The era of population growth is ending—and societies are unprepared, argues Ugo Bardi in a new book published today.

In The End of Population Growth, a report to the Club of Rome, the renowned author and systems scientist Ugo Bardi argues that population decline is likely to begin earlier than widely assumed—potentially within the next few decades - and that societies must adapt now in order to be prepared for the new trend.

"For thousands of years, population growth has been treated as both inevitable and desirable," says Bardi, former professor of chemistry at the University of Florence and member of the Club of Rome. "But the data now tell a very different story. We are facing a population 'U-turn', and the social, economic, and political consequences are far larger than most governments are prepared for."

Drawing on decades of research in systems dynamics, demography, history and environmental science, the book challenges both traditional Malthusian fears of overpopulation and optimistic assumptions that technological progress alone can sustain perpetual growth. With the clarity and wit characteristic of Bardi's popular blog The Seneca Effect, the author presents population change as part of a long-term global cycle shaped by resources, pollution, social stress and economic structures.

Combining demographic data with historical and systems-based analysis, the book shows how fertility rates are falling across nearly all regions of the world. While global population may continue to rise for a short time, the underlying trend points towards stabilisation and decline well before the end of the century. Bardi argues that we are likely to see a decline even in current growth areas such as sub-Saharan Africa.

While a declining population could ease pressure on ecosystems and climate, The End of Population Growth warns that unmanaged depopulation could strain public services, intensify inequality, and destabilise political systems—particularly if governments continue to rely on short-term, growth-dependent solutions. At the same time, the book rejects alarmist narratives, arguing that population decline is neither inherently catastrophic nor something that can be reversed through simple policy fixes.

"Depopulation is not necessarily a catastrophe," Bardi explains. "But failing to adapt to it could be. The real danger lies in denial and in clinging to economic models that no longer match reality."

Drawing on the legacy of The Limits to Growth, the book invites readers to question one of the deepest assumptions of modern society: that growth—whether demographic or economic—can be relied upon indefinitely. In doing so, it explores how societies might adapt through policy, technology and cultural change to a world where fewer people, rather than more, is the defining challenge.

Buy the book

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As prevailing economic systems fuel inequality, billionaire power and environmental destruction, it's time to ask: what if there were a better way? Reclaim the Economy Week begins to answer that question by highlighting, celebrating and co-creating alternatives around the globe.

Reclaim the Economy Week is a global week of action calling for economic systems that put people and the planet first. From 26 January to 1 February 2026, communities, organisations, and individuals around the world will come together to demand economic models grounded in dignity, fairness, ecological wellbeing and life-centric values.

This decentralised week invites events, campaigns and actions framed through diverse lenses - from Indigenous and rights-based economics to degrowth, doughnut economics, and wellbeing economies. There are resources and ideas to help groups and individuals to get involved and build power from the ground up. From Puerto Rico to Brazil to South Africa, communities around the world are planning actions and events to mark the week - find a map of the planned activities here.

A 2024 Earth4All survey found that over two thirds of people surveyed in 17 G20 countries agree that the way the economy works should prioritise the health and wellbeing of people and nature rather than focusing solely on profit and increasing wealth, while 62% agree that a country's economic success should be measured by the health and wellbeing of its citizens, not how fast the economy is growing. It is clear that appetite for better economies in service of life and wellbeing is strong, and Reclaim the Economy Week meets the moment by both calling for systems change and showcasing the alternatives already in motion around the world.

The week kicks off with an interactive online launch event on 26 January, bringing together voices from across movements to explore how we can reclaim the economy from growing inequality, environmental breakdown and concentrated corporate power. Participants will gain practical insights into alternative economic models, community-led solutions, and how to take action locally and globally.

Learn more and find out how to get involved at reclaimtheeconomy.org  and sign up for the newsletter to stay updated on events and resources. The week is co-convened by Earth4All and the Wellbeing Economy Alliance.

