Public Lecture – 05.05.2020: How can organisations use scenarios to deal with sustainability?

As the 17 UN Sustainability Goals demonstrate, sustainability is a vast and complex subject. But how do institutions and corporations deal with these challenges? Is the reaction one of “can do” or is it more one of impotence? Do they look at sustainability as a series of risks, or opportunities? And how do they deal with the interdependencies that are all pervasive in the world of sustainability? What role can scenario analysis play? This lecture, inspired from the world of practice, takes a glimpse at organisational behaviours that drive the way in which we deal with the multiple challenges posed by sustainability.

Ciarán McGinley has 35 years of experience in inter-governmental organisations, intellectual property and innovation. He has held a wide range of strategic positions at the European Patent Office (Chef de Cabinet, Controller, Board Member). During his time at the EPO, he created the Chief Economist function, initiated the OECD working relationship and set-up the acclaimed Scenarios for the Future of Global Patenting. More recently he has supported both institutional and corporate clients in their strategic development and use of scenario planning in the areas of energy, city travel, water, education, mining and construction. Ciarán holds an MBA from HEC, Paris and a BSc in Aeronautical Engineering from Bristol University. Ciarán lives in the Netherlands and speaks English, French, Dutch and German.