Overview | McKinsey and the World Economic Forum

As a strategic partner, McKinsey supports the World Economic Forum’s mission of improving the state of the world.

McKinsey collaborates with the Forum through multiple industry action groups, research and publications that help inform the relevant global conversation, and participating in the annual meeting. In 2021, there are two events in place of the usual annual meeting. The Davos Agenda, a virtual event in January convened global leaders under the theme of “A crucial year to rebuild trust.” A special live annual meeting is being planned for Singapore later this year.

Climate Change | Sustainability | Social Justice | Pandemic

Featured Insights

Article

Is the world up to the challenge of mass COVID-19 vaccination?

February 8, 2021 – Amid the unforeseen effects of the pandemic on at-risk and lower-income communities, governments and organizations around the world must convene to ensure effective distribution of newly developed vaccines.

Report

Why investing in nature is key to climate mitigation

January 25, 2021 – A new consultation paper from McKinsey and the World Economic Forum explores the role that natural climate solutions can play in helping to address climate change and the destruction of nature.

Article

The Fourth Industrial Revolution and manufacturing’s great reset

September 14, 2020 – Manufacturers that are ahead in scaling advanced production technologies are successfully navigating four durable shifts that are critical to managing unprecedented disruption.

World Economic Forum – McKinsey action groups

Automotive

Seeks to help the automotive industry survive and emerge stronger from the crisis.

Learn more

Aerospace, Aviation, and Travel & Tourism

Looks closely at managing the restart for aerospace, aviation, and travel and tourism.

Learn more

Advanced Manufacturing

Focuses on strengthening supply chains and building resilience in the next normal.

Learn more

Supply Chain and Transportation

Looks to address bottlenecks in areas such as air cargo, and shed light on issues that could impede a concerted response.

Learn more

Europe and Eurasia

Considers and develops recovery strategies for the post-COVID-19 era, with a focus on pan-European collaboration.

Learn more

World Economic Forum – McKinsey Collaborations

The Future of Production

Seeks to shape the future of advanced manufacturing and production through “lighthouse” factories.

The Future of Sustainable Mobility

Looks to bridge the public trust gap and accelerate the transition to cleaner, safer, more inclusive mobility systems.

The Future of Climate Risk

Addresses the future of natural capital and the clean skies of tomorrow.

Featured collaborations

Forging ahead: A materials roadmap for the zero-carbon car

January 14, 2021 – The systems-wide change needed to create circularity in the automotive sector and sometimes seem costly and prohibitive. However, as this report demonstrates, significant abatement is possible for the auto industry with very little additional added vehicle material cost.

Download the report

Clean skies for tomorrow: Sustainable aviation fuels as a pathway to net-zero aviation

November 20, 2020 – A transition to carbon-neutral flying is possible and sustainable aviation fuels are the most promising decarbonization pathway in the near term.

Download the report

Ramping up operations and business activity post-COVID-19

June 4, 2020 – Four strategic actions can help companies to effectively prepare and ensure a successful ramp-up of production and business activity for a post-COVID-19 world.

Read the executive briefing

Resuming operations and business activity post-COVID-19

June 4, 2020 – Perspectives on how companies can return to work and resume operations and business activity as early as possible, while ensuring employees’ safety and preventing new infections.

Read the executive briefing

Global Lighthouse Network: Insights from the forefront of the fourth industrial revolution

January 10, 2020 – This paper looks closer at 14 “Lighthouse” manufacturers that show how end-to-end innovation in the value chain can improve productivity, operating cost, and speed to market.

Read the report

Industry’s fast-mover advantage: Enterprise value from digital factories

Manufacturing’s leaders in applying Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) digital technologies are building on their head start—generating even more value across the entire enterprise.

Read the article

The future of the last-mile ecosystem

What’s ahead for urban deliveries? This new report analyzes interventions—such as the use of electric vehicles and parcel lockers—that could lower emissions and congestion considerably.

Read the report

3 ways we can help women join the age of automation

The public, private, and third sectors need to work together to support women to make the transitions they need to thrive in the automation age, write Anu Madgavkar, Vivian Hunt, and Lareina Yee in World Economic Forum.

Read the article

How AI can improve disaster resilience and relief

Natural disasters are increasing in frequency and ferocity. Here's how AI can come to the rescue.

Read the article

Transforming rural mobility in Japan and the world

Unreliable rural transit systems are a strain for senior citizens in Japan; a new white paper provides a framework for potential solutions.

Read the report

How to incentivize food systems to meet the realities of the 21st century

Today’s food systems don’t address the needs of people or the planet. New research from the World Economic Forum and McKinsey lays out a road map to create the needed incentives.

Read the article