10 Emerging Technology Solutions for Planetary Health 2025

Introduction Addressing planetary boundary breaches will require rapidly and equitably scaling emerging technology solutions. In 2024, the global average temperature remained 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the entire year. 1.3°C of this warming can be attributed to human activity.1 Current mitigation approaches are not on track to limit warming to this threshold. In fact, many trusted projections show that current policies and commitments will lead to 3°C warming by 2100, setting in motion catastrophic consequences for life on Earth. In the face of this escalating crisis, technology – and its speedy rollout at scale – has a vital role to play to help humanity build a more sustainable future, adapt to the consequences of the changing climate and repair the harm already done to the Earth and its ecosystems. While the role of technology in addressing the climate crisis must be approached with caution – particularly as advancing technology can also put a strain on global natural resources – it is equally critical to recognize that there is no viable path to a sustainable future that does not depend heavily on both existing and emerging technologies.2  For over a decade, the World Economic Forum has highlighted the most cutting-edge technologies poised to make an impact in our societies through our annual Top 10 Emerging Technologies report. This special edition is the first of its kind, focusing on emerging technologies that can specifically address and respond to the current state of our planet. With mounting evidence that we have already exceeded Earth’s “safe operating space” and breached seven of the nine planetary boundaries (see Figure 1), there is an urgent need for solutions that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, maintain biosphere integrity, enable resource efficiency and even repair our Earth systems. This report spotlights technologies with significant potential to respond to the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Some – like green concrete, green ammonia production and methane capture and utilization – focus on advances in material and chemical processes to reduce emissions and decarbonize key sectors. Others – like next-generation (next-gen) bi-directional charging and modular geothermal – offer innovative ways to consider energy systems for greater efficiency, flexibility and resilience. Advances in biotechnology have also led to precision fermentation for alternative proteins and microbiome engineering for soil health, which can enhance food security, reduce agricultural emissions and restore ecosystem function. When different advances in technology converge, they enable breakthroughs like automated food waste upcycling, timely and specific Earth observation and regenerative desalination. To scale, these technologies require an enabling policy environment, robust financial investment and coordinated action across sectors. Ensuring the technologies are developed and deployed in an equitable way is also essential to maximize their impact and ensure benefits are shared broadly across the globe. Each technology in this report has been assessed with these crucial policy, finance and equity lenses in mind. While technology alone is not a panacea for our planetary health crisis, climate projections make it clear that remaining within the 1.5°C threshold will demand unprecedented technological innovation and rapid adoption. The technologies outlined in this report represent a starting point for collective action – offering approaches with the potential to accelerate progress, inspire collaboration and help secure a sustainable future.Helen Burdett Technology for Earth Head, World Economic ForumFrederick Fenter Chief Executive Editor, Frontiers 10 Emerging Technology Solutions for Planetary Health 4