Why Davos 2025 is a Crucial Summit for Global Sustainability

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The World Economic Forum's annual summit takes place on January 20, 2025 in Davos, Switzerland | Credit: World Economic Forum
Global leaders will come together in Davos for the WEF's 55th annual meting, exploring collaboration in the Intelligent Age amid geopolitical tensions

Every January, the serene snowscape of Swiss Alps town Davos transforms from a quiet resort town into a buzzing hub of global influencers.

Prominent world leaders, business tycoons, forward-thinking academics, passionate activists and the media come together under one roof to debate and shape future international policies, with a strong emphasis on sustainability.

It all started back in 1971 when Klaus Schwab, a German economist, established the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Davos, Switzerland, the scenic setting for the World Economic Forum's annual summit | Credit: World Economic Forum

Originally aimed at European businesses looking to improve management practices, the forum quickly outgrew its initial focus, broadening to include a wide range of important issues from geopolitics to environmental concerns.

Davos, known for its idyllic yet secluded setting, fosters intense, focused discussion away from bustling city distractions, proving its worth as a place where important decisions are made.

The green heart of Davos

In recent years, sustainability has surged to the forefront of discussions at Davos, mirroring the global urgency around issues such as climate change, biodiversity and inequality.
Conversations at the forum are peppered with crucial ecological terms: green energy transitions, circular economies and aims for net zero emissions.

Klaus Schwab, Founder of the World Economic Forum | Credit: World Economic Forum

The summit aligns closely with initiatives like the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, reflecting its crucial role in global sustainability efforts.

Many global environmental strategies have roots in Davos, from the Paris Agreement to leaps in renewable energy and the development of ESG investment plans.

Aside from policies, Davos stands as a premier platform for unveiling breakthroughs in technology.

Innovations across AI, sustainable agriculture and renewable energy sources regularly debut here, bridging the crucial gap between scientific innovation and policy implementation.

The themes and voices of Davos 2025

The upcoming WEF summit promises to be particularly momentous.

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Under the thematic banner Resilience and Renewal: Pathways to a Sustainable Future, the conference is set to tackle overlapping global crises like never before.

From climate change and scarce water resources to the equitable spread of tech and healthcare, the agenda is more inclusive and urgent.

This year, Davos is making a significant shift to include youth and grassroots movements more than ever before.

Recognising the criticism that Davos has often catered to an elite crowd, current plans include amplifying voices from indigenous groups, young social entrepreneurs and under-30 climate activists, aiming for a more inclusive future vision.

The role of Davos in global issues

Despite its significant influence, Davos has not been without its detractors.

Critics, like Jan Aart Scholte from Leiden University, argue that "it is an exclusive invitation-only club and meaningful participation is mainly limited to the world’s more powerful governments, corporations and civil society actors".

Jan Aart Scholte, Professor of Global Transformations and Governance Challenges at Leiden University | Credit: Leiden University

He continues: "Moreover, when excluded people disagree with or feel harmed by WEF activities, they generally lack adequate channels to be heard and pursue redress.”

Concerns extend to practices like greenwashing, particularly pointed at the more traditional energy sectors.

Yet, supporters like Ignacio Galán, Chairman of Iberdrola, see Davos as a vital arena for fostering dialogue that could lead to sustainable transitions hard to achieve otherwise.

Iberdrola Chairman, Ignacio Galán | Credit: Iberdrola

"The opportunities presented by the transition are enormous," he says, "but it is vital that both business and policy makers focus now on ensuring that people have the right skills and training."

"Without skilled workers, the transition will not be achieved and the benefits will be non-existent."

Looking to the future

What makes Davos an enduring pivot for global debate is its capacity to direct public and private cooperation towards tackling pressing global issues.

The outcomes of the 2025 summit are eagerly anticipated, with hopes pinned on substantial commitments.

As Christian Bruch of Siemens Energy says: "The question is no longer if we can achieve a clean energy future but how we address the financial, structural and regional barriers to do so."

Christian Bruch, President and CEO of Siemens Energy | Credit: Siemens

"The success of the global energy transition hinges on our ability to bridge financing gaps and tailor solutions to diverse regional realities. The challenges are immense, but so are the opportunities."

So, as another edition of the WEF at Davos looms, the world watches.

Will it manage to catalyse the global cooperation needed to embrace a fully sustainable future? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear — Davos remains a critical barometer for the world's priorities and capabilities in navigating our shared environmental destiny.


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