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10 Sustainable Transformation Trends - literature

Written by Wayne Visser | September 08, 2023

The Sustainable Transformation Lab delved into the intersection between business, society and the environment and shone a spotlight on 10 of the most significant sustainable transformation trends for business. 

Some of those trends where a.o.

  • ESG weathers backlash, while ESG finance growth continues unabated 
  • Automation looms large, while generative AI unleashes productivity 
  • The economy gets less circular, while plastic fills the spotlight 

Discover how regenerative thinking, diversity in perspective and technology innovation are reshaping our world's future with these literature that dives into the trends in sustainability.

  1. Rockström, J., Gupta, J., Qin, D. et al. Safe and just Earth system boundaries. Nature 619, 102–111 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06083-8
  2. Systemiq, University of Exeter and Bezos Earth Fund. (2023). The Breakthrough Effect. January 19. Available at: https://www.systemiq.earth/breakthrough-effect/
  3. Tollefson, J. (2023). Earth’s hottest month: these charts show what happened in July and what comes next. Nature, August 18. Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-02552-2
  4. IPCC ()2023). Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report. Available at: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/
  5. UNEP. (2022). Emissions Gap Report 2022. Available at: https://www.unep.org/resources/emissions-gap-report-2022
  6. Noor, D. (2023). Big oil quietly walks back on climate pledges as global heat records tumble. The Guardian, July 16. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jul/16/big-oil-climate-pledges-extreme-heat-fossil-fuel
  7. IEA. (2023). Clean energy investment is extending its lead over fossil fuels, boosted by energy security strengths. May 23. Available at: https://www.iea.org/news/clean-energy-investment-is-extending-its-lead-over-fossil-fuels-boosted-by-energy-security-strengths
  8. WEF. (2023). 1 in 7 cars sold globally now is electric. March 10. Available at: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/03/ev-car-sales-energy-environment-gas/
  9. Automotive News Europe. (2023). Tesla Model Y was world's best-selling car in Q1. May 31. Available at: https://europe.autonews.com/automakers/tesla-model-y-was-best-selling-car-world-q1
  10. Deloitte & Circle Economy. (2023). The Circularity Gap Report 2023. Available at: https://www.circularity-gap.world/2023
  11. UNEP. (2023). Turning off the Tap: How the world can end plastic pollution and create a circular economy. May 16. Available at: https://www.unep.org/resources/turning-off-tap-end-plastic-pollution-create-circular-economy
  12. EU. (2023). Proposal for a Directive on common rules promoting the repair of goods. March 22. Available at: https://commission.europa.eu/document/afb20917-5a6c-4d87-9d89-666b2b775aa1_en
  13. WWF. (2022). Living Planet Report 2022. October 14. Available at: https://livingplanet.panda.org/en-GB/
  14. CBD. (2022). COP15: Final text of Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. December 22. Available at: https://www.cbd.int/article/cop15-final-text-kunming-montreal-gbf-221222
  15. EU. (2023). Deforestation-free products. June 29. Available at: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/forests/deforestation/regulation-deforestation-free-products_en
  16. EU. (2022). Green Deal: pioneering proposals to restore Europe's nature by 2050 and halve pesticide use by 2030. June 22. Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_22_3746
  17. Gallup. (2023). State of the Global Workplace: 2023 Report. Available at: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx
  18. WEF. (2023). Global Gender Gap Report 2023. Available at: https://www.weforum.org/reports/global-gender-gap-report-2023/digest
  19. WEF. (2023). Future of Jobs Report 2023. May. Available at: https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2023/digest/
  20. WEF. (2023). Future of Jobs Report 2023. May. Available at: https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2023/digest/
  21. Accenture. (2023). A New Era of Generative AI for Everyone. Report available at: https://www.accenture.com/be-en/insights/technology/generative-ai
  22. EU. (2023). Corporate sustainability reporting. Available at: https://finance.ec.europa.eu/capital-markets-union-and-financial-markets/company-reporting-and-auditing/company-reporting/corporate-sustainability-reporting_en#legislation
  23. SBTN. (2023). Launch of the world’s first science-based targets for nature, to mobilize businesses to address nature loss & climate change together. May 24. Available at: https://sciencebasedtargetsnetwork.org/news/news/launch-of-the-worlds-first-science-based-targets-for-nature-to-mobilize-businesses-to-address-nature-loss-climate-change-together/
  24. TNFD. (2023). Developing and delivering a risk management and disclosure framework for organisations to report and act on evolving nature-related risks. Available at: https://tnfd.global
  25. EU. (2023). Proposal for a Directive on Green Claims. March 22. Available at: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/publications/proposal-directive-green-claims_en
  26. Pleiades Strategy. (2023). 2023 Statehouse Report: Right-Wing Attacks on the Freedom to Invest Responsibly Falter in Legislatures. Available at: https://www.pleiadesstrategy.com/state-house-report-bill-tracker-republican-anti-esg-attacks-on-freedom-to-invest-responsibly-earns-business-labor-and-environmental-opposition
  27. Bloomberg. (2022). ESG’s real problem is a lack of data, fixed-income pros say. December 13. Available at: https://www.bloomberg.com/professional/blog/esgs-real-problem-is-a-lack-of-data-fixed-income-pros-say/
  28. PwC. (2022). Exponential Expectations for ESG. November 17. Available at: https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2022/11/17/exponential-expectations-for-esg/
  29. Visser, W. (2022). Thriving: The Breakthrough Movement to Regenerate Nature, Society and the Economy. New York: Fast Company Press.
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