As global temperatures continue to rise, cities are becoming increasingly vulnerable to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, where urban areas experience significantly higher temperatures than their rural surroundings. This occurs due to the extensive use of heat-absorbing materials and surfaces in buildings, roads, and pavements, which trap and radiate heat. The World Health Organization estimates that deaths from extreme heat could rise by 50% by 2050, emphasizing the urgent need for innovative solutions.

Climate-resilient infrastructure offers a path forward by incorporating novel materials, design innovation, and nature-based solutions into new construction and retrofitting existing assets. Cleantech innovators and incumbents are playing a crucial role in mitigating the UHI effect by reducing heat transfer into buildings, enhancing energy efficiency, and ultimately safeguarding vulnerable populations from extreme temperatures.

Urban Heat Island Effect Diagram

Source: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Ignoring the Urban Heat Island Effect Comes at a High Cost

As cities get hotter, the demand for air conditioning spikes, especially on scorching afternoons when homes and offices are running cooling systems, lights, and appliances at full blast. In the U.S., electricity demand can jump by 1-9% for every 2°F increase in temperature. This surge not only drives up energy bills but also strains power grids, increasing the risk of brownouts or blackouts. In turn, utility companies often rely on fossil fuel power plants, pumping more emissions into the atmosphere and deteriorating air quality.

This is a prime example of the increasing interdependence of cleantech and healthcare solutions, where UHI causes severe health impacts via heat exhaustion and heatstroke.  As temperatures climb, the financial burden also grows with higher energy bills, healthcare costs, and disaster recovery costs creating a vicious cycle.

That being said, with urbanization continuing to expand, the demand for solutions that can be retrofitted into existing buildings and infrastructure is growing rapidly.

“Cool” Cleantech Innovations to Tackle the Heat

Several cleantech solutions are paving the way for more climate-resilient urban environments. These innovations aim to reduce heat accumulation, enhance energy efficiency, and provide cooling solutions without exacerbating grid stress.

Demand is growing for solutions that can be retrofitted in buildings and assist with temperature regulation. Solutions that improve building insulation and heat transfer are gaining investor confidence, with LuxWall (one of our Global Cleantech 100 companies for 2025), Miru, SkyCool Systems, and PaintJet standing out in this category for their recent venture funding rounds.

The Path Forward

Despite the potential of these cleantech innovations, several challenges hinder their widespread adoption. Developing climate-resilient infrastructure relies on novel materials that still face technical hurdles in design, performance, and integration. Additionally, many urban areas have aging infrastructure that is incompatible with modern technologies, requiring costly retrofitting or reconstruction, and coordination among multiple stakeholders.

Cities must adopt a holistic approach, bringing together urban planners, architects, technology developers, and policymakers. As cities grow and evolve, smart cities present a particularly exciting opportunity to integrate these solutions seamlessly, using data and connectivity to optimize energy use, improve urban cooling, and enhance overall climate resilience. By embracing these strategies, cities can capitalize on cleantech innovation to tackle more resilient infrastructure and healthier environments.