10 Emerging Technology Solutions for Planetary Health 2025

Planetary boundaries supported by precision fermentationFinance lens Blended finance approaches, modular infrastructure and open-access strain libraries may expand participation by smaller firms and regional producers. High capital costs and centralized production models could constrain broader access; however, practical scale-up routes – such as business-to- business integration into manufacturing, public procurement and shared manufacturing hubs – can help facilitate adoption and diversify market entry.Equity lens Equitable outcomes are more likely where production is affordable, culturally relevant and accessible to diverse stakeholders, including those in low-resource or agriculturally vulnerable settings – including workers, farmers, ranchers and communities affected by shifts away from traditional animal- based production systems. Without inclusive models, benefits may remain concentrated in high-income regions.Policy lens Adaptive regulatory frameworks for food safety, labelling and intellectual property can support public trust and market access. While precision fermentation produces proteins similar to their animal-derived counterparts, the final product may lack certain components (e.g. fats, sugars, micronutrients). Clear guidance is needed to ensure accurate labelling and prevent consumer confusion. Fragmented oversight or delays in approval may limit adoption and increase monopolization risk.Make or break The success of precision fermentation may depend on adaptive regulation, inclusive financing models and equitable access to tools and markets. → Climate change: Reduces methane and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by replacing ruminant livestock and energy-intensive production systems. → Land-system change: Decreases land needed for pasture and animal feed crops, freeing space for conservation or regenerative land use. → Biosphere integrity: Reduces biodiversity loss by limiting habitat conversion and reliance on animal-derived products.→ Nutrient cycles: Minimizes nitrogen and phosphorus pollution by reducing fertilizer use tied to conventional feed production. → Novel entities (chemical pollution): Avoids harmful byproducts and reduces reliance on synthetic additives and agrichemicals. Climate change CO 2- concen- trationRadiative forcing P cycleGreen waterFunctional integrityGenetic diversity Blue water N cycleIncrease in atmospheric aerosol loading Ocean acidificationModification of biogeochemical flowsFreshwater changeLand-system changeChange in biosphere integrity Overloading with novel entities Stratospheric ozone depletionPlanetary boundaryHigh-risk line 10 Emerging Technology Solutions for Planetary Health 9