The global climate tech sector recorded 153 public listings and acquisitions in the first six months of 2026, up 70% year-on-year, according to a new report from market research firm Currence.
It marks the sector's busiest first half on record for exits, per the report, published on Monday.
Energy companies have led the recovery. US nuclear firm X-Energy raised $1bn in its April IPO and geothermal developer Fervo Energy raised $1.9bn in May, with both stocks trading up more than 25% on debut, according to Currence.
European companies are part of the trend, though most are listing in the US. Stockholm-based electric truck maker Einride began trading on Nasdaq on 10 June after completing its merger with blank-check company Legato Merger Corp. III, at a pre-money equity value of approximately $1.35bn.
Meanwhile, Paris-based nuclear developer Newcleo announced in May that it plans to list on Nasdaq through a SPAC merger with NewHold Investment Corp III. The deal values the company at approximately $2.4bn and is expected to raise up to $429m when it closes in the second half of 2026.
Finnish quantum firm IQM, the first exit for Berlin-based deep tech and climate VC World Fund, went public on July 2nd at a reported $1.9bn valuation.
All three companies chose SPAC mergers, a structure that lost favour after heavy losses followed the 2021 boom.
"Now, I think we're seeing them re-emerge as a more refined tool," Daria Saharova, founding partner at World Fund, told Impact Loop earlier this year.
Saharova also pointed to why European companies keep choosing US exchanges.
"If you want to avoid a 'European discount' in your valuation, there are only a few exchanges that can provide the right visibility and liquidity. Nasdaq is one of them," she said.
The wave of listings returns capital to LPs after several years of limited exit activity in climate tech.
Public markets remain a narrow channel in Europe, however, where more than 80% of exits are still driven by M&A, according to PitchBook.