Prospects 2017
International
Global economy
Weak trade and productivity, along with high debt levels and policy limitations, cloud the global economic outlook
_350.jpg "Employees work on a Computed Tomography 'CAT scan' at Siemens Healthineers (Reuters/Michaela Rehle)")
Manufacturing trends
While the sector is recovering, manufacturers are confronted with political, demographic and technological disruptions
Agriculture
Improvements in global weather conditions promise to lift agrarian output in large parts of the world next year
_263.jpg "A wheat farm in Australia (Reuters/Jason Reed)")
Climate governance
Backsliding by Washington threatens to unravel the international political consensus behind the Paris climate pact
Renewable energy
Renewable energy has strong momentum, fueled by climate change concerns and by increasingly favourable economics
Emerging economies
Downside risk is high -- protectionism, a high dollar, China debt and India cash crisis -- but fundamentals will improve
One Belt, One Road
2017 will be a critical year for China's One Belt, One Road initiative
Fossil fuels
OPEC has agreed to cut output, boosting the oil price, but upside prospects for fossil fuel prices appear limited
Cyber security
The importance of cyber security will rise as the Internet of Things becomes more widespread
Space
The next five years will determine the fate of the space-based services sector known as 'NewSpace'
Fintech
Fintech could shake up the banking and finance sector substantially over the next five years
AI
Artificial intelligence is developing at a pace faster than societies can deal with its implications
Autonomous transport
Autonomous transport will advance asymmetrically, with regulation and cyber security lagging technological progress
