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Extreme weather and biodiversity loss still seen as biggest risks over next decade

Extreme weather events and ecosystem collapse have, for the second year running, been confirmed as the risks which experts across the world are most concerned about over the next ten years.

The 2025 edition of the Global Risks Report from the Word Economic Forum (WEF).

Drawing on surveys of more than 900 risk experts, policymakers and industry leaders, the report provides a snapshot of the risks perceived to be the most likely and most severe over a two-year and ten-year horizon.

The top two risks for the next two years remain the same year-on-year, with misinformation and disinformation taking the top spot and extreme weather events in at second. Indeed, Christian Aid recently estimated that extreme weather events resulted in at least $200bn of costs and damages in 2024.

Storm damage in St Petersburg, Florida, in autumn 2024.

More than half of the respondents expect instability over the next two years.

And for a ten-year horizon, extreme weather continues to be classed as the top risk. Moreover, as was the case last year, experts believe a range of interlinked and cascading environmental risks will crystallise within a decade.

The top ten list for the next ten years includes biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse, natural resource shortages, critical change to Earth systems (i.e. climate tipping points) and pollution.

Yet the WEF found that many large businesses are not prioritising environmental risk management in their strategies. When businesses were asked which challenges they expect the highest benefits from addressing in terms of resilience, nothing related to climate and nature was in the top ten.

Corporations are far more likely to be preparing to address talent and labour shortages. Most are concerned about supply chain disruptions and more than one-quarter are preparing for disruptions to critical infrastructure, which can be caused by climate risks, but are not using environmental framing.

UK Fears Over-Burdening Airlines With Offsetting and Carbon Pricing Costs

The UK Government has set out measures to prevent airlines from both paying for carbon offsetting under a new mandatory international scheme, and paying carbon pricing under the UK’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

The Government has this week published its response to the advisory body’s most recent annual progress report to Parliament on the delivery of net-zero by 2050 – the nation’s long-term, legally binding climate commitment.

Airport expansion

Nonetheless, the Government’s official response to the CCC’s report shows that it is not prepared to take all of its recommendations on board.

The CCC urged the government to halt all airport expansion projects until a UK-wide passenger capacity management framework is in place to assess the aviation sector’s climate impact. Its report stated: “There should be no net airport expansion unless the carbon intensity of aviation is outperforming the Government’s emissions reduction pathway and can accommodate the additional demand”.

The Government has stated that it “recognises a role for airport expansion where it provides economic growth and is compatible with our legally binding net-zero target and strict environmental standards”. No pause will be implemented.

Shortly after the election, the green economy by approving expansion plans for London City Airport that will increase passenger capacity by up to 40%.

Expansion plans are also in the works for airports including Bristol, Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton.

Why Manufacturing Companies Should Adopt an ISO 9001 Quality Management System

ISO 9001 helps companies ensure that their processes are efficient, consistent, and meet customer requirements. It involves implementing standardised procedures and controls to monitor and improve the quality of products throughout the production cycle.

Manufacturing companies should adopt an ISO 9001 Quality Management System (QMS) for a variety of reasons. ISO 9001 is not only a recognised standard in the United Kingdom but is also an internationally recognised system for quality management, and its adoption can provide numerous benefits to a manufacturing company, such as improved quality, increased efficiency, and enhanced customer satisfaction. Combining these benefits usually leads to access to more markets and hence sales of a company’s products and/or services.

Improved Quality of Products and Services

ISO 9001 helps manufacturing companies to improve the quality of their products and services. The standard requires organisations to establish and maintain a documented quality management system that defines their quality objectives, policies, and procedures. This helps to ensure that all aspects of the manufacturing process are documented, controlled, and consistently executed, leading to a more reliable and consistent product or service. By adopting ISO 9001, manufacturing companies can also identify and address quality issues more effectively, leading to a reduction in defects, scrap, and rework. This, in turn, can help to reduce costs and improve profitability.

Increased Efficiency and Productivity

ISO 9001 can help manufacturing companies to increase efficiency and productivity. The standard requires organisations to continually monitor and improve their processes, which can help to identify and eliminate inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and waste. By streamlining processes, reducing waste, and increasing efficiency, manufacturing companies can reduce lead times, improve on-time delivery, and increase throughput. This can help to reduce costs, improve profitability, and increase competitiveness.

