Davos and CEO conundrums

The annual speed-dating for billionaires summit is drawing to a close today. Davos always sets cynical chins wagging but it's the conversations from within that (aim to) drive change.

This year they chewed over topics echoing through the corporate world from the highs and lows of AI, to the political risks of the meek global economy and grappling with climate change.

At the risk of stating the obvious, the effects of climate change are important points for discussion on a global scale at events such as Davos. But it also risks becoming all talk and no action, garnering eye-rolls from the sidelines.

Dr Nina Seega, Director of the Centre for Sustainable Finance at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership wrote in Forbes this week that "times may be tough and the outlook difficult, but if all business and policy leaders have to offer the world is meagre words and gloomy outlooks, the change that they understand needs to happen won’t be forthcoming."

Read this and more analysis on Davos below.

1. Climate for change?

?? One of the four key topics at Davos 2024 is climate. And as the European Green Deal faces political headwinds in the run-up to the 2024 parliamentary elections, what does the deal's future look like? Watch the panel discussion here.

2. Climate financing

?? Business and political leaders have to deal with the reality of the climate crisis and its impacts on people and the economy. This article in Forbes picks apart climate financing and whether or not solutions are being properly financed. Read more here.

3. Davos dreams

?? An air of cynicism usually wafts around journalistic crowds at Davos, scrutinising the upper echelons for the change it actually affects. Professor of Economics, John Quiggin, said "this isn’t how things were supposed to turn out" when writing about the widening global skills and wealth gap this week. Read more on whether the glory days of Davos are now behind us here.

4. Changemakers

?? 21% of British CEOs say their business won't be economically viable in the next 10 years. So how to drive change for impactful reinvention? In its annual UK CEO Survey, PwC say CEOs are focusing on their own catalytic role, investments in necessary skills and technology, and the rise of generative AI. Read the report here.

5. The real deal

?? And let's finish the week with some tasty viewing from Magnum. This new tongue-in-cheek ad tackles 'Dupe' culture in a sultry Magnum way.

Until next week,

The Bright Team.