10 Emerging Technology Solutions for Planetary Health 2025

Finance lens Targeted investment in handheld sensors, soil improvers and public- private data platforms could expand access beyond industrial farms. Still, if financing favours proprietary systems or centralized infrastructure, smallholders and farmers in low-income regions may be excluded from both tools and benefits.Equity lens Affordable tools, capacity strengthening, mobile-friendly interfaces and locally relevant soil benchmarks can help ensure farmers in digitally underserved areas are included. Without attention to connectivity gaps, language barriers and community- level data ownership, adoption may reinforce rather than reduce agricultural inequality. Protecting data ownership also ensures those who provide data can participate in decision-making and share in the economic benefits.Policy lens Clear standards for soil diagnostics – such as agreed thresholds for organic matter or nutrient availability – along with transparent validation of AI decision tools can support trust and interoperability. Addressing fragmented data systems and aligning market incentives – such as risk- sharing partnerships – are also key to increasing adoption. Without these, inconsistent data or opaque algorithms could undermine credibility, confuse users and stall regulatory approval.Make or break The success of soil health technologies may depend on clear standards, targeted investment and equitable access to tools, data and training. Planetary boundaries supported by soil health technologies → Climate change: Lowers greenhouse gas emissions by improving carbon retention and reducing nitrous oxide release through optimized fertilizer use. → Land-system change: Prevents soil degradation and promotes sustainable land use through enhanced soil monitoring, erosion measures and targeted improvements of soil health.→ Biogeochemical cycles: Reduces nitrogen and phosphorus runoff into ecosystems through site-specific nutrient application and biologically guided soil inputs. → Biosphere integrity: Supports biodiversity above and below ground by improving soil health and strengthening ecosystem resilience. CO 2- concen- trationRadiative forcing P cycleGreen waterFunctional integrity Blue water N cycle Modification of biogeochemical flowsGenetic diversityChange in biosphere integrityClimate change Land-system change Increase in atmospheric aerosol loading Ocean acidificationFreshwater changeStratospheric ozone depletionOverloading with novel entitiesPlanetary boundaryHigh-risk line 10 Emerging Technology Solutions for Planetary Health 36