Global Cleantech Cluster Association (GCCA)

The challenge

Climate change, growing energy costs and scarcity of resources are challenges to be faced by the modern economy. Sustainability concepts have to be turned into reality, which in turn creates new challenges and opportunities. Consequently, joining forces is necessary for the purpose of promoting sustainable practices as is providing support to the innovation competences of firms, increasing their capacity to contribute to a sustainable global economy. By combining activities like the acquisition of venture capital for development, demonstration and commercial exploitation or setting up a public-private partnership, GCCA strengthens the value chains of forerunner clean tech firms and in this was provides support to business.

The network

In late 2010, the GCCA was officially launched as part of the Cleantech Venture Day in Lahti, Finland.[2] This ceremony followed the initiative of several clean tech cluster organisations to organise a global “cleantech cluster of clusters.” The primary goal of the GCCA is to make local clean tech clusters global.[3] Industry, SMEs, and investors in excellent clean tech started combining activities, thus enhancing the cooperation between these organisations in an innovation-driven and competitive way, which results in highest return of investment rates.  Currently, the GCCA consists of 49 Global Cluster members, which represent over 10,000 clean tech companies worldwide.[4] GCCA seeks to collaborate with the widest variety of stakeholders and facilitates strategic cooperation by providing high quality networking opportunities for clusters and their companies.

The benefits

Being a member of the GCCA means being part of a powerful structure, accelerating the deployment of clean technology within local regions and across the world, promoting sustainable energy issues on a global scale as well as in particular regions.[5] In order to select the best of the best, the Global Cleantech Later Stage Award challenges the most promising later stage or “expansion capital” technology companies across the globe. Companies compete in 10 categories, including solar, wind, water, energy efficiency and more.[6] During virtual events, cluster managers have the opportunity to combine efforts to push forward specific topics and create collaboration opportunities. As a powerful instrument to identify upcoming potential, GCCA prepared the EcoRadar 2012-2015.[7]

Further deployment

The Global Cleantech Cluster Association, validated in its way of proceeding, qualifies for an estimated level 7 on the generic maturity scale GML.[8] By joining forces with the P-80 Group Foundation[9] it succeeded in its aim to trigger the investment of venture capital for development, demonstration and commercial exploitation for the purpose of driving low carbon, climate resilient, sustainable growth, as well as increasing investment in the deployment of proven technologies to address climate change challenges.[10] The activities of GCCA are financed by a membership fee, which depends on the type of stakeholder.[11] Its main office is located in U.S.A. According to testimonials, GCCA is an independent, reliable and credible voice filtering out the noise in the clean tech arena.[12]

http://www.globalcleantech.org/