The global challenges that lie ahead are enormous: The world population is growing rapidly and will reach 9.5 bn by the middle of the century (compared to 2,5 bn in 1950). Those people need access to food, freshwater, education, health services, and so on. At the same time, we witness increasing urbanization and the negative effects of climate change. This combination of factors, which John Beddington, former chief advisor to the UK Government, once described as “the perfect storm”, will cause enormous social tensions if we do not take countermeasures. Amongst others we need
- A radical increase in resource effectiveness, climate-friendly markets and green growth;
- Access to food, freshwater, health, education and ecosystem services for a growing population at the base of the pyramid and
- A decrease of environmental and social risks going along with the radical changes in a globalized world.
This is dramatic, but it also offers great opportunities for the investment industry to take their social and environmental responsibility and drives innovation and sustainable entrepreneurship.
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