2021: a year that will be in the theme of Radical transformation. Whether we think about the future of the environment and nature, society and individuals, or businesses and institutions, each one is pushed drastically think about how they should transform to remain successful or to but it more bluntly, to survive.
This first article in a series of three highlights the main trends and developments affecting the future of environment and nature.
Responsible consumerism
Consumers start to understand that the current impact of human beings on the world needs to be changed. This means that people not only start to live healthier (nutrition), or stimulate the local economy, but also want to have more insights in the origin of food and goods towards a more sustainable planet. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of what they consume and its impact.
Urban vs. rural innovation; ‘smart’ escapism in a public-private playground
According to the UN, 70% of the world’s population will live in urban regions by 2030 – 1.5 billion more than in 2010. Urban regions make up roughly half of the territory. All these people need energy, healthcare, water, mobility, housing and community areas. This booming urbanization and consequent stretched infrastructures cause environmental, logistical and social challenges threatening the quality of city life and therefore the well-being of citizens.
Autonomous mobility as a service; towards an interconnected ecosystem
Technological and social developments have made the car the ultimate means of transport; increasingly faster, more personal, more luxurious and more flexible. Motorways and public transport getting fuller and fuller. This must and will change in the years to come. The 2030 ambitions for the European government are the greenest ever, with a minimum CO2 reduction of 40% as the main goal. These targets have major consequences for the current mobility ecosystem. Smart roads, interconnected self-driving vehicles, car- or ridesharing and productive travel time are all future opportunities.
Biotech; at the forefront of superhumans?
People are getting more and more aware of their health and the methods they can implement in order to prevent or overcome diseases and disablements. Technology embedded with biology reshapes the playing field of medical institutions, key in this; accessibility and scalability. From biohackers to CRISPR/cas9 gene editing, this ‘new’ industry is at the forefront of rapid growth and discussion.
The future of environment and nature is one of the three categories of trends and developments that will change the global market place in 2021. Read here the complete trend report.
