In the early twenties, sustainability moved to the center of global agendas, with governments and companies committing to cut emissions, use resources more efficiently and mitigate climate, biodiversity and human-rights risks. Financial institutions pushed for evidence of action, and new regulations accelerated disclosure.
Today, geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, energy constraints and the rise of AI have shifted attention, while changes in reporting rules have slowed momentum. Yet this moment may be critical: this lecture will explore whether acting now through circularity, resource efficiency and smarter design can drive innovation, competitiveness and solutions that meet planetary needs.
