Collective action, bolder leadership, smarter technologies – the key drivers for tomorrow’s sustainable businesses

As we continue to grapple with the humanitarian and economic consequences of the pandemic, the last 12 months have proven the need for us to connect with each other to shape integrated responses to complex challenges - the need to collaborate; to learn and grow together; to have a conversation.

At Capgemini we recognize the importance of bringing together key stakeholders – from businesses to government, non-profits to academia – to address our major societal and economic challenges. It’s with this in mind that we have launched ‘Conversations for Tomorrow’, a new quarterly publication by the Capgemini Research Institute, which features the experiences and views of leaders and experts on the major strategic imperatives that are shaping the future.

This inaugural edition begins by tackling one of the world’s most profound challenges – building a sustainable future. 

To make a positive impact on the world, build competitive advantage, and strengthen organizational resilience, businesses and their leaders must come together to find solutions to climate and environmental challenges. Large organizations have a responsibility to lead by example. 

In this edition, the European Commission’s executive vice president of the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans, calls for bolder leadership, saying: “The European Commission, in response to European government leaders’ request to chart the EU’s long-term course, is working to make Europe the world’s first climate-neutral continent in 2050. As we do so, we challenge everyone to beat us to it: in a global race to zero, we all win.” 

Sally Uren, Chief Executive of Forum for the Future, stresses the importance of collective action, saying: “Collaboration is critical for systemic change because no one actor can shift a system on their own.”

And Bertrand Piccard details the work that his Solar Impulse Foundation is pioneering in the field of identifying smart technologies: “We have spent the past three years selecting and labelling technological solutions that protect the environment in a financially profitable way,” he explains “These solutions allow companies to unlock new business opportunities, reduce energy and water consumption and cut back on waste, set up circular economy processes, and use resources more efficiently.”

This is just a flavor of the wide-ranging perspectives of over 15 eminent contributors that are all brought together in this first edition.

At Capgemini, we raised our own ambitions during 2020, with the commitment to be a net zero business by 2030. However, we recognize that the journey ahead will be challenging for all and we are determined to support our clients in achieving their sustainability aspirations too.  

My thanks go to all the leaders and experts who contributed their thinking to our first edition of ‘Conversations for Tomorrow’.  I hope it will generate further conversations on such a critical topic for you and your organization.