Core Insights - Tencent has announced the top 50 finalists for its CarbonX Program 2.0, aimed at accelerating climate technologies for a net-zero world by 2050 [1][10] - The program received over 660 applications from 54 countries, with a total funding pool of RMB200 million (approximately US$28 million) for the selected innovators [2][10] - The initiative addresses the "Valley of Death" in climate innovation, which is the gap between early-stage innovation and large-scale deployment [3][4] Funding and Support - Winners of the CarbonX Program will receive not only funding but also technical resources, expert mentorship, and opportunities to pilot their solutions in climate-vulnerable regions such as Kenya, the Maldives, and Serbia [2][6] - The program aims to create a global ecosystem involving scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to support the scaling of climate solutions [4][5] Focus Areas of Innovation - The finalists are working on four key areas: 1. Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) with pilots in Kenya to develop cost-effective solutions for removing CO2 [8] 2. Industrial Decarbonization (CCUS for Steel) focusing on reducing lifecycle emissions in steel production with pilots in Serbia [8] 3. Carbon Capture and Utilization (CarbonXmade) transforming captured carbon into consumer products [8] 4. Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES) validating emerging technologies in the Maldives to support renewable energy expansion [8] Event and Collaboration - The announcement was made at the CarbonX Summit 2025 in Shenzhen, which gathered leaders from business, academia, and policy to discuss how innovation ecosystems can accelerate climate action [7] - The summit emphasized the importance of catalytic finance, inclusive deployment, and multilateral collaboration in achieving the Paris Agreement targets [7]