Get involved  

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Applications are now open for the Club of Rome Communications Fellowship.

The Club of Rome is currently accepting applications for its Communications Fellowship 2026.  The fellowship is a seven-month mentoring programme aimed at increasing the diversity of voices covering sustainability issues and supporting early-career communications professionals from Most of the World: Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and Asia-Pacific. The fellowship will be a remote placement with the successful fellow working from their home environment and with one trip to meet members of the Club of Rome team. The fellowship offers a modest stipend towards living costs and includes work-related travel costs.

The communications fellow will gain experience in communicating complex systems thinking for non-specialist audiences through a variety of platforms including the website, multimedia and social media. The successful candidate will work directly with the communications team, assisting with a variety of tasks including web publishing, preparing media outreach materials, event coverage, multimedia, social media and other communication activities.

There are two positions available, and we welcome applications from candidates with a diverse range of experience, we are particularly looking for individuals who enjoy working across all communication channels, and those who are skilled in producing multimedia content.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A bachelor's or equivalent degree in science or journalism, and/or current student or graduate of a science journalism program.
• Some experience in writing about systems thinking or sustainability research for non-specialist audiences via blogs, newspapers, university websites or other outlets OR experience in producing multimedia content on relevant topics.
• Written and oral fluency in English and a proven ability to understand complex scientific research or systems thinking.
• Experience with, or interest in, social media, video, photography or other multimedia.
• Alignment with the beliefs and vision of the Club of Rome.

Bearing in mind the objectives of this fellowship, only applications from residents of countries in Most of the World (Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and Asia-Pacific) will be considered.

Learn more about current and past fellows here.

Applications:

To apply, please fill out this application form.

Note on AI: Your application will be read and reviewed by humans - members of the Club of Rome communications team. While we understand that AI tools such as ChatGPT may be useful in preparing your applications, remember that in evaluating you as a potential Communications Fellow we will want to hear your authentic voice and style, so we encourage you to bring these across in your application.

While you are welcome to attach links to complete portfolios, please select one writing or multimedia sample that you feel is the most relevant for your application.

The application deadline is 20 February 2026 23:59 CET.  Due to the high number of applications received, incomplete applications, applications not in English and applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

There is a modest stipend dependent on location for the seven-month fellowship, working Monday to Friday, 36 hours per week and includes 10 days paid leave. The fellowship will run from 1 July 2026 to 31 January 2027.

APPLY NOW About The Club of Rome

The Club of Rome is a unique platform of over 150 thought leaders and changemakers from across geographies and sectors, catalysing system change since 1968. Our vision is a world that has moved beyond emergencies, with reimagined systems that support human capacities to deliver wellbeing for all on a peaceful and healthy planet.

For general information about the organisation and its activities, please visit the Club of Rome website.

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The Club of Rome, in partnership with the European Investment Bank (EIB) Institute, has released a new report highlighting how finance can unlock the transformative innovation required to ensure Europe's competitiveness in a rapidly changing global landscape.

As the EU seeks to strengthen its competitiveness and accelerate breakthrough innovation, Rewiring finance for transformative innovation argues that Europe cannot rely on financing incremental fixes and short-term gains to address the deep technological, social and ecological transitions now underway. By reframing innovation through a systemic lens - to include new business models, governance structures and cultural narratives - the report offers a new perspective on the EU's competitiveness agenda and calls for finance to champion transformative, mission-driven innovation across the continent.

The report draws on insights from a series of high-level dialogues convened by the Club of Rome and the EIB Institute, bringing together thought leaders, policymakers and financial practitioners from across Europe. Co-author Peter Blom, former CEO of Triodos Bank and member of the Club of Rome, said:

"Transformative innovation is essential if we are to respond meaningfully to today's interconnected crises. This report shows that finance can be a powerful catalyst and enabler for the kinds of breakthroughs that shift entire systems, not just improve them at the margins. By aligning financial decisions with long-term societal and planetary impact, we can unlock innovations that ensure a thriving future for all."

