Day 5 Highlights of the 2021 World Economic Forum Davos Agenda

This week, we covered the highlights from the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting, The Davos Agenda, with a focus on how it is attempting to advance sustainability, equity, and purpose in capitalism.

Day 1 highlights | Day 2 highlights | Day 3 highlights | Day 4 Highlights

Below are the highlights from Day 5 of the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting:

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1. “Circularity” is becoming mainstream (TL;DR: The Circular Economy offers is $4.5 Trillion economic opportunity, and to seize it, the Circular Economy Action Agenda is launching Feb 4th)

2. Technology is everywhere (TL;DR: There Cybersecurity risks are growing. Blockchain is helping reduce emissions. Data is helping address plastic in the oceans. Integration will help achieve Net-Zero. There is a “Digital Divide“, and we need to help close it. Social entrepreneurs are key to leading world-positive innovation.

3. “International Development” must change its ways to be more human-centered (TL;DR: “The international development community needs to shift its approach from intervening to solve problems to developing local leadership” by developing their skills and providing them more ownership. Human-centered design is the key, and the People First forum is focused on decolonizing aid.)

4. Racial justice and disability inclusion is coming to the workplace (TL;DR: 48 companies joined the Partnering for Racial Justice in Business initiative, covering 13 industries and over 5 million people. People living with disability make up the largest minority group worldwide: More than 1.3 billion people. More than 400 companies joined the Valuable 500 initiative to increase and improve disability inclusion

5. Here are 3 ways global leaders can prioritize ESG impact (TL;DR: 90 percent of customers expect corporations to meet a higher set of standards than just shareholder return. 70% of employees wanting to work for purpose-driven companies.  90% of the S&P 500 produce ESG reports, and Morgan Stanley declared that ESG will define the next decade of investing. To turn this move towards ESG into something that will make meaningful change, leaders need to focus on intersectionality, partnerships, and accountability)

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If you found this useful, make sure to also review the highlights from days 1, 2, 3, 4. Be sure to subscribe for updates to receive our final post-WEF recap.

And if you are looking to put your skills to work to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, apply to the MovingWorlds Institute.