When business leaders from some of Sweden's largest companies gathered for a CEO lunch with one of the world's foremost climate scientists, Johan Rockström, on October 1, 2025, a clear scientific warning about the state of the planet was presented. At the same time, the willingness and capacity of the business community to take a strategic leadership role in the transition needed to reverse the trend was highlighted.
The initiative was taken by the Business & Biodiversity Sweden network together with Ecogain to provide business leaders with an up-to-date and scientifically grounded view of the planet's most pressing challenges. The CEO lunch also aimed to highlight the benefits of integrating nature into the business model and create a platform for informal conversations between business leaders and experts.
Katarina Walter, CEO of Ecogain, moderated the day. Also on stage was 11-year-old Irma, who set the tone for the day with a personal and engaging keynote speech about her fears for the future and the responsibilities of adults.
New research: Johan Rockström on the state of the planet
Professor Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, presented a worrying state of play based on new research, parts of which were as yet unpublished.
He noted that humanity has already exceeded seven of the Earth's nine planetary boundaries and that the situation continues to deteriorate. Temperature curves are rising more steeply than before, which means that the transition needs to happen faster than previously estimated.
Rockström also highlighted that nature's buffering capacity, which previously absorbed much of the emissions, now appears to be weakening. He emphasized the importance of a holistic approach: it is the interacting factors that affect nature's large systems, and it is not enough to focus only on temperature increases due to CO2 emissions. Understanding and managing the Earth's ecosystems requires taking several factors into account at the same time.
Nevertheless, there is still light at the end of the tunnel. The goal of limiting the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees is within reach, but requires rapid and coordinated action, says Rockström.
Global trends & industry initiatives for biodiversity
Anders Enetjärn, founder of Ecogain and the second speaker of the day, showed how several industries have already taken joint steps to strengthen biodiversity work. He highlighted two examples: Mining with Nature and the Mining Industry's Biodiversity Roadmap, which have been developed in broad collaboration within each sector. Together, these initiatives reflect a growing willingness to act at system level.
Mr. Enetjärn also provided an overview of global trends and concrete examples of companies integrating nature into their business models. He emphasized that this not only strengthens sustainability efforts but also brings business benefits.
It also highlighted the importance of integrating biodiversity into the company's strategy over the long term and setting targets that go beyond the quarterly results.
He also pointed out that biodiversity is still in a so-called 'pre-competitive space' - an area where companies are not yet competing with each other. This makes cooperation both possible and necessary to drive development forward and achieve sustainable results faster.
The balance between quarterly report and vision for the future
For many business leaders, the challenge is twofold: delivering profitability here and now - while building businesses that are robust and sustainable over time. A fundamental difficulty is that natural capital and ecosystem services are not visible on the balance sheet, making it difficult to value long-term investments in nature.
Ecogain believes that the way forward is to build knowledge and courage among those companies that dare to lead. By developing methodologies, standards and guidelines, the system can be changed step by step, so that those who perform best for the planet also become those who earn the most.
Business wants and can lead the transition
The lunchtime discussion was characterized by insightful discussions and clear engagement. Despite the seriousness of the scientific situation, there was a tangible will to act among the participants.
The day ended with a clear conclusion: politics needs the commitment and drive of the business community to ensure a sustainable direction forward. Businesses were highlighted as both pioneers and drivers of the transition - with the will and capacity to lead development towards a sustainable future.
Sweden's leading biodiversity business network
Business & Biodiversity Sweden is the business network where large companies and industry organizations come together to drive development and work with biodiversity as part of their business model.
Want to know more and join Sweden's leading network on biodiversity and business benefits?
