Calls for the private sector to plug gaps in climate investment, expertise, and entrepreneurship often overlook a critical fact: only government policy can unleash capital at scale. With targeted incentives, governments hold the power to drive the private funding needed to meet climate goals
While the world champions a shift toward circular economies, markets cling to linear growth principles that undermine real progress. True circularity requires a departure from systems designed for extraction, consumption, waste, and return on investment
Peace and security
Achieving the SDGs in fragile, violent, and/or corrupt states represents a daunting challenge – but not an impossible one. Success calls for a tailored, multi-pronged approach that addresses the fundamental interplay between poverty and conflict
Global governance
The UN and the USA need each other. A failure to recognize the benefits that the USA receives has led to a push to defund the UN – the consequences would be detrimental to everyone
Global governance
The UN is under attack from virtually every quarter. What might an effective, reformed UN look like, one that remains a central player in addressing the world’s most pressing issues?
Global governance
The last nine years have seen seismic societal, economic, and political shifts around the world – meaningful progress on the SDGs isn’t among them. We know what needs fixing and in many cases how – the legacy of this generation of leaders will be whether it had the courage and wisdom to act
Data and monitoring
For decades, vulnerable nations have sought a more accurate and impactful means to evaluate their need for global assistance. Can the new Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) live up to its promise and more effectively help these countries prepare for risks and threats?
Environment
Transitioning from linear to circular models of production and consumption remains a significant challenge. How can we transform deeply ingrained practices, attitudes, and incentives across both supply and demand chains to facilitate this shift?
SDG-related initiatives are increasingly under attack from the more right-wing, populist parts of the political spectrum, who portray the Goals as misguided, wasteful, vain, and coercive. How can cities and local governments enhance their policymaking and implementation, and – crucially – secure buy-in to ensure initiatives achieve their intended outcomes?
Economic development
Technology transfer is fundamental in developing countries’ aspirations to decarbonize, yet the flow of green tech from developed nations is far below what’s needed. How can we shift investment and political incentives to truly enable the proliferation of sustainable technology worldwide?
