From healthcare to agtech, these ASX companies are set on solving climate-change problems

• From biotech to sustainable building and agtech, ASX companies are tackling problems associated with climate change 
• Island Pharmaceuticals’ lead candidate ISLA-101 is being trialled as a potential treatment and preventative for fast-spreading dengue fever 
• RLF AgTech is targeting one of global agriculture’s toughest challenges – producing more food on stressed land while cutting CO₂ emissions

The World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update (2025–2029) portrays a concerning outlook for climate change with global temperatures expected to continue at or near record levels in the next five years, increasing climate risks and impacts on societies, economies and sustainable development.

Specifically, the WMO projects that the annually averaged global mean near-surface temperature for each year between 2025 and 2029 is predicted to be between 1.2°C and 1.9°C higher than the average over the years 1850–1900. There is an 80% chance that at least one year between 2025 and 2029 will be warmer than the warmest year on record (currently 2024).

In 2024, the average concentration of carbon dioxide (CO₂ ) in the atmosphere was 421.73 parts per million (ppm), the highest in human history and more than 50% higher than pre-industrial levels.

Warming seas are causing significant disruptions in marine ecosystems, leading to decreased fish populations and altered fishing patterns, while a study in Nature Food indicated that rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns could put up to one third of global food production at risk. 

The study indicated that low-latitude regions will suffer the most severe consequences, with up to half of their crop production at risk as climate conditions become unsuitable.

From biotech to sustainable building and agtech, ASX companies are showing how climate-focused solutions can align with commercial growth while ethically tackling significant modern challenges.

Fighting the growing dengue fever problem

Climate change is set to pose major risks to public health, particularly by accelerating the spread of vector-borne diseases — illnesses transmitted by living organisms such as mosquitoes.

Pesky mosquitoes aren’t just a summertime nuisance, they’re carriers of disease including dengue fever which is spreading fast, breaking out of the tropics and catching the world off guard.

Once considered a regional threat, in 2023, more than 6 million dengue cases were reported worldwide. A study projects a 25% increase in dengue transmission by 2050, driven by climate change and the expansion of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes into regions previously free of the virus. The greatest impact is expected in Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of South America.

With the virus spreading rapidly and few effective medical options available, Island Pharmaceuticals (ASX:ILA) is entering the spotlight with its lead candidate ISLA-101 – a repurposed antiviral originally developed for other indications, including cancer – now being trialled as a potential treatment and preventative for dengue fever.

ISLA-101 works by blocking a key viral protein from entering the nucleus of human cells, a step essential for viral replication. If the protein can’t enter, the virus can’t multiply.

Island recently completed its Phase 2a/b PROTECT trial in the US, using a dengue human infection model. The trial tested both the drug’s safety and efficacy in preventing infection after controlled exposure to the virus. Initial data indicates that ISLA-101 is well tolerated and may reduce viral replication, supporting its potential as both a therapeutic and prophylactic treatment.

The company is now gearing up for further studies to confirm these findings, with the aim of advancing ISLA-101 toward regulatory approval.  If successful,Island’s approach could become one of the first targeted treatments for dengue fever, addressing an urgent medical need as climate-driven outbreaks continue to expand across new regions worldwide.

Food security focus, while cutting CO₂ emissions

RLF AgTech (ASX:RLF) is leaning into one of the toughest challenges in global agriculture — how to grow more food on stressed land while reducing CO₂ emissions.

RLF develops advanced biostimulants and crop nutrition products designed to improve soil health, boost yields and cut fertiliser dependence. At the heart of the company’s approach is its Plant Proton Delivery Technology (PPD Tech), designed to supercharge crop performance.

Acting managing director Gavin Ball told Stockhead RLF products work on plant physiology, building stronger roots, boosting nutrient uptake even in tough conditions, and locking more carbon back into the soil with the result typically being higher yields today and healthier farmland for tomorrow.

“Conventional fertilisers are a double-edged sword they are needed too support food production but are also a major source of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas nearly 300 times more potent than CO₂,” he said.

“RLF’s solutions aim to change that by developing crop fertiliser programs that can reduce these harmful fertilisers by up to 20% plus by locking carbon into the soil and improving nutrient use efficiency, giving farmers a practical way to lower their environmental footprint while sustaining productivity.”

Deals with leading Australian agribusiness distributors including Nutrien Ag Solutions are helping RLF scale its products across broadacre crops such as wheat, canola, and barley, which are particularly vulnerable to twin pressures of rising temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns.

By improving plants’ resilience to stress and optimising soil ecosystems, RLF is positioning itself as a partner for farmers facing a more volatile climate.

From waste to sustainability

Ever wondered where your trash ends up?  For millions of Australians the answer is Cleanaway (ASX:CWY), which is working toward turning waste into a story about sustainability.

Headquartered in Melbourne, with a workforce of ~10,000 and more than 140 contracts servicing municipalities nationwide Cleanaway isn’t just hauling your rubbish away.

“We have the largest vertically integrated network of collections and post collections assets – meaning we cover the entire waste value chain, and collect a range of waste streams from households and businesses across Australia then treat and dispose of them through our resource recovery, recycling, decontamination and landfill operations,” CEO Mark Schubert told Stockhead.

Schubert said the waste industry played a key role in the transition to a low-carbon and high circularity world, with Cleanaway outlining its future plans through Blueprint 2030,

“Blueprint 2030 is our strategy to lead Australia’s shift to a circular, low-carbon economy by expanding and integrating our infrastructure to deliver innovate, sustainable and seamless waste and resource recovery solutions,” he said.

Cleanaway believes current trends and expectations, along with a supportive regulatory environment provide opportunities for the company to work with its customers and the greater public toward building a sustainable future.

Smart façades for a low-carbon future

ClearVue Technologies (ASX:CPV) integrates solar technology into building façades and rooftop surfaces to generate renewable energy and reduce the operational carbon footprint of buildings.

CPV’s advanced, patented glass technology preserves transparency and aesthetics while producing clean energy. The company has extended solar generation into vision glass, cladding, spandrels, balustrades, and skylight solutions – enabling significant offsets to operational energy demands and contributing meaningfully to net-zero building outcomes.

CEO and managing director Doug Hunt told Stockhead CPV’s integrated solar façade was helping transform the way buildings are designed, constructed, and renovated.

“Our mission is to remove the barriers to deployment to integrate solar energy into every surface of the building,” he said.

Hunt said CPV products can make building integrated solar energy disappear on the building, matching the architects vision.

“Clearvue can deliver real building materials that are solar products that can be deployed as traditional building products, in traditional framing systems.

“The prize in terms of reduced carbon is substantial.

“Buildings produce over 40% of the world’s greenhouse gases with over 30% of emissions being generated by the operation of HVAC systems and other electrical loads.”

He said Clearvue has been and would continue to invest in energy producing and energy saving technologies for the built environment. We are making great strides with several new products in the pipeline in the coming months.

“We are already thinking and commencing new lines of research to make better and better products in the coming years.

“It’s a challenge my team and I are excited about as we strive to make a more sustainable environment for our children and their children.”

At Stockhead we tell it like it is. While Island Pharmaceuticals, RLF AgTech and ClearVue Technologies are Stockhead advertisers, they did not sponsor this article.

This story does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decision.