Sustainability Trends!! Flash Back-COP28 in 2023 and DAVOS in 24!! Journey so far! and the way forward!!

The concept of sustainability dates back to 1987 when it was first introduced in the Brundtland Report. The report identified the impact of human activity on the environment, which was necessary to study. However, the concern about overpopulation and resource depletion was first expressed by Thomas Malthus in 1798. Today, in an overpopulated world where resources are being exploited at an alarming rate, the concept of sustainability is more important than ever.

The Definition and Significance of Sustainable Development, as defined in the Brundtland Report, refers to the idea of satisfying current needs while taking into account the ability of future generations to meet their own requirements. Through the years, humanity has worked to address increasingly serious and pressing issues. Finally, we have established a concept that links the development of humanity with the responsible management of resources. This represents a significant shift towards ecological sustainability, as well as an important step in framing it in the context of economic and social development.

It seems that, for the first time, we have come to the understanding that our world is not as boundless as we once believed.

Some of the trends that are driving a more sustainable future: -

1- Clean Energy (Renewables, Nuclear, Green Hydrogen etc.)

Globally, solar and wind were responsible for 12% of the world's power. That’s up from 10% in 2021.

By 2050, experts say they’ll account for 42% of the US's electricity generation.

Another technology which is growing very fast is “green hydrogen” — hydrogen fuel that is synthesized with energy from low-carbon sources such as wind and solar.

The cost of #green #hydrogen has been steadily decreasing in recent years. Because of this, the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of nearly 40% through 2030, landing at a value of $60.56 billion.

2- EVs (Clean Mobility)

Did you know that transportation is regarded as a subsector of the energy industry? Unfortunately, it accounts for 27% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. On a global scale, transportation is responsible for 20.2% of carbon emissions.

The #Electric Vehicle (EV) Takes the Lead in the Move to Decarbonize Transportation The electric vehicle (EV) is at the forefront of the movement to reduce carbon emissions in transportation. In 2022, there were only 34 car models in the EV market. As of Q1 2023, that number has risen to 42. This increase in car models has led to a significant increase in sales as well.

EVs now account for 13% of the global automotive market.

3- Sustainable Materials and Tech

The Building and Construction Industry has a Significant Impact on Carbon Emissions According to data from the United Nations Environment Program, the construction and building industry is responsible for almost 39% of the world's carbon emissions. In 2021, this sector alone produced approximately 10 gigatons of carbon emissions, 5% higher than 2020 levels, and 2% more than the peak reached in 2019 before the pandemic.

4- Innovations in Biodiversity

Several organizations are actively investing in technologies like drones, sensors, satellite imagery, and AI to monitor and safeguard biodiversity. These innovations are used for tracking species, detecting environmental changes, and reducing interference with natural ecosystems.

5- Sustainable Packaging

Some of the packaging innovations that exists now such as-

• Internet of Packaging
• Biodegradable Packaging
• Digital Printing
• Packaging Automation
• Active Packaging
• Custom Packaging
• Recyclable Packaging
• Edible Packaging
• Nano technology

6- Carbon storage and capture

While the most advanced and widely adopted capture technologies are chemical absorption and physical separation, other separation technologies under development include membranes and looping cycles (such as chemical looping and calcium looping).

7- Slow fashion

Sustainable fashion creates a circular business model with a positive impact on the environment, encourages recycling, reusing, and repurposing,?

8- Sustainability in food and beverages industry

It includes using eco-friendly and renewable materials, reducing waste, and mitigating the carbon footprint associated with product packaging, transportation, and disposal. The primary goal of sustainable packaging is to protect the product while simultaneously minimizing the environmental impact of the packaging.

9- Sustainability in Technology

Sustainable technology is the combination of two complementary ideas. The first is technology that is meant to remedy, improve, or offset carbonization, environmental setbacks, or problems. The second is technology that is produced using green or ecologically responsible materials or processes.

