakers’ knowledge and the effectiveness of policy vehicles. We also think FCA’s expanding international presence will benefit global climate discourse.

Explore ways to give to Future Cleantech Architects and more.

Future Cleantech Architects is a registered charity in Germany. This is a non-partisan analysis (study or research) and is provided for educational purposes.