There are only three sources of economic growth: population growth, technology, and the use of natural resources. In this article, we focus on population growth as an engine for economic growth. The relentless growth of the world's population seems, at first glance, to be good news for the economy. However, shifts in the composition of the population also pose significant chall ...
Econopolis Strategy: 2023 Wrapped
As 2023 comes to an end, it is a good time reflect on the past year. This year marked a significant milestone for our team, as we doubled in size and are now actively recruiting for our next team member. We had the privilege to work on a diverse array of fascinating subjects, significantly broadening our expertise in crucial fields such as industry, circularity, climate, the bl ...
The offshore wind industry is navigating turbulent waters
This year, numerous offshore wind projects, particularly in the US and the UK, have encountered a challenging "triple whammy." This situation involves a blend of three factors: 1) escalating financing costs caused by increasing interest rates, 2) fluctuating commodity prices, and 3) persistent supply chain problems. Furthermore, until recently, the situation worsened due to gov ...
10 things we learned after one year of Klimaatschok-lectures
One year ago, Econopolis's Geert Noels, Kristof Eggermont, and I (Yanaika Denoyelle) released 'De Klimaatschok'. This book outlines 20 climate solutions to help Belgium achieve net-zero emissions and explores opportunities to enhance our living environment and economic standing. We transformed the book's content into a lecture series, engaging with government organizations, var ...
Climate Crossroads: Navigating the Challenges and Opportunities of COP28
COP 28 After a year marked by extreme weather events and numerous broken climate records, COP28 is in full swing. Delegates from nearly 200 countries are convening in Dubai, with an unprecedented attendance expected to reach around 70,000. This gathering will see the evaluation of numerous new pledges, projects, and initiatives. However, as this COP represents the midpoint betw ...
Solid-State Batteries: Benefits and Drawbacks
Batteries are one of the cornerstones of the technological evolution of the past decades. They make every electricity dependent technology useable off grid. From using a simple flashlight, to calling family in an electric vehicle in the middle of nowhere, batteries provide endless opportunities that are taken for granted in our current society. A key restriction on this increas ...
Global elections 2024: navigating geopolitical turbulence and economic implications
2024: a pivotal year for geopolitical shifts and investor vigilance In 2024, nations that significantly contribute to global GDP are set for critical elections. Bloomberg Economics projects that voters in about 40 countries, accounting for 41% of the world’s population and 42% of the global GDP, will elect new leaders, reshaping geopolitical landscapes. These elections signal a ...
Nature-based solutions - Multiple benefits but limited funding: a paradox?
What are nature-based solutions? Nature loss lies at the heart of many challenges we face. Think of issues such as climate warming, biodiversity loss, land degradation, water pollution, or disaster risk. One promising approach to address all these challenges is through nature-based solutions: solutions inspired by and supported by nature. This type of solutions includes a wide ...
Melexis: from the junkyard to fancy car essential
The art of adaptation: tech titans and Melexis's exceptional journey Paradigm shifts can occur within two decades, as evidenced by the leadership transition from Nokia to Apple. Sometimes, however, things remain the same, at least at first sight. Meta – also known by “older” people as Facebook –, Alphabet – formerly known as Google – and Microsoft – anything but micro and soft ...
The missing link in the global energy transition
The transition to renewable energy is a crucial component of the global climate change response. In 2022, energy supply was the primary contributor to emissions, accounting for an astounding 36% of global greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to 20.9 gigatonnes of CO2. Transforming the energy market would therefore have the highest impact on climate change. Renewable energy sour ...