UMass President Marty Meehan outlines vision for the Commonwealth’s climate tech future in State of the University Address
Meehan pledges “whole-university” effort to transform campuses, build climate tech economy, and calls for national and global partnerships
Five months after Gov. Maura Healey signed the Mass Leads Act, UMass President Marty Meehan pledged to position the university for a leadership role in the critically important climate tech industry by making the university an economic and research partner in the state’s effort in his annual State of the University Address.
President Meehan tasked chancellors at each campus with developing economic development strategies that will align with the Commonwealth’s Climate Tech Economic Development plan and the Mass Leads Act, which aims to make Massachusetts a leader in climate tech by leveraging state investment to catalyze private sector activity.
A 2024 report by UMass Donahue Institute showed that Mass Leads investments are expected to generate $16.4 billion in economic activity and create 6,670 new jobs.
Dear members of the UMass community,
While we continue to navigate a period of significant disruption, I remain committed to keeping you informed about how the university is thoughtfully responding to evolving federal policies that affect our students, faculty, staff and communities.
For my annual State of the University Address, I wanted to instead focus on how, even in these troubling times, the University of Massachusetts is continuing to pursue our mission of education, research and engagement that benefits the future of the Commonwealth. This Earth Day, I’m sharing with you our plan for how UMass will help the Commonwealth address a threat that transcends any one administration – climate change – while simultaneously positioning the state for the economy of the future.
Last year, Massachusetts, led by Gov. Healey, Lt. Gov. Driscoll, Senate President Spilka, Speaker Mariano, and the entire Massachusetts Legislature passed the Mass Leads Act, which set new aspirations for climate technology.
In this year’s address, I discuss how the university will leverage the whole of our mission to support the state's efforts in the climate tech space. In it, I highlight five impactful initiatives that demonstrate the expertise and commitment of the incredible UMass faculty, students, and staff who are doing this work.
It is my hope that this effort will make clear to our partners in both the public and the private sectors, in our nation, and around the world, that UMass is an ideal partner to advance climate technology and climate resiliency research.
In this address, I also recognized the impact that the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s BRIGHT Act would have on the UMass campuses. If passed, this visionary proposal would be the most significant capital investment in the public campuses, especially UMass, in decades. We are incredibly grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for prioritizing this and to the Legislature for establishing the Higher Education Capital Working Group, whose work informed this recommendation.
To all members of our community, I want to thank you for all that you do to make this university what it is.
Sincerely,
Marty Meehan
President
University of Massachusetts
The University of Massachusetts Amherst Water and Energy Technology Center provides researchers, entrepreneurs, and established companies a place to test new technology in water treatment and purification.
The Stone Living Lab collaborates with researchers, industry leaders, and local communities to advance coastal resiliency initiatives in response to the impacts of climate change.
The UMass Dartmouth Biodegradability Lab helps bring biodegradable, ocean-safe materials to market faster, promoting sustainability. It was launched through a public-private partnership, backed by a $739,936 grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and a $450,000 investment from industry partner, PrimaLoft.
The Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy at UMass Lowell is a hub for research, innovation, and action to build a climate-resilient and sustainable future. Its interdisciplinary approach spans clean energy, sustainable materials, climate policy, and environmental justice—translating knowledge into real-world solutions.
UMass Chan Medical School educates future doctors and healthcare leaders on how to confront the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable populations with a new climate change-focused curriculum.
The BRIGHT Act represents a historic investment in public higher education and a significant step forward in the state’s climate resilience and decarbonization strategies.
The BRIGHT Act unlocks $2.5 billion in new capital funding over the next decade, leveraging $125 million annually from the Fair Share surtax to modernize the facilities that serve the Commonwealth’s students, faculty, and communities.
With $1.25 billion dedicated to UMass, this initiative will allow us to:
Learn more about the BRIGHT Act and its potential impact on UMass.
President Meehan established the President’s Circle newsletter to keep the UMass community informed about key initiatives and accomplishments. By joining the UMass President’s Circle, you can expect to receive quarterly reports from the president, as well as periodic updates on major strategic initiatives at UMass.
