At a time of great fragility and uncertainty, compounded by ever-growing appalling conflict and humanitarian tragedy, I am more concerned than ever before that our collective demands on the earth are outstripping what our planet can sustainably supply, and that if we are to avoid further unpleasant consequences, we will need to make fundamental changes to how we approach growth and development.
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Secondly, it seems to me that new economic tools and a broader economic understanding are urgently needed to help sustain the ecosystems and biodiversity that we rely upon for nearly every aspect of our welfare. A number of studies, including a global initiative called The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity, or TEEB, have compellingly demonstrated the true economic value of biodiversity and ecosystems. They demonstrate convincingly how, if this value were to be properly internalised into our decision-making, we would radically alter the economic calculus of our activities in favour of the protection, conservation and sustainable use of the natural capital that in turn sustains us, and upon which we depend.
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Thirdly, it seems to me that as much emphasis as possible should be given to what is being increasingly referred to as the circular economy. This economic system, based on restoration and intelligent use, is a potentially transformative concept that could lead us toward a vastly more secure, sustainable and resilient global economy. It strikes me as worthy of support at the highest levels. Whether as a means of combating the proliferation of plastic debris in the world's oceans, capturing nutrients or preventing the waste of scarce minerals in defunct consumer goods, the benefits would be wide-ranging and have local, national and international benefits. It is my fervent hope that more OECD member countries and their companies might take up this idea, make it their own and innovate to make it a reality, including through developing such circular-economic indicators for the OECD Better Life Index.

Fourthly, and finally, I would like to address the issue of infrastructure in cities. Given the enormous anticipated growth in the built environment over the next 10 years, it seems to me to be essential that we recognise the unsustainable burden that this will place upon our natural ecosystems, perhaps particularly with regard to water, but also upon human and social systems if we fail to transform the planning and design of urban development and break the conventional mould of "business as usual." In view of the trillions of dollars that will be spent, it is essential to ensure that this investment addresses not only the fundamental systemic relationships between cities and the natural environment, but also that it is designed to improve human well-being and human communities.