Our work
Forum for the Future’s work focuses on the sectors we believe are critical to the change we need now.
Retailers, branded manufacturers and tourism organisations have the power to drive change through their supply chains and to influence the behaviour of millions of customers.
Our cities, transport and the buildings we live and work in have a huge impact on our environment and wellbeing, and must be transformed if we are to achieve a sustainable future.
Financial institutions will be essential to creating a sustainable economy as we face up to key issues like carbon-pricing, creating effective financial mechanisms to protect rainforests and exploring the implications of an economy without growth.
We seek to transform these sectors by applying our expertise in futures thinking, innovation, leadership and other key strategies for change.
Featured Projects
Fashion Futures 2025: Global scenarios for a sustainable fashion industry
February 24th, Climate change, Climate change impacts, Consumption, Eco-products & services, Fashion, Higher/Further Education, Lifestyles, Society & culture.
Fashion Futures is a call for a sustainable fashion industry. It’s designed to help organisations in all sectors take action which will safeguard their future, protect our environment and improve the lives of their customers, workers and suppliers around the world.
Read more about Fashion Futures 2025: Global scenarios for a sustainable fashion industry
Paint the Town Green
January 27th, Climate change, Climate change impacts, Consumption, Eco-products & services, Fashion, Higher/Further Education, Lifestyles, Society & culture.Built environment, Construction, Corporate responsibility, Retail.
Forum for the Future’s work on paint has led to a range of new products and services which show how sustainable innovation can save companies money and open new business opportunities.
We studied the entire lifecycle of paint, from raw materials through manufacturing to use and disposal, to find ways to make it more sustainable in a three-year collaboration with ICI Paints AkzoNobel, a manufacturer and supplier, and construction group Carillion, a major user of paint.
Our latest projects
Stepping Up: a framework for public sector leadership on sustainable development
March 1st, Green government, Policy, Politics, Regulation.
Public sector organisations are vital players in the creation of a sustainable future. Every aspect of their role – from education to environmental services, from planning to social care – shapes how people live their lives.
Forum for the Future’s guide, Stepping Up, sets out how these organisations can create better services for their citizens and customers by taking a sustainable approach - the public value case for sustainable development.
Pathways to value
January 20th, Green government, Policy, Politics, Regulation.Business, Corporate responsibility.
The ‘Pathways to value’ table summarises the different ways that sustainability can add financially to shareholder value for companies. You can use this table to help you find your business case for sustainability.
Carbon Management for Infrastructure Project
December 8th, Green government, Policy, Politics, Regulation.Business, Corporate responsibility.Built environment, Business, Energy conservation & efficiency, Energy issues, Waste & recycling.
As part of Forum for the Future’s Engineers of the 21st Century programme, the Highways Agency, Network Rail (supported by RSSB), Atkins and Balfour Beatty have written a framework for whole-life management of carbon in major infrastructure projects.
The award-winning whole life costing and CO2 tool
December 3rd, Green government, Policy, Politics, Regulation.Business, Corporate responsibility.Built environment, Business, Energy conservation & efficiency, Energy issues, Waste & recycling.Carbon offset/neutrality, Corporate responsibility, Green government, Local government, Policy, Procurement, Regional government.
Forum for the Future and Fife Council have together developed a tool that enables procurement professionals to understand the total cost of a product from its purchase through to, and including, its end of life.
Climate Finance
December 1st, Green government, Policy, Politics, Regulation.Business, Corporate responsibility.Built environment, Business, Energy conservation & efficiency, Energy issues, Waste & recycling.Carbon offset/neutrality, Corporate responsibility, Green government, Local government, Policy, Procurement, Regional government.Finance.
Climate Finance is here to help public sector organisations save more carbon for your capital, to meet your carbon targets.
It promotes the use of financial models to tackle climate change and create new ones where there is the need. It harnesses the experience of experts and leaders from the financial, creative, climate change and public sector worlds to get real initiatives going on the ground.
Forum for the Future
works with leaders from business and the public sector to create a green, fair and prosperous world
Latest project news
- Our health depends on a sustainable future
- Paint your business green with sustainable innovation
- Investigating the business case for sustainability: seven steps that could make you millions
- New eco-paint shows value of green innovation
Green innovation can save companies money and open up new business opportunities, according to a report released today to coincide with the launch of a new range of eco-paint.
Dulux Ecosense has half the carbon and water footprint of the standard paint the company was selling two years ago, the range has cut waste by 40 per cent and volatile organic compounds have been virtually eliminated, meaning no lingering odour.
- Disruptive Innovation competition results
- Website helps thousands to Walkit off
Nearly 9,000 Bristol residents are taking at least an extra hour of exercise a week, thanks to walkit.com, the city’s online walking route planner.
- Award-winning “Kyoto Box” launches ahead of Copenhagen summit
- Carbon in our roads and rails – the bigger picture
- World leaders must see beyond emails
- Cut carbon with our award-winning smart procurement tool
- How to Build a Business Case for Sustainability: Four Tips on Getting Buy-In from Finance
- Insurance industry takes action on climate change
- Time for a retail revolution
- US position on Copenhagen may be treaty-wrecking
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