Economy

A centre of excellence in green technology, where waste is minimised, and resources are used respectfully and sourced locally wherever possible.

The economy drives everything we do, but it has become a measure of wealth rather than a means of trade.

We believe that the key theme of the next 20 years will be the slowing down of globalisation and the reversal of mass market consumption trends in many sectors in the face of increasing energy/mineral costs and rising labour prices in the new developing economies.

 

Key drivers are:

  • World resources shortages and price increase including oil, gas, electricity, minerals & water
  • Increasing specialisation of services to adapt to user needs and value trends
  • Changing user specifications such as Affordability, Availability, Upgrade and Repair
  • Access to market development though both internet and local connections
  • More demanding workforce, motivated by different things and who will do more e-business across different cultures
  • Pressure on land use – to grow food for an increasing population, diets that need more land to grow the food and new use for biofuels
  • More instability across markets, more security issues and more intense competition as shortages cause market power distortions.

 

As resource scarcity pushes prices up, social and moral businesses that value communities will be a stronger decision factor for consumers and successful leadership will become more inclusive and values based to engage with both employees and markets.

 

Glimpses of the future can be seen through case studies such as:

  • Zopa financing where individuals get involved in what their investment funds are put into.
  • Interface flooring who sell flooring services which minimise materials, increase recyclability and efficiency of maintenance.
  • Rolls Royce Aeroengines who have set up a Global Revert Consortium with suppliers to recover metals which both reduces shortages and reduces costs. Designers have used new alloys to replace Rare Earth Elements needs reducing their use by 50% on some components.
  • Electrolux substitution of a biodegradable vegetable oil in its chain saws, of aluminium for other (scarce) metals in its equipment casings and use of rail for 75% of distribution needs in Europe.
  • IKEA is using powder lacquer to replace much of its (scarce) chromium plating protection use in products.

 

 

What can you do?

 

 

Resources

This section will be updated soon.