FLASHBACK into COP28

200 countries came pledged to moving away from fossil fuels        

The final COP28 report avoided "phase out"- The buzz word that everyone was waiting for and had hoped for.        

Encouraged tripping of renewable energy usage across the world and transitioning away from fossil fuels in the power sector.        

Though the deal that happened was not so perfect but one thing that everyone acknowledged is that usage of fossil fuels is no good for all of us and for the whole world.        

More than 60 countries joined the GLOBAL COOLING PLEDGE and GLOBAL METHANE PLEDGE        

The events at UNEP pavilion showcased climate action solutions and focused light on the roles of robust science, AI, data, transparency, and climate justice.        

Into DAVOS-24

RE-Building TRUST in the future!!

Gathering of 2800 leaders, including 60 heads of state and government officials

Key Focus Areas at Davos 2024:

(From 15th January till 19th January 24)

• Achieving Security and Cooperation amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions: Addressing security crises, including the Middle East situation, while identifying areas for cooperation to ensure mutual benefits for all stakeholders.
• Creating Growth and Jobs for a New Era: Collaborating on a new economic framework to prevent a decade of low growth and prioritize individual well-being, minimizing trade-offs and maximizing synergies.
• Artificial Intelligence as a Driving Force for the Economy and Society: Finding ways to harness AI for the benefit of all and exploring its interaction with transformative technologies like 5/6G, quantum computing, and biotechnology.
• A Long-Term Strategy for Climate, Nature, and Energy: Developing a comprehensive, long-term approach to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and promoting a nature-positive world. Strategies include ensuring affordable, secure, and inclusive access to energy, food, and water.

LEADERS Attending!!

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
• Chinese Premier Li Qiang
• EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
• U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan
• Addresses from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
• New Argentine President Javier Milei
• French President Emmanuel Macron

INDIAN LEADERS Attending!!

• Union Ministers representing India are Smriti Irani, Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Hardeep Singh Puri, Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde
• RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, ministers from Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, and CEOs including Gautam Adani, Sanjiv Bajaj, Kumar Mangalam Birla, N Chandrasekaran, Nadir Godrej, Sajjan Jindal, Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Nandan Nilekani, Rishad Premji, and Sumant Sinha

My take-

HUMANITY is struggling with wars, financial crisis, civil unrest, governments instability, climate change, lack of love, mutual respect and trust. This is a critical moment for the world, and we don't have a straight solution for each of these. We need money to survive but we also need love and respect and trust to build a sustainable society across the world. Money will be of no-help if society collapses. Open and transparent conversations can win mutual trust in the society. There is no quick fix or one-time remedy for each of these problems mentioned above but we need to collaborate, and our intention has to be right to find solutions. Capital has to be channelized to see the real impact on ground. Innovations have to thrive to see unique solutions for these problems. We need to educate women at large, young people and also help people from the war-affected zones who have lost their families and friends. We should educate people around the world on climate change and financial literacy so that to help them taking right decisions in their life.

The future-

• Robots and automation would be ubiquitous in many industries, from manufacturing to healthcare to transportation. This could lead to a world where many jobs are automated, but also a world where people are freed up to pursue more creative and fulfilling work.
• We will see a world with #Quantum computing, metaverse, augmented reality, nanotechnology, human brain-computer interfaces, driverless technology, artificial intelligence, workplace automation, robotics and more!!
• #AI will replace some jobs but will create a new type of jobs and we need to reskill or upskill our youth to cope up with this change. AI and Humans will work together at the workplace.

Below are some interesting information and data on the FUTURE OF THE WORLD!! You should read these links and get a feel about what is possible and not possible. The world is changing and let's visualize this together and get ready for the same. Click on these below links: -

How Will the World Look Like in 2030?

How will the world look in 2050?

Earth 2050

(Source-The Future of the World (2030 to 10,000 A.D.+): 130 Future Technologies- Future Business Tech)

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