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Greenpeace film calls out Dove for plastic pollution

Toxic Influence by Greenpeace, UK

UK – Non-profit organisation Greenpeace UK has released a film, Toxic Influence: The Dark Side of Dove, targeting personal care brand Dove and its parent company Unilever over their contribution to plastic pollution.

Directed by BAFTA-nominated film-maker Alice Russell, the film depicts mothers and daughters conversing after they are shown footage of the large-scale impact of Dove’s plastic waste. Released on the 20th anniversary of Dove’s Real Beauty campaign, the film subversively mirrors Dove’s acclaimed 2022 film, Toxic Influence.

The non-profit organisation is urging Dove and Unilever to phase out single-use plastic and transition to re-usable packaging in the next decade. According to a Greenpeace International report, Dove produced an estimated 6.4bn super-polluting plastic sachets in 2022.

In response, Unilever acknowledged the need for ongoing efforts: ‘Our updated plastic goals are stretching and focus on the areas that we know will have the most impact. But, our work is far from over.' (source: The Ecologist).

In Subversive Sustainability Ads, we analysed how brands are using humour and irony to make entertaining content about sustainability. Greenpeace subverts Dove’s Toxic Influence film to reveal the contradiction between Dove’s empowerment messaging and its environmental impact.

Strategic opportunity

Be transparent about your business’ sustainability goals, timelines and progress to build trust with consumers. Set targets for reducing plastic waste, for instance, and regularly update your stakeholders and customers on progress and achievement

Oakley launches Born to Rewild collection

Oakley Born to Rewild, US

Global – Sport and lifestyle brand Oakley has unveiled its latest collection, Born to Rewild, blending the essence of nature with technical innovations.

Leading the collection is Plantaris Eyewear, a unique pair of sunglasses with temples inspired by the muscle in a frog’s leg that lets it leap and a high-wrap dual lens design that is adapted from early 2000s eyewear.

Embracing biomimicry, the temples grip the head while a detachable nose cone allows for customisation to suit different environments.

The collection also features a Latitude Flex Vest, part of Oakley’s technical outerwear line. Built for multi-layering to adapt to varying outdoor weather conditions, the tailored vest is equipped with roam-ready features, ample storage and a multi-purpose pocket system.

The Plantaris Eyewear reflects a wider trend of looking to nature for inspiration, as explored in the Biophilic Bonds section of Innovation Debrief 2024–2025. Oakley’s latest collection also follows the trend of fashion brands optimising physical performance through innovative garments such as sunglasses or sock lines, as we previously analysed in our Wellbeing Wear report.

Strategic opportunity

Design products that fuse innovation and biomimicry to create nature-inspired functionality that appeals to eco-conscious consumers and tech enthusiasts seeking smart, sustainable design

UN Summit of the Future signs pact to govern AI responsibly

US – On 22 September 2024, world leaders endorsed a pioneering Pact for the Future, aimed at transforming global governance. This comprehensive agreement includes a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations, addressing peace, security, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation and human rights.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasised: ‘We cannot create a future fit for our grandchildren with a system built by our grandparents.’

Key commitments involve reforming the Security Council, advancing nuclear disarmament and preventing the weaponisation of new technologies. The Pact also promises to enhance financial support for developing countries and confirms the need to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C.

The Global Digital Compact, a significant element of the Pact, commits leaders to connect all individuals to the Internet and govern AI responsibly. But the pact and its annexes are non-binding.

For more insights on future governance, head to our Envisioning Tomorrows: Dubai Future Forum report.

Energy Vault and SOM, US

Strategic opportunity

Consider developing frameworks to ensure AI systems are used ethically, prioritising transparency, fairness and accountability. Can you set up an ethical committee or advisory board to oversee AI deployment in your organisation?

Stat: China challenges US as top global travel market

Photography by Dynamic Wang, Hainan, China

China – In 2023, China’s travel and tourism sector contributed £972bn ($1.3 trillion, €1.2 trillion) to its GDP, securing its position as the world’s second-largest travel market. By contrast, in the US – the largest travel market – the sector contributed £1.76 trillion ($2.36 trillion, €2.12 trillion) to the economy.

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s 2024 Economic Impact report, China’s travel sector grew by 135.8% in 2023, propelled by the easing of pandemic restrictions.

With international travel demand booming across Asia, China’s rapid recovery has outpaced other key markets such as Japan and Germany. With the global travel market projected to reach £8.3 trillion ($11.1 trillion, €9.9 trillion) by 2024, China’s growing middle class and increased outbound travel make the nation a pivotal force in shaping the future of global tourism.

Our Destination Debrief: Hainan report explores how domestic locations such as Hainan –often dubbed the ‘Hawaii of China’ – are evolving into global travel hotspots, contributing to China’s ongoing tourism boom.

Strategic opportunity

As China’s middle class grows, so does the demand for luxury and unique travel experiences. Brands can create tailored, high-end packages focusing on cultural exploration, eco-tourism and wellness to capture this expanding market