The World Economic Forum has released a report setting out ten 'transformative' technologies which it says could change the way that the world powers homes, grows food and secures fresh water.
The 10 Emerging Technology Solutions for Planetary Health report, developed in collaboration with academic publisher Frontiers, notes that many of the technologies already exist but remain underused. “Unlocking their potential as practical, scalable solutions to pressing climate challenges will hinge on political will, financial and material investment and public awareness,” the WEF says.
The ten technologies listed in the report include:
Precision fermentation: Here microbes such as yeast, fungi or bacteria are optimised through DNA modification to produce specific proteins and other high-value target molecules. With the use of bioreactors, simple feedstocks such as sugar can be converted into useful products. The report indicates that in the area of diary protein production, precision fermentation, coupled with renewable energy inputs and sustainable feedstocks could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 72%-97%, cut water use by 81%-91% and lower land use by up to 99% compared to conventional dairy protein production.
While this technology is finding application in the food sector, its success could depend on regulation being adapted as well as supportive financing models, the report says.
Green ammonia production: Ammonia is necessary in the manufacture of fertilisers; however, conventional ammonia production consumes up to 2% of global energy and generates more emissions than any other chemical process, according to the WEF.
This problem is being addressed through green ammonia, which is based on renewable energy input rather than fossil-based materials. The report notes that several routes for producing green ammonia are available, this includes converting nitrogen to ammonia directly, using electricity, sunlight or microbes.
Green ammonia production is being piloted in more than 15 countries, including Morocco, Chile, Japan and Australia. It is also being evaluated a marine fuel, with ammonia-powered engines being tested. Additional projects are being developed to allow on-site fertiliser production in regions with intermittent power of limited infrastructure.
The report notes that deployment of green ammonia would have a positive impact on climate change as well as providing economic and social opportunities,
Automated food waste upcycling: Sorting systems can now spot and separate food waste so that it can be composted, turned in animal feed or new products.
The report notes that recent progress in automation and robotics, driven by advances in AI, machine learning, and computer vision, means that it is easier to separate food from other waste streams, such as plastics packaging, enabling large-scale recovery for composting, biogas production or upcycling.
Growing demand for upcycled products, including animal feed, compost blends, bioplastics and even food ingredients, is increasing the economic viability of these systems. The global market for upcycled food products is put at more than $50 billion, with strong growth expected over coming years.
The report calls for national and municipal mandates for food waste diversion which are paired with contamination standards and procurement support for sorted organics to accelerate adoption. It also says that without support for smaller operators, the technology may remain confined to large, centralised facilities.
Methane capture and utilisation: Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, trapping some 80 times more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. But, with the availability of tools to detect and capture methane leaks from farms, landfills and industry, their deployment could provide one of the most important routes to slowing global warming in the near term.
The report says that compact sensors and low-cost imaging equipment can now support methane leak detection at small or remote locations, enabling recovery where it was not previously cost effective. In addition, researchers are exploring direct air capture methods that might be able to extract even trace amounts of methane from the environment.
As well as slowing global warming reducing methane emissions could lessen respiratory health risks in nearby communities, the report notes.
Policy frameworks that direct methane capture towards existing emissions could support long-term climate goals, and targeted investment could accelerate the deployment these capture technologies.
Green concrete: The production of cement, a binding ingredient in concrete, is said to be responsible for some 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions and also drives demand for sand.
However, cement free, or green, concrete uses binders derived from industrial byproducts or construction. Some technologies also allow carbon dioxide to be sequestered into the concrete matrix. These advances are also cutting demand for the extracted raw materials and easing pressure on land.
The report says that supportive building codes and procurement policies are among the steps that would help in the uptake of green concrete. Also, in the area of finance, green bonds along with major buyer commitments could strengthen market confidence.
Next-generation bi-directional charging: With the global fleet of electric vehicles having reached some 58 million, there is emerging potential for the stored energy in EV batteries to be used for powering homes, buildings and even urban and remote power grids. Bi-directional charging allows electricity to move both into and out of batteries, enabling stored energy to be redirected based on need.
This technology is currently being piloted in the US with school buses equipped with vehicle-to-grid systems, among several projects. The technology is also in use in Canada, with bi-directional charging being coupled with smart grid technology.
The report notes that such systems could enhance energy resilience as well as reducing peak costs in underserved communities if integrated in affordable housing. Policies that provide a consistent framework for deployment are key, the report says.
Timely and specific earth observation: New satellites and sensors can track floods, droughts and deforestation in real time providing data to support governments and national agencies in taking action ahead of a crisis.
The report hightlights the European Commission’s Destination Earth initiative which is aimed at developing a digital twin for the entire planet. Systems such as these could support governments and businesses in tracking issues such as freshwater depletion, for example.
These kinds of systems, the WEF report says, will have to be underpinned by governance frameworks that promote transparency and accountability, including ensuring data accuracy and validation.
Modular geothermal energy: Geothermal energy offers great potential for energy supply; however it only meets 1% of global electricity demand. But with advances in modular, factory built geothermal systems and improvements in drilling technologies, the opportunity for deployment of the technology is expanding.
The report calls for policy interventions where clear permitting frameworks and risk sharing mechanisms are set in place, to accelerate the deployment of modular geothermal energy.
Regenerative desalination: This is a sustainable approach to water purification that reuses and recycles water and resources within the process, minimizing waste, energy demand and environmental impacts. When powered by renewable energy, this technology can further reduce water-treatment-related emissions, making desalination even more sustainable.
The report notes that continued support for conventional desalination is hampering the uptake of regenerative desalination and calls for combining public and private capital to help reduce early-stage deployment risks.
Soil health technology convergence: With healthy soils critical to planetary and human health, the WEF report says that a convergence of emerging technologies – including proximate and remote sensing, microbiome engineering and AI-enhanced diagnostics is making soil health maintenance visible, measurable and actionable.
The report calls for clear soil standardisation– such as agreed thresholds for organic matter or nutrient availability. It also calls for fragmented data systems to be addressed and alignment of market incentives - such as risk sharing partnerships.
The report says that adoption and scaleup of these technologies has the potential to support planetary and human health, but adds: “It is crucial to approach technological interventions with both ambition and responsibility, recognising their potential, while remaining mindful of their limitations and unintended consequences.”
Further reading on sustainable technologies:
- Top 10 emerging technologies of 2024: from cooling solutions to carbon capture
- Global Innovation Index: R&D funding robust but venture capital plummets
- There may be a lot less room for carbon underground than we hoped
Visit Blog