Energy & Resources

The energy sector is undergoing transformative change, driven by five megashifts: Decentralize, Decarbonize, Digitize, Demand, and Diversify. These shifts offer opportunities for cleaner, more resilient futures but come with uncertainties, from integrating distributed energy resources to managing cyber threats and scaling alternative fuels. Political turbulence, like Trump’s return to office, can potentially stall global progress on decarbonization and renewable energy.

How can energy leaders prepare for long-term success in a shifting landscape? We facilitated a leadership retreat for an energy company equipping the new leadership team with the tools to think proactively and strategically about the future. By exploring scenario implications, crafting a futures-tested roadmap, and designing strategic responses, participants got prepared to better define their company’s future.

We helped with Business Finland to explore the futures of green hydrogen and Power-to-X (PtX) technologies through a Delphi Study with 58 experts. The study highlighted the critical role of green hydrogen in the energy transition, particularly in hard-to-decarbonize sectors, and provided insights into the economic viability of PtX.

We helped conduct a Delphi Study for CEFIC, engaging over 300 experts to contribute to a mid-century vision for the European chemical industry. By examining 32 high-level assumptions, we questioned key issues like circularity, climate change, and digitalization. The study provided a strategic roadmap for 2050, offering actionable insights and provocative scenarios to push the industry.

We led a one-day futures sprint for 35 product designers and engineers in the energy sector, guiding them through a foresight exercise to prototype solutions for 2030. Using a ‘futuresstorm,’ participants explored inflection points where megatrends and crises intersect, creating innovative prototypes that address emerging challenges.

Deep-sea mining promises crucial minerals for green technologies but threatens fragile marine ecosystems. Rich in cobalt and nickel, these resources could power the green transition, yet their extraction risks irreversible damage. As nations and companies race to exploit the ocean's depths, the challenge is clear: can we balance resource needs with protecting our planet’s last frontier?

While in Dubai for the Future Forum, we joined TheClimate Club to explore howFutures Thinking can reframe climate action. Tackling "wicked problems" like climate change requires systemic solutions, and we discussed how demographic shifts—aging, growth, migration—reshape critical systems like energy, food, and cities.

We helped ExxonMobil Chemical scout the rapidly evolving European chemical industry, focusing on emerging tech and innovation ecosystems. By combining research, advanced data analysis, and deep-dive investigations, we provided a comprehensive overview of top incubators and startups shaping the futures. ExxonMobil Chemical gained actionable insights into research, development, and commercialization.

We worked with CARE Denmark to reimagine their role in the humanitarian sector with a focus on sustainability and resource innovation. Participants explored trends like climate adaptation and sustainable resource use, crafting bold visions and actionable goals. The workshop equipped them with tools to integrate foresight into their strategy and align global ambitions with local priorities.

With visiting students from Northeastern University, we explored how to move beyond traditional ESG frameworks to create meaningful, positive impacts for people and the planet. Centered on wellbeing, welfare, and integrated sustainability, the talk challenged students to rethink conventional metrics and envision transformative solutions.

We worked with Pictet Asset Management to explore water management as an investment opportunity. Through a futures brief and expert workshop, we identified key trends, developed sustainable investment frameworks, and created a strategic roadmap to guide future water-related investments.

The Arctic is a critical frontier for global challenges, from climate change to geopolitics. As the ice melts, new risks and opportunities emerge. Ancient viruses preserved in permafrost pose health threats, while advancements like satellite broadband could transform connectivity. The race for clean energy is intensifying, while accelerated Arctic warming creates urgent climate feedback loops.