Aligning finance with transformative innovation

The report emphasises that while sustainable finance has grown, financial systems remain largely misaligned with the ambition of transformative innovation. Short-term risk models, fragmented funding streams and a lack of hybrid solutions continue to hinder innovations that could reshape Europe's strategic sectors - whether in clean energy, circular materials, food systems or nature-based solutions.

To realign finance with transformation, the report identifies five interrelated pathways for change:

• Prioritising impact and mission: Placing long-term public value at the heart of financial mandates and investment decisions.
• Building internal capacity for innovation: Equipping financial institutions with the skills and systems thinking needed to assess and support complex, cross-sector transitions.
• Embracing risk and uncertainty: Developing forward-looking frameworks that enable experimentation and high-impact investment.
• Full-spectrum finance for the innovation lifecycle: Ensuring support across the innovation lifecycle, from early-stage ideas to large-scale deployment.
• Strengthening institutional capital ecosystems: Fostering collaboration between public and private actors to build coherent, mission-driven innovation ecosystems.

Through examples from institutions such as BBVA and Invest-NL, the report shows that elements of transformative finance are already emerging in practice. These pioneers demonstrate that that balancing impact, risk and return can unlock high-potential innovations essential to Europe's competitiveness and resilience.

A call for co-creation

The report calls for policymakers, financial leaders and civil society to co-create a financial system capable of enabling transformative innovation at scale. Finance must act not just as a source of capital, but as an active enabler of Europe's long-term strategic priorities.

Jean-Pierre Vidal, acting head of the EIB Institute, said: "The EIB Group plays a pivotal role in driving innovation across Europe by uniting public purpose with private initiative. This strengthens Europe's competitiveness in a lasting way and lays the foundations for sustainable growth and prosperity for the future."

This publication marks the culmination of this collaboration between the Club of Rome and the EIB Institute. Together, the two institutions have convened a community of practice exploring how public and private finance can be rewired to serve long-term societal wellbeing.

Sandrine Dixson-Declève, honorary president of the Club of Rome and co-author of the report, concluded: "Transformative innovation requires that we reshape the systems and values that govern our societies. To deliver real benefits for people, planet and prosperity, finance must prioritise solutions that build resilience and equity, not just short-term returns."

Download the report

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Storytelling has shaped humanity since the dawn of time, and today it may matter more than ever. For centuries, humans have used stories to explain the world, unite communities and imagine futures that do not yet exist. Yet in the digital age, storytelling has also become a battleground: narratives spread at unprecedented speed, influencing what people believe, how they act and whom they trust. 

The 50 Percent has launched the 'Young person's guide to storytelling', a new resource created to help young people understand the power of stories in shaping society and how to use that power responsibly. 

The guide offers a clear, accessible roadmap for understanding how stories shape public life and how young people can use storytelling to strengthen, rather than destabilise, democratic culture. 

What the guide covers 

Drawing on research, real-world examples and youth perspectives, the guide explores: 

1. The power of storytelling

The guide shows how stories have always fuelled collective imagination, from early myths to modern media, and how this ability to craft meaning has given humans an evolutionary advantage. Storytelling helps people collaborate, organise, learn and solve problems. 

2. The dangers of storytelling

Stories can mislead, exclude or cause harm. The guide explains how narratives can oversimplify complex realities, manipulate emotions or create "heroes vs villains" frames that polarise communities. 

3. Misinformation, disinformation and democracy

The guide outlines how false or misleading stories spread online, often faster than accurate information. Algorithms amplify sensational content, social media accelerates emotional reactions and political actors weaponise narratives for influence. 

It also highlights the consequences: declining trust in institutions, rising cynicism and young people increasingly unsure whether the information they see is real. 

4. Why young people are especially vulnerable

Despite being highly connected, research shows Gen Z is among the groups most susceptible to misinformation. Hyperconnected but overwhelmed, young people face a media environment that blurs fact and fiction, making it difficult to assess credibility, especially on platforms designed for speed, not accuracy. 

