Dubai, UAE–Ten transformative technology solutions could change the way the world powers homes, grows food and secures freshwater, according to a new World Economic Forum report released today.
Many of these critical technologies already exist but remain underused. Unlocking their potential as practical, scalable solutions to pressing climate challenges will hinge on political will, financial and material investment and public awareness.
The 10 Emerging Technology Solutions for Planetary Health report, developed in collaboration with Frontiers, shows how innovative technological solutions – if scaled – can accelerate climate action and contribute to sustainable prosperity.
In 2024, global temperatures stayed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the entire year and current estimates put the world on track for nearing a potentially catastrophic 3°C of warming by 2100.
Against this backdrop, the report outlines technologies with the potential not only to cut emissions but also to help societies adapt to and repair damage while providing insight into how these solutions can be scaled effectively.
“The urgent realities of climate change are clear, but what is less visible are the technologies already available and how they can be used in new ways to deliver solutions,” said Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director, World Economic Forum. “This research provides global leaders with the foresight they need to act at the necessary speed and scale.”
One of the challenges explored in the new report is drinking water scarcity in arid countries such as Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait. Regenerative desalination combines advanced membranes with renewable energy to turn seawater into safe drinking water using far less energy than traditional methods.
Pilot projects in Italy and Canada have shown promising results and, with targeted local investment, this approach could expand access to freshwater across the Middle East and beyond.
Another pressing challenge is providing reliable electricity without relying on fossil fuels, especially as rising temperatures and climate impacts strain existing power systems.
Geothermal energy provides a steady source of electricity, day and night. New factory-built modular systems can provide round-the-clock power and be deployed in more locations, helping vulnerable communities stay cool and connected with affordable renewable energy.
These examples show how practical technologies can tackle urgent problems today. The 10 solutions in the report outline not only the science behind the innovations but also what is needed to make them work: investment, infrastructure, policy and responsible governance.
Each technology was evaluated through various means including expert nominations, AI trend analysis, peer assessment and analysis of adoption conditions. The solutions were chosen for their novelty, depth and potential to deliver meaningful societal benefit.
The 10 Emerging Technology Solutions for Planetary Health
Precision fermentation
Animal-free proteins could transform food, materials and medicine while reducing demand for feed crops, cutting water and energy use and lowering methane emissions from livestock.
Green ammonia production
Cleaner ammonia production methods could displace energy-intensive traditional processes to make fertilizer. This helps lower emissions and pollution while supporting more sustainable farming and clean shipping fuels.
Automated food waste upcycling
Automated sorting systems can now spot and separate food waste – even when it’s spoiled or mixed with packaging – so it can be turned into compost, animal feed or new products.
Methane capture and utilization
New tools can detect and capture methane leaks from farms, landfills and industry before they reach the atmosphere, providing one of the fastest ways to slow global warming.
Green concrete
Next-generation concrete that uses recycled materials and can even lock carbon could make construction cleaner while keeping vital resources in use.
Next-gen bi-directional charging
Emerging charging systems allow electricity to flow both into and out of batteries, making the grid more flexible and stable, whether the storage comes from electric vehicles, homes, or elsewhere.
Timely and specific earth observation
New satellites and sensors track floods, droughts and deforestation real time, providing faster, sharper data that helps governments, companies and communities act before crises escalate.
Modular geothermal energy
Smaller, factory-built geothermal systems can deliver constant renewable power almost anywhere, adding reliable clean energy to the global mix.
Regenerative desalination
New desalination systems can produce clean drinking water with a fraction of the energy of conventional methods, delivering clean water sustainably to arid regions worldwide.
Soil health technology convergence
Sensors, microbes and AI can help restore degraded soils, ensuring they store more carbon, grow more food and support ecosystems.
