Water stress: the new politics of water Water scarcity is already a global problem. Around four billion people experience severe water scarcity for at least one month a year. Twenty-five countries, home to a quarter of the world’s populatio... Geopolitics Society Strategic Foresight Sustainability 25 Aug 2026
Climate action in tatters 2026 was the hottest summer in Europe since records began. A quarter of a million people had to be evacuated in France and Spain due to fires. Countryside that is usually green with vegetation now loo... Society Strategic Foresight Sustainability Technology 24 Aug 2026
When one planet is not enough By 11 May 2026, Switzerland will have used up its estimated entitlement to natural resources for the whole year. From that point onwards, we will be living at the expense of other regions and future g... Society Strategic Foresight Sustainability 20 Apr 2026
Outlook 2026: Four Major Shifts to Watch 1. Polycrisis: cascading crises in a connected world Polycrises emerge from the increasing global interconnectedness of social, geopolitical, economic, technological and environmental developments. T... Society Strategic Foresight Sustainability Technology 15 Jan 2026
The GDI reading list for 2025 As the year draws to a close, we've put together a carefully chosen selection of books that particularly impressed our researchers and staff. From views on the meaning of life and cultures revolving a... Food Health Retail Society Sustainability Technology 16 Dec 2025
GDI must-reads 2024 As the year draws to a close, we've put together a carefully chosen selection of books that particularly impressed our researchers and staff. From social upheaval and technological challenges to perso... Retail Society Sustainability Technology 14 Dec 2024
Old furniture, fresh impetus ‘Der Schweizerische Hausigentümer’: Vintage furniture is very much in vogue. What social and ecological factors have contributed to this trend? Gianluca Scheidegger : The trend towards vintage furnitu... Retail Sustainability 21 Oct 2024
In harmony with nature in future Technological developments in biotechnology and microbiology are changing the way in which we produce and consume materials and interact with the environment. These advancements promote an economy bas... Society Sustainability 5 Sept 2024
The digital wardrobe for sustainable fashion consumption We've all been there: the wardrobe is full, but nothing seems to be suitable. Frustrated, you either reach for your favourite pair of jeans or go shopping. This is where Bianca Rangecroft comes in wit... Retail Society Sustainability Technology 26 Aug 2024
“That would be the end of fast fashion in Europe” GDI: In France, members of the National Assembly voted unanimously in favour of a draft law against ultra-fast fashion, which provides for advertising bans and penalties of up to 50% of the retail pri... Retail Sustainability 19 Aug 2024
Nick Buettner: "Healthier lifestyles are also possible in our fast-paced societies." "In a lot of our cultures, we segment our communities instead of working together to promote healthy eating," he says. This often leads to unhealthy behaviour becoming the norm. In the so-called Blue ... Food Sustainability 17 Jul 2024
From Cultivated Foie Gras to TikTok Candy Shops – Key takeaways from the 4th International Food Innovation Conference The secrets to a long life The conference began with an inspiring presentation by Nick Buettner, Vice President of Blue Zones, who spoke about the secrets behind having a long life and the food cultur... Food Health Sustainability Technology 20 Jun 2024