Businesses: Heroes or villains in creating a just and regenerative future?

As calls for businesses to step up in tackling our social, environmental and economic challenges intensify, it’s time to ask some very fundamental questions.

Why does a business exist? How can it move beyond short-term profit maximisation to enabling both people and the planet to thrive long-term?

In this special issue newsletter, Forum for the Future is putting a spotlight on the changing purpose of business, which - alongside food and energy - is one of three game-changing transitions we are now focused on shaping in our drive to create a just and regenerative future. 

James Payne, Forum’s Global Strategic Lead - Purpose of Business, kicks our Business Spotlight off with exclusive insights on why now is the moment for businesses to lead.
Read more
Find out more about transforming the purpose of business

Our latest film highlights the urgent need and opportunity to transform the purpose of business in society and the economy. 

Four key unlocks for business transformation

Forum is focused on four areas where we believe our skills, experience and expertise can add real value in catalysing deep and urgent change in the purpose of business:

Inspiring visionary leadership
This involves supporting ambitious businesses to adopt a just and regenerative mindset, define their change-making purpose and understand what’s needed to truly embed, live and deliver purpose-led change.
Explore more. 

 

Rethinking value chains
The 2020s are calling for a shift from just focusing on cost and efficiency to creating and distributing value more equitably, within planetary boundaries and in ways that restore ecosystem health. So what could fit-for-the-future value chain models look like?
Explore more.

Transforming consumption
Endless resource consumption on a finite planet is no longer an option (it never was) - so let’s reimagine how and why we consume goods and services. How can we all enjoy a good life that meets our needs and ensures our wellbeing, but within planetary boundaries?
Explore more. 

 
Creating an enabling context
How can key actors such as investors, accountability institutions and civil society shape an enabling context for business that supports the transformation needed, rather than locking in the status quo? Explore more.
By shifting our mindsets, we can write the story of just and regenerative business

In contemplating the kind of future we want, should we settle for one that merely safeguards existing interests and maintains the status quo? Should we strive for a future that solely addresses immediate risks and concerns? Should we be content with making incremental changes that only marginally improve our current situation?

Forum's CEO, Dr Sally Uren, answers with a resounding "no." Writing for GreenBiz, Sally advocates for a shift in our mindset towards promoting just and regenerative business practices.
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Sustainability’s secret weapon: Procurement as a way of creating environmental, social and economic value

Procurement is emerging as a secret weapon in business transformation. Forum’s Principal Change Designer, Felicity Butler, highlights the need to rethink traditional procurement processes and buying strategies, whose primary focus on cost-savings and risk mitigation are no longer fit for what will be a radically different future.
Read more

The Futures Centre
The Future of Supply Chains: A new future for value networks, or business as usual?

Global supply chains are going through a period of rapid transformation. To navigate this, it's critical to review the current supply chain models on which we rely. Forum's Change Designer, Neil Walker, explores how change is impacting supply chain operations and relationships, and discusses the principles that could form the foundation of a truly future-fit supply chain.
Read more.
Sensemaking in the UK: Shared value – what we mean, who decides and how it works

As people fight for a just transition and the need for more equitable value-sharing, debates in Europe are focused on worker’s rights and associated protests. Here, Forum’s UK/Europe team explore what ‘shared value’ is; who is creating it and how; and what it could all mean for other markets.
Read more.
Want regular insights and glimpses of the future straight to your inbox?
Subscribe to the Futures Centre newsletter. To submit a signal of change, visit the Futures Centre.

A track record partnering with business

As a critical and trusted friend and convener, Forum has a rich track record in partnering with the private sector. Together, we’re resetting ambition and enabling businesses to step up in helping tackle the defining issues of our times.

But don’t just take our word for it. 

Here’s a snapshot of what just a few of our partners say:
“As Bupa's long-term partner, Forum supported us to test our sustainability strategy before it launched. Forum used the Business Transformation Compass as a stimulus to push our thinking on what just and regenerative might mean for Bupa." 
Mar Soro, Group Head of Sustainability Advocacy, Bupa
“As companies face more uncertain and volatile operating contexts, purpose-led business transformation has never been more important. Forum combines deep insight to effectively engage the most senior leaders in a business.”
Anke Ehlers, Managing Director CRI, Aldi South
“For more than two decades, Forum has been a key partner for Unilever on our sustainability journey. Their support to help us create deeper, more systemic change on the issues that matter most has been absolutely invaluable.”
Rebecca Marmot, Chief Sustainability Officer, Unilever
Looking to transform your business? Get in touch with James Payne, Forum's Global Strategic Lead - Purpose of Business

In other news...
Towards a renewable energy sector that powers a thriving, resilient India

India has set a target of Net Zero by 2070, with rapid decarbonisation to be powered by the deployment of renewable energy (RE). RE actors have a remarkable opportunity – and responsibility — to ensure that we reduce emissions from energy in an ecologically safe and socially just way.

The first Responsible Renewable Energy Summit, held by the Responsible Energy Initiative and partners in February in Delhi, brought together experts, sector pioneers, policymakers, innovators, and civil society representatives, to discuss how RE can set a benchmark for responsibility and create value for every citizen in India for generations to come.
Watch all the panels, keynotes and discussions from the Summit
Read our blog 'Reimagining investing to scale responsible renewable energy'

The School of System Change
Last change to apply to The School of System Change courses
Do you want to unlock new pathways to approaching your complex challenges? If so, The School of System Change is accepting final applications for its spring courses: Delta, Spark, and Basecamp for Health System Transformation.
Join Basecamp Europe

Be part of the next Basecamp Europe cohort and revolutionise your ability to lead change. Starting in August, take a six-month journey into the foundations of systems change practice. Apply by 26 June.
Follow the School on LinkedIn for more stories and subscribe to their newsletter for the latest on systems change courses, resources, opportunities, and events.

Upcoming events
Alternative Protein Asia Seminar
Singapore and Online, 26 April
Join the Alternative Protein Asia Seminar to hear insights from industry experts from leading manufacturers, start-ups, investors, and other organisations. Discussions will cover the current landscape, business strategies, and investment opportunities in the sector, with a particular focus on the role of financial actors within the protein value chain. The event includes a panel with Forum's Principal Sustainability Strategist, Vi Nguyen, who will delve into ESG considerations for VC/PE investment in alternative proteins. Register here.
S in ESG Fast Track
London and Online, 26-27 June
Our partner, Thomson Reuters Foundation, has developed a pilot training "S in ESG Fast Track: Human Rights Due Diligence - Compliance, Disclosure, Success", which is set to bring together key actors in the ESG space, including lawyers, sustainability experts, and financial reporting specialists, to better understand human rights considerations under the 'S' in ESG and provide an opportunity to learn and collaborate across functions. Training takes place in London on 26, 27 and 28 June.  The closing date for applications is 23 April. Find out more.

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