Global Opportunity Report 2015

The Global Opportunity Report 2015 aims to show how five major global risks to building a sustainable and prosperous society (the lack of fresh water, unsustainable urbanization, continued lock-in to fossil fuels, the rise in non-communicable diseases, and extreme weather) can be turned into 15 opportunities. Opportunities that serve as economic and social game-changers – for a safe and sustainable future.

The risks and opportunities substantiated in the report are as follows:

Risk #1: Extreme weather

Opportunities: 

• Early warning and forecasting services
• Investments in resilience
• Cost-effective adaptation

Risk #2: Lack of fresh water

Opportunities: 

• Water-efficient agriculture
• Fresh water production
• Smart water regulation

Risk #3: Unsustainable urbanisation

Opportunities: 

• Compact, green and connected cities
• Rural growth initiatives
• Smart cities

Risk #4: Non-communicable diseases

Opportunities: 

• Combat NCDs with mobile technologies
• Innovative finance for a healthy generation
• Everyday health enablers

Risk #5: Lock-in to fossil fuels

Opportunities: 

• Regulated energy transition
• Energy autonomy
• Green consumer choices

The report is made available by the Global Opportuniy Network, the UN Global Compact, Monday Morning Global Institute and Sustainia.