Future-Fit
A Future-Fit Society protects the possibility that humans and other life will flourish on Earth forever, by being socially just, economically inclusive, and environmentally restorative.
"Our current economic model is no longer fit for purpose."
Mr. Martin Rich, Co-founder of Future-Fit Foundation
According to the Future-Fit Foundation, our ‘profit at all costs’ approach to economic growth has for decades undermined the health of people and planet. Linear take-make-use-lose production models disrupt natural systems and deplete the resources all life depends upon. Meanwhile we are failing to meet the basic needs of billions of people around the world, and inequality continues to grow. Business leaders need to prioritize where action is most needed.
Systems science tells us how our economy must be transformed if we are to meet everyone’s needs and live in harmony with nature.
What do we mean by creating System Value?
The global challenges we face are hugely complex and interdependent. In short, they are systemic – and to tackle them we must take a systems-based approach.
Business can only thrive in a strong society. Society, in turn, can only prosper if its needs are being met by a healthy natural environment. These relationships, best described as nested dependencies, are key to understanding how our global economy operates. We must embrace these systemic interdependencies if we are to identify exactly how – and how much – we must change the way we do business.
Defensively
(Shareholder Value)
Selectively
(Shared Value)
Holistically
(System Value)
A Future-Fit Society
A Future-Fit Society protects the possibility that humans and other life will flourish on Earth forever, by being socially just, economically inclusive, and environmentally restorative.
Energy is renewable and available to all
Water is responsibly sourced and available to all
Waste does not exist
Natural resources are managed to safeguard communities, animals and ecosystems
The environment is free from pollution
People have the capacity and opportunity to lead fulfilling lives
Our physical presence protects the health of ecosystems and communities
Social norms, global governance and economic growth drive the pursuit of future-fitness
Future-Fit Foundation translated that systems science into principles, goals, indicators and guides to help any business play its part in getting us there.
The Future-Fit Business Benchmark is a holistic, science-based, open-source methodology which is designed to drive systemic change and show companies how to be truly sustainable by equipping them with the right tools and skills to build credible strategies. It systematically transform business operations, procurement practices, and products in pursuit of future-fitness with 23 Break-Even Goals and 24 Positive Pursuits.
Future-Fit Business Benchmark
The framework provides companies with:
- A clear destination to aim for
- A way to assess and guide progress toward it
- A way to communicate what they’re doing – and why – in a credible, concise, comparable way.
At the core of the Benchmark are 23 Break-Even Goals, which together mark the line in the sand that all companies must strive to reach to ensure that they are in no way slowing down society’s transition to future‑fitness. A set of complementary indicators equips any company to measure, manage and explain its progress toward each Break‑Even Goal.
Many companies aspire to do more than cause no harm, by seeking to be a force for good in the world. The Benchmark supports such efforts, identifying 24 Positive Pursuits which characterize all of the ways a business may act to speed up society’s transition to future-fitness.
Break-Even Goals
Break-Even Goals collectively represent the line in the sand every business has to reach in order to usher in a Future-Fit Society.
Positive Pursuits
Positive Pursuits encompass any activity beyond Break-Even whose outcome can speed up the transition to a Future-Fit Society.
Future-Fit Asia Pacific Alliance
Since its inception in 2020, the global Future-Fit Changemaker community has grown to over 800 registered members. The Future-Fit concept and framework have been attracting significant traction in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
Future-Fit Asia-Pacific Alliance (FFAPA) is a Future-Fit community to promote the adoption of Future-Fit ways of thinking, and a systems approach to designing, building and operating a truly sustainable business.
Our Services and Solutions
As the Accredited Partner of Future-Fit in Hong Kong and China, ESG Matters provides the following services to help companies and investors get the best from the resources of Future-Fit Foundation.