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Ten Reasons for Optimism in 2023

JANUARY 9, 2023

If 2022 was a year of crisis, 2023 could well be a year of accelerated progress toward resolving some of the planet’s most vexing challenges. Climate, energy, health, food, and humanitarian crises—which have been exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and mounting economic uncertainty—have inspired business leaders to take bolder action and strengthen their commitments to society.

Business leaders will of course still be contending with uncertainty on multiple fronts, but there are abundant grounds for optimism. Innovation that’s been percolating for years is attracting the investment and nearing the production scale needed to change the game in everything from renewable energy to sustainable agriculture and consumer goods. Stronger government action has ignited a global race to decarbonize emissions-intensive industries. International partnerships are mobilizing to help low-income nations achieve a just energy transition and build more resilient food systems. Artificial intelligence is helping policymakers address complex socioeconomic challenges. The upheaval in Big Tech is creating opportunities for talent-starved companies to find the people they need.

We asked ten BCG experts about the most exciting opportunities and developments to watch in their fields in 2023. Here’s what they had to say.

Meet the Experts

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Nathan Niese

Partner & Associate Director, Electrification & Climate Change

Chicago

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Shruthi Baskaran-Makanju

Partner

Seattle

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Tim Figures

Partner and Associate Director, EU & Global Trade and Investment

London

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Kar Min Lim

Principal

Singapore

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Kanika Chandaria

Lead Venture Architect, BCG X

London

Sophia Davies

Sophia Davies

Platinion Senior IT Architect

London

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Henry Fovargue

Alumnus

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Juliana Lisi

Associate Director, Change Management & People Strategy

Boston

Sean Singer

Sean Singer

Alumnus

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Jeff Kiderman

Partner; BCG Henderson Institute Ambassador

Washington, DC

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