20 years of sustainable investing and what this tells us about the future - Flipbook - Page 16
• Low cost gyms will account for 75% of those in the UK and
Europe and the remaining 25% will be high-end differentiated
operations and specialise on yoga, spin and circuit training.
Communication – Harriet Parker
• The digital economy is now central to a properly functioning global
economy and this will continue to increase over the coming decades.
Digital technologies can enhance the productivity and reliability of
a wide range of sectors and improve quality of life through positive
impacts in areas including health and education.
• We expect to see ongoing shifts in the future of networking, systems,
applications and services, and, as part of this, will need to address
any negative impacts and concerns around privacy, surveillance
and disinformation, as well as how we use (or overuse) technology.
• Artificial intelligence could potentially personalise our experiences
within platforms and quantum technologies and computing make
networks faster and more available. Fibre optic cables’ data carrying
capacity has increased over a billion-fold in recent decades and the
scale and speed of electronic digital signal processing is likely to
continue up to the theoretical limits of computing.
• The internet will continue to play a vital role in how we communicate.
Satellites and aerial technology will enable faster access for
everyone, including those in remote locations. Developments are
likely to result in increased coverage and better and faster services,
such as data transfer. The coming years could see a shift towards
cell free networks, where users are surrounded by antennas rather
than the other way around.
• The world will move towards the Internet of Things where devices are
connected to enhance our experience and provide access to services
such as remote medical care. There may be a move from 2D on flatpanel devices to 3D where we extend the experience beyond sight
and sound through improved sensors or body sensory systems.
• We would also expect to see advances in Augmented Reality –
viewing the world through a technological overlay is likely to become
more advanced and available, and language barriers may continue
to reduce as we rely more on translation software integration.
Healthier lifestyles – Martyn Jones
• By the 2040s, we expect physical and mental health to be
important parts of everyday life, supported by employers and
governments and taken seriously by individuals. There is no
longer any stigma around taking care of mental health.
• Gyms and exercise studios will be on most high streets, part of
our offices and homes. There will be a mix of large and smaller
box format gyms, and 50% of the UK population will either be a
member of one of these or an online fitness community.
2017
Sustainable Investment team,
led by Peter Michaelis, moves
to Liontrust as part of the acquisition of
Alliance Trust Investments.
16 - Liontrust: 20 Years of Sustainable Investing
• Digital fitness classes and clubs will be popular with people
taking exercise as part of online social communities.
• Alternative and plant-based proteins will account for over half
of all protein sold, taking market share due to the taste, texture,
health and environmental benefits.
Finance – Chris Foster
• Commoditisation of mainstream banks will continue with
technology-first businesses continuing to eat into their profits and
more companies that nominally have nothing to do with financial
services making significant profits from this area.
• Physical cash will be a thing of the past, helping to reduce both the
tax gap and the shadow economy.
• Each government will have its own cryptocurrency and these will
be far more assimilated into everyday transactions.
• Everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geography, will
have access to affordable financial services, with a cashless payment
and savings system fostering greater financial inclusion in currently
underbanked countries.
Bonds – Kenny Watson
• The supply of green, sustainable and
sustainability bonds has increased in recent
years and we expect this to continue.
Shorter-term drivers include major
economies’ recovery packages from
Covid-19, focusing on social and
environmental challenges. These
include green stimulus packages,
attaching environmental conditions
and focusing on the development
of low-carbon services and
technologies.
• Increased transparency around
material ESG issues and how
private and public funds
are used will also improve.
Legislative
developments
such as the EU Green Bond
Standards and the EU
taxonomy will help drive this.
• Demand for ESG bonds has
moved beyond dedicated ESG
bond funds, with many investors
looking to increase the quality
of their standard portfolios. In
addition, there has been an
increase in the depth of issuers,
with Germany and Sweden issuing
green sovereign bonds, Goldman