UNC Cleantech Summit

Hosted by the University of North Carolina Institute for the Environment and Kenan-Flagler Business School at UNC Friday Conference Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, March 9–10, 2026, the 12th annual UNC Cleantech Summit is the largest university-hosted cleantech event in the United States by attendance and programming scope. The two-day summit convenes 1,000+ industry professionals, entrepreneurs, corporate sustainability leaders, government officials, academic researchers, and students to comprehensively discuss emerging technologies, innovative business models, and policy solutions for decarbonization and sustainability across multiple economic sectors. Programming spans eight focused tracks addressing energy innovation and decarbonization strategies, circular economy solutions and material innovation, climate finance and investment mechanisms, policy and regulatory frameworks, advanced materials and sustainable manufacturing, agricultural technology and nature-based solutions, artificial intelligence applications for climate, and cleantech workforce development. Featured keynote speakers and 30–40 breakout sessions.