Top Innovations in Climate Tech Highlighted at 2025 Summit

The climate technology landscape has witnessed significant advancements in 2025, culminating in a prominent showcase at the recent climate summit held in Belém, Brazil. Despite adverse weather conditions, engineers and researchers presented groundbreaking innovations aimed at addressing climate change challenges. Here are five noteworthy developments that emerged this year.

Innovative Ammonia Production from Wind

A team led by researchers Richard Zare and Xiaowei Song has made strides in ammonia production, a vital component for agriculture and various industrial applications. Their work, highlighted by freelance contributor Alfred Poor in January, demonstrated a passive technology that captures ammonia directly from the wind. This method requires no batteries or external power sources, showcasing a more sustainable approach to ammonia generation essential for food security and energy.

Piezoelectric Catalysts Combat Water Contaminants

Another significant breakthrough involves the use of piezoelectric catalysts to eliminate “forever chemicals” that persist in the environment. This innovation, reported by Rachel Berkowitz, is being developed by a startup that harnesses the kinetic energy from natural water flow to drive its system. This approach reduces energy consumption compared to traditional mechanical filtration methods, offering an efficient solution to a pressing environmental problem.

Supercritical CO2 Circuit Breakers Introduced

In a move to address greenhouse gas emissions associated with electrical infrastructure, the introduction of supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) circuit breakers marks a pivotal advancement. Energy editor Emily Waltz detailed how this innovation can replace sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), a potent greenhouse gas that was responsible for approximately 1% of global warming in 2018. Utilizing supercritical CO2 not only enhances safety but also contributes to reducing the carbon footprint of electrical grids.

Calculating Carbon Capture Potential

The challenge of effectively capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere remains pressing. Contributing editor W. Wayt Gibbs explored the potential scale of carbon removal in a recent issue, presenting an infographic that outlines feasible underground injection sites for CO2. The analysis sheds light on current achievements in carbon capture and emphasizes the vast efforts still required to meet climate targets.

Geopolitical Challenges in Accessing Greenland’s Resources

Accessing rare earth elements from Greenland, essential for advancing climate technologies, presents not only engineering challenges but also significant political hurdles. In a guest article, Flemming Getreuer Christiansen, a mining consultant and former deputy director of the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, highlighted the need for clear political frameworks to facilitate resource extraction. Without political clarity, the potential of these critical materials may remain untapped.

These innovations underscore the importance of integrating technology and policy in the fight against climate change. As the world continues to grapple with environmental challenges, the developments presented at the 2025 climate summit offer a glimpse into a more sustainable future.

In a lighter note, to balance the technical discussions, fiber-optic engineer and poet Steven Searcy contributed a reflective piece on the joys of summer, reminding readers of the beauty inherent in both technology and nature.

The advancements highlighted at this year’s summit reflect a growing commitment in the field of climate technology and showcase the potential for innovative solutions to effect meaningful change.