In terms of climate, the first half of 2024 has begun catastrophically with an unprecedented number of extreme weather events across all continents. Climate change and severe biodiversity loss are accelerating on an unprecedented scale, while societies face increasing inequalities in wealth and access to opportunity.

Many companies still operate in the old paradigm of material gain while depleting resources, contributing (significantly) to some of our biggest problems, such as climate change, inequality, public health and biodiversity loss.

Fortunately, we are also seeing positive developments. For example, through the courageous action of Austrian Minister Leonore Gewessler, the European Nature Restoration Act has been saved. We also see for the first time a decrease in meat consumption in the EU as well as a decrease in fossil fuel use (and thus greenhouse gas emissions) among rich countries.

However, the pace of transformation is far too slow. With the current plans, we are still heading for a warming of well over 2.5 degrees Celsius. With this, large parts of the Earth will become unlivable and 40-50% of humanity will no longer be able to continue living in their current place of residence, due to failed harvests, forest fires, heat waves, lack of (drinking) water and floods.