World Economic Forum

Mining is an industry that many of us probably rarely think about, but one that provides the raw materials for so many of the things we use, not least the modern technologies such as smart phones and electric vehicles that require certain minerals that are not always in abundant supply. The International Energy Agency predicts that the demand for minerals will double by 2040. So how can we meet that demand in the most energy efficient and sustainable way? UpLink, the open innovation platform of the World Economic Forum, is inviting entrepreneurs who have answers to that question to take part in its Sustainable Mining Challenge - a competition that aims to pick the most promising startups in the field. On this episode we speak to Vivek Salgaocar, the founder of Prospect Innovation, which is the leading funder and business partner of the Sustainable Mining Challenge, and to Megan O'Connor, CEO and Co-founder of Nth Cycle, a company which is innovating in ways to better recycle mining waste. This podcast is published around the World Economic Forum's Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development. Find more information at and across social media using the hashtag #specialmeeting24. Links: UpLink Mining Challenge: Related podcasts: Check out all our podcasts on : - - : - : - : Join the :

CEO of Norsk Hydro, Hilde Merete Aasheim, shares insights on driving a green energy transition with low-carbon aluminum. She discusses the importance of partnerships, diverse leadership experiences, and the significance of upskilling in the aluminum industry amidst climate change and geopolitical challenges.

Guests from Breakthrough Energy and Amara Raja Energy & Mobility discuss scaling up advanced energy solutions for net zero goals. They explore AI in clean energy, global collaboration, battery technology, India's energy transition, and practical steps for achieving net-zero energy goals globally.

SUGI is a unique global organization that brings pocket forests -- ultra-dense, biodiverse forests leveraging the proven Japanese Miyawaki Method -- to cities all over the world. The group has built 200 pocket forests in 42 cities so far, with each providing a key form of "urban acupuncture" that can protect biodiversity, restore ecosystems, and even better reconnect people to nature. Founder and CEO Elise Van Middelem shares more about SUGi and how it got started - and the unique ways these projects are reviving places from England to Cameroon.  This interview was recorded at the Urban Transformation Summit in Detroit, Michigan in October 2023. 

In a polarised world, with the most powerful nations and the UN unable to prevent or end many wars, could the so-called 'middle powers' step up? This week's two guests, both members of the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on Geopolitics, think so, and say those countries might even consider setting up an 'M-10' of middle powers seeking to resolve conflicts and other problems. This podcast is published ahead of the World Economic Forum's Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development. Find more information at and across social media using the hashtag #specialmeeting24. Guests: Susana Malcorra, Senior Advisor at Spain’s IE University and former Argentinian foreign minister and UN Secretary General Chief of Staff. Bruce Jones, Senior Fellow with The Brookings Institution Co-host: Nicolai Ruge, Lead, Geopolitics and Trade at the World Economic Forum. Links: Davos 2024 session: Global Future Council on the Future of Geopolitics: Shaping Cooperation in a Fragmenting World: Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development: Related podcasts: Check out all our podcasts on : - - : - : - : Join the :

What workers want - and what keeps them motivated - has changed drastically in recent years. And with big technological and demographic shifts driving labor shortages, knowing how to both retrain and retain your workforce will be more important than ever. Randstad CEO Sander Van't Noordende will share insights from the talent firm's annual Workmonitor survey, giving a one-of-a-kind snapshot on how workers are thinking about everything from ambition, to purpose, to flexibility and pay. He'll also share what new habits leaders will need to adopt (including the value of microfeedback) and how leaders should be approaching everything from how they connect with workers to how they future proof their talent pipelines.  Recorded at the Annual Meeting in Davos, 2024.  Transcript here:

“Climate Capitalism is an antidote to the dominant narrative that because we’ve ignored the climate crisis for so long, it will soon be too late. While it’s true that we’ve not done enough yet, we’re nowhere close to being too late.” So says , Bloomberg’s senior climate reporter and host of the podcast Zero, in his new book Climate Capitalism, which looks at ways business and industry and finance can make, and in some cases are making, real progress on climate change. Mentioned in this episode: Links: Related podcasts: Check out all our podcasts on : - - : - : - : Join the :

For half a century, Nile Rodgers has been making hit records that have touched people's hearts around the world. The creative force behind disco pioneers Chic, and some of the best known songs of David Bowie, Madonna and Beyoncé, tells us the definition of an artist: someone whose work "speaks to the souls of a million strangers". But what if generative AI can make music that's just as good? Is AI a threat or a blessing to art and human expression? We also hear from the head of the Hollywood actors' union on why moviemakers went on strike over the threat posed by AI. And from Refik Anadol, a leading light in AI-generated art. Guests: , National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator of the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA Media Artist and Director, Refik Anadol Studio , musician and founder of the We Are Family Foundation Watch: Nile Rodgers interview: Podcasts: Check out all our podcasts on : - - : - : - : Join the :

As a busy mom working in tech, Ritu Narayan understood the chaos school logistics can bring to kids and parents. Her personal experience inspired her to found Zum, a startup providing an end-to-end solution for districts with optimized bus routes, one including bus fleets to match different-sized schools, and an approach that makes school transit transparent and efficient for the first time in a century. The startup was launched originally as an on-demand service and she shares the key questions that helped her pivot the company for scale -- questions that can help any founder make a big shift happen. She also discusses the unexpected impact family logistics can have on parents (such unpredictability can nudge some moms out of the workforce altogether) and how tackling that can boost opportunity for parents and kids alike. This episode was recorded at the World Economic Forum's Urban Transformation Summit in Detroit in October 2023. 

Theatre director Jude Kelly founded the Women of the World (WOW) Festival almost two decades ago to spur conversations about women, men and feminism. WOW is now a global phenomenon, but does the rise of online misogyny pose a threat to progress on gender equality. Jude Kelly, who spoke to Radio Davos on World Women's Day 2024, says why it is vital to include men in the conversations about an issue that affects us all. Links: WOW Foundation: Gender Gap Report: Podcasts: Check out all our podcasts on : - - : - : - : Join the :