LAUNCHING GOTHENBURG SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT 2025

With just five years remaining until the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals deadline, and the world at a critical juncture, the WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award and CSR Västsverige are launching the Gothenburg Sustainability Summit – a forum for collaboration, innovation, and bold leadership.

On 9 April 2025, leaders from academia, business, politics, and civil society will gather at the University of Gothenburg’s auditorium to share knowledge, craft solutions, and take decisive action to accelerate the transition to a sustainable future.

"This is a five-year initiative leading up to 2030. While some leaders take steps backwards, we will show how to take bold steps forward," says Kajsa Humlén Kirbe, Executive director of CSR Västsverige.

Notable speakers already confirmed include leadership researcher Louise Bringselius, former US Vice President Al Gore (joining digitally), Deputy Director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre Lisen Schultz, industrialist Carl Bennet, General Secretary of the Inner Development Goals Jan Artem Henriksson, WIN WIN jury chairs Annie Hohlfält and Alexandru Al-Qassam, Västra Götaland’s Governor Sten Tolgfors, digitalisation specialist Carl Heath, transformation researcher Johan Holmén, and moderator Malin Aghed.

Trailblazing Leadership in Focus

In an era defined by climate change, growing social inequalities, and global crises, courageous and visionary leadership is vital. This year’s summit shines a spotlight on trailblazing leadership – as a driving force for change and a key to addressing complex societal challenges.

One of the day’s highlights will be the announcement of this year’s laureate for the WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award, themed Trailblazing Leadership.

By bringing together stakeholders ready to go beyond traditional solutions and embrace innovative approaches, the summit aims to drive tangible and long-term change. The day will address the external factors today’s leaders must navigate, alongside the internal skills required to face these challenges. At the same time, it will focus on how we can prepare tomorrow’s leaders to make sustainable, long-term decisions from the beginning.

"The biggest challenge is not finding solutions but having the courage to implement them. The Gothenburg Sustainability Summit is designed to inspire exactly that courage," says Sara Larsson, Executive director of the WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award.

Gothenburg – A Pioneer in Sustainability

As the largest port city in the Nordics and a hub for innovation, Gothenburg is leading the way in the transition to a more sustainable future. The summit, hosted in collaboration with the University of Gothenburg, further solidifies the city’s reputation as a global pioneer in sustainability efforts.

By uniting leaders and experts from around the world, the conference will act as a crucial platform for dialogue and action, aiming to drive meaningful change and advance sustainable development – both locally and globally.