Market Insights
GIC and Bain released a new report: Sizing the Inevitable Investment Opportunity: Climate Adaptation.
- The report made headlines by sizing the climate adaptation investment opportunity across public and private debt and equity at US$2T. The market is expected to rise to US$9T by 2050, including US$3T in incremental growth attributable to global warming.
- The reports argues investors can build conviction in climate adaptation without needing to predict the exact climate scenario that will unfold from now to 2050, and provides relative market sizes for 21 investable, pure-play adaptation solutions.
Temasek and BCG covered the state of private equity for A&R: The Private Equity Opportunity in Climate Adaptation and Resilience
- The report introduces the Climate Adaptation and Resilience Investment Opportunity Map, which guides investors through the climate A&R space, by identifying and structuring the universe of opportunity areas – this targets a key pain point preventing greater PE investment in A&R.
- The authors forecast high demand for building material innovations and urban and industrial water efficiency solutions. The demand for advanced construction materials is driven by regulations promoting energy efficiency and resilience against extreme weather. Segments like fire-resistant façades, self-healing concrete, and aerogels for insulation are poised for high growth.
Urban Land Institute (ULI) released a roadmap for wildfire recovery in LA: Project Recovery: Rebuilding Los Angeles after the January 2025 Wildfires
- ULI Los Angeles, the UCLA Ziman Center for Real Estate, and the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate today released a comprehensive roadmap to support post-wildfire rebuilding efforts in the Los Angeles area.
- The report highlights critical public-private partnerships and funding mechanisms such as Climate Resilience Districts (CRDs) and Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts (EIFDs), which aim to pool resources for reconstruction and resilience projects.
The Health Action Alliance (HAA) launched the Climate Health Cost Forecaster, developed by Mercer.
- This groundbreaking tool estimates how climate-related events — extreme heat, poor air quality, flooding, and hurricanes — will increase health care claims costs for employer-sponsored health plans over the next 10 years. These insights have never been unified in a solution built specifically for employers.
- The tool is built specifically for U.S.-based workforces, combining climate data, epidemiological research, proprietary health cost modeling, and health care claims.
Tailwind Updates
Team Update
Congratulations to Katie MacDonald, co-founder of Tailwind, as she transitions into a new position as Director of Ventures at RWDI! Katie will remain involved with Tailwind as an advisor and venture partner.
Katie has been instrumental in helping set the vision, rally support and execute on Tailwind’s initiatives in the past two years. Her sharp wit, enthusiasm and sense of humor will be missed, but we’re excited that she’s staying close to continue to support our mission and growth.
Adapt Unbound
We wrapped up a second Adapt Unbound! Katie MacDonald spoke on Adapt Unbound’s panel on urban heat resilience, alongside Jack Wilson (Co-Founder, Eztia Materials) and Jason Glaser (La Isla Network)!
Brooke Zhang and Katie MacDonald also hosted a campfire session on “Adapting Together: Decoding Corporate Partnerships for A&R Startups” – Where folks working on A&R across corporations, startups, and funds came together to workshop ideas.
Here’s a recap of our takeaways:
- Explore Alternative Entry Points: Risk management, business development, or internal consulting teams within corporates might be better connectors than just sustainability/climate teams alone. These groups often have broader influence and alignment with operational goals.
- Timing Matters: Corporates often operate on multi-year planning and budget cycles. Initiate conversations in the first half of the year, understanding that execution may only happen in the following year.
- Stakeholder Alignment is Critical: Ensure pilots engage not just climate or sustainability teams but also operational departments to drive lasting impact. Secure a technical-level executive sponsor (a “champion”) early for long-term buy-in.
Urban Heat Panel at Adapt Unbound USA
Fellowships, Accelerators and Prizes
- MassChallenge is recruiting judges and mentors for their Security & Resiliency Accelerator
- The Security & Resiliency Accelerator is a global, zero-equity program that supports early-stage startups solving critical challenges across energy, infrastructure, bluetech, emergency response, and beyond.
- Apply to be a mentor or judge here! Feel free to reach out to Chris Bauer at chris@masschallenge.org with questions.
- The Lloyd’s Lab Accelerator is looking for insurtech startups!
- The Accelerator is Europe’s top insurance-focused innovation hub that delivers a 10-week InsurTech programme in London.
- The Resiliency Company is accepting applications for the inaugural cohort of Resiliency Graduate Research Fellows for Summer 2025.
- This is a 10-week, part-time remote fellowship is designed for graduate students. Apply Here!
Upcoming Events
- June 11, 3-4pm ET: How Communities Are Fast-Tracking Flood Readiness — and What You Can Learn: Webinar
- June 11: Climate Tech Connections (Activate Berkeley, Bakar Labs, Berkeley Startup Cluster) – Berkeley, CA – Emilie attending
- June 23: Climate Adaptation: Technology Showcase & Reception (co-hosted by Mazarine, Tailwind, Climate Proof and others) as part of London Climate Action Week
- Save the date for a busy fall! We’ll be at Climate Week NYC, SOCAP and VERGE.
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