5. How young people can respond

The guide offers tools for spotting false narratives, understanding emotional manipulation and creating counter-narratives grounded in empathy, shared values and community connection. 

It encourages young people not only to be critical consumers of media but also active storytellers who use their voice responsibly and creatively to shape a more hopeful future. 

A call to action 

At a time when misinformation spreads faster than ever, and when many feel discouraged or excluded from political processes, the guide offers a refreshing alternative: rebuild trust, reconnect communities and tell better, braver, more human stories. 

As the authors write, storytelling is not just a tool… it is a responsibility. And when young people take the lead, it becomes a force for collective healing and change. 

The 'Young person's guide to storytelling' is now available for download: here. 

Download the guide

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From 22 to 24 September 2025, Belgrade hosted the World Conference on Science and Art for Sustainability, an event that united scientific and artistic communities from across the majority of the world to explore how science and art can jointly respond to today's interlinked global challenges. 

It was the first conference of the Earth-Humanity Coalition (EHC) and the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS) programme and a flagship milestone of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD) 2024-2033. 

As founding members of the Earth-Humanity Coalition, The Club of Rome and The Fifth Element are partners of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development, working together to mobilise all sciences at the service of humanity and enable change in the coming decade. 

The Belgrade Declaration: a call for integrative, ethical and pluriversal action 

A key outcome of the conference, the declaration calls for a fundamental shift in how global crises are addressed. Developed from the conference debates, it urges the integration of scientific, artistic and traditional knowledge to confront the deep polycrisis facing humanity. 

It highlights several central needs: 

1. Systemic and multiple disciplinary responses 

The declaration underscores that existential threats, including climate change, geopolitical fragmentation and the misuse of artificial intelligence, are deeply interdependent and cannot be solved through siloed approaches. It calls for scientific, artistic, social and humanistic knowledge to be integrated, and for stronger engagement with traditional and indigenous perspectives.  

2. Closer cooperation between science and art 

Science and art are presented as complementary ways of understanding humanity, nature and the universe. The declaration argues that deeper integration between them can strengthen societal awareness, inspire new paradigms and support the transformative shifts needed for peaceful ecological civilisations.  

3. Renewed commitment to education and knowledge systems 

Education should nurture curiosity, creativity and responsibility by connecting scientific, artistic and cultural knowledge. The declaration supports the creation of a 'worldwide grid of transdisciplinary hubs for sustainability', enabling collaboration from local to global levels.  

4. Stronger support for science, art and education 

Delegates emphasised the need to rebuild trust between decision-makers, scientists and artists, and to create new spaces for cooperation grounded in mutual respect. The declaration also calls for more inclusive, evidence-based scientific advice and for diplomacy to foster peaceful relations and shared commitment to sustainability. It stresses that the majority of the world must receive equal attention.  

The declaration was written by Michel Spiro, from The Earth-Humanity Coalition, Garry Jacobs and Nebojša Nešković, from WAAS and The Club of Rome, Paul Shrivastava and Carlos Álvarez Pereira, from The Club of Rome, and Steven Hartman, from the UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES Coalition. 

Outcome documents from the conference: 

• The Belgrade declaration on science and art for sustainability (mentioned above).
• The World Conference on Science and Art for Sustainability report, prepared by the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS), highlights how the IDSSD aims to build regenerative and peaceful pathways grounded in human security, sustainability and planetary wellbeing.
• The interviews exploring 11 speakers' perspectives on global challenges, the role of science and art and the transformative ideas emerging from the conference, by Vesna de Vinča, a journalist, writer and producer from Belgrade. 

A step forward 

The World Conference on Science and Art for Sustainability marks an important step forward in the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development, reinforcing that science and art - working in concert with communities and institutions across regions - can help shape more peaceful, resilient and equitable futures. 

