Lever Institute
We identify the climate problems where collective action unlocks the solution – and build the coalitions to deliver it.
Why we exist
Not every climate challenge has a natural owner. Some of the most consequential ones exist between what governments mandate, what companies can act on alone, and what NGOs are positioned to deliver.
These are problems where the solution only becomes possible when an entire industry moves as one – where shared action unlocks what individual action cannot.
Lever Institute is built to work in that gap. We find these problems, build the collective, and see each initiative through to a durable outcome.
For example
Consider an industry where four competitors could each adopt a proven cleaner technology, but none moves – the cost and risk of going first are too high. Together, the first-mover disadvantage disappears. That's the type of problem we build coalitions to solve.
Our approach
We start by scanning industries for problems that meet our criteria. When we find one, we build the collective – engaging industry players, securing commitments, and structuring the initiative to reach a durable outcome. Each initiative is designed to be handed to a permanent steward once it stands on its own.
01
The benefit must accrue broadly – not just to those who fund the work.
02
Multiple actors in a system share in the gains, creating broad coalition incentives.
03
No single company or organisation could solve this alone and capture most of the value.
04
Competitors can collaborate on this problem without anti-competitive concerns.
Discovery
Can this problem be solved?
Identify climate problems that are individually irrational but collectively rational to solve. Map the economic barriers, the players, and the collective action thesis.
Key question
Is this problem structurally stuck? Is there a credible collective path?
Platform role
AI-assisted barrier analysis, competitive research, problem framing
Who is responsible
Lever Institute. Discovery is internal research – stakeholders are briefed on findings and can interact with the analysis.
Exploration
Does the economics stack up?
Model the leverage ratio. Map stakeholders and test the thesis with anchor industry participants. Determine whether the collective case is fundable and actionable.
Key question
Is the leverage ratio above threshold? Who are the anchor participants?
Platform role
Leverage modelling, stakeholder engagement tracking, milestone planning
Who is responsible
Led by Lever Institute with active input from industry stakeholders. Participants shape the economic model and validate the collective thesis.
Execution
Make it happen.
Coordinate participants, manage risks, deliver milestones. The Lever Institute facilitates – it does not do the work of industry. Our role is coordination, accountability, and narrative.
Key question
When to bring in a steward? What are the critical path blockers?
Platform role
Initiative management, risk tracking, stakeholder updates
Who is responsible
Industry stakeholders lead the substantive work. Lever Institute coordinates, tracks milestones, and maintains accountability across participants.
Lifecycle
Hand it over.
Transition the initiative to a permanent steward. Lever Institute makes itself redundant for each initiative. A successful handover is the product – track record is what we sell.
Key question
Has the steward capacity? Is the model replicable elsewhere?
Platform role
Knowledge capture, handover documentation, replication playbook
Who is responsible
A permanent steward takes ownership – a government body, industry association, or purpose-built entity. Lever Institute steps back entirely.
Who we are
Founder
Luke has spent his career across mining and manufacturing in technical, sales, and leadership roles – seeing first-hand where industries get stuck on the path to cleaner ways of working. As an engineer and business leader, he is now turning that experience to the mission of climate action.
Early stage — more coming.
In validation
Coordinated procurement of proven heat pump technology by mid-tier processors – shared vendor assessment, engineering specs, and volume pricing.
Coordinated procurement of electric trucks by small/medium operators on a shared corridor, with shared depot access and charging.
Get in touch
Whether you want to support the mission, represent an industry we're working in, or simply find out more – we'd like to hear from you.
We reply to every message personally, within a few days.