Start-ups across four continents are tackling the financing, management and construction of decarbonised homes, providing incentives for small businesses to invest in clean energy, and helping consumers reap the monetary and ecological benefits of climate-friendly lifestyles. Consider these businesses as digital equivalents to those highlighted in Towards Sustainable Construction.

Aquatic ecosystems are becoming more fragile as the Earth heats up. Blue tech start-ups that facilitate the regrowth of coral reefs, recycle freshwater in water-scarce areas, and harness the energy of waves to power coastal communities are restoring balance to water systems across the world. See Blue Tech Boom for further insights.

As we recently unpacked in The Agritech Age: Building Resilient Food Systems, tech solutions can decarbonise and maximise the efficiency of food production. Agritech start-ups are developing novel proteins out of eco-friendly algae, helping farmers forecast weather events and improve crop health, and enabling organisations to manage their food waste with precision.  

Electric mobility is expanding its horizons beyond cars and exploring new avenues in trucking and ferry networks. At the same time, oil from versatile algae plants is being harvested to create a new kind of fuel that could eventually power aeroplanes while cleaning up the environment – as well as commercial air’s dirty reputation – in one fell swoop.