The New Resource Economy

Unstoppable forces are transforming energy, land-use and materials systems, exacerbated by geopolitical shocks.

This report emerged from a shared hypothesis by Systemiq and Chapter Zero that the net zero framing has not always best served the strategic domain of the boardroom. In some cases, it has narrowed the discussion to targets, emissions reductions and compliance, which have easily become politicised or siloed from the core business strategy. Meanwhile the climate and nature impacts on wider resource shifts are already being felt across the economy.

In January 2026, Systemiq and Chapter Zero convened an influential group of Chapter Zero members, including senior non-executive directors from across FTSE 350 and large, private organisations to discuss this hypothesis and explore how an alternative framing and vision could help galvanise action towards a low-emissions, climate-resilient future. This new way of working in deep collaboration with the board community has helped to shape and guide the thinking that follows, and these board insights are shared throughout the paper.

We thank all of these board members for being so generous with their time and perspectives. The ideas in here aim to start a conversation, hopefully many conversations, rather than present a single narrative or solution. Every board, every organisation and every individual board member has a different context, requiring different approaches and mindsets. However, the goal of a more resilient and flourishing economy and planet is a shared one.