Enhanced Customer Satisfaction

ISO 9001 can help manufacturing companies to enhance customer satisfaction. The standard requires organisations to establish and maintain a system for monitoring customer feedback, which can help to identify areas for improvement and ensure that customer needs and expectations are met. By consistently meeting customer requirements, manufacturing companies can increase customer satisfaction and loyalty, leading to increased sales and revenue.

Effective Risk Management

ISO 9001 can help manufacturing companies to manage risk more effectively. The standard requires organisations to identify and assess risks and opportunities, and develop plans to address them. By identifying and mitigating risks, manufacturing companies can reduce the likelihood of quality issues and non-compliance with regulations, leading to a more robust and resilient organisation.

Improved Decision Making

ISO 9001 promotes improved decision within manufacturing organisations by fostering a data-driven approach, enhancing the understanding of processes, managing risks within the processes, conducting root cause analysis, prioritising customer needs, driving continual improvement, providing clear documentation, involving employees, and utilising performance metrics. These elements collectively create a structured environment that enables informed, proactive, and quality-focused decisions, leading to enhanced efficiency, customer satisfaction, and overall organisational success.

Employee Engagement and Empowerment

ISO 9001, a quality management standard, can significantly impact employee engagement and empowerment within an organisation. As ISO 9001 requires organisations to define and communicate roles and responsibilities, this clarity helps employees understand their specific contributions, increasing their sense of purpose and engagement.

The concept of process ownership, where employees are accountable for managing specific processes empowers individuals to make decisions, take initiative, and drive process improvements, fostering a sense of empowerment and engagement.

ISO 9001 encourages organisations to establish mechanisms for employee suggestions and feedback on process improvements. Engaging employees in the improvement process not only empowers them but also shows that their input is valued, enhancing their motivation and engagement.

The standard also emphasises identifying competency requirements and providing necessary training. By investing in employee development, organisations enhance their skills and capabilities, empowering them to contribute effectively and grow within the organisation.

Finally, ISO 9001 promotes effective communication at all levels of the organisation. Regular communication channels and involving employees in decision-making processes create a sense of belonging, value, and empowerment, leading to increased engagement.

Benefits When Bidding for Contracts

As ISO 9001 is an internationally recognised standard for quality management systems by having the certification, you demonstrate your commitment to meeting customer requirements and delivering quality products or services. This enhances your credibility and reputation, making you a more attractive choice for potential clients.

Many organisations and government agencies require or prefer suppliers with ISO 9001 certification, as it assures them of your ability to consistently deliver high-quality results.

The ISO 9001 certification provides a framework for implementing a robust quality management system (QMS). This system ensures that your business has effective processes in place to monitor and improve quality throughout all stages of project execution. This gives clients confidence that you have the necessary controls in place to meet their quality expectations.

Some industries and markets require ISO 9001 certification as a prerequisite for participation. By obtaining the certification, you can expand your business opportunities and gain access to these markets. This can open up new avenues for growth and increase your chances of winning lucrative contracts.

The ISO standard also has emphasis customer focus and satisfaction. By implementing customer feedback mechanisms, addressing customer complaints, and continuously improving your processes, you can build stronger relationships with your clients. Satisfied customers are more likely to recommend you to others and provide positive references during the bidding process.

Summary

Overall, adopting an ISO 9001 Quality Management System can provide numerous benefits to manufacturing companies. By improving quality, increasing efficiency, enhancing customer satisfaction, managing risk, making better-informed decisions, and increasing employee engagement, manufacturing companies can become more competitive, reduce costs, and increase profitability.

In addition, adopting ISO 9001 can help manufacturing companies to demonstrate their commitment to quality and their ability to consistently meet customer requirements. This can help to build trust and confidence with customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders, leading to increased business opportunities and partnerships. By adopting ISO 9001, manufacturing companies can also stay abreast of the latest trends and best practices in quality management, and continue to evolve and improve their processes over time.

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