This is not business as usual
Impact Summit 2020 Themes
Work in the time of Covid-19
We are facing the biggest challenge of our generation: to our health, our economy and our livelihoods. Whole industries have been decimated, and the fallout will be felt for years to come.
But amid the doom and gloom, there is hope. Innovation, collaboration and community are flourishing, as companies scramble to adapt to the new reality. Entrenched views on how and where we must work have been challenged, as remote working becomes the norm and interaction moves online.
Covid-19 will fundamentally change the business landscape forever. How can we work together to ensure it is for the better?
climate change
The world has reached crisis point. Ecosystems are collapsing. Climate change is endangering economic and political systems - and our very existence on Earth. We have a collective responsibility to alter the way we act to reduce our impact on the environment around us.
But climate change also offers organisations opportunities to lead. People want to support companies actively building a better world. Solutions that advance climate change resilience will preserve our planet for future generations.
Putting the planet before profit is not a trade-off: it's an investment plan.
Tech for good
The information age is here. In a few short decades, the technology boom has revolutionised the way we live, work and interact with the world around us.
We can't fly blindly into technology's bright light. Tech can disregard diversity, overlook rights in favour of a high margin, and utilise questionable - or downright unethical - tactics to influence online behaviour.
In the same breath, technology has the potential to become one of the most effective and widespread forces for good on the planet. We need collaborative tech solutions that help - not hinder - our development. How will we tackle these challenges? And what is coming next?
The future of food & drink
Food is a deeply personal experience, intrinsically tied with family, culture and tradition. However, what we eat, and how we eat it, is constantly evolving, keeping pace with changes in technology and our understanding of the world.
More than ever, consumers are invested in reconnecting with their food and reducing the impact of their plate. From agriculture's heavy carbon footprint to the inequality of access to food, the negative impact of the industry is apparent - but it is also largely avoidable.
The complex challenges that the food industry faces require creative solutions. Eating locally, ethically and sustainably is here to stay, and companies that embrace those trends will capture the market of tomorrow.
sustainable fashion
Make, use, dispose: the current clothing industry runs a linear path. Fast fashion is in fashion, adding to overflowing tips and straining the planet's resources.
People want to know who made their clothes and where they come from. Companies that choose ethical partnerships and embrace transparency will open new markets, improve supply chains and attract loyal customers.
To create a sustainable fashion industry, we need new technologies, business models and materials. Tomorrow's trend is one where the clothes we wear come with a price tag we - and the planet - can afford.
Mindfulness & wellbeing
In the high-paced, digital world we live in, the expectation to always be on and available can be overwhelming. Finding a moment to switch off, unwind and look after our mental and physical health can feel like an impossible task.
If we want a happier and more productive society, we must find ways to reduce our stress levels and treat each other - and ourselves - with empathy.
And it's great for business too: savvy employers know that happy, motivated and healthy staff perform better. By supporting their employees' wellbeing, companies can attract and retain the best talent, create long-lasting relationships with customers and outperform competitors.
