Throughout the summer, we’ve been sharing snippets from our Study Mission 5.0: Brussels and Beyond. This was our first study mission outside North America, and we went to Belgium and Iceland to learn from Europe’s 20 years of carbon markets. Our study mission fostered collaboration between the subnational delegation of Pacific Northwest leaders and international partners on issues related to climate action, innovative clean manufacturing, and the clean energy transition.
Now, we’re excited to announce that our full trip report is available: Study Mission 5.0: Brussels and Beyond. Lessons From Europe’s 20 Years of Carbon Markets.
Here is a preview of the key takeaways from our fifth study mission:
- Subnational entities like Washington state now have a primary role in combating the climate crisis and transitioning to a clean energy economy.
- Carbon markets like the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and Climate Commitment Act (CCA) are a central strategy to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and investing in the clean energy transition.
- Clean manufacturing is a key driver of emissions reductions, but it requires innovation, investment from public and private partners, and streamlined, reduced barriers in order to be successful, economically viable, and sustainable.
- Ambitious emissions reductions targets can be met, but political courage and willpower is absolutely essential.
Thank you to our sponsors for making Study Mission 5.0: Brussels & Beyond possible!
GeekWire: Climate tech companies dominate PNW funding with the three biggest investment rounds in 2025
New reporting in GeekWire details how climate tech companies in Washington state are bucking broader trends and garnering record investments in 2025. This underscores what we have long said: Despite federal retrenchment, the transition to a clean energy economy is unstoppable. Within this context, Washington state remains the home of cutting-edge businesses making breakthroughs in emissions-reducing clean energy innovations.
Clean & Prosperous Institute board member and former state senator Reuven Carlyle spoke with GeekWire about how these record investments show how the world is moving toward decarbonization:
“No one is minimizing the challenge and the chaos of this moment…but there is a long game,” Carlyle said. “And the DNA of the Seattle high-tech community is separating the signal from the noise for the long game.”
Read the full story in GeekWire here.
Advance Your Clean Energy Project with WA Commerce
In a recent newsletter, we broke down upcoming deadlines for major clean energy tax credits and explained how communities and businesses could take advantage of them before they are phased out.
As we approach many tax credit deadlines, the Washington State Department of Commerce has a dedicated team to provide legal and filing assistance to help organizations across the state access these resources.
Your organization may be eligible for free support from Commerce with:
- Navigating federal tax credit requirements and deadlines.
- Understanding project eligibility and domestic content requirements.
- Connecting with funding and technical resources to qualify for safe harbor rules.
- Filing tax credits correctly and on time.
- Providing technical assistance to expedite high-priority project timelines.
Share your project with Commerce to get help building faster!
Follow CPI on Social Media
Follow Clean & Prosperous Institute on social media to learn more about our work to transition to a clean energy economy. You can find us on these channels:
- LinkedIn: @clean-prosperous-institute
- Instagram: @cleanprosperousinstitute
- Bluesky: @cleanandprosperous.bsky.social
Thank You to Our Study Mission Sponsors
We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors who made our Study Mission: Brussels and Beyond possible.
