Houston is poised to lead the global energy transition, but collaboration is key to success. At the Greater Houston Partnership’s fourth annual Future of Global Energy Conference, industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers gathered to explore one central theme: how we can collectively create a low-carbon future that is resilient, reliable and sustainable while meeting growing energy demands. The discussions highlighted the critical role of partnerships, investment and innovation in driving Houston’s leadership on the global stage. The Power of Collaboration “What we have here in Houston that’s really unique…The importance of collaboration with industry is critical.” – Carmichael Roberts, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Material Impact and Co-Lead, Investment Committee, Breakthrough Energy Ventures  Roberts stressed the importance of industry partnerships, noting that while Houston’s energy ecosystem has matured significantly, collaboration is more important than ever to move at the necessary pace. “Because of our industrial base and our infrastructure, we are uniquely positioned to help those early-stage projects get done. But that also requires risk-taking from capitol providers and incumbent companies.” – Bobby Tudor, CEO of Artemis Energy Partners      The President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Lorie Logan, said transformative issues taking place in our economy provide Houston the ability to lead the energy transition, capitalizing on its robust infrastructure, innovation ecosystem and strategic role in shaping the future of energy. “Structural changes in the economy, like the energy transition and advances in artificial intelligence, are key drivers fueling strong investment demand and unlocking potential productivity gains.” Lorie Logan At the same time, the need to reduce carbon emissions has never been more urgent. With Houston's industrial infrastructure and emerging talent, the region is ready to meet these dual challenges. Ensuring the Talent of Tomorrow  This year’s conference also featured an Emerging Talent Program supported by Chevron, to bolster the energy sector’s reputation with students and early career professionals to bridge the generational divide on the challenges and opportunities created by the dual challenge.  Click to expand In addition to that program, Texas Exchange for Energy and Climate Entrepreneurship (TEX-E) hosted a poster competition featuring TEX-E fellows and local university students.  Chase Sellers, a fourth-year PhD student in the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering department at Rice University, won the competition. Sellers’ presentation focused on improving the affordability and scalability of green hydrogen production via electrolysis. By fostering connections between experienced professionals and emerging leaders, the conference is helping to cultivate a workforce that is equipped to address the pressing issues facing the industry today. “As we look to the future, it’s clear that Houston’s role is not just to produce energy but to lead the way in developing and deploying the solutions needed to meet the dual challenge of energy security and climate action.” – Jane Stricker, Senior Vice President of Energy Transition, Greater Houston Partnership & Executive Director, Houston Energy Transition Initiative Learn how Houston is leading the global energy transition.

Houston has become the hub for startups and companies looking to scale innovative technologies that are transforming the energy industry and advancing a sustainable, low-carbon future. This month, the inaugural Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week 2024 successfully highlighted this mission.   Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, Halliburton Labs, Greentown Labs, Digital Wildcatters launched the inaugural startup week in collaboration with the Partnership’s Houston Energy Transition Initiative. The week brought together leading energy and climate venture capital investors, industry leaders, and startups from around the world.   Over 30 events took place from September 9-13, featuring more than 100 speakers and 125 startups. Attendance numbers came in at over 1,400 people across the week’s anchor events, and additional events were individually organized by organizations and startups in Houston’s ecosystem.   “By hosting the Houston Energy & Climate Startup Week, we're not just showcasing our city's strengths - we're actively shaping its future. This event is a critical catalyst for fostering collaboration, investment and talent development within the burgeoning energy and climate tech ecosystem. This week is about demonstrating our commitment to that future and inspiring the next generation of energy innovators,” said Janice Tran, Kanin Energy CEO & Co-Founder Click to expand Janice Tran, Kanin Energy The Kickoff event, sponsored by Repsol, Microsoft and BBVA, hosted fireside chats by several of Houston’s leading startups, including Solugen, Cemvita, Kanin Energy and Syzygy.   “Houston is at the forefront of not just energy innovation, but industrial innovation more broadly. With the momentum that's built over the last few years, it's the perfect time to showcase our progress and drive further advancements in climate solutions.” – Gaurab Chakrabarti, Solugen CEO and Co-Founder  Click to expand Jane Stricker, HETI and Gaurab Chakrabarti, Solugen Houston is home to more than 65 incubators and accelerators and over 260 cleantech and climate tech startups. The region continues to build momentum and is focused on attracting investment for this growing sector, seeing a 577 percent growth since 2019. According to Partnership data, there has been over $1.95 Billion and 175 deals with cleantech and climate tech startups.  "Houston is uniquely positioned to tackle the greatest challenge of our time - producing more energy with fewer emissions. This city is where energy innovation scales and opportunity thrives. As a natural hub for startups and investors, Houston brought this to life during Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week. Years in the making, this event was launched to answer the question: Can the whole be greater than the sum of its parts? This past week proved it can. We look forward to continue building on this successful week.” said  Jane Stricker,  Senior Vice President, Greater Houston Partnership and Executive Director, Houston Energy Transition Initiative. Learn more about how Houston is leading the energy transition to a low-carbon future.