The World Economic Forum and Frontiers have released a new report identifying ten emerging technologies with the potential to accelerate climate action, restore ecosystems, and promote sustainable innovation within planetary boundaries.
The inaugural publication, 10 Emerging Technology Solutions for Planetary Health, highlights science-based innovations that could help address global challenges related to climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. The report outlines scalable approaches designed to support societies in operating sustainably within Earth’s ecological systems.
The ten technologies identified in the report are precision fermentation, green ammonia production, automated food waste upcycling, methane capture and utilization, green concrete, next-generation bi-directional charging, timely and specific Earth observation, modular geothermal energy, regenerative desalination, and soil health technology convergence. Together, these innovations are described as offering pathways to reduce emissions, regenerate ecosystems, and enhance resilience across the food, water, energy, and infrastructure sectors.
Among the listed technologies, timely and specific Earth observation integrates satellite and machine learning technologies for real-time climate and biodiversity monitoring; modular geothermal energy provides flexible, low-impact renewable power across varied regions; and soil health technology convergence combines in-field sensors, microbiome engineering, and artificial intelligence to strengthen soil resilience, carbon storage, and food system sustainability.
The report notes that seven of the nine planetary boundaries have already been exceeded, underscoring the urgency for science-based, scalable responses. It evaluates each technology according to potential impact, scalability, and readiness, and serves as a practical framework for policymakers, innovators, and investors to translate scientific advances into real-world solutions.
The publication builds on the ongoing collaboration between the World Economic Forum and Frontiers. It draws on expertise from Frontiers’ global editorial network and the Frontiers Planet Prize community, including the Jury of 100 environmental and sustainability scientists. This report extends the annual Top 10 Emerging Technologies series by focusing specifically on innovations that align with the planet’s ecological thresholds.
Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director, World Economic Forum, explained that the research provides global leaders with insights into how existing technologies can be applied in new ways to address the accelerating impacts of climate change. Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Chairman of the Frontiers Planet Prize’s Jury of 100, observed that while no single technology can resolve all environmental challenges, emerging innovations offer potential to transform economies within sustainable limits.
Frederick Fenter, Chief Executive Editor, Frontiers, emphasized that open science and collaboration across sectors are essential to translating innovation into tangible environmental outcomes.
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