Authors: Linda Lacina & Gayle Markovitz
Our world needs climate change solutions. A challenge that demands a radical rethink
Image by Malachi Brooks on Unsplash
LINDA LACINA
Digital Editor, World Economic Forum
GAYLE MARKOVITZ
Partnerships Editor, World Economic Forum
What’s next after zero?
Scott Russell, Member of the Executive Board, SAP SE
Trying to find climate change solutions to current challenges has left many of us feeling like we’re going around in circles. But for the first time in history, that’s a good thing.
Regenerative businesses have the power to re-energize our economy, markets and industries, generating jobs and trillions of dollars in value and new opportunities.
Localize the net-zero agenda
Clare Wildfire, Global Practice Lead for Cities, Mott MacDonald
Achieving national net-zero targets will require extensive collaboration between central and local governments, industry and across supply chains. Cities are particularly well-placed to drive decarbonization because they are where demand for infrastructure, services and goods are concentrated. Cities are where public, private and community agendas come together.
Cities are particularly well-placed to drive decarbonization because they are where demand for infrastructure, services and goods are concentrated."
Unite in driving positive change
Alain Bejjani, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Holding
To unlock the potential of the MENA region, the private sector must step forward and be accountable for its contribution, identify ways to work better, and actively champion more sustainable business practices."
As the world’s most water-scarce region, the odds are stacked against us with an undeniable truth that must be addressed – our landmass and current way of life cannot be sustained by the gallant efforts of the public sector alone. If we are to unlock the potential of the MENA region, the private sector must step forward and be accountable for its contribution, identify ways to work better, and actively champion more sustainable business practices.
Rapid response… rapid product design and rollout
Tjada D'Oyen McKenna, CEO of Mercy Corps
Small-scale farmers feed 80% of the population in much of the developing world, and for many of them, climate change is no distant threat.
As weather patterns shift, drought, flooding, and unfamiliar pests and diseases are devastating their crops right now. These farmers need new technology, but they also need tech that is not theoretical.
Start by building effective partnerships to prepare for rapid response; then involve farmers in that rapid product design and rollout so that real, actionable solutions can reach them immediately.
A digital platform that serves as a one-stop solution for civic learning - an innovative solution to climate change.
Roya and Mehrdad Baghai, Founders, High Resolves
The need to activate human responsibility lies at the heart of the world’s greatest challenges.
In response, High Resolves has created a digital platform that serves as a one-stop solution for civic learning - an innovative solution to climate change.
Institutions can receive unlimited all-you-can-use access to curated learning experiences from the best providers in the sector at an affordable price of only $400 per month. That translates to roughly 20 cents per student experience based on average use levels, a fraction of the cost of in-person facilitated activities.
A Smarter Way to Plant Trees to Prevent Desertification
By Dong Kwan Kim, Chief Executive Officer, Hanwha Solutions, Hanwha Group
Enter the Solar Forest, an afforestation programme, harnessing the power of the sun instead. Solar energy supports the clean water supply, temperature control, and lighting conditions required to nurture saplings. This unique approach makes every “Solar Forest” one of the most eco-friendly forests on Earth.
"For the last decade, the initiative has planted over half a million trees in eight forests, answering the urgent call to eliminate carbon emissions globally."