Reports

Future Now: Low-waste Retail

The world generates over 2 billion metric tonnes of municipal solid waste annually, comprising everyday discarded items from homes, businesses, and public institutions. Mismanaged waste poses serious environmental threats, while waste management also contributes significantly to carbon emissions, with the UK alone producing 3.7 million tonnes of CO2 in 2022 from waste-related activities. At the core of the issue is a linear consumption model that promotes single-use products and relies on increasing resource extraction. While recycling is often promoted as a solution, global recycling rates remain inconsistent. This edition of Future Now explores broader strategies – such as reuse, repair, and refurbishment – highlighting innovative business models aimed at reducing retail-level waste.

• Key takeaways
• New models are emerging to mitigate the growing impact of e-commerce returns
• Innovators are working to make reusable packaging as frictionless and easy-to-implement as possible
• Refurbished electronics are becoming more popular, while also providing opportunities for upskilling
• Startups are extending the life of clothing through reuse and repair
• Reuse solutions are emerging for specific products like plastic toys and fizzy drinks

Trend Report: Clean Energy

• Key takeaways
• New tools are helping with the financing, permitting, and installation of clean energy projects
• As global grids are upgraded, innovators are helping to get more out of existing infrastructure
• AI is helping to find critical clean energy resources
• Innovators are investing in new battery materials
• New solutions are helping to streamline the maintenance of clean energy assets

Innovation in Energy Networks

• Key takeaways
• Superconductors could transform transmission – but not for a few years
• Cheaper ways to upgrade existing infrastructure are around the corner
• Tunnelling tech could make underground cables more economical
• AI and data science can help predict demand and measure grid emissions
• Startups are developing ready-to-use software for demand-side management

Future Now: Energy – decentralisation and digitisation

• Key takeaways
• Virtual power plants can help homeowners provide grid flexibility through their heat pumps
• Machine learning can help commercial properties shift demand to off-peak hours
• Demand-side response needs to be applied to new intensive power consumers – like AI data centres
• Automation can help make renewable generation avoid downtime and low/negative prices
• Innovators are helping to secure clean energy assets from both physical and cyber threats

Innovation in Water

• Key takeaways
• Nutrient recycling could be revolutionised with simple and cheap solutions
• Wastewater treatment tanks provide a unique opportunity for CO2 removal
• Startups are racing to destroy water-borne forever chemicals
• New technologies are bringing circularity to the water sector
• AI is being applied to a range of water-related issues