FIBS, the largest corporate sustainability network in the Nordics, has updated its strategy to help companies achieve more sustainable business practices that consider the planet’s needs and boundaries. A key part of this strategy is the establishment of a new competence center for sustainable and regenerative business. The competence center will start operating in January 2026.
Sustainable development and corporate responsibility have been the subject of unprecedented scrutiny throughout the first half of the year