Israel, Sweden, Finland, Singapore and Austria unite to launch a first-of-its-kind initiative to boost climate innovation through international collaboration

Amid the urgency of the climate crisis, the development and transfer of technologies has been recognized as an essential core enabling element if we are to reach the objectives of the 2015 Paris Agreement. Broad deployment of existing technologies as well as scaleup and adoption of early-stage technologies have the potential to reduce global emissions by about two-thirds. The remaining gap in reducing emissions must be bridged by finding new solutions.

International collaboration is critical to success, given the global scale and fast pace of change required. Action by governments & the private sector individually is necessary, but not sufficient. Well-targeted international collaboration can make the development and scaleup of climate technologies faster, less cumbersome, and at lower costs.  By aligning, coordinating actions and sharing best practices, national innovation agencies can accelerate innovation, create stronger signals for investment and exercise economies of scale.

In the quest for climate resilience, the EARTH Global Climate-Tech Alliance (E5), co-founded by the Israel Innovation Authority, Vinnova (Sweden’s Innovation Agency), Enterprise Singapore, Business Finland and FFG (the Austrian Research Promotion Agency) proposes to advance collaboration between a select group of ‘Small & Smart’ nations in order to accelerate the development and scaleup of breakthrough climate-change technologies.

The international forum is a collaborative & hands-on network of Innovation Agencies from the world’s leading Climate-Tech hubs that contribute their expertise & knowledge and advance collaboration in Climate Tech. The EARTH Alliance (E5) is a platform for learning and acting, leading a global path for positive change by accelerating climate innovation together.

In 2024, under the Chairmanship of Israel, the E5 will focus on four main topics: Climate Tech Startup Journey, Sustainable Cities, Climate Foresight and Foodtech. The inaugural E5 Climate Tech Summit will take place in Israel during the second half of 2024, bringing together senior representatives from the four agencies and leading Climate-Tech ecosystem players from Israel, Sweden, Singapore, Finland and Ausrtia.

“E5 is not merely an alliance; it is a shared commitment to a resilient future. By aligning and coordinating actions, our national innovation agencies send a powerful signal to investors, unlocking economies of scale and paving the way for a faster, more sustainable tomorrow.

Tackling the climate crisis head on provides an opportunity for a global transformation. Climate solutions are not just innovations; they are the keystones in rebuilding our world, ensuring resilience for generations to come.”

Dror Bin, CEO, Israel Innovation Authority

About the E5 Partners

Enterprise Singapore
Enterprise Singapore is the Singapore government agency championing enterprise development.
We support the growth of Singapore as a hub for global trading and startups. We also build trust in Singapore’s products and services through quality and standards.
With our global network in over 35 locations spanning many developed and emerging markets, we connect businesses with relevant Singapore companies for their business expansion.
Visit www.enterprisesg.gov.sg for more information.

Vinnova
Vinnova is Sweden’s innovation agency. The mission of Vinnova is to strengthen Sweden’s innovative capacity and contribute to sustainable growth. Vinnova work to ensure a sustainable world. The agency’s head office is located in Stockholm with international branches. Vinnova has 240 employees who are passionate about innovation. Vinnova funds innovative programmes and projects with about 310 million EUR per year and connects the Swedish innovation ecosystem with international programmes.

Business Finland

Business Finland is governmental organization for innovation funding, trade, travel and investment promotion, attracting also foreign talents to Finland. Business Finland generates prosperity and well-being for the Finnish society by accelerating companies’ sustainable growth. The organization employs 760 specialists at 40 foreign locations and 16 offices in Finland. Business Finland is a public-sector operator and part of the Team Finland network.

The Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)

The Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) is the national funding agency for industrial research and development in Austria.
FFG offers a comprehensive range of services for Austrian enterprises, research institutions and researchers in all phases of technology development and innovation – from public funding programmes to consulting services, from support for integration into European research programmes and networks to the promotion of Austria’s interests at the European and the International level.
FFG acts as the national contact point for the EU programme Horizon 2020 as well as other international programmes, and is actively involved in a range of European and international initiatives including many ERANETs and the Enterprise Europe Network. The agency provides professional expertise on tax incentives for research and innovation (“R&D allowance”) and coordinates Austrian activities in space research and technology. It has also been commissioned to manage the programme to extend Austria’s broadband infrastructure (“the broadband billion”).

Israel Innovation Authority

Innovation is by far the most valuable resource for the State of Israel, serving as a national asset crucial to economic prosperity. Israel Innovation Authority seeks to further develop and support technological innovation in Israel through various support tools. Its mission is to strengthen the innovation ecosystem and promote innovation, entrepreneurship and disruptive technologies as a leverage for inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

With deep knowledge and understanding of the unique challenges facing the Israeli companies and entrepreneurs, the Israel Innovation Authority provides a variety of practical tools and funding platforms aimed at addressing the dynamic and changing needs of the local and international innovation ecosystems. It provides conditional grants to support disruptive technological innovations as well as engage in creating the groundwork and infrastructure to prepare for future technologies in order to maintain both technological and economical leadership as well as improve productivity and global competitiveness of the Israeli economy.