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There is no doubt about China's rise to the status of a global powerhouse, whether framed positively or not. China has emerged as the world's largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity, and the second largest by nominal GDP. It is considered the world's largest industrial, manufacturing and trading nation, with the world's largest middle class and the eradication of extreme poverty.

A new report to The Club of Rome, Understanding China: Governance, Socio-Economics, Global Influence, offers a balanced and objective perspective into China's meteoric rise from the late 1970s. The book lays out the model of governance in detail at the national, provincial and local levels, which provides a strong basis for understanding current dynamics, along with its strengths and weaknesses.

The book outlines the trajectory of China's development and the massive changes which have resulted within. It also outlines the implications the rise of China has and will have for the rest of the world in the future. It emphasises that the Chinese model and principles need not be adopted wholesale but serve as a valuable test case for countries seeking to pursue a similar developmental trajectory, especially with the commitment to lift hundreds of millions out of poverty.

"The economic and technological rise of China has proven to be both staggering in pace and inexorable in trajectory. This neither calls for mindless optimism and zealous embracing of all that the country has to offer," commented Chandran Nair, Founder, Global Institute for Tomorrow, member of the Club of Rome and lead author. "The Chinese government is steered by a deeply rooted and historically grounded devotion towards its people - one could even term this as a point of foundational fixation."

The book proposes seven working principles for the international community's engagement with China, which can shape sustainable, convivial and successful relations. Insights are drawn from both Chinese and international sources and build on the work of the Chinese Association of the Club of Rome (which was also founded by the report authors).

"There is more in common between China and other countries than separates them. We are all confronted by similar challenges. The Chinese government has advanced the notion of a "community of shared future for mankind" in full cognisance we are in an era of globalisation, therefore national interests cannot be carved out and compartmentalised in narrow silos," adds Nair.

Through the insights into China's internal strengths and challenges, its global influence and its unique governance model, the book encourages respectful dialogue and informed engagement. It is an essential resource for policymakers, business leaders, academics and students seeking clarity on China's past, present and future.

"We are well aware of the difficulties of writing a book about China that satisfies the diverse interests of the intended global audience. At all times the commitment has been to seek balance and to remain impartial," commented Jorgen Randers, Professor Emeritus, BI Norwegian Business School and member of the Club of Rome.

The book is a result of a deepening understanding of the role China plays globally and its publication follows a conference dedicated to Earth humanity reconciliation that was held in China from 5-7 November.

Order the book from Routledge

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By 2070, segments of the southern hemisphere of the planet Earth will have 30 to 100% more population than today. The struggle for these youth needing to acquire skills to hold even minimal livelihoods needs strong educational transformation if this increase is to be a peaceful change, rather than one causing civil unrest within these regions. Importantly, inequity and injustice affecting people experiencing poverty, marginalisation or dispossession can be partially alleviated with meaningful education, which remains inaccessible to many, especially marginalised and Indigenous communities worldwide.

As a response to this problem, the South African Embassy in Rome and The Club of Rome (with support from the USA Association for The Club of Rome, the Canadian Association for The Club of Rome, and African members of The Club of Rome) have launched "Education for Hope", marking a defining moment for the global re-centring of education as a force for dignity, community and planetary regeneration.

The launch occurred on 30 October 2025, in Rome, within the Jubilee of the Vatican, in a week focused on education for pilgrims from schools and universities around the world, in the elegant Official Residence of H.E. Nosipho Nausca-Jean Jezile, Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to Italy and Permanent Representative to FAO, IFAD and WFP.

From reflection to regeneration, linking two traditions

The launch connected two key moral and intellectual traditions: the Ubuntu philosophy of Africa, affirming that "the village is the school", and The Club of Rome's enduring quest for human-centred transformation, from The Limits to Growth to The Fifth Element, consciousness as the integrating force for change.

In the same way that the report to The Club of Rome No Limits to Learning urged humanity to transcend reductionist and competitive systems of thought, "Education for Hope" extends this invitation into lived educational practice, linked to "No Limits to Hope".

