The KE2045 workshops examined how global governance, supply chains and economic systems must evolve to support a sustainable knowledge economy by 2045. Participants identified growing misalignment between institutions and emerging global challenges. Key priorities include reforming global governance, strengthening sustainable supply chains, accelerating the energy transition and developing financial systems that better value global public goods.

Knowledge Economy 2045

A vision for the future

Theresa Reichstadt, Susan Guthrie, Adam Urwick

Expert InsightsPublished Mar 13, 2026

The Knowledge Economy 2045 (KE2045) initiative explores how global governance, economic systems and technological infrastructures must evolve to support a sustainable and inclusive global economy by 2045. Moving beyond a narrow focus on net-zero emissions, KE2045 frames decarbonisation as part of a broader transformation toward a knowledge-driven global economy in which innovation, collaboration and stewardship of planetary resources underpin prosperity.

To support this vision, RAND Europe convened a series of workshops using the Three Horizons foresight framework. Participants from academia, policy, law, energy, and international governance examined how the current global system might transition toward a more resilient, equitable, and multipolar order. The discussions focused on two key themes: the evolution of global governance and institutional frameworks, and the restructuring of supply chains, energy systems and financial architectures.

The workshops aimed to identify practical pathways for reform between 2025 and 2035 that could enable the emergence of a knowledge-based global economy by 2045.

Key Findings

Global governance systems are struggling to address emerging systemic challenges

Many international institutions were designed for a different geopolitical and economic context and are increasingly misaligned with current global challenges such as climate change, technological transformation and supply chain instability. Participants highlighted the need for governance models that are more adaptive, representative and capable of addressing cross-sector issues.

Economic and supply chain systems are shifting from efficiency toward resilience

Recent global disruptions have exposed vulnerabilities in highly optimised supply chains. Participants emphasised the importance of integrating resilience, sustainability and fairness into global production and distribution networks while maintaining economic competitiveness.

Digital and technological infrastructures are reshaping the global economy

Data systems, digital platforms and hybrid digital-physical infrastructure are increasingly central to how economies function. While these technologies offer opportunities to enhance efficiency and coordination, they also raise new governance challenges related to cybersecurity, market concentration and regulatory oversight.

Recommendation

Participants identified several priorities for policymakers. These include reforming global institutions to improve representation and legitimacy, embedding resilience and sustainability within supply chain governance, accelerating the energy transition through aligned infrastructure investment and policy incentives, and developing financial mechanisms that reward contributions to global public goods. Strengthening digital infrastructure and data governance frameworks was also highlighted as essential to support future economic systems.

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Reichstadt, Theresa, Susan Guthrie, and Adam Urwick, Knowledge Economy 2045: A vision for the future. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2026. https://www.rand.org/pubs/conf_proceedings/CFA4810-1.html.
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