The year 2025 is set to be a turning point for science and technology, with breakthroughs in pharmaceuticals, bold space missions, key climate policies, and advances in fundamental research. Here are the major developments expected to shape the scientific landscape over the coming months, according to the prestigious scientific journal Nature.
Preparing for future pandemics
Five years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world continues to work on preventing future health crises. The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to finalise a global pandemic treaty by May 2025. This agreement is crucial for setting rules on pathogen sample sharing and access to rapid vaccine and drug production technologies in low-income countries.
Particle physics and space exploration
2025 will mark the beginning of operations at the European Spallation Source in Sweden, a powerful accelerator designed to study the structure of materials. Meanwhile, CERN will complete a feasibility study for the Future Circular Collider, a $17 billion super-collider that could succeed the Large Hadron Collider. In space exploration, NASA’s SPHEREx satellite will map the entire sky in 102 colours, collecting data from over 450 million galaxies to investigate the origins of the universe. At the same time, the SMILE and PUNCH missions will study solar wind and its interaction with Earth’s magnetic field.
Environment and climate change
The COP30 climate summit, to be held in Belém, Brazil, will mark 30 years of UN climate negotiations. Countries will work to resolve key issues, such as securing $300 billion annually to support developing nations. Additionally, the NASA–ISRO NISAR mission will monitor Earth’s surfaces and glaciers, while the ESA Biomass mission will measure forest biomass to better understand the carbon cycle.
Looking ahead
Between technological innovations and global challenges, 2025 stands as a crucial year for scientific progress. The ability to balance innovation, sustainability, and international collaboration will determine the long-term impact of these developments on our planet, and beyond.
