The World Economic Forum has spotlighted ten emerging technologies that could reshape how we power homes, grow food, and secure clean water in a heating world.
The report, “10 Emerging Technology Solutions for Planetary Health,” developed with open-science publisher Frontiers, highlights innovations that could accelerate climate action if scaled effectively. Some are already in use but remain far from mainstream adoption. Others are on the verge of deployment and need investment, infrastructure, and political will to reach global impact.
The backdrop is urgent. Global temperatures in 2024 stayed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels all year, and projections suggest the planet could hit 3°C of warming by 2100. The report identifies technologies that can both cut emissions and help communities adapt to climate extremes like droughts, floods, and heatwaves.
“The urgent realities of climate change are clear, but what’s less visible are the technologies already available and how they can be used in new ways to deliver solutions,” said Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director at the World Economic Forum.
Tech That Could Change Everything
In arid regions such as Saudi Arabia and Oman, regenerative desalination could make seawater drinkable using a fraction of the energy traditional systems need. Pilot projects in Italy and Canada have already shown that pairing advanced membranes with renewable energy could provide fresh water sustainably across the Middle East and beyond.
Regenerative desalination / World Economic ForumFor energy, modular geothermal systems could bring reliable, round-the-clock power to more places. These factory-built units tap underground heat to keep homes powered and cool even as climate impacts strain conventional grids.
Modular geothermal energy / World Economic Forum
The report’s ten featured innovations tackle everything from food waste to methane leaks. Together they show how science can move beyond theory to real-world impact.
The 10 Technologies
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Precision fermentation
Animal-free proteins that cut methane emissions and water use while transforming how we produce food and materials. -
Green ammonia
Cleaner fertilizer production that slashes pollution and helps decarbonize shipping. -
Automated food waste upcycling
Smart sorting systems that turn discarded food into compost, feed, or new products. -
Methane capture and utilization
Tools that detect and trap methane leaks from farms and industry before they reach the atmosphere. -
Green concrete
Construction materials that use recycled ingredients and lock in carbon instead of emitting it. -
Bi-directional charging
Charging systems that let electricity flow both ways, turning EVs into mini power plants. -
Real-time Earth observation
Next-gen satellites and sensors that track droughts, floods, and deforestation faster and with higher precision.
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Modular geothermal energy
Compact systems that deliver continuous renewable power anywhere with access to underground heat. -
Regenerative desalination
Energy-efficient systems that produce freshwater for arid regions without worsening emissions. -
Soil health technology convergence
AI, microbes, and sensors working together to restore degraded soil and store more carbon.
“No single technology is a silver bullet,” said Frederick Fenter, Chief Executive Editor at Frontiers. “But together, these innovations can help bend the curve toward a healthier, more sustainable planet.”
The Forum’s findings come ahead of its Annual Meetings of the Global Future Councils and Cybersecurity 2025 in Dubai, where over 500 experts and 150 cybersecurity leaders will explore how innovation and resilience can shape the next decade of global cooperation.
