As the world grapples with the effects of climate change and the sobering fact that 2023 was the hottest year on record, pressure to design a more sustainable roadmap for humanity increases. But while it’s so much easier to focus on the doom and gloom, and admittedly the slow pace of climate action, it is equally true that we are at a tipping point. The energy transition is underway, low cost solar, wind, and battery technologies are on profitable trajectories, and wind and solar energy now regularly out-compete fossil fuels in most parts of the world. 

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The glimmer of hope emerging through the cloud of climate crisis, and driving sustainable solutions is innovative technology, our greatest ally yet. Love it or loathe it, it’s what can really provide us with the tools needed to address the scale and complexity of the challenges we face. Simply put, we’ll continue to go too slow without supporting and scaling climate technology. 

The World Economic Forum’s latest report identifies six key technologies crucial for scaling up climate adaptation. AI, drones, Earth observation, advanced computing, the Internet of Things, and augmented reality are all transforming the way that leaders, communities, and individuals can approach climate adaptation to help develop more accurate climate models and improve climate action planning.

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Sarah Kennard takes a look at some of these technologies which are ramping up the race to combat climate change, particularly those relavent to Malta’s climate and infrastructure.

Clean Energy Tech

AI algorithms are driving a faster transition, improving the efficiency and reliability of renewable energy systems. Solutions such as solar panels and heat pumps are leveraging technologies to enhance their performance and reliability. IoT devices are creating next-generation solar panels which are revolutionising solar power’s efficiency and affordability. The latest breakthrough is Perovskite solar cells offering greater efficiency and reduced costs compared to traditional silicon cells.

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Urban greening technologies, including green roofs, vertical gardens, and intelligent urban planning, are emerging as effective tools for mitigating the urban heat island effect, improving air quality, and enhancing overall urban resilience. Heat pumps are also playing their part, becoming super-efficient, with the potential to cut emissions by five hundred million metric tons in 2030—that’s like pulling all the cars off Europe’s roads today. 

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In Europe, a French start-up Unéole has produced a small-scale, easy to install solution for flat roofs, which combines sun and wind power in a single unit. Multiple wind turbines under a photovoltaic roof create a silent solution that produces 40% more energy than a pure solar system and can generate power round the clock. 

Data Collectors

Drones have been around capturing aerial photography, collecting information on air quality, monitoring wildlife population and activities, and calculating deforestation rates to assisting in military operations for a few years now.

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By acting as mitigating forces against the impacts of climate change, collecting the data to analyse the impacts of climate change and human activities on ecosystems, these agile little gadgets are currently fighting dwindling bee populations and reducing carbon emissions, tracking changes in wildlife population and gathering water samples, to name just a few.  

The Future of Farming

Agriculture is another greenhouse gas emissions culprit, and once again it is tech, powered by IoT devices, drones, and AI, which are making farming more efficient. Precision agriculture aims to minimise the environmental impact of farming while maximizing productivity and resource efficiency. Using high-tech tools like satellites, drones, and smart devices, the industry is gathering data on things like soil quality, plant health, and weather patterns, allowing farmers to optimise their resources. 

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Immersive Reality

Augmented reality and Virtual Reality are increasingly being used to influence behavioural changes related to addressing climate issues. Immersive VR experiences such as Be Earth and Virtual Planet Technologies LLC can vividly transform abstract concepts into visceral experiences, simulating the impacts of climate change with changed weather patterns and biodiversity loss making the reality of climate change more tangible. 

Malta based tech talent

Last month, Climate tech also took centre stage during Malta’ first start-up Demo Day organised by the Malta Clim Accelerator Programme with a diverse range of start-up products, from sustainable footwear to smart irrigation systems utilizing AI and satellite data. Among the innovations were early grapevine disease detection tech, soil health analysis tools, plug-and-play smart city management, enhanced air conditioning efficiency, water filtration systems, sustainable ship solutions, and a robotic biofouling cleaning solution.

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As we navigate the challenges of climate change, the role of technology in scaling sustainable practices and mitigating environmental impact cannot be overstated. From renewable energy solutions to carbon capture technologies, the ongoing developments in climate tech offer a real opportunity to address the urgent global challenges posed by climate change. And if we want a real hope of a sustainable and resilient future, then we have no choice but to adapt.