Aon, a global professional services firm, has released its Client Trends 2025 report, emphasising the growing interdependence of four powerful forces—Trade, Technology, Weather, and Workforce—that are shaping the operating environment for organisations worldwide.
The report draws on Aon’s extensive capabilities in both risk capital and human capital to explore how these mega trends overlap and amplify uncertainty for businesses and society.
“The mega trends of Trade, Technology, Weather and Workforce are creating unprecedented challenges for business leaders, who risk decision paralysis when urgent action is needed,” added Greg Case, president and CEO of Aon.
“The interconnectedness of these trends means that leaders need access to integrated data and analytics, capabilities and expertise to effectively respond to increasingly linked risk and people issues.”
According to the report, the convergence of global trade and technological advancement is accelerating innovation across supply chains.
While digital tools, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), offer opportunities for greater efficiency, they also introduce new layers of risk.
AI is increasingly essential in navigating regulatory challenges, data privacy requirements, and cyber threats. However, this reliance brings new vulnerabilities as businesses must now manage not only operational risk but also geopolitical tension and potential trade disruptions.
Technology’s influence on the workforce is another major theme. The use of AI in HR functions is transforming how companies recruit, manage, and retain talent.
As AI becomes embedded in workplace systems, organisations are working to reskill employees, ensuring they can effectively collaborate with machines while preserving critical human judgement. This shift is forcing a rethink of workforce strategy to balance technological efficiency with adaptability and innovation.
Climate-related risks are also growing more urgent. Aon’s recent 2025 Climate and Catastrophe Insight report estimates global economic losses from natural disasters in 2024 reached $368 billion.
These extreme weather events have implications not just for infrastructure but also for the people behind business operations. Employers are increasingly aware of how heatwaves, wildfires, and poor air quality can impact worker health, morale, and productivity, particularly in sectors reliant on outdoor labor.
Meanwhile, the impact of weather on trade continues to be felt. Aon points to the 2024 floods in Spain as a clear example of how climate shocks can disrupt supply chains.
In that case, severe flooding halted automotive production and logistics, exposing the fragility of just-in-time operations.
As a result, more companies are integrating climate risk into long-term planning, with a focus on building resilience through diversified sourcing and scenario analysis.
Aon’s report underscores how businesses must now navigate an environment where once-separate issues—such as workforce planning and climate resilience—are deeply linked. By understanding these points of intersection, the firm argues, leaders can make more informed decisions that address both near-term volatility and long-term sustainability.