No Limits to Learning foresaw that humanity's survival would depend not only on technological progress, but on our capacity to learn at higher levels of consciousness. Education for Hope is that learning embodied, it turns cognitive insight into collective practice, analysis into action and interdependence into education.

In other words, if No Limits to Learning described the mental and systemic awakening needed for planetary stewardship, "No Limits to Hope" embodies the moral and communal awakening needed to live it. Together, they form The Fifth Element, the fusion of head, heart, hands, heritage and humanity, which the Education for Hope delegation presented in Rome as the living pedagogy of Ubuntu.

Education as The Fifth Element

The Fifth Element, as articulated by The Club of Rome, represents a synergy of consciousness, compassion and systemic renewal. Education for Hope translates this into the language of daily life, teaching that learning and being are inseparable, and that true knowledge is not only cognitive but relational, moral and ecological.

Mamphela Ramphele, Honorary President of The Club of Rome (2018-2023) and Patron of Education for Hope, captured this integration when she said, "Education is an act of love, of freedom and of hope, the engine of possible change." In her inaugural address at the meeting.

Her words resonated as The Fifth Element itself, the human spirit in motion, transforming consciousness into community, and knowledge into justice.

The launching of Education for Hope

Re-imagining learning through Ubuntu

Rooted in Ubuntu, I am because we are, Education for Hope reframes education as a communal act of healing and co-creation. It is not a programme or policy but a living social movement emerging from the majority of the world and speaking to humanity, that education must once again make us more human, not more competitive.

The movement's collaboration with The Club of Rome reflects a deep alignment:

• Both call for integral approaches that connect social justice, ecological stewardship and human consciousness.
• Both envision education as the foundation of a regenerative civilisation, one that honours life's interdependence and the wisdom of communities.
• Both insist that hope is a discipline, a practical act of courage grounded in compassion.

Education for Hope and the Global Compact on Education

In the same week as the launch, the delegation of twelve members from eight nations (South Africa, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Aruba, Japan, the USA, and Canada), also participated in the Vatican Educational Jubilee events at the Dicastery for Culture and Education's Scientific Committee. They were honoured to assist in re-shaping the renewal of the Global Compact on Education, released at the event, expanding its vision to include inner life, digital humanism and peace as a lived pedagogy. .

By affirming Ubuntu as a guiding ethical foundation, the delegation ensured that most of the world, often the cradle of spiritual and ecological wisdom, now stands as a co-author of the renewed Compact.

The Dicastery meeting with Father E. Bono of the Vatican Dicastery of Education and Culture

A pact of the heart for the planet

At its heart, Education for Hope is a pact of the heart, a shared commitment to rebuild the moral, ecological and spiritual fabric of education. It invites educators, students and institutions to form constellations of hope, learning communities that live The Fifth Element through dialogue, service and reflection.

The collaboration between The Club of Rome, the South African Embassy, and the Education for Hope movement demonstrates that the future of learning will not be found in curricula or technology alone, but in relationships of care, communities of purpose and education as the most powerful act of hope.

Find out more about the project: https://educationforhope.org.za/

If you want to get involved or financially support the project, contact jgilmour@leapinstitute.org.za or athorhaug@msn.com.

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Ahead of the critical climate summit in Belém, a new report from Earth4All argues that Brazil's greatest assets in tackling the climate crisis are not only its vast forests and renewable energy potential, but the power of trust and social cohesion.

The study, Earth4All: Brazil, identifies possible future scenarios for the country and shows that policies promoting fairness, inclusion and institutional trust are decisive for accelerating decarbonisation and building resilience. Without them, progress risks stalling in the face of inequality and social division.

"Our analysis shows that when trust and fairness increase, public resistance to change falls," said Sandrine Dixson-Declève, executive chair of Earth4All. "This enables faster reforms and ultimately delivers stronger climate outcomes."

