Estonian President Karis Highlights Estonia’s Role as Climate Innovation Testbed at NYC Climate Week – CleanTechnica

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Showcasing clean energy and resilient building solutions as part of growing U.S.–Estonia climate cooperation.

New York, NY — Estonia, one of the world’s most digitally advanced nations, is bringing its fast-growing climate technology sector to New York Climate Week under the leadership of President Alar Karis. President Karis will highlight climate action as both a strategic opportunity for U.S.–Estonia cooperation and a testbed for the technologies that will define the next decade.

“Estonia consistently punches above its weight, proving that agility can outpace size, from building a digital society to driving energy independence,” said Alar Karis, President of Estonia. “By acting as a testbed, we help new technologies grow faster abroad, including here in the United States. Together with our American partners, we can prove what works and scale it globally.”

Estonia has a track record of moving quickly on innovation. The same cooperation that scaled nationwide digital services is now being applied to climate technologies, making the country an ideal testbed for pilots that can expand globally.

These solutions are especially relevant for the building sector, which consumes about 40% of global energy. From energy-hungry offices to aging infrastructure, efficiency and resilience are now critical to meeting climate targets. Estonian innovators are addressing this challenge with technologies ranging from AI-driven building management and solar-integrated roofs to advanced construction materials — and are now bringing these solutions to the U.S.

“Big ambitions create innovation. Just as the space race transformed industries far beyond aerospace, climate targets can do the same for clean technology,” said Kädi Ristkok, Executive Director of Cleantech for Baltics. “The payoff is real: stronger energy security, new jobs, and more resilient economies on both sides of the Atlantic.”

The delegation includes companies at the forefront of energy efficiency, sustainable materials, and clean mobility:

• R8 Technologies — using AI to cut energy use across large buildings such as shopping centers, office towers, and hotels.
• Roofit.Solar — integrating solar technology into metal roofs, turning the traditional roofing sector into a source of clean energy.
• Primostar — delivering patented waterproofing solutions that make concrete more durable, proven in Nordic conditions and trusted by leading builders.
• PowerUP Energy Technologies — producing hydrogen fuel cell generators that provide reliable, portable, zero-emission power, tested by NATO for field use.
• Parkinglot Category — converting asphalt parking lots into energy hubs with solar panels, EV charging, and smart management tools.
• Beamline Accelerator — Estonia’s cleantech accelerator, connecting innovators with InnoEnergy’s global ecosystem to speed commercialization.
• Estonian Cleantech Association — supporting the growth and visibility of Estonia’s cleantech sector.
• Enterprise Estonia — the national agency connecting Estonian companies with international partners and markets.

This year’s Climate Week coincides with the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week, focused on “Keeping the Promise” of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. President Karis’s participation underscores how Estonia — an agile and ambitious nation — can accelerate solutions that deliver both climate impact and energy security, in close partnership with the United States.

About Estonia

Estonia is a global leader in digital innovation. Known for its e-governance, the world’s first e-residency program, and boasting the highest number of startups per capita, Estonia offers a hassle-free and competitive business environment for global businesses. With a focus on transparency, efficiency, and forward-thinking solutions, Estonia is a trusted partner in business and diplomacy. Whether for work, investment, or exploration, Estonia provides a unique blend of innovation, opportunity, and quality of life. Situated in Northern Europe, Estonia consistently ranks high internationally for liberal democracy, political stability, economic freedom, and low corruption. Expert at adapting through innovation, Estonia is ready to tackle seemingly impossible challenges with the promise of a better future.

This project is funded by the European Union—NextGenerationEU.