Creating a Future-Ready Economy: A Call to Action - Business in the Community

Creating a Future-Ready Economy: A Call to Action

Post author image. Carley Connell
Peter Ramsey, Head of Business Action for a Just Transition at Business in the Community, informed by insights from BITC’s new report Creating a Future-Ready Economy, reflects on how, as global attention turns to COP30, the UK has a timely opportunity to act on turning environmental and social challenges into long-term economic opportunity.
November 14, 2025

Creating a Future-Ready Economy: A Call to Action

Peter Ramsey, Head of Business Action for a Just Transition at Business in the Community, informed by insights from BITC’s new report Creating a Future-Ready Economy, reflects on how, as global attention turns to COP30, the UK has a timely opportunity to act on turning environmental and social challenges into long-term economic opportunity.

As global leaders gather for COP30 in Belém, the UK faces a defining question: how can we build an economy that is resilient to environmental, social and geopolitical shocks and delivers prosperity for everyone?

Over the past year, Business in the Community (BITC), in partnership with Royal London and with analysis by the University of Exeter, has brought together leaders from business, academia, civil society, and communities to answer that question. The result is our new report, Creating a Future Ready Economy.

Drawing on contributions from more than 100 experts and practitioners, from business, academia and community forums, the report distils what it will take to deliver lasting economic growth that benefits people and nature. 

Harnessing BITC’s unique ability to connect business ambition with community insight and national policy, we engaged leaders from government, business and civil society directly, to test ideas, invite challenge, and translate our shared ambition into practical next steps.

What the Report Calls For

The findings are clear and actionable:

  • Work together for resilience and future-readiness. Government, business, and civil society must collaborate to build an economy that can adapt to the shocks that are escalating as Earth’s systems become less stable.
  • Turn environmental challenge into opportunity. Tackling the climate and nature crises is the best route to lasting prosperity, through new markets, jobs and skills.
  • Co-create a shared vision. Success requires a long-term national vision, cocreated with input from diverse stakeholders across the UK, devolved powers and resources to deliver and clear indicators of progress.
  • Empower business and communities. Innovation is happening locally and within companies. Government must remove barriers and scale what works.
  • Lead at home to lead globally. The UK’s record on responsible business and climate action must now be translated into domestic delivery in order to maintain a global leadership position.

From Insight to Action

Creating a Future-Ready Economy shows how addressing the environmental emergency and aligning investment, skills, and place-based collaboration can unlock growth that is inclusive and resilient. It offers practical recommendations for government and business alike – from financing green infrastructure to supporting a just transition for workers and communities.

BITC will now work with members and partners to turn these recommendations into reality: co-designing solutions with communities, supporting businesses to embed just transition principles, and tracking progress through shared metrics.

In the words of one of our research participants: 

Either we actively shape a transition to an economy that works for people and planet, or we will have change forced upon us through system collapse, resource scarcity, and compounding crises. There is no third option. There is no status quo.

It is time for business and government to work together to build a future-ready economy as the foundation for long-term prosperity and public trust. Acting now will show that the UK is serious about delivering on its climate commitments and that acting on those commitments can create opportunity for all.

Explore the full analysis, case studies, and recommendations in Creating a Future Ready Economy. Download the report and join us in building an economy that works for people and planet — now and for the long term.

Understand the importance of creating a future ready economy and how addressing social and environmental challenges can drive economic growth.

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