Five Game-Changing Technologies That Mitigate Climate Change

MSN highlights five transformative technologies that are essential for fostering a sustainable future for our planet. These include advancements in renewable energy, innovative energy storage solutions, carbon capture, utilisation and storage, electric vehicles, and sustainable agriculture and food technologies. Together, these pioneering technologies play a crucial role in combating climate change and mitigating its effects.

Renewable energy

Renewable energy harnesses nature’s power to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Solar and wind energy are the top two renewable sources with significant advancements. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) 2024 report, renewables, including solar, wind, hydropower, biofuels and others, are at the centre of the transition to less carbon-intensive and more sustainable energy systems.

Global renewable electricity generation is projected to rise to over 17,000 terawatt-hours (TWh) by the end of this decade, representing an increase of almost 90% from 2023. This would be enough to meet the combined power demand of China and the United States in 2030.

Battery technology

Energy storage technologies are crucial in bridging the gap caused by the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources. Lithium-ion batteries and grid-scale storage solutions are designed to store surplus energy generated during peak production periods and release it during low generation.

This enables a stable and consistent power supply from renewables. Leading companies such as Tesla and LG Chem are at the forefront of delivering energy storage solutions that cater to both industrial and residential needs.

Grid-scale storage is essential for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Although progress is being made, the anticipated growth in grid-scale storage capacity is not currently aligned with the net-zero scenario, necessitating additional efforts.

Further reductions in the cost of lithium-ion batteries—the preferred option for grid storage and electric vehicle batteries—are essential to keep pace with the market. This will require an increase in the supply of lithium and other critical battery minerals, such as nickel, cobalt, and graphite (Grid-scale storage, 2023).

Carbon capture and storage

Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies are designed to capture carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes and power plants. This is essential for preventing spikes in atmospheric carbon levels, contributing to global warming. About 45 commercial facilities are utilising CCUS for industrial processes, fuel transformation, and power generation.

Growth in CCUS is projected to increase by 35% by 2030, while storage capacity is expected to rise by 70%, resulting in a total annual CO2 capture capacity of around 435 million tons (Mt) and carbon storage of approximately 615 Mt of CO2 per year by 2030. However, this level represents only 40% and 60%, respectively, of the target 1 Gt CO2 per year to achieve net zero by 2050 (Carbon Capture Utilisation, 2024).

In the area of Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology, which extracts CO2 directly from the atmosphere, 27 DAC plants were commissioned worldwide in 2024, capturing almost 0.01 Mt CO2/year. Plans are underway for around 130 DAC facilities, which are at various stages of development.

If all these planned DACs were operational today, they could almost reach the target of capturing 65 MtCO2/year by 2030, which is needed to achieve the Net Zero scenario by 2050. However, lead times for DAC facilities could be up to six years, and to accelerate their deployment, policies that create demand for CO2 removal would need to step up (Direct Air Capture, 2024).

Electric vehicles

Electric vehicles. The transportation sector is the most significant contributor to carbon emissions. EVs offer an effective alternative to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles that rely on fossil fuels. EVs have zero emissions and contribute to lowering air pollution and carbon emissions from traditional vehicles.

Major EV manufacturers, such as Tesla, General Motors, and Volkswagen, invest heavily in EV production. Meanwhile, governments are making it easier for people to shift to electric cars through incentives, including tax rebates, and by increasing the availability and accessibility of EV charging stations.

Global EV sales in 2024 surpassed 17 million units, representing more than 20% of car sales share. China leads in EV sales, accounting for 50% of its total car sales in 2024. As a result, 1 in 10 cars on China’s roads is electric.

Europe experienced a decline in EV sales as subsidies and supportive policies waned. The United States’ EV sales are experiencing a 10% year-over-year growth. EV sales are growing in emerging economies in Asia and some Latin American countries. In Southeast Asia, EV sales rose to almost 50%, accounting for 9% of all car sales in the area.

In Brazil, EV sales nearly double to 125,000 units in 2024, and a similar trend is observed in Africa, where EV sales also increase by almost the same amount. In Egypt and Morocco, EV sales are picking up, although they still represent 1% of their total car sales. EV adoption is expected to grow to represent a quarter of car sales worldwide (Global EV, 2025).

Sustainable agriculture and food technologies

Sustainable agriculture and food technologies. Growing food, including livestock, is a key contributor to GHG emissions. Thankfully, new technologies such as vertical farming, precision agriculture, and lab-grown meat all reduce methane emissions, lower water and land demand, and, overall, mitigate environmental impacts while enhancing food security.  

The notion that agriculture has become unsustainable, consuming natural resources faster than they can be replenished, has long been a concern. As the global population grows, so does the demand for food, intensifying the environmental impact of unsustainable farming practices. These impacts manifest in various ways, including pollution, soil degradation, loss of biodiversity, and even species extinction.

Unlike finite resources such as gold or minerals, a steady and sufficient food supply is essential for human survival, population growth, and overall well-being. The roots of modern scientific agriculture can be traced back to the mid-19th century, when chemistry, particularly genetics and the study of inheritance, began to be applied to farming. This marked the beginning of a new era in agriculture, one that has continued to evolve through technological innovation.

Today, rising food demands are exacerbated by climate change and environmental degradation resulting from unsustainable agricultural practices. As a result, technology and innovation play a critical role in creating sustainable food systems and mitigating climate change.

These advancements are vital for managing limited resources more effectively and ensuring that future generations have access to adequate and nutritious food.