Finding hope in an age of polycrisis

We live in an age of polycrisis. The triple planetary catastrophes of climate change, biodiversity collapse, and pollution unfold alongside geopolitical upheaval, deepening social polarisation, and the rapid acceleration of Artificial Intelligence. 

Hope becomes essential in this context — not as naïve optimism, but as a deliberate, determined practice that enables us to articulate the future we want to help create. But hope requires nourishment, and one of its most powerful sources lies in witnessing what is already working.  

The Future of Sustainability 2024/25 Reimagining the Way the World Works curates real-world examples of individuals and organisations (or ‘Bright Spots’) already transforming our food and energy systems, challenging how businesses operate, shaping the way we care for our environment and empowering communities to shape their own destinies. 

These Bright Spots represent more than isolated successes — they are the positive seeds of tomorrow taking root in today's reality. When we examine them closely, patterns emerge that point toward the systemic changes our world desperately needs.  

As leaders around the world make their way towards COP30, let us remember to let the Bright Spots lead the way: illuminating the pathways forward, and proving that another future is not only possible; it is already emerging. 




Hannah Pathak 
Chief Executive Officer
Forum for the Future
The Future of Sustainability 2024/25 is made possible thanks to the support of our valued partners: 
Meet the Bright Spots
New report: Reimagining the Way the World Works 

The Future of Sustainability 2024/25 Reimagining the Way the World Works showcases examples of organisations or communities — ‘Bright Spots’ — that are fundamentally reimagining how we live and work, with game-changing potential to create a future in which both people and the planet thrive.  

The compilation report summarises key highlights of the campaign, which ran from November 2024 – October 2025 in the lead-up to COP30.
Download the report
Turn foresight into action 

The Future of Sustainability campaign signals key shifts in how systems are changing. We can help you translate these insights into strategy through our futures and foresight expertise—test assumptions, explore scenarios and plan for transformation

 

Partner with us to build future ready strategies for your organisation.

New report: The Future of UK Orchard Fruit
Drawing on insights from over 150 voices across the UK’s fruit sector, our new report — The Future of UK Orchard Fruit — explores the mounting challenges facing traditional, commercial, and community orchards. It offers a five-point vision for how the sector can thrive again: from boosting local fruit production and green jobs, to protecting biodiversity and celebrating the unique regionality of UK cider.

Explore the future of UK fruit through the work of those innovating and driving momentum for a thriving and resilient sector.
Download the report

Change-making collaborations for a just and regenerative future: Our 2024 Annual Report 

Forum for the Future emerged almost three decades ago with a clear aim: to build a forum of ambitious changemakers equipped with the mindset and skills to catalyse change for a more just and regenerative world. 

As we approach our 30th anniversary in 2026, we look back at our achievements in 2024 — from doubling down on scaling safe and just renewables, progress on scaling a just and regenerative food supply to reshaping the purpose of business — all made possible with the change-making collaborations enabled by you, Forum’s friends, partners and stakeholders. 
Download the report
Whether by co-creating future-fit strategies, supporting effective implementation, providing strategic advice on key issues, or convening multi-stakeholder coalitions, Forum can help your organisation drive transformational change.
Find out more
The School of System Change
Watch the Stepping Into Systems Series 
Informed by practitioners from diverse lineages, Stepping Into Systems is an inspirational, introductory film series to systems change. Watch the three films and read more about the yarning and weaving process of the interviews that informed the series. 
Short Course: 33 Days of Systemic Reflections 
If you're feeling overwhelmed by work and the world right now, the School invites you to take a breath and reflect on how you want to develop your changemaking practice through 33days of Systemic Reflections - a short email course with daily writing prompts. 
Follow the School on LinkedIn for more stories and subscribe to their newsletter for the latest on systems change courses, resources, opportunities, and events.
Events
Transform Summit 2026, 17–19 March 2026, Amsterdam 
Business leaders are reacting to regulatory requirements and ESG-related risks, while shareholders and investors want to see the firms they own seize the opportunities of the transition to a responsible and low-carbon economy. Too often this results in ad-hoc measures and short termism, while what’s needed is nothing short of wholesale organisational transformation. Join 300+ other senior corporate sustainability leaders to find out how this can be achieved. Register now.
 
Sustainable Foods 2026, 28-29 January 2026, London
We are partnering with Sustainable Foods 2026, 28-29 January 2026, Business Design Centre, London. With sustainability high on the global agenda, this is the must-attend event for anyone shaping the future of food. Explore key themes including food security and financing the transition, health and sustainability integration, regenerative agriculture and soil health, net zero supply chains and food waste solutions, consumer behaviour, water scarcity and more. Register now and get a 10% discount. 
In the news
 

  • Gemma Bridgman, Principal Sustainability Strategist writes in Board Agenda on how small sustainability shifts can drive big impact.

  • Anna Biswas, Managing Director for India, speaks to The Better India about protecting farmland amid the renewable energy transition.

  • Dr. Sally Uren, Executive Director and Chief Acceleration Officer, shares eight strategies for navigating turbulence in her latest BusinessGreen column.

  • Hort News, Fruitnet, Fruit & Vine, FPC Fresh Talk Daily, Hort Week and Farmers Guardian spotlight insights from The Future of UK Orchard Fruit, Forum’s latest report on building a thriving orchard future.

  • James Payne, Director for Purpose of Business, and Dr. Sally Uren share guidance with edie on how to reclaim the narrative on climate action.
Twitter
LinkedIn
Facebook
Instagram
Email
Website
Copyright © 2025 Forum for the Future, All rights reserved.
You're receiving the monthly update from Forum for the Future because you're a key stakeholder of Forum for the Future's work.

Was this email forwarded to you? Get our newsletter in your inbox every monrh - subscribe here.

Unsubscribe from the Forum for the Future newsletter.

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp