10 Emerging TechnologySolutions for Planetary Health I N S I G H TR E P O R TO C T O B E R2 0 2 5 Images:Midjourney, Studio Miko. All images in thisreport were generated using artificial intelligence. Contents Foreword3 Introduction4 Methodology6 9Regenerative desalination31 10Soil health technology convergence34 Conclusion37 Appendix38 Contributors39 Endnotes41 Disclaimer This document is published by theWorld Economic Forum as a contributionto a project, insight area or interaction.The findings, interpretations andconclusions expressed herein are a resultof a collaborative process facilitated andendorsed by the World Economic Forumbut whose results do not necessarilyrepresent the views of the World EconomicForum, nor the entirety of its Members,Partners or other stakeholders. ©2025 World Economic Forum. All rightsreserved. No part of this publication maybe reproduced or transmitted in any formor by any means, including photocopyingand recording, or by any informationstorage and retrieval system. Foreword Johan RockstromDirector, Potsdam Institute forClimate Impact Research (PIK) Advancements in technology have a crucial roleto play in efforts to transform the world economyback within the safe operating space of planetaryboundaries. They can substitute planet-damagingtechnologies (such as transitioning away fromfossil-fuel-based energy and moving to greenelectric solutions), enable more effective monitoringof environmental changes, mitigate damagingimpacts and have the potential to help restorethe integrity of some of our planet’s vital systems.The technologies in this report offer promising toolsas part of the broader transformation needed tomove back towards a safe operating space withinplanetary boundaries. With humans putting continued pressure onour natural systems, we are seeing critical Earthprocesses that regulate the stability and resilience ofour planet pushed beyond safe limits. The planetaryboundaries framework is a scientific analysis of thestability of Earth’s natural systems, offering a clearunderstanding of the interrelated Earth processesthat underpin life and keep our planet healthy.When acting within the safe operating space, thesesystems are in balance and provide the stableconditions necessary for human development andwell-being. As of 2025, however, seven of the nine planetaryboundaries have been breached, with greenhousegas concentrations rising, synthetic chemicalsreleased into nature, overuse of nutrients, shiftsin freshwater, deforestation, ocean acidity andbiodiversity all reaching levels that are unsustainablefor our planet and will have reverberating negativeimpacts that we cannot fully predict yet. From breakthroughs in clean energy and resourceefficiency to innovations in materials, agricultureand ecosystem restoration, these solutions havethe potential to address and mitigate key drivers ofplanetary boundary transgressions. While relyingon emerging technologies instead of using well-tested and scalable established options wouldcertainly not be a wise choice, and while no singletechnology can solve the complex challenges weface, emerging technologies do offer, collectively,a contribution to new pathways for interactingwith our planet in a way that is mindful of its limits.By supporting the responsible deployment ofthese technologies, we can help accelerate thetransition towards a more sustainable and balancedrelationship with our planet. Addressing these transgressions calls for adeliberate and swift collective response. Bydesigning policies that prioritize planetary health andmitigate destructive human imprint on our planetand by evolving our business models to accountfor environmental limits, we can chart a path backtowards a safe operating space for humanity, whichis a necessary (but far from sufficient) conditionfor justice. Introduction Addressing planetary boundary breacheswill require rapidly and equitably scalingemerging technology solutions. Helen BurdettTechnology for Earth Head,World Economic Forum Frederick FenterChief Executive Editor,Frontiers In 2024, the global average temperature remained1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the entire year.1.3°C of this warming can be attributed to humanactivity.1Current mitigation approaches are noton track to limit warming to this threshold. In fact,many trusted projections show that current policiesand commitments will lead to 3°C warming by2100, setting in motion catastrophic consequencesfor life on Earth. This report spotlights technologies with significantpotential to respond to the most pressingenvironmental challenges of our time. Some – likegreen concrete, green ammonia production andmethane capture and utilization – focus on advancesin material and chemical processes to reduceemissions and decarbonize key sectors. Others – likenext-generation (next-gen) bi-directional chargingand modular geothermal – offer innovative waysto consider energy systems for greater efficiency,flexibility and r