The Nordic countries are consistently ranked highly for innovation, productivity, sustainability, and wellbeing. Whilst successful to date, have the Nordics created a workable platform from which they can make the next great leap towards becoming truly sustainable economies? What progress is being made, and what are the significant challenges in this region? What can we learn from their successes, and to what extent are their practices exportable?
Earthshine Group was approached by Northeastern University to deliver a series of four online classes – in support of their ‘Sustainability in the Nordics’ summer programme – covering key sustainability topics in the context of the Nordic region, while drawing comparisons and insights with practices in the United States:
1. Sustainable business models.
2. The circular economy.
3. Sustainable investment issues.
4. The future for sustainability and the Nordic Model.
Session 1: Cracking the Code – Sustainable Business Model Innovation in the Nordics.
How do we generate profit, while being fully sustainable?
In the first session, we grappled with the key challenge at the very heart of the sustainable business transition – how do we generate a profit, while still being fully sustainable? Sustainable business model innovation is the engine room for success, but which companies are leading the way, and how will they need to change their blueprint for making money?
Session 2: Going circular in the Nordics – mission possible?
How do we integrate circular economy principles to deliver long-term success?
The Circular Economy is one of the hottest topics in sustainable business, right now. Going ‘circular’ enables radical shifts in both business and sustainability performance, through developing restorative and regenerative models that keep our products, components and materials at their highest utility and value, at all times. How do we get circular business models to work technically and commercially?
Session 3: Rebooting the investor mindset – a Nordic perspective.
What’s the business case for sustainable investment, and what’s behind the rise of ESG metrics?
One of the most vital enablers in our transition towards a more sustainable economic future is investment. We need to mobilize investment and reinvestment like never before; connecting financial capital with a host of unmet needs – and, we need to do so in universally affordable ways. Without adequate investment, nothing changes. How are progressive investors changing their approaches to support the transition towards a sustainable economy?
4. At the crossroads: The future for sustainability and the Nordic Model.
Whilst successful to date, have the Nordics created a workable platform from which they can make the next great leap towards becoming truly sustainable economies? What are the concerns for the future? To what extent is this model exportable to the US? Is the Nordic Model actually sustainable, and how will it need to be further improved, in order to meet the rigours of 21st century challenges?
Very engaging and thought-provoking online lectures on Sustainability in the Nordics — inspiring our students through the challenges of lockdown — we really appreciated Mike’s deep knowledge on sustainability, his considerable industry experience, and his insights on progress and challenges in the Nordic region. We look forward to the next time!
