WEF The Catalysts Unlocking Markets for a Sustainable Economy 2026

The Catalysts: Unlocking Markets for a Sustainable Economy WHITE PAPER AUGUST 2026

1 A defining moment for the “Catalysts” to step forward  6

1.1 The wrong trajectory for climate, nature and finance  6

1.2 Investment in climate and nature pays rich dividends  6

1.3 Step forward the “Catalysts”  8

2 Catalytic actors – a market-making force  9

2.1 How catalytic action triggers disproportionate change  9

3 Eleven case studies across three systems 15

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