Released in July 2025, this is the eighth report from the ESPAS Horizon Scanning process, which monitors “signals of change” — emerging trends and issues shaping the future.
From a list of 15 identified signals, policymakers highlighted three emerging issues as potentially the most impactful:
• Militarisation of society – driven by growing demands for the military protection of critical infrastructures
• Digital tech giants acting like state actors
• A “green hype bust” – signalling waning public enthusiasm for net-zero sustainability goals
Read the full report to explore these trends and their implications.
