International System Change Compass

The interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution cannot wait for humans to spend years discussing solutions, policies, and institutions. National and international systems have to change faster, which means redefining the goals that governments set themselves and the ways that everyone works to reach those goals.

The International System Change Compass sets out the scope of the change needed. On their own, emissions reductions through incremental efficiency gains will lead to disaster. Minor changes within the current economic system won’t solve the resource crisis; they won’t solve the biodiversity crisis; and they won’t address fundamental injustices across the world and within societies. Only a holistic approach toward system change that addresses the impact of Europe’s resource usage and overall consumption footprint can achieve the inclusive transition needed to save our planet and provide a fair future for us all.

This report is co-authored by SYSTEMIQ, The Club of Rome, and the Open Society European Policy Institute. It was collaboratively written by Matthias Ballweg, Donald Blondin, Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Heather Grabbe, Bertram Kloss, Julia Okatz, Janez Potočnik, Maria Jose Rodezno Ayestas, Anna Schwarzmann, Frauke Thies, Isabella Wedl, and Laura van der Zande. It builds on the analysis first presented in the System Change Compass from 2020 co-written by The Club of Rome and SYSTEMIQ.