A new report from the World Economic Forum’s UpLink initiative has highlighted the significant environmental and economic contributions of early-stage innovators working on sustainability solutions. The Annual Impact Report 2025 revealed that UpLink-supported ventures have prevented 142,400 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over the past two years, equivalent to the annual emissions of more than 30,000 cars.
In addition to reducing emissions, these ventures have played a crucial role in protecting 140 million hectares of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, an area nearly one-fifth the size of the Amazon rainforest. The report also stated that these initiatives treated 2.5 billion litres of hazardous wastewater and tracked 28 million tonnes of waste, contributing to global efforts in pollution control and resource conservation.
The economic impact of these sustainability-focused start-ups has also been significant. More than 30,000 new jobs were created between 2023 and 2024, while nearly 500,000 smallholder farmers and fishers experienced income growth. Additionally, 18,000 waste collectors gained access to formal markets, improving livelihoods while enhancing waste reduction and recycling efforts. Another key achievement was that 2.7 million people received improved access to water, sanitation, and hygiene solutions, addressing major health risks linked to unsafe water.
The report highlighted several key examples of sustainable innovation from different parts of the world. Canada-based EnviCore was recognized for repurposing waste materials from mining operations to reduce emissions in the construction industry. Similarly, Brazil-based Umgrauemeio used AI-powered satellite imagery to monitor and detect wildfire risks across 6.7 million hectares of forests and natural reserves in 2024.
In India, Indra Water significantly expanded its wastewater treatment capacity, processing 1.2 billion litres in 2024, marking a 243 per cent increase compared to 2022. Another Indian start-up, SHAYP, implemented an anomaly detection system that saved 7 billion litres of water in 2024, with an ambitious target of reaching 100 billion litres by 2027.
Investment in sustainability ventures also saw a sharp rise. According to the report, UpLink-supported start-ups collectively raised $633 million in 2024, an increase of $196 million from the previous year. Nearly half of these ventures reported a customer base increase of over 40 per cent, indicating growing demand for sustainable solutions.
UpLink also advanced its Traceability for Circularity Challenge, which supported 13 start-ups in creating transparent and circular value chains aimed at minimizing waste and promoting ethical business practices. Among them, GreenPlat Data Management tracked 12.3 million more tonnes of waste in 2024 than in the previous year, while S4S Technologies prevented 60,000 tonnes of food waste, enough to feed 2.7 million people for a month.
The UpLink Annual Impact Report 2025 provided a comprehensive assessment of how early-stage sustainability innovators are addressing climate change, pollution, and resource scarcity while also contributing to economic growth and job creation. UpLink’s role in connecting these ventures with industry leaders, investors, and policymakers was instrumental in scaling up sustainable solutions globally.
Looking ahead, UpLink announced plans to expand its engagement in key areas such as sustainable mining, carbon capture, and AI-driven environmental monitoring, aiming to further accelerate global sustainability efforts and climate action.