The UK is investing heavily in both quantum technologies and clean energy, yet the two remain largely treated as separate policy priorities. This report explores how closer coordination could unlock significant opportunities: from using quantum sensing, optimisation and simulation to improve energy systems, to ensuring that the growth of quantum computing is supported by reliable, low-carbon infrastructure.
It sets out practical recommendations to align quantum and clean energy policy, infrastructure planning and public investment, helping the UK translate its technological leadership into domestic deployment and long-term industrial value.

The UK cleantech sector closed 2025 confirming a structural weakness longassociated with British industry: the country develops promising technologiesand struggles to retain them at the point of scale.But 2025 revealed something more serious than that familiar pattern.Early-stage investment contracted sharply. Seed and Series A deal activity fell by 50 per cent to 94 deals, the lowest level since before 2020. The pipeline that produces the companies the UK has historically struggled to scale is itself narrowing. Without intervention, there will be fewer domestic technologies capable of reaching commercial maturity in the years ahead.

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With strategic investment in diverse clean technologies, smart regulation that enables innovation and bold institutional backing that keeps British aerospace excellence at home, the UK can shape the future of flight. The prize is substantial: economic strength, regional growth and global competitiveness with the added benefit of supporting net zero.

2024 Annual Report

This report builds on the findings of 2023, reviewing the UK’s progress in cleantech innovation, investment, and policy within an evolving global context. It also looks ahead to 2025, identifying the actions needed to maintain the UK’s competitive edge and strengthen its role in the global transition to a low-carbon economy

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By aligning policies, streamlining regulations, and fostering cross-border investments, the EU and UK can transform shared climate goals into high-impact solutions. We propose key policy recommendations across different axes:

• Align UK-EU Efforts Across Grids, Offshore Wind, Carbon Pricing, and CCS

• Collaborate to scale European Cleantech Champions

• Develop a Shared European Cleantech Talent and Skills Strategy

• Create a Clean Growth Taskforce which will champion these initiatives

Learn how the UK can catalyse both public and private investment into first-of-a-kind cleantech projects

• Close the funding gap

• Simplify complex regulation

• Resolve infrastructural bottlenecks

• Recharge the cleantech economy by closing the scaleup funding gap

• Refocus on enabling policy

• Rebuild British leadership in key cleantech sectors

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Read our progress report on the state of UK cleantech
• Charting cleantech progress in 2023
• Identifying bottlenecks to scale cleantech in the UK
• Looking ahead at upcoming 2024 trends

Read our report on Innovation in the UK power sector
• UK Power Sector Context
• The role of cleantech in the power sector
• Cleantech Venture Capital investment landscape
• Barriers to cleantech investment and recommendations

Read our landmark report
• The latest VC data for cleantech in the UK
• A mapping of the ecosystem of cleantech innovators and investors in the UK
• How ambitious policymaking could help supercharge the UK cleantech ecosystem