The challenge

Our economy consumes finite natural resources faster than they regenerate. Our current patterns of consumption are deeply inequitable, leaving many without their basic needs met, and overconsumption threatens our health and produces mountains and islands of waste. Solving these problems would amount to an estimated $4.5 trillion USD in value across the sharing economy, circular economy, and dematerialisation. With this in mind, how can businesses help?

The inquiry

Together, Capgemini and Forum for the Future are addressing three questions we believe will help accelerate new ways of consuming and living which are actionable, aspirational, and affordable. This includes:  

• How can businesses succeed through social justice and environmental regeneration?
• What is the role of consumption in meeting businesses’ environmental and social goals?
• Why haven’t innovative business models been mainstreamed?

How to get involved

We’d love to hear your views on the above questions. Let us know: what have you seen in your work? What are the barriers and enablers to transforming consumption in your business and/or sector? 

Join the discussion in the box below or reach out via email with any reflections, questions, or examples you would like to share.

About the ‘Unlocking Systemic Innovation’ series

This inquiry is the first in a four-part series that Capgemini and Forum are exploring throughout 2023 – aiming to find opportunities for collective action and progress on some of the biggest sustainability challenges, including: 

• Traceability and Transparency
• Sustainable Procurement
• Reimagining Consumption
• Adaptation for Resilient Supply Chains

We are gathering reflections on these topics through the Futures Centre and Forum’s social media channels at regular intervals during the year. We’ll also hold conversations with organisations grappling with these challenges, including trailblazers demonstrating what additional benefits can be achieved with a transparent supply chain and those offering collective solutions to some of the biggest barriers.  The insights will be shared in a Futures Centre blog at the close of each inquiry. 

Get in touch

To learn more about the series and/or Forum for the Future’s innovation and Future Scenarios offers for brands and retailers please contact Jordan McKay, Forum’s Principal Sustainability Strategist at j.mckay@forumforthefuture.org.

To learn more about Capgemini’s solutions for designing and scaling new, sustainable business models, enabling circularity, sustainable behaviours or building movements for positive change please contact Laura Gherasim, Director of Sustainable Futures UK at laura.gherasim@capgemini.com