Environmental Actions Growing

How we design everything, from technology to packaging to legislation, in the coming years will make a difference in our ability to effectively accomplish climate and sustainability related goals.

The degree to which all relevant players prioritize climate action is one indicator towards shifting environmental priorities but the quality and speed at which those actions are implemented are largely missing components. Awareness and subsequent engagement in sustainable behaviors aren’t equal across individuals or corporations globally. When outlining and setting out to accomplish certain environmental goals, the behaviors of, and relationships with, other communities and nations influence any party’s ability to succeed in their goals. These relations can accelerate the need for climate driven transitions, independence, and resiliency or accelerate the achievement of these. Strategic preparations and change are needed to thrive amid potential disruptions due to climate change. Corporations/business/industry, consumers, associations, and policy makers “will need to build partnerships, pool investments, and agree on common standards, infrastructures, platforms, and governance frameworks.” (Record 351) Without cooperation and collaboration, we run the risk that our individual efforts won’t be impactful enough or fast enough to avoid the most severe consequences.

Understanding and engaging motivation to adopt climate positive behaviors will be crucial in minimizing climate effects as well as achieving cooperation and collaboration across players. Economic incentives still seem to be a key driver motivating shifts towards environmental actions. Businesses can see economic benefits for adopting environmentally positive actions but often they are contingent upon consumers’ willingness to pay a premium for sustainable goods. Though the increasing environmental awareness is driving demand for environmental-friendliness and goods, there’s a risk – demand and technological solutions can harm resources and increase energy demands and climate impacts if they aren’t efficient and effective.

Corporations and governments alike can benefit as these changes can increase resilience and financial stability in the face of climate change.

Governments and legislation appear to be considerable bottle necks for certain environmental actions and have, in many cases, hindered action on climate change. For something that is considered one of, if not the key issue of our time, voters and politicians alike are lacking when it comes to meaningful climate action. Solutions and technologies being designed now are expected to be key to helping us combat climate change and policy needs to be looking ahead and preparing for/ to support what will come. Policies and policy makers need to engage in greater long-term thought and planning for climate related legislation. Willingness to take significant policy measures and regulations creating favorable conditions and opportunities for investment in innovation/innovative solutions will positively impact the fight against climate change.

Future Scenarios and Implications for the Industry by World Economic Forum presents three potential future scenarios and their implications for industries: 1.) Building in a virtual world; 2.) Factories run the world; 3.) A green reboot. These scenarios explore different paths of technological advancement, social changes, and environmental challenges. As climate change is identified as a key environmental challenge, the report highlights the need for the industry to make climate related moves.

The Future of Housing: Policy Scenarios by OECD uses projections of drivers such as population, income, and interest rates to create scenarios for residential investment and house prices through 2050. Decarbonizing housing is a key theme in the report.

Non-ferrous Metals Manufacturing: Vision for 2050 and Actions Needed by the European Commission Joint Research Centre

Future of Government in 2030 by e.Republic is a series of short essays compiling the thoughts of over two dozen futurists. One of these essays looks at the sense of public urgency regarding climate change and the rise of climate behaviors amongst certain cohorts.

Future of Highways by ARUP examines the future of mobility and transport infrastructure. One of the megatrends identified, “changing behavior and the sharing economy”, looks at shifting environmental awareness and behaviors.

Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want (popular version) by African Union outlines 7 aspirations for the continent in 2063. One of these aspirations is “a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development.”

2022 Strategic Foresight Report by Atlantic Council examines three scenarios and their implications on global trends and challenges.

• Cold War II, with a twist
• A World Transformed by Climate Shocks
• A Democratic Resistance

The report considers ways in which technologies positively and negatively impact the environment and potential actions regarding these concerns.

The Future of Protein, The Protein Challenge 2040: Shaping the future of food by Forum for the Future examines the current state of the protein market in the food industry and assesses whether existing commitments and activities are sufficient to address global sustainability challenges. It explores the role of businesses in promoting sustainable protein systems, including diversifying protein sources, enabling sustainable animal feed, and integrating protein strategies into overall business strategies.

A summary of potential cross-cutting missions to address future societal challenges in Norway by RAND is a study commissioned by the Research Council of Norway. The study focuses on strategic areas such as oceans, green transition, health and welfare, cohesion and globalization, and technology and digitalization, aiming to identify priority missions and structural measures to address societal challenges in Norway.

Review of how science and technology could contribute to better energy management in the future: futures studies by the UK Government Office for Science reviewed existing futures studies surrounding energy issues. The various studies found similarities in the social factors and trends that influence energy consumption.

The Future of Asia: Forces of Change and Potential Surprises by Policy Horizons Canada examines the potential future trends and challenges that Canada may face in the next 10-15 years. It explores various topics including technological advancements, climate change, demographic shifts, and geopolitical dynamics.

It's Alive: a vision for tall buildings in 2050 by

Global Foresight 2022 by

Scenarios for the Future of Technology and International Development by

Thinking MENA Futures: The Next Five Years and Beyond by

Human Intervention in the Earth's Climate: The Governance of Geoengineering in 2025+ by Global Governance Futures discusses the concept of geoengineering as a potential approach to address climate change. It explores various geoengineering techniques, their potential risks and benefits, and the need for international governance and regulations to ensure responsible and ethical implementation of such technologies in the future.

The Future-Ready University by ARUP explores the evolving landscape of higher education and its implications for the future of universities, encompassing changes in campus design, educational delivery, and insights from interviews with experts at partner universities worldwide. One key trend identified is “net zero” which considers responses to the climate crisis.

The 5th Science and Technology Foresight (2016-2040) by Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning aims to analyze future social demand, establish strategic technology planning, and guide research and development activities. Through the analysis of future social trends and mega trends, the project identifies major issues, derives future technologies, and contributes to science and technology planning and policy formulation. The report identifies a major issue group, “ecosystem and environment friendliness”, which looks at things like: development and expanded supply of renewable energy; transition to more environment-friendly industries; and search for new, non-traditional resources.

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