Purpose on Payday January 2025: Spotlight on Davos

This year got off to a turbulent start. Executive orders upending federal climate commitments and DE&I targets, the declaration of an Energy Emergency, and the unravelling of GFANZ have set a tense backdrop. Yet, stepping onto the snowy slopes of the “Magic Mountain” (a term coined by Thomas Mann) in Davos, a different mood took hold - one of cautious optimism. 

This year’s World Economic Forum coincided with Donald Trump’s inauguration; an event impossible to ignore. His first executive orders targeted energy production and environmental rollbacks, seeing the elimination of more than 70 climate and green energy initiatives, including the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. But for all the debate these moves sparked, there was also a sense of realism: Trump’s “slash and burn” approach may not amount to such concrete policies, with one senior UK energy boss pointing out that despite Trump’s previous pledges to revive coal, production actually fell by 40% during his first term. His “drill baby drill” rhetoric might have set the tone of the next four years, but history suggests that market forces, technological progress, and corporate ambition will continue to shape the climate conversation, irrespective of political posturing. 

Whilst the impact of Trump 2.0 remains to be seen, his swift departure from climate change as a governing priority makes clear one thing: businesses and financial institutions can no longer rely on the binding consensus of the Paris Agreement. Progress on net zero will now depend on unexpected alliances – be it between energy giants and ecologists, or chief executives and farmers. From my perspective as a Davos newbie, the consensus on the ground was that collaboration has never been more vital and listening never more important.  

Last week I had the privilege of attending the World Economic Forum (by train, I might add) for SEC Newgate’s The Art of Creating Value event. Our event at the historic Heimatmuseum embodied this spirit of connection. Over the course of 10 curated events, SEC Newgate in collaboration with La Zuleta, convened philanthropists, chief executives, ecologists and activists, all focused on the theme Healthy People + Healthy Planet = Prosperous Future. It was a deep dive into humanity, sustainability and culture, designed to challenge, inspire, and foster community. 

Our event was a breath of fresh air - and not just because we were set 1,560 metres high in the Swiss Alps. From the launch of the GIB Asset Management’s Women in Climate podcast to panels exploring AI-driven women’s health solutions, blended finance and the global Wellbeing Economy, the Heimatmuseum offered an antidote to the corporate spiel that often dominates the Promenade. Here, conversations were authentic, meaningful, and refreshingly free from photo ops and performative ESG rhetoric 

Despite the shifting political landscape, our event provided a hub for optimism. Guests were quick to express their gratitude - and almost relief - at finding a gathering that prioritised genuine engagement over high-level posturing. Unlike the typical exchanges taking place just a five-minute walk down the road, our space encouraged authentic dialogue where discussions felt real, meaningful, and deeply rooted in a collective drive to create lasting impact - and not to mention included locally sourced food with artist talks and local folk music interspersed throughout the day.

Key voices at the event reinforced this sense of purpose. Panellists spoke of the urgent need to double down on successful collaborations, particularly between policymakers, industry, and investors, as a way to drive systemic change. They highlighted the power of storytelling in shaping a sustainable and inclusive future, and while they acknowledged the challenges of developing new ecosystems and infrastructure, they remained optimistic. For Rhian-Mari Thomas, CEO of the Green Finance Institute, “[t]here were always going to be boulders in the stream. But there is enough momentum - this is an unstoppable green revolution that will continue.”

Another key takeaway was the importance of redefining economic priorities by centring on the wellbeing of people and the planet in times of uncertainty. Comments made during the Wellbeing Economy panel particularly stuck with me - a discussion centred on the changing tides towards people-centred businesses - those that prioritise wellbeing, adaptability, and inclusion, even as regulatory pressures shift. Panellists highlighted that whilst politics may be pushing us back, companies and civil society should use these times as incentive to be the changemakers and push the positive agenda. As put by Antonio Hautle, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland: “Don't give too much room to certain persons who have a loud voice. There are many, many millions of people who are working in a complete other direction, including investors”.

The shared energy of those committed to change reflected an inspiring attitude not of retreat but of innovation and resilience. Beyond the scheduled debates, Davos remains about the serendipitous moments. A chance encounter on the train from Klosters or a discussion over mulled wine - these are the interactions that have the power to drive real change. Though facing headwinds, climate ambition and sustainability progress is not stopping. My experience at Davos was a reminder that collaboration and human connection remain our best tools for navigating an uncertain future.