Lightspark · 2026

State of Sustainability & Climate Innovation Survey

The sustainability landscape is changing rapidly. Funding priorities, corporate budgets, government policy, and public interest all appear to be evolving. Lightspark is conducting a short, anonymous survey to better understand what professionals across clean technology, sustainability, government, and industry are experiencing today.

Estimated time: 2–3 minutes Anonymous · No personal info required

Why We’re Conducting This Survey

Over the past several years, our team at Lightspark has worked with governments, financial institutions, utilities, municipalities, and technology companies across North America to help solve challenges related to climate resilience, energy efficiency, and residential infrastructure.

As a data science company, we spend much of our time analyzing property, energy, climate, and economic data. Just as importantly, we regularly speak with leaders across government, industry, research, and the clean technology community about the challenges they’re seeing firsthand.

One question keeps coming up:

Has the momentum behind sustainability and climate innovation changed?

We hear different perspectives. Some organizations continue to accelerate investment, while others are facing budget reductions, shifting priorities, funding challenges, or changing political environments.

Rather than rely on anecdotes, we want to better understand what professionals across the sustainability ecosystem are actually experiencing.

This anonymous survey is intended to create a snapshot of the industry in 2026—from startups and investors to government, corporations, utilities, researchers, and non-profits.

We’ll aggregate the findings into The State of Sustainability Report 2026, a public report designed to help the community better understand emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities.

Thank you for helping contribute to a more informed conversation.

— James Riley Founder & CEO, Lightspark
About You

1. Which best describes your current situation?

2. Which best describes your organization?

3. What is your primary role?

4. If you work in climate technology, what are you building?

Industry Outlook

5. Compared with two years ago, how would you describe interest in sustainability?

6. Have you observed any of the following within your organization?

Check all that apply.

7. If you are part of a startup or growing company, have you noticed changes in funding availability?

8. Which area do you believe is receiving the most attention today?

Future Outlook

9. Do you believe technology and scientific innovation can significantly reduce risks from:

Check all that apply.

10. Which technologies do you believe will have the greatest impact over the next decade?

Select up to three.

You can select up to three.

11. What do you believe is the biggest obstacle slowing sustainability progress today?

12. Despite recent challenges, are you optimistic about the future of sustainability and climate innovation?

13. What gives you the most hope?

Open response — optional.

14. Is there anything the industry should be doing differently?

Open response — optional.

15. If you could tell policymakers, investors, or business leaders one thing about the current state of sustainability, what would it be?

Open response — optional.

Anonymous · your responses are aggregated.

Thank you.

Your response has been recorded. Results will be aggregated and published by Lightspark to help the sustainability community better understand where the industry is headed.

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