Climate Innovation at Work
CLIMATE INNOVATION AT WORK
Presented during PNW Climate Week 2026
An interactive showcase spotlighting in-flight projects at the intersection of climate and economic development.
An opportunity for innovators, community leaders, and supporters to come together to accelerate ideas already moving our region forward.
This is our chance to step into the momentum and help shape what comes next — the economy we want — thriving, resilient, built on climate solutions.
The work is underway in Portland and across Oregon, and there's a lot more to do. Climate Innovation at Work is a chance to see and directly engage with leaders and this work.
Real projects. Real asks. A community ready to help.
EVENT OVERVIEW:
Convening climate and economic development leaders
Showcasing Featured Projects with direct engagement
Hear a fire-side chat with leaders on public-private funding paths
Browse science-fair style solutions with projects and the community
Join a post-event happy hour nearby, hosted by Climate Curious
FEATURED PROJECTS:
We will be featuring three existing projects that are meeting the moment in driving climate and economic development- with clear leadership, demonstrated traction and a specific ask of the community.
Mass Timber and Housing Innovation Campus at T2 The Port of Portland is transforming Terminal 2, a former marine terminal in NW Portland, into the Mass Timber and Housing Innovation Campus. When complete, the 40-acre campus will be home to manufacturers of modular housing and other mass timber structures, R&D of new products and tech, workforce training, and space to help small businesses scale and new businesses get off the ground.
COR Campus- Circular Economy Innovation Hub COR is developing a circular economy campus where they will be incubating innovative business startups using waste products as raw material to create innovative products. They are looking to house innovators, tech, R&D and professors and chemists from local institutions working on material sciences, to figure out how to remanufacture waste products and create meaningful green-collar jobs.
James Beard Public Market Zero Emission Logistics Initiative The concept being advanced is a zero-emission delivery hub for the future James Beard Public Market, building on PBOT's successful zero-emission delivery zone pilot. That pilot resulted in six new companies contracting with B-Line, over 65 zero-emission vehicle permits issued, and DHL purchasing three electric vehicles and installing chargers at their local facility. The next step is to integrate zero-emissions logistics servicing for The James Beard Public Market, which benefits market vendors, local restaurants, retailers, and residents.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Design Portland will host Climate Innovation at Work.
2:30 PM - Doors open to a science fair-like display — browse climate solutions from project teams.
3:00 PM - the program begins. VIP leaders kick-off the event. Then our three featured projects take the room in a rotating showcase — you engage directly, offer input, and respond to each project's specific community ask.
4:25 PM - A fireside chat with leaders experienced in building funding pathways share their experiences and reflect on what they heard and how to help move things forward.
5:00 PM - Closing remarks and Announcements.
5:30- 7:00 PM - Open to the pubic to expand community visibility, and networking.
Join the the Climate Curious Happy Hour starting at 5:30 PM.
REGISTRATION This is an approved-registration event. Exact venue address will be shared upon registration approval. Space is limited — register early.
YOUR HOSTS
Prosper Portland is the economic and urban development agency for the City of Portland. Prosper Portland’s Business Advancement Team supports Portland’s growth industries that employ the builders, designers, manufacturers and innovators of our city. For over a decade we have supported clean tech and green building companies and partners in the Green Cities Industry Cluster.
Partners: Oregon Business for Climate · VertueLab · Women in Cleantech and Sustainability (Portland Chapter) · Climate Curious · Latino Founders · SecondMuse · Design Portland
GETTING THERE The venue is in downtown Portland — one of the most transit-accessible corners in the city. Address will be provided upon confirmed registration.
🚇 MAX Light Rail — the nearest MAX station is a 3-minute walk, served by the Green and Red lines. Pioneer Courthouse/SW 6th Ave and Pioneer Square stations are also within easy walking distance, serving all MAX lines.
🚌 Bus — TriMet routes 12, 15, 19, 20, 36, 44, and 56 stop within 2 minutes of the venue. The Transit Mall on SW 5th and 6th runs directly past.
🚗 Parking — SmartPark garages at SW 10th & Yamhill and SW 4th & Yamhill offer affordable public parking with real-time availability. Pay via the Parking Kitty app or at any pay station. Street metered parking available on surrounding blocks.
🚲 Bike — Bike racks and BIKETOWN stations nearby.
ACCESSIBILITY We want everyone to be able to fully participate. Please note that this is an active working space and accessibility conditions may be tight. If you have any accessibility requirements — mobility, sensory, or otherwise — please flag them in your registration so we can plan ahead. The earlier we know, the better we can prepare. Questions? Reach out directly before the event.
INCLUSIVITY Climate Innovation at Work is an inclusive event. We welcome attendees of all backgrounds, identities, and perspectives and are committed to a respectful, harassment-free experience for everyone. Discrimination of any kind — including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, or national origin — will not be tolerated.
MEDIA CONSENT By attending this event, you consent to being photographed or recorded, and to those images and recordings being used in event-related communications and marketing materials by Prosper Portland and its partners.
PNW Climate Week AFFILIATION By registering for this event, you agree to share your information with the event organizers, PNW Climate Week, and Climatebase / the Climate Week Network. You may receive updates from these organizations, and can opt out at any time in accordance with their respective privacy policies.