Drawing on system dynamics modelling and input from a commission of national and international experts, the report explores how coordinated reforms or "extraordinary turnarounds" across five areas - poverty, inequality, empowerment, food, and energy - can deliver both climate stability and shared prosperity. It concludes that ambitious domestic action, aligned with global efforts, could eradicate poverty in Brazil before 2040, expand renewable energy, and strengthen Brazil's capacity to withstand future shocks.

Its findings align with those of the global Earth4All analysis, published in Earth for All: A Survival Guide for Humanity in 2022, and subsequent national analyses showing that ambitious action targeted to specific geographical challenges can deliver economic wellbeing and resilience to future shocks and stresses.

The report includes data from a major global survey, conducted for Earth4All by Ipsos which included Brazil, that reveals a powerful mandate for change: 81% of Brazilians say major action is needed this decade to protect the climate and nature, yet only 35% believe their government is doing enough. 76% agree that there is too much inequality in the country. The report recommends policies such as progressive wealth and ecological taxes, a climate-poverty sovereign wealth fund co-governed by marginalised communities, and conditional rural credit tied to verified sustainability criteria.

The "Giant Leap" scenario identified by the report - featuring strong national and global action - shows Brazil transforming into a renewable energy powerhouse, restoring degraded lands, and reducing inequality through inclusive governance. The "Too Little Too Late" scenario of incremental action, by contrast, would lock in higher emissions, deepen social tensions, and weaken democratic trust.

The study also calls on Brazil to champion a Global Climate and Nature Council to coordinate global responses to ecological tipping points, aligning with the COP30 Presidency's push for integrated climate-nature governance.

"We asked: if we know the solutions, why are we not making progress on climate? Our analysis across the globe increasingly shows that trust and fairness are not peripheral to climate policy - they are the foundations of it," said Dixson-Declève. "By implementing five extraordinary turnarounds adapted to Brazil's needs, Brazil can build a model of inclusive transition that unites environmental ambition with social justice and inspire other countries. COP30 is a decisive moment for setting the course of long-term action and Brazil can use this opportunity to show real leadership on the interlinked issues of climate, social equity and wellbeing."

Carlos Nobre, co-chair of the Science Panel for the Amazon and chair of the Earth4All Brazil Transformational Economics and Planetary Sciences Commission, said: "The findings of this report are refreshingly straightforward: climate stability, social cohesion and shared prosperity rise or fall together. Push one without the others and progress stalls. Advance them together and Brazil can unlock a step-change in emissions reduction, environmental protection to avoid biomes' tipping points, economic competitiveness, fiscal stability and human flourishing."

Download the report

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This is the first publication of The Fifth Element's discussion paper series.

Introducing: Dancing with paradigms, could systemic wisdom emerge?

"There is yet one leverage point that is even higher than changing a paradigm. That is to keep oneself unattached in the arena of paradigms, to stay flexible, to realize that no paradigm is "true", that everyone, including the one that sweetly shapes your own worldview, is a tremendously limited understanding of an immense and amazing universe that is far beyond human comprehension."
- Donella Meadows

Rethinking how we change systems

The world is complex, and the challenges we face - climate disruption, social inequality, and fractured governance - cannot be solved by the systems that shaped modernity. Economic, political, and technological structures are often inadequate, and sometimes they drive the crises themselves. Meanwhile, knowledge is fragmented: business, politics, academia, and activism each operate in their own bubbles, with little connection between them. This separation locks us into patterns that make change difficult.

The challenge now is not just to act, but to rethink what we mean by systems change. Rather than searching for one grand theory, we must learn to weave together different approaches and worldviews. This integrative approach, holding complexity without reducing it to simple answers, builds on the legacy of No Limits to Learning, published by The Club of Rome in 1979.

Dancing with paradigms

Donella Meadows, author of Leverage Points: Places to Intervene in a System (1999), spoke of the highest leverage point: "the power to transcend paradigms." In other words, recognising that no single worldview is absolute and that every paradigm is only a partial understanding of a vast, complex universe.

