The issue
Towards an Economy That Cares for People and Planet
We live in an era of escalating environmental crises and entrenched social inequalities—an era that demands a profound transformation from extractive, short-term economic models toward resilient systems rooted in justice and sustainability.
Our prevailing consumer culture is a key culprit in this crisis. Overconsumption has pushed the Earth beyond its carrying capacity and accelerated resource depletion, habitat destruction, and ecosystem decline. The fashion industry alone, driven by fast-fashion dynamics, produces some 80 billion garments annually, with 85% of clothing ending up in U.S. landfills and virtually none being recycled. These patterns not only threaten environmental health but erode social cohesion and shared well-being, as consumerism encourages materialism, status-seeking, and individualism over community and connection.
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Mounting evidence also exposes the harm of extractive practices cloaked in “green” ambition. Between 2016 and 2024, financial institutions invested nearly $800 billion (combined equity and bonds) in critical “transition” mineral extraction—mining that has devastated forests, displaced Indigenous peoples, and disrupted biodiversity across sensitive ecosystems.
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But change is not only necessary—it’s possible. Studies show that economies with greater economic complexity—diverse, knowledge-rich production that challenge our current addiction to growth—tend to achieve stronger environmental outcomes, including better life expectancy, improved sanitation, and protected areas. Importantly, such sophistication also correlates with a higher likelihood of civic engagement—people are more likely to join environmental movements or volunteer for causes aligned with sustainability.
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This evidence underscores what we believe: we must gradually but purposefully transition to economic and cultural systems that uplift collective well-being and preserve ecological integrity. We aim to shepherd a softer form of prosperity—one that nurtures strong communities, respectful production, sustainable consumption, and fair livelihoods—all in defense of both human dignity and the living world.
Our strategy
A multitude of initiatives, movements, alliances, research and theories have emerged in response to the poly-crisis the world is wrestling with. Aware of the limitations of the mainstream economic system, they challenge its underpinnings and incarnate new models of purpose, social bonds, governance and value distribution. Our three-pronged strategy contributes to this emergence:
Impulsing local experimentations
We are funding localised transition initiatives bound by strong social foundations and ecological ceilings such as communal places, or transitioning towns and cities
Scaling education and catalysing knowledge exchange
We are scaling education programmes and technical assistance on regenerative and wellbeing economics addressed to key strategic audiences such as youth, leaders and decision-makers
Reclaiming the narrative
We are funding narrative changemakers and strategic communications work portraying evidence-based yet hopeful visions of a wellbeing society