Now live: The Future of Sustainability: Courage to Transform

Forum for the Future has published its latest Future of Sustainability report, Courage to Transform. It highlights four possible future trajectories and calls for five shifts in how businesses operate if they are to manage the systemic risks associated with an increasingly disrupted climate.

The report recognises the extremely challenging operating environment businesses face right now — from inflation and price volatility to rapidly changing reporting and disclosure standards. Against this backdrop, there is little guidance for businesses on what action can be taken, yet growing pressure on them to lead.

Produced with support from Bupa, People’s Postcode Lottery Green Trust, Aldi Süd, The Crown Estate and Henkel, the report draws on in-depth desktop research, interviews with business leaders and ‘signals of change’ generated through the online ‘Futures Centre’ to provide practical, focused advice on steps to take.
Explore the report

Four possible futures, five key shifts

Imagine a world in which maximising short-term profit is prioritised above all else; or where we attempt what we can, but ultimately fall short; or where we leverage technology as a silver bullet but undermine social cohesion; or where genuinely transformational changes are made for the good of people and planet.

Based on new analysis of how businesses are responding to today’s challenges, the Future of Sustainability highlights four future trajectories: Profit Supreme, Shallow Gestures, Tech Optimism and Courage to Transform. These are intended to provoke a deeper examination of the mindsets dictating how (even whether) businesses are responding to the crises we face. 

Forum believes that Courage to Transform must become the dominant version of our future if we’re to enable both people and planet to thrive. Realising this means businesses making five shifts:

  • From a risk prevention mindset to a transformative one

  • From addressing the symptoms of our social and environmental crises to tackling their root causes

  • From passively responding to their operating context to actively shaping it

  • From slow centralised decision-making to more agile distributed governance models

  • From failing to acknowledge the influence of individual, organisational and contextual bias to identifying and removing this bias in risk assessment
Take less than two minutes to watch a digest of our findings from the Future of Sustainability

A business perspective on accelerating transformation: In conversation with Bupa’s Glyn Richards

On the back of the report launch, Forum speaks with Glyn Richards, Group Director of Sustainability at Bupa, on the need for courageous and transformative leadership if we’re to tackle escalating global challenges.

Noting the pace at which the business landscape is changing right now, Glyn reflects on the challenges the healthcare industry faces, the need to empower employees to accelerate change, and how to embed sustainability within all corners of your organisation.
Read more

What is ‘futures thinking’ anyway? And what value can it bring to corporate sustainability?

"Futures analyses reveal the complex interplay of dynamic trends around us, and when rooted in research, allows us to genuinely explore the potential consequences of our interventions," - Forum CEO, Dr Sally Uren.

There is no data about the future, and prediction is an impossible game. But we can shape the future, and the best way to start is by imagining the future we want to see. For decades, Forum has used futures thinking to help organisations grapple with uncertainty and change. It’s about identifying risks, opportunities and powerful innovations.

Sally reflects on all this and more in her latest opinion piece.
Explore more

With thanks to our partners

The Future of Sustainability was made possible thanks to the generous support of our partners.
Thank you.

Let’s explore the future, together

The future is not something that happens to us, but is something that we can actively create with every action we take, and with every choice we make. 

If your business is interested in applying futures thinking to your own transformation, please get in touch.

Insights on the Forum blog

Demystifying impact: Five things business leaders need to know to drive positive change

Creating a just and regenerative future depends on businesses understanding their impact, writes Forum's Global Director of Impact, Martin Koehring. First published on BusinessGreen and republished with permission on our blog.
Read more.

Climate adaptation and mitigation needs in the cotton sector: Five trends shaping the future of cotton

With Forum’s eight year Cotton 2040 initiative now drawn to a close, Forum’s Principal Manager, Hannah Cunneen, with Principal Sustainability Strategist Yamini Srivastava, reflect on the landscape of the cotton industry. They explore climate adaptation and mitigation, and what emerging trends will support or inhibit the ability to build a socially-just and resilient cotton sector. 
Read more.

Redefining 'the good life': Why and how consumption needs to change

According to the United Nations, resource consumption is projected to increase by 71% by the year 2050. This staggering statistic calls for significant changes in our approach to consumption. Neil Walker, Forum's Senior Change Designer, emphasises the need for a systemic shift in our consumption patterns.
Read more.

Can shifting policy transform the deep-rooted challenges in the US agriculture system?

With Farm Bill negotiations in full swing, there is growing momentum in US public policy around incentivising regenerative agriculture. Forum’s Senior Sustainability Strategist, Michelle Stearn, highlights how collective action can pave the way for policy wins that prioritise both resilient ecosystems and thriving communities. She shares the Growing our Future initiative’s policy work and considers how organisations can collectively drive deep, systemic transformation.
Read more.

Climate Week NYC

11am-12pm, 19 September | New York City
Climate and Health Coalition

The Climate and Health Coalition is hosting an invite-only discussion with key climate and health actors to build a stronger case for business action on this dual crisis, ultimately delivering benefits for both people and planet. To request an invitation, email Kavya Uchil at 

10am-12pm, 20 September | New York City
American Climate Futures

Join Forum and B Lab US & Canada for a workshop for business leaders who are taking action on climate justice to connect and share learnings amongst peers, and to identify opportunities for collective action. Apply by September 17 to reserve a spot.

Other events

19-20 September | London
Sustainable Food Forum 2023

The Sustainable Food Forum 2023 will bring together more than 450 leading international businesses and innovators to share their challenges and initiatives in food formulation. Forum's Global Strategic Lead for Food, Duncan Williamson, Technical Lead for Food, Geraldine Gilbert, Principal Change Designer, Sophie Robins, and Senior Change Designer Valentina Toledo, will be hosting a panel. Learn more and save £225 off a standard industry pass here.
 

16-17 October | London and online
UN Global Compact Network UK Annual Summit

Join Forum’s International Managing Director, Hannah Pathak, at the UN Global Compact Annual Summit as she hosts a panel on advancing culture change for transformational governance. Across two days, the Summit will convene corporate, government, and civil society leaders to discuss how we can drive sustainability to ensure business success. Register.

31 October - 1 November | London
Net Zero Festival

Join Forum’s CEO Dr Sally Uren at the Net Zero Festival for an engaging panel on the role of the private sector in addressing the dual crisis of climate and health. Forum’s Global Strategic Lead - Purpose of Business, James Payne and Joint Managing Director, UK/Europe, Zoe Le Grand will also be there, hosting a workshop on leadership for a net zero transformation. Register.

6-7 November | London
Sustainable Foods London

Join Forum’s Global Impact Director, Martin Koehring, at ​​Sustainable Foods London for a panel on accelerating the transition to sustainable aquaculture. The two-day conference will convene senior decision makers, thought leaders, multinationals, investors and the wider food supply chain. Register.

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