Trends Identified
Growing number of international ‘virtual workers’
The same tools that allow Canadians to work from a coffee shop will also support them in becoming “virtual workers” for employers in other countries. If they develop the right skills, they could compete globally for short tasks or part-time or full-time work. The system will also allow foreigners to bid for tasks and jobs in Canada. The workforce will become increasingly global. Worksites are emerging that facilitate finding virtual work (e.g., freelancer.ca or eLance.com). Reputation systems (e.g., eBay’s ratings system) will track individual performance, competence and specific skills to allow virtual employers to quickly find competent and trustworthy workers.
2013
Metascan 3 emerging technologies
Canada, Policy Horizons Canada
Growing output of primary inputs
Growing demand among more nations for oil and natural gas, grains and proteins, fresh water and extracted ores, such as copper, aluminum and rare earth metals, will create price volatility and transient shortages of a few of these commodities over the coming decade. Investment in conservation measures, alternative supplies and technologies will increase in some areas, though new fossil fuel sources will reduce economic incentives to invest in alternative energy. Estimated contribution to global GDP by 2020: $3 trillion.
2011
The great eight: Trillion-dollar growth trends to 2020
Bain and Company
Growing power of NGOs
Non-governmentorganizations(NGOs)likeAmnestyInternational,Greenpeace,WorldwideFundforNature,Transparency International, Human Rights Watch and Oxfam will grow significantly up to 2030. They will continuously increase the influence of global civil society and raise awareness for issues such as environmental protection, social justice and human rights. Low entry costs, low overheads and the capacity of individuals and groups to affiliate with each other using the Internet are facilitating this development. In particular, the global conferences of the United Nations (UN), starting with the Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, have given NGOs a new position and greater acceptance.
2011
Trend compendium 2030
Roland Berger Strategy Consultants
Growing pressure on local and regional authorities to better understand society, use of big data in areas such as e-health and e-education
Big data analytics is aimed at making governments and companies more effective. The rejuvenation of public services should continue through the rapid implementation of services such as e-government, e-health, e-invoicing and e-procurement. This will lead to more and better digital services for citizens and enterprises across the EU and free resources in the public sector for innovative use.
2014
Challenges at the horizon 2025
European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS)
Growing pressures on ecosystems
Driven by global population growth and associated demands for food and energy, as well as evolving consumption patterns, the pressure on the Earth's ecosystems is continuously increasing. Despite some positive developments, such as a recent reduction in the rates of tropical deforestation, global biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation are projected to increase.
2015
Assessment of global megatrends - an update
European Environment Agency (EEA)
Growing scale and urgency of climate change
There is no substantial doubt about the trend in global warming and there is a growing scale and urgency of climate change with global warming of more than 2C.
2014
Challenges at the horizon 2025
European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS)
Growing scarcity of water world-wide
Apart from its human impact on the most exposed societies, water scarcity may lead to conflicts and forced migration. Europe could be affected both directly and indirectly, and faces considerable challenges as a result.
2016
Global Trendometer - essays on medium- and long-term global trends
European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS)
Growing trade and risk of rising protectionism
Over the last decades, the world has witnessed the broadest and deepest wave of globalisation it has ever seen and levels of trade and foreign direct investment progressed apace. In 2025, the volume of trade is expected to double in comparison to 2005 with most growth coming from Asia. With the economic and financial crisis, these achievements could come under pressure and progress in the negotiations of the Doha Development Agenda of the WTO, essential for the EU prosperity, could be limited. The WTO anchors international trade and a global economy in an open rules-based system based on international law.
2014
Challenges at the horizon 2025
European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS)
Growing urban sprawl and urban-rural synergies in the areas of recycling, food and renewable energy production Growing urban rural relations
With continuing growth of urbanisation, urban-rural relations are rapidly changing. Foremost, Europe will continue to witness an ever wider urban sprawl. Over the past 50 years, on average, cities have expanded by 78%, whereas the population has grown by only 33%. The historical compact city model has been replaced by free standing housing, more than doubling of the space consumed per inhabitant. As a result, low density suburban development in the periphery of Europe's cities has become the norm.
2014
Challenges at the horizon 2025
European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS)
Growing vulnerability of cities to climate change
Climate change influences climate conditions (temperature, rainfall and the magnitude of extreme weather events). Over the coming years, extreme weather events in LRAs will give an indication of situations projected for later this century. For instance, droughts and peak summer temperatures will be gradually more common in the Mediterranean regions. Winter floods and summer droughts will increasingly become more frequent in continental Europe while storms, heavy rainfalls and mild winters alter biophysical conditions in Western Europe.
2014
Challenges at the horizon 2025
European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS)