Tiny biological solutions to big climate challenges

In a world navigating climate change, resource scarcity and economic uncertainty, a new growth story is taking shape – one that delivers a prosperous, climate-resilient future. The technologies to drive this transformation are already here and their core is biology.

Microbes and enzymes are tiny but mighty agents of change. For billions of years, they have enabled transformation in all living things through microbiology. Using modern science and technology, we at Novonesis are at the forefront of using these microscopic changemakers as solutions to help businesses produce more with less resources, reduce waste, save energy and water, lower dependence on fossil resources and ultimately develop innovative and profitable solutions.

For example, enzymes can replace harsh chemicals in detergents, allowing clothes to be washed at lower temperatures cutting both energy use and carbon emissions. In the food industry, enzymes and fermentation processes improve taste, texture and nutritional profiles of products while enabling more efficieint production methods that reduce resource use and waste. In energy production, enzyme-based processes turn plants, animal fats and used cooking oils into higher-quality biodiesel, lowering costs and emissions.

Already used across more than 30 industries, biosolutions enhance profitability, generate jobs and lay the foundation for a thriving, resilient bioeconomy.

Turning to biology for answers represents a concrete economic opportunity. By 2035, biosolutions are projected to generate nearly US $930 billion in global value and support five million jobs across sectors such as agriculture, energy, food, textiles, and consumer goods. If we implemented the biosolutions available today to their full potential, we could reduce global CO₂ emissions by 8%. This shows that climate action and economic growth are not mutually exclusive – they can go hand in hand.

But what does this transformation look like on the ground? It’s a story of tangible return on investment and competitive advantage demonstrating how this future is already unfolding. Let’s explore a few practical examples:

Biosolutions are driving agricultural resilience and profitability

At Agrindus, a livestock and dairy farm located outside São Paulo, Brazil, we can see what the future of agriculture could look like. Here, regenerative practices are a business strategy, not just a buzzword. By composting all manure and runoff to fertilise fields, the farm has eliminated its reliance on synthetic fertilisers, cutting costs while reducing pollution. The use of our biosolutions means cows convert feed into more milk and meat, boosting both operational efficiency and profits.

This model is scalable. Across Brazil, biosolutions are projected to add approximately US$39 billion to the economy by 2035, creating over 276,000 jobs. Farmers are leveraging these solutions to help crops develop deeper roots to resist pests and drought, producing more food with less waste and building lasting resilience. This proves that climate-smart agriculture is simply smart business.

Biosolutions are powering cleaner, more resource-efficient biodiesel production

When rising costs and feedstock variability challenged operations, Olfar Group – one of Brazil’s leading biodiesel producers – took action. Using our biosolutions, Olfar evolved its production process to handle alternative inputs like tallow, a rendered form of animal fat, and used cooking oil more efficiently. This helped them achieve higher product quality and yield while significantly reducing energy use.

The new approach streamlined operations, reduced reliance on traditional chemical methods, and made the business more resilient and cost-effective. Today, Olfar’s success helps drive Brazil’s position as a top biodiesel producer, showing how our biosolutions unlock value from diverse feedstocks – enabling cleaner fuels, smarter resource use and a stronger, future-ready economy.

Biorefineries are central to this vision of doing more with what we have. By integrating biosolutions, they can transform crops and residues into biofuels while also producing high-quality animal feed from the same raw materials. This dual output means land is used more efficiently, creating multiple value pools from a single harvest. It’s a smarter, circular approach that lowers carbon intensity, strengthens food and energy security, and delivers economic resilience – all themes shaping the COP30 agenda.

Biosolutions are making sustainable, low-carbon choices easier and more affordable for consumers

For businesses in the consumer goods sector, our biosolutions are making climate-friendly choices easier and more affordable for everyone. Enzyme-powered detergents, for example, deliver superior cleaning in concentrated formats, which reduces packaging and transportation emissions. They also enable effective cold-water washing, allowing households to cut energy use and lower utility bills.

When it comes to food, our biosolutions are extending shelf life, reducing waste across the food value chain and delivering better value to retailers and consumers. For instance, our bioprotective solutions have helped save over one million tons of yogurt from being

wasted over the past nine years. With this saving, we enabled up to six billion cups of yogurt to be served instead of wasted.

In cheesemaking, advanced enzymes are boosting yields from every litre of milk, directly cutting input costs and carbon emissions. In plant-based food markets, enzyme technologies are enhancing taste and texture. With biosolutions, the sustainable choice across categories becomes the easy, everyday choice – unlocking new markets and building brand loyalty.

The road ahead and an invitation to lead

The economic growth story of our time is unfolding now, powered by proven biosolutions that are ready to scale. With the right policies and strategic investments in biosolutions, the world can unlock nearly US $930 billion in value and five million jobs by 2035. This is not a choice between prosperity and the planet; it is a clear path toward building economies where both can thrive together.

The future is here. It is time for business leaders to ignite this next global growth engine. By working together across industries and with public sector partners, we can create a new era of prosperity where people, businesses and the planet all win.

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2025 is a critical year for the Paris Agreement. Ten years on, we need to rethink how we frame the challenge. And seeing challenges differently is what business and we are all about.

ICC is committed to securing what businesses need at the upcoming climate negotiations, COP30, in Belém, Brazil. Learn more about our Opportunity of a Lifetime climate campaign and how to get involved.

*Disclaimer: The content of this article may not reflect the official views of the International Chamber of Commerce. The opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and other contributors.