Future of ES23: Megatrends wrap-up

Aesthetic pile of stones with sunset and overlaid text "megatrends: future of es23 wrap-up"

Following two months of discussions, articles, briefings, and webinars, the first theme of our Future of ES23 horizon scanning & foresight project is now completed.

Find out all about the megatrends shaping the future of the environmental sciences, as well as how we can harness them to create a better future by catching up on all the latest content:

Can global cooperation fight back against megatrends?

Joseph Lewis, Policy Lead at the IES, reflects on the two major UN environment summits at the end of 2022 – the UNFCCC COP27 climate summit and the UNCBD COP15 biodiversity summit – and asks whether or not international cooperation has the potential to effectively respond to environmental challenges that have reached the level of megatrends at the global scale.

The economics of a clean transition

This webinar, by Dimitri Zenghelis of the Bennett Institute at Cambridge and the Grantham Research Institute at LSE, explores the interplay between the economy and the environment and will discuss how sustainability and resilience can be achieved in turbulent times. The presentation focuses on the transition to a low-carbon society and how global policy makers and businesses can lead change, whilst also managing and navigating risks and benefiting from opportunities.

Perspectives on the impact of rapid urbanisation on air, land and water

In this panel discussion, three expert speakers explore the impacts of rapid urbanisation on land, air and water from the perspectives of those working in the environmental sector. The presentations included: 'Mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG): Are we ready? The role of BNG in rapid urbanisation' by Craig Llewellyn; 'The impact of rapid urbanisation on urban air quality' by Xiangyu Sheng; and 'Environmental megatrends: Rapid urbanisation and the water sector' by Simon Spooner.

The dual nature of technological development and environmental impact

Ethny Childs, Communities & Partnerships Lead at the IES, explores the role of the continuing megatrend of technological development in the environment sector and how technology can support the transition to a sustainable society, spotlighting some key areas in the sector where technology is changing our ways of working.

How are megatrends shaping the future?

Ahead of the Future of ES23 horizon scanning discussion, the IES published this introductory briefing paper to encourage awareness of the nature and effects of megatrends such as climate change and rapid urbanisation to support horizon scanning for environmental professionals and to identify opportunities to inform pathways towards a positive future for environmental science.

Megatrends & the future of the environmental sciences

At the conclusion of the project's first theme, this interactive discussion brought together all the previous discussions, the expert views of Huw Williams, Penelope Tollitt, and David Viner, and an interdisciplinary audience from across the environmental sciences, inspecting every element of megatrends and their influence on the future.

What next?

Emerging science and expanding frontiers of knowledge will inevitably shape the work of environmental scientists and their place in the world. The scientific process plays a fundamental role in the way society develops and responds to change. As we move from the wide-reaching conversations in our first theme, we will reflect on the ways that environmental science is changing, particularly in response to emerging knowledge and changes in the environment.

Our second theme: 'the science' will serve as a convening space for conversations about emerging science, research and development, and the relationship between science and society.

How can you get involved?

Become a member of the IES or join as an Affiliate;
Sign up to our upcoming events on the role of science in the future of the environmental sciences;
Let us know your perspective by contributing a blog or analysis piece for the IES website;
Get in touch to find out more about our horizon scanning and foresight work, or to privately share your views on the future of the environmental sciences.

From analysis archive

Analysis: Environmental opportunities of future transport

Overhead view of the ocean with a wave 2/3 of the way across. Superimposed with text reading "Blue Carbon: wrap-up. #IESTurningTheTide." Bottom right corner features the IES and UN Ocean Decade logos.

Analysis: #IESTurningtheTide: Systems thinking for a sustainable ocean – Blue...