The newly created Hoffmann Centre for Global Sustainability (HCGS) will deliver world-class research to inform sound and actionable policy. HCGS takes a systemic approach, integrating environmental, natural, political, and social dimensions. Conservation and valuation are at the core of this approach, as achieving effective conservation requires recognizing the value of nature and advancing evidence-based policy solutions. 

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Centre has been invited to participate in and contribute to six events, with discussions focused on rethinking conservation, sustainability and business practices.

Key Messages HCGS brings to Davos are the following:

• Nature Valuation and Conservation: The HCGS emphasizes that achieving effective conservation requires recognizing the value of nature and advancing practical market-based solutions. Voluntary carbon markets are failing— they are fragmented, costly, and lacking credibility. Nature credits measured in CO₂ tons are inappropriate and ineffective. Science and evidence call for new approaches such as large-scale jurisdictional projects that address leakage and additionality, and boosting demand through global contributions (e.g., $5/month from the wealthiest billion) which can unlock $60 billion annually for biodiversity.

   

• Climate and Nature as Global Commons: The HCGS highlights that funding is underprovided due to demand-side issues, while efforts have overemphasized supply. Nature’s local, non-tradable characteristics differ fundamentally from CO₂ markets. A paradigm shift is needed to ensure sustainable funding models for nature conservation.

   

• Systemic Solutions for Sustainability: The HCGS advocates for a truly global approach, both in terms of geography and disciplinary scope. Solving environmental challenges requires fostering sustainable and peaceful democratic governance, as well as an inclusive and incentive-compatible sustainable economy.

   

The Hoffmann Centre is led by Professors Beatrice Weder di Mauro, the André Hoffmann Chair of Global Economics, Climate, and Nature Finance, and Professor Dominic Rohner, the André Hoffmann Chair in Political Economics and Governance. Both professors bring extensive expertise to the Centre, with Professor Weder di Mauro’s renowned career as researcher and policy advisor and as President of the leading global network of academic economists, CEPR, and Professor Rohner’s award-winning research in peacebuilding, governance, and environmental policies and his leadership of several expert groups on fostering sustainable peace.