Re: Design

Sustainable
Futures

Imagining a net-zero future

We only have one planet and we must take care of it. Reaching net-zero requires significant and rapid change to our consumption, production, and mobility. The next decade determines our transition and with it comes growth opportunities. As decarbonization creates more efficiencies and makes way for products and services that take less energy, demand for green products should continue to grow. Surging demand for zero-carbon technologies, materials, and services give companies opportunities to build new green businesses that shape our future.

Making the case for green business

92%

of executives say new businesses built in the next 5 years will address sustainability to some extent

42%

expect to put sustainability at the center of their new businesses’ value proposition

Source: The state of new business building

Key insight

“Building a green business is no small feat. It often requires moving at unprecedented speed, setting ambitious growth targets, and planning multiple steps ahead.”

7 keys to designing green business

1	Lead with game-changing ambition

2	Secure a cost advantage by identifying a scaling break point for new technology

3	Sign up captive demand before scaling

4	Build capacity with parallel scaling

5	Proactively create business ecosystems

6	Lead on sustainable operations through ambitious targets, innovation and partnerships

7	Dedicate recruiting resources early in the process

Read more

Purpose. People. Planet. Profit.

“Purpose. People. Planet. Profit. Four words every designer can bring to the start of every project brief.”

Read the article

Designing the Circular Economy

“Designers can reimagine products to be more sustainable, but it may be in the redesign of systems that they make their biggest contribution.”

Read the article

What we’re reading

McKinsey & Company

Skinny design: Smaller is better

Read the article

McKinsey & Company

Building a green business: Lessons from sustainability start-ups

Read the article

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