CURATED READS FOR GEN Z—AND THEIR Z-CURIOUS COLLEAGUES

Welcome back—this week, we’re talking Davos. 

first up

Who can forget Greta Thunberg and her impassioned speech about the climate crisis a couple of years back?

That all happened at the 2020 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting held in the Swiss mountain town of Davos—just before the pandemic upended the idea of business as usual. Last week Davos saw its first in-person meet since 2020, in a whole new world that’s still reckoning with many of the same old challenges.

The theme for 2022? “History at a turning point: Government, policies, and business strategies.” Many industries have seen dramatic shifts in the last few years, and everyone from Greta (not in attendance this year) to climate scientists can tell us we need even more change coming down the pike to create a sustainable, inclusive future.

The big issues on everyone’s minds: 

Global cooperation. Amid the war in Ukraine, people are watching how the conflict and related disruptions are changing the world. Leaders are looking for ways to soothe those tensions to focus efforts on helping where it’s most needed.

The climate crisis. Our generation is subject to high degrees of “eco-anxiety”—and we’re not alone. Everyone’s looking for ways to understand the net-zero transition and protect the planet. 

Inflation, the supply chain, and operations. Inflation’s rise is a big story, and even if it’s not hitting you in the wallet, many leaders are reckoning with how to tame it. Bolstering supply chains and operations more broadly are crucial too. 

Resiliency. In collaboration with the WEF, we launched the Resiliency Consortium—a supergroup of people working to improve our ability to respond to challenges such as the energy transition, healthcare availability, and racial inequalities in an ever-changing world. 

Youth and the future. What about us, you say? Leaders at Davos want to hear from younger generations; the conference included panel discussions that tackled youth mistrust, growing up in the pandemic, and young people’s perspectives on global issues. The world is looking for Gen Z voices, and there’s room at the table to make yours heard. 

This year’s climate focus stood out: there’s no time to wait when it comes to the net-zero transition. And a final thought: we asked McKinsey leaders to reflect on previous Davos experiences. One mentioned that the issues are often discussed more than the solutions—here’s hoping this year can be a turning point for that too.

Explore our landing page for more on the ideas discussed at last week’s event. 

QUOTE US ON IT

“I think the energy transition is at a critical inflection point. Are we for real? Will we pull back?”

—Senior partner Bernd Heid on the world watching what leaders are saying at Davos and beyond

VISUALIZE IT 

Do world leaders see a gloomy forecast for the economy? Geopolitical instability is the top worry on execs’ minds looking into the next few months.

Wait, don’t scroll: FORWARD-THINKING EDITION 

Ditching the carbon. Former politician and COP26 leader Claire O’Neill said politicians can leave climate conferences thinking, “Thank God that’s over,” but corporate leaders are feeling the heat for real change.  

Working together. Mathematician and technologist Anne‑Marie Imafidon shared her vision for democratizing technology—yes, I’d rather not end up in a real-life dystopia.  

Rebounding on trade. World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala laid out how trade will shift in coming months and how the postpandemic recovery is an opportunity to increase inclusivity. 

Not us; still great 

Increasing anxiety. Studies show that climate anxiety is on the rise, especially among young people: half of respondents in one ten-nation survey said that feelings about climate change negatively impact their daily lives. [Yale Environment 360]

Bearing the burden. The inflation battering the economy is hitting Gen Z especially hard: with the higher costs of living, student loans, and lower salaries, we’re bearing the costs without the assets to ride out the storm. [Bloomberg]

We’ve got a crossword for that too

— Edited by Sarah Skinner, Gen Z curation editor, New York