Purpose 2022 Themes
Nature x Tech
Nature’s near-perfect solutions, honed over millions of years of evolutionary innovation, hold the ultimate wisdom and the no-brainer solutions to many of the greatest challenges we’re facing.
This theme explores the change-makers and entrepreneurs who are using biomimicry to develop weird and wonderful bio-inspired products from mushrooms that devour waste and turn it into mycelium-based packaging, to innovators harvesting kelp that not only absorbs carbon, but also reduces methane emissions when it’s used as feed.
Impact Capital
Capital is flowing from a fire-hose into the purpose-driven and ESG focussed sectors, as investors recognise the pace of change that is taking place and craft portfolios that meet their desire for environmental, social and financial returns.
A key challenge we will address at Purpose is: how do we ensure this surge of capital is deployed quickly, strategically, and transformationally. We’ll look at the investment strategies of key impact funds, and bring together those with the capital and those with the cutting edge ideas and technology to make magic happen.
Climate Tech and Net Zero
We have 10 years to halve global greenhouse gas emissions to reach net zero by 2050, according to The State of Climate Tech 2020 Report. Climate change is a global emergency and we must act now. But how?
The good news is: scalable, climate tech solutions focussed on rapidly reducing emissions and addressing the impacts of global warming are already available. Hear from the change-makers working across energy transition, EVs, electrification, infrastructure, rapid decarbonisation and drawdown, these people who are spearheading technology that could deliver us to net zero and, quite literally, save the world.
Circular Economy & Regenerative Business
The circular economy shifts our consumption paradigm from ‘take make waste’ to sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling. It is the only framework addressing climate change and resource constraints to the degree we need to.
And while the circular economy is cutting edge, it is already being superseded by the notion of ‘regenerative business’, where business thrives through their contribution to repairing ecosystems and communities.
From fashion to home cleaning, to infrastructure, we delve into the shifting landscape of how we source, use, and reuse… everything.
Health & Wellbeing
Climate change and biodiversity loss are very real. Naturalist Sir David Attenborough put it bluntly: “If we don’t take action, the collapse of our civilisations and the extinction of much of the natural world is on the horizon.” It’s no surprise that after years of climate denial and inaction, we've become vulnerable to climate anxiety.
But, the antidote to anxiety is action. With planetary health and human health so intricately entwined, Purpose will look at the physical and mental wellbeing in the context of this crisis, and what can be done to protect each other, while having a crack at protecting the future of the planet.
First Nations Wisdom
We are increasingly expected to navigate nuanced social issues as part of our professional lives. You could say that being ‘woke’ and empathetic are some of the most important business and leadership skills for the future.
Well, we are here for it, and ready to embrace the fact that belonging is one of our most fundamental human drives, and key to positive experiences of any brand or workplace.
Just one example of the importance of diversity of thought is our burning need to learn from First Nations wisdom in business, with this particular point of view critical to helping us navigate the great challenges before us.
Responsible Tech
We all want technology to delight us more than it scares us, to help us than it harms.
In recent years, a pattern has emerged: a new technology is introduced, it grows rapidly, permeates our lives and only then do we begin to see and address the problems it might create.
From social media algorithms that drive misinformation, to the question of responsible AI. From the design of the metaverse, to the impact of big tech on our wellbeing and on our democracies.
We’ll delve into the big bad world of ethics and technology, exploring this next frontier of corporate responsibility.
Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging
Belonging is the basic fundamental drive to build and maintain lasting, positive and significant relationships with others. It is the feeling of security and support. When there is a sense of acceptance and inclusion, there is belonging.
At a time when traditional binaries are being dismantled -- whether culturally, politically, sexually -- we will be exploring how diversity and inclusion are fundamental to belonging.
Diversity is also vital to both resilience and solving complex challenges.
2023 themes coming soon