This is not a comfortable place to be. Humans crave certainty. But it is where The Club of Rome sees its role: embracing plurality, fostering dialogue across divides, and supporting cultural and systemic renewal. Meadows' last publication was titled Dancing with Systems. Today, The Club of Rome extends that spirit to "dancing with paradigms."

Introducing the discussion paper series

This is the essence of The Fifth Element, The Club of Rome's programme dedicated to deep learning and mutual transformation. To advance this work, we are launching a new discussion paper series. Each paper is an invitation, an open exploration rather than a final answer.

Our first paper sets the tone. It argues that transformation begins with asking better questions, not rushing to solutions. Some questions are not meant to be "solved" but lived. The paper explores questions too often overlooked, for example:

• How do we navigate the divide between "us" and "them"?
• How can we move from a focus on capital to the long-term value of heritage?
• What does regenerative thinking mean for society, economy, and the planet?

It also introduces key threads of our inquiry, including intergenerational leadership, regenerative business, pluriversal worldviews, and shifting cultural meanings.

For anyone interested in how societies can move from fragmented systems to coherent, regenerative networks, the paper offers both insight and inspiration. It invites readers to explore the deeper questions of systemic change and contribute to shaping pathways that reconnect humanity with the natural world.

Read the full discussion paper here.

Download the report

Are you an expert or an organisation working on topics related to systems transformation? Do you want to share your perspective? The Fifth Element's looking for content to share on their opinions page. Check the submission guidelines.

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An expert group has urged the European Commission to cut Europe's resource use and introduce binding demand reduction targets to secure the bloc's future prosperity and resilience.

In its response to the Commission's public consultation on the Circular Economy Act, the Taskforce on Materials and Consumption are calling for the Commission to adopt a demand-focused approach to the management of critical resources. At a time of growing geopolitical and economic pressures, the group argues that cutting demand for natural resources is essential not only to meet climate and nature goals, but also to strengthen Europe's competitiveness and security.

The briefing, titled Securing Europe's Future through a Just & Competitive Circular Economy, sets out three key recommendations for the Circular Economy Act:

1. Establish material footprint targets: Set EU-wide material footprint reduction targets by 2028 to ensure resource use stays within planetary boundaries.
2. Prioritise resource efficiency of key provisioning systems: Shift from recycling and product-based strategies to investment in the transformation of housing, food, mobility and energy systems - responsible for an estimated 90% of global material use.
3. Champion international governance for resource use: To address rising geopolitical tensions and growing global uncertainty, the EU should champion a fair, transparent, and rules-based global governance framework for resource use, ensuring a just transition globally.

While recognising existing EU efforts, the Taskforce warns that without ambitious policies that fundamentally reset the priorities and direction of the economy, the EU risks missing its climate targets and forfeiting opportunities for innovation, competitiveness, and social equity.

"Current EU policy has laid important groundwork, but it remains fragmented and overly focused on recycling and waste management. Without addressing material demand and system-level drivers of resource use, the transformation to a truly regenerative circular economy will remain incomplete," said taskforce co-chair Anders Wijkman, Honorary President of The Club of Rome.

The experts highlight that material extraction and processing are responsible for over 90% of land-related biodiversity loss and more than half of global greenhouse gas emissions. Europe - which currently imports more than twice the weight of materials than it exports - has a strategic interest in reducing its resource dependency while ensuring its economic model is compatible with climate goals.

"We have now had over 10 years of lessons about what does not work regarding the circular economy as it is currently being implemented. The upcoming Circular Economy Act is an opportunity to get it right, and for the EU to pioneer a truly innovative approach to resource management," said co-chair Lewis Akenji, executive director of the Hot or Cool Institute. "By embedding material footprint targets and a justice-based approach to resource governance in its strategy, Europe can set a global precedent for how to achieve prosperity and citizen wellbeing within planetary boundaries."

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