To catalyse a national effort to restore the atmosphere, oceans, biodiversity and natural world - and accelerate Net Zero.
Why This Matters
The UK was the cradle of the Industrial Revolution, which dramatically improved productivity and prosperity. It now has the opportunity to lead a new era of transformation: one of restoration - of the atmosphere, the oceans, biodiversity, and the natural world.
Context
Given the pressing challenge of climate change, we need to envisage a new era comparable to ones like the Renaissance or the Reformation in which great change occurred, except in this case it is about repairing natural systems to how they should be: restoring the atmosphere and oceans to their previous state, restoring the natural environment, restoring biodiversity. We call this the Great Restoration. New technologies and new solutions can create new jobs and prosperity here, whilst protecting the planet for future generations.
The Opportunity
A McKinsey & Co study titled “Fullthrottle on net zero: Creating value in the face of uncertainty” highlights amassive economic opportunity in the net-zero transition, projecting up to $9-12trillion in annual revenue potential from sustainable technologies and businessmodels, creating the largest capital reallocation in history, with significantvalue in renewables, green buildings, climate tech, and circular materials,requiring massive investment but offering significant growth. Another McKinsey & Co study titled"Carbon removals: How to scale a new gigaton industry" estimates thatthe global carbon dioxide removal (CDR) sector could achieve an annual value ofup to $1.2 trillion. The Business and Sustainable DevelopmentCommission published a study in 2017 of 60 new business models, that solveglobal challenges and build a better world, estimated at another $12 trillion.
These significant economic and employment opportunities require government, business, and civil society to work together to unlock these extraordinary opportunities. We believe the Spiral Breakthrough methodology is ideal for galvanising and implementing these significant opportunities, that provide good work, restore our planet, and enable a better future for all.
Our Approach
The Bridge Institute will work to catalyse a national effort that mirrors past moments of profound
societal change (like the Renaissance or the Reformation) but focused on restoring natural
systems and building a future for generations to come.
The Outcomes Will Include
- A programme to galvanise 24 breakthrough streams to create a roadmap to accelerated net zero
- To build capacity to expand and enhance the impact of this work both in the UK and beyond
- To document, publicise and leverage the success of this approach to act as a beacon for other countries and to inspire continued momentum in the UK
