ClimateReady Tech Hub

Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and exponentially growing energy demand pose generational threats to the global economy, human welfare, and national security. In response to these threats, innovative, affordable, and sustainable “climate technologies” are emerging, providing hope to increase community resilience and advance environmental justice.

South Florida is uniquely positioned to become the global leader – rapidly – in delivering these community-level climate technologies. Our exposure to weather and climate variations presents an existential threat, with more than $3.5T in assets exposed to sea-level rise inundation alone. Fortunately, multiple transformational technologies are ready to scale in South Florida, underpinned by a vibrant entrepreneurial class and ready workforce.

To fully realize this potential, the ClimateReady Tech Hub will catalyze the commercialization of community-level climate technologies into domestic and global markets. Led by Miami-Dade County, the Hub is joined by its Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact partners Broward, Monroe, and Palm Beach Counties, alongside partners with experienced institutions across academia, workforce development, entrepreneurship, manufacturing, and commercialization. This initiative will catapult the US into the global leader of home-grown climate technologies and ensure that opportunities to build this hub – and the benefits of these investments – are shared equitably, including among communities historically excluded from economic prosperity.

• ClimateReady Infrastructure. Scaling technologies to protect built and natural environments in low-lying areas, specifically focusing on marginalized populations most affected by extreme weather events. It aims at the global $63B industry of advanced concrete building materials, such as ternary cement, that reduces emissions by 40%.
• ClimateReady Coasts. Expanding coastal product demonstration facilities along South Florida's coastline for green-gray artificial reef structures, seawalls, and breakwaters to provide consolidated validation services and assist companies in capturing additional market share. With support from the IUOE Local 487, this project will help create nearly 7,000 new jobs by 2034, including manufacturing, installer, 3D printing fabricators, and diver jobs.
• ClimateReady Energy Efficiencies. Demonstrating and validating affordable energy solutions tailored for subtropical climates, enhancing performance, sustainability, and reliability and ensuring access for marginalized populations. Targeting the $72B industry of next generation building energy management systems and HVAC systems designed for humid environments, in addition to the micro-grids and marine energy industries. 

• Catalyzing ClimateReady Collaboration (Governance). Enhancing the capacity of regional governance within the climate and capital ecosystem to foster collaboration between government, climate justice advocates, startups, corporations, capital partners, and academia. 
• Policy Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Establishing greater connectivity with regulators and quad-county policies to accelerate climate technologies, focusing on overcoming governmental barriers to adoption by convening capital partners and providing technical assistance. 
• Equitable Workforce Development. We are committed to providing high-paying job opportunities to underserved populations, offering pathways to diverse groups towards upward mobility through certifications, training, and apprenticeships, supplemented with wrap-around services. Of the 23,000 jobs the Hub will create, we are targeting at least 15,100 to be occupied by underrepresented individuals.