Dr. Manuel Braun

How to move from a linear ‘take-make-waste’ approach, towards one that is circular, resource productive, regenerative, and resilient in nature? A circular business revolution is needed to help firms decarbonize, dematerialize, and regenerate natural systems while unlocking economic value and supply chain resilience. A set of specific circular business model patterns allows you to create value in a circular economy. More than 100 real-world case studies serve as inspiration highlight emerging trends, new opportunities, and the pathway to sustainable change.

Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) a friend or a foe when it comes to the climate crisis? On one hand, AI holds immense potential to accelerate climate action while driving sustainable and inclusive economic growth. On the other, the environmental costs of AI—such as the growing carbon footprint of data centres—raise concerns about its long-term impact. Explore five ways of how AI can strengthen responses to climate threats. Dive into key applications across power, food, and mobility.

The market dynamics of strategically critical resources are dominated by uncertainty. Digitalization & AI, decarbonization & the energy transition, and defense are increasing demand for critical resources – but supply is faltering. Security risks and geopolitics are increasingly tied to these supply-demand imbalances and raw material dependencies (rare earths, energy imports, global chokepoints). The circular economy offers not just an environmental solution, but also a strategic buffer. How can circularity act as a strategic safeguard against geopolitical instability and resource scarcity. Building resilience, reducing dependency, and unlocking new opportunities for innovation.

Why is systemic change essential to addressing today’s planetary crisis? The pathway to sustainability is narrowing rapidly, and the window to act is closing. The urgent question is not if, but how to achieve global sustainable resource use now. We need to focus on provisioning systems—shifting from cars to mobility, from meat to healthy food, and so on — powered by a renewable energy system. But how to transform consumption patterns and production systems hand in hand?

How can businesses integrate natural capital and ecosystem services into their core strategies? Our economy depends 100% on nature, but we don’t value nature’s services (clean air, pollination, pure water, etc.). By valuing and managing natural resources, companies can reduce risks, comply with regulations, and unlock sustainable growth opportunities. Embracing natural capital transforms environmental challenges into strategic assets for business success and a sustainable future.