Climate Adaptation Unlocking Value Chains with the Power of Technology 2025

Foreword The accelerating pace of climate change is fundamentally altering the way businesses and organizations approach adaptation and resilience. Global temperatures soared to unprecedented levels in 2024, making it the hottest year ever recorded. Shifts in climate and extreme weather events send ripple effects across entire value chains, impacting companies far beyond immediately affected areas. In this interconnected world, a company’s resilience is no longer measured in isolation but depends on the strength of its partners and suppliers. As Darwin famously noted: “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most adaptable to change.” This adaptability must now be achieved collectively, leveraging partnerships and advanced technologies. Technology plays a transformative role in this collective adaptation, by helping organizations to understand, anticipate and respond to climate risks; but many technologies only realize their full potential when deployed through collaboration, sharing data and insights across stakeholders. By pooling resources and expertise, companies can not only enhance resilience but also unlock new opportunities for innovation and reduce costs when implementing adaptation strategies. The Tech for Climate Adaptation Working Group, convened by the World Economic Forum’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, was instrumental in developing this report, bringing together leaders and experts from technology, industry, academia and the public sector. The report focuses on advancing practical applications and cutting-edge knowledge for climate adaptation, while emphasizing the importance of secure data- sharing, standardized metrics and collaboration with local communities. The working group’s insights provide a critical foundation for organizations looking to scale-up adaptation strategies, innovate and foster partnerships within their value chains. The case for climate action is undeniable. Organizations must move beyond fragmented approaches to climate risks and fully embrace technology as a key driver for adaptation. By investing in collaboration platforms, companies can not only protect themselves but also seize the opportunity to lead in building a resilient and sustainable future. The path forward is clear: collaborate, innovate and scale-up technologies to adapt rapidly to a changing world.Gim Huay Neo Managing Director and Head, Centre for Nature and Climate, World Economic Forum Climate Adaptation: Unlocking Value Chains with the Power of TechnologyJanuary 2025 Hamid Maher Managing Director and Senior Partner, Boston Consulting GroupHelen Burdett Head, Technology for Earth, World Economic Forum Climate Adaptation: Unlocking Value Chains with the Power of Technology 3