Our societal and environmental transitions are crossing contents, affecting us all on this planet. People from different corners of society are looking for ways to create solutions and accelerate these transitions. Each providing their unique perspective and input, we need these synergies and different views to together build a sustainable life on this planet.

In this year’s edition of ImpactFest, we focus on four transitional themes uniting different perspectives. In short, these are the four main themes in the ImpactFest program:

Exploring the ‘Blue economy’, utilising the great potential of the ocean while having a positive effect on climate and biodiversity.  Accelerating clean energy solutions ranging from hydrogen, geothermal, wind, water, solar, and beyond. How can we take the next step together, in driving the inclusive renewable and clean energy transition forward? 

We need lasting, affordable and trustworthy food systems. How can we utilise new developments in these systems, for example in marine production, horticulture, and agriculture, while ensuring increased biodiversity and stable water management?

Justice ranging from biodiversity to reducing carbon emissions through humanitarian innovation and social businesses. Who is setting the norm? Who is taking responsibility? And who is taking action in changing climate habits, fostering peace and justice in this transition? 

Moving from waste to resources. Rethinking (linear) value chains and resource management, adopting the r-ladder principles to incorporate and drive a regenerative economy forward.

The transition to sustainable food and the shift towards alternative protein sources have significant consequences for agriculture. Embracing plant-based proteins, cultivated meat, and insect-based products can reduce the environmental footprint associated with traditional livestock production. This shift to lasting, affordable and trustworthy food systems requires a reevaluation of agricultural practices, land use, and resource allocation.

Scaling up sustainable agriculture practices, such as regenerative farming and agroforestry, can support this development, but scaling up has to be taken into account to ensure increased biodiversity and stable water management. This requires collaboration from Government, organisations and communities, to transition existing systems and build supportive and holistic frameworks, supported by relevant regulations and investments. Investments in research and development are crucial for improving the efficiency and scalability of marine production, horticulture and agriculture. By promoting sustainable food choices and diversifying protein sources, agriculture can contribute to a more environmentally friendly and resilient food system. 

The transition to a circular economy involves shifting from the traditional “take-make-dispose” model to one that maximizes the value of resources by keeping them in use for as long as possible. Adopting the “r-ladder” approach is a key element. It includes strategies like reducing, reusing, recycling, recovering, and only as a last resort, disposing of resources. By prioritizing these steps, we can minimize the extraction of new resources, promoting resource regeneration and reduce environmental impacts.

Incorporating a circular economy requires collaboration between businesses, governments, and consumers. Resource efficiency and sustainability must be embraced by society. This is how we create a more resilient and resource-rich future, where waste is minimised, resources are maximised and ecosystems are regenerated.