A new report spotlights 10 tech solutions to accelerate climate action – from carbon-locking concrete and sustainable desalination for arid regions to cars that feed the electric grid. The research maps a wave of emerging technologies with significant potential to tackle climate disruption head-on, from droughts to methane leaks to rising seas. The report focuses on food, water, energy and materials – key systems for a stable planet – showing how science can safeguard planetary health and curb destructive human activity.

The 10 Emerging Technology Solutions for Planetary Health report, developed in collaboration with Frontiers, shows how innovative technological solutions – if scaled – can accelerate climate action and contribute to sustainable prosperity. In 2024, global temperatures stayed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the entire year and current estimates put the world on track for nearing a potentially catastrophic 3°C of warming by 2100. Against this backdrop, the report outlines technologies with the potential not only to cut emissions but also to help societies adapt to and repair damage while providing insight into how these solutions can be scaled effectively.

One of the challenges explored in the new report is drinking water scarcity in arid countries such as Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait. Regenerative desalination combines advanced membranes with renewable energy to turn seawater into safe drinking water using far less energy than traditional methods. Pilot projects in Italy and Canada have shown promising results and, with targeted local investment, this approach could expand access to freshwater across the Middle East and beyond.