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“Extreme weather events” were highlighted in the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2025 as the second most severe risk in the next two years and the top risk over the next decade. Combined with events like the LA fires, it is no surprise that “Safeguarding the Planet” is a central theme at Davos 2025. How can we catalyze energy, climate, and nature action through innovative partnerships, increased financing, and the deployment of frontier technologies? This critical question was explored through various sessions that addressed climate issues holistically.
SAFEGUARDING NATURE, SECURING PEOPLE
Many of today’s conflicts have roots in environmental challenges, such as Sudan’s Darfur drought or the Sahel’s drought-induced unrest. The connection between environmental degradation and human security is increasingly clear, though it has only recently gained recognition. Somalia exemplifies this intersection, with environmental stress driving youth toward armed groups for sustenance. While much of the dialogue focuses on the Global South, land degradation is a global crisis. Migration to food-secure areas fuels conflict, destabilizes host nations, and fosters extremism and political instability, as seen in Europe. Addressing these challenges requires preventative solutions, which are far more cost-effective than responding to crises after they arise. Instead of unsustainable charity, we must establish mechanisms that empower affected nations to rebuild, reclaim their identity, and achieve self-sustainability. Businesses also need to recognize the profit potential in combating land degradation, making it a “win-win-win” for security, well-being, and profitability.
SOCIAL INNOVATION IN ACTION
Globally, over 10 million social enterprises contribute $2 trillion to the economy annually, placing social innovation at the forefront of transformative change. In the session “Social Innovation in Action,” Parks Tau, South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, emphasized that social innovators are already making progress. Instead of solving problems for those who have found solutions, why not reinforce their efforts and strengthen the culture of social entrepreneurship? The G20 presents a unique opportunity to shift the orientation of investors and government policies toward supporting grassroots initiatives rather than imposing top-down solutions. Collaborativeness is key. Businesses, with their resources, market access, and ecosystem knowledge, play a crucial role in empowering social innovators and startups. More importantly, we must redefine relationships—from “we will do something for you” to “we will co-create”—to build on existing efforts, expand access to resources, and amplify the impact of social innovation to tackle economic and societal challenges.
The theme encompassed several critical discussions, including addressing the New Trilemma of balancing climate action, development, and the restoration of the middle class. Nevertheless, the path forward is clear: to safeguard the planet, we must embrace preventative, collaborative, and opportunity-driven strategies. By reframing the green transition as a transformative opportunity rather than a cost, we can pave the way for a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future for all.
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