Trends Identified
Sustainable production and consumption
Known technical solution areas which require innovation to realise their potential and enable scale of deployment: Circular economy recycling solutions e.g. cradle to cradle, Sharing economy, Reduced waste and energy production, Clean chemicals, steel, cement, and paper production, Extreme durability for energy-intensive products and materials, Extreme efficiency of IT/Data centres, Supply chain transparency, CO2 extraction from manufacturing.
2017
Innovation for the Earth - Harnessing technological breakthroughs for people and the planet
PWC
Sustainable land-use
Known technical solution areas which require innovation to realise their potential and enable scale of deployment: Land-use transparency, Low-emissions agriculture, New-techniques in forest management, Reduced losses in the supply chain, Soil sequestration, Low-emissions sources of protein, Reduced emissions from livestock, Reduced deforestation.
2017
Innovation for the Earth - Harnessing technological breakthroughs for people and the planet
PWC
Sustainable design of communities
Applying green construction to multiple buildings at once has the potential to revolutionize the amount of energy and water we consume. Sending locally-generated solar power to a smart microgrid could reduce electricity consumption by half and reduce carbon emissions to zero if a project currently under development at the University of California at Berkeley Goes to plan. Meanwhile, the same project’s plan to re-design water systems so that waste water from toilets and drains is treated and re-used on site, with rainwater diverted to toilets and washers, could cut demand for potable water by 70%.
2017
These are the top 10 emerging technologies of 2017
World Economic Forum (WEF)
Sustainable consumption and production
We are used to see consumption as a key driver of economic activity. Its current level, composition, associated production methods and resource use are not sustainable though. The distinction between consumers and producers is becoming increasingly blurred together with the dichotomy of goods and services allowing efficiency gains through shifting from ownership of products to use of services. Monitoring technologies will make citizens more aware of resource use and could change behaviours. Advanced manufacturing helps to pave the way towards an industrial renaissance in Europe while aging populations will be a driver for new products and services across various sectors. There may be trade-o s between environmental issues and new ways of accessing and using resources for an increasingly urbanised population.
2015
Preparing the Commission for future opportunities - Foresight network fiches 2030
European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS)
Sustainability to shape the face of business
Growing public consciousness of sustainability issues and political leadership gaps will increasingly open the way for business to step up to the challenge of sustainability leadership, and either lead, adapt or fail.
2018
8 sustainability trends that will define 2018
Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
Sustainability & global responsibility
In times of manifold conflicts and global challenges such as climate change, the need for societal and economic sustainability, as well as global responsibility, is only too evident. In particular, the increasing number of intrastate conflicts is calling for an enduring coordination of international governance in the future. For companies and their global value chains, this suggests a need to review potential areas of conflict more vigilantly.
2017
Megatrends: a bigger picture for a better strategy
Roland Berger Strategy Consultants
Surgical robots
The emergence of new surgical robots, as well as nanorobots, will make it possible to reduce the level of trauma, wound infection and avoid the need for blood transfusions. Operations carried out using robots will see reduced soreness in the postoperative period, accelerated rehabilitation times, minimal risks of the complications common in traditional surgery, increased oncological and functional results from operations, and improved cosmetic effects due to the lack of large postoperative scars. The introduction of such surgical technologies will reduce the impact of the human element during the operation and in terms of its outcome.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
Surgical optical technology
The result of the practical introduction of new surgical optical equipment to replace (or complement) traditional medical equipment will be a reduction in tissue trauma and a fall not only in the time required for operations, but also the duration of a patient’s stay in hospital. The development of minimally invasive surgery and the creation of complex hybrid systems consisting of nanotechnology and microelectromechanical systems (including 3D and 4D multimodal visualisation systems) will make it possible to use robotics in minimally invasive endoscopic procedures.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
Supportive environment for national and cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A)
14% of the respondents view this as a positive trend.
2019
4Q 2018 KPMG Global Insights Pulse Survey Report
KPMG
Supportive environment for M&A
16% of the respondents view this as a positive trend
2017
Adoption of intelligent automation does not equal success. 4Q 2017 KPMG Global Insights Pulse Survey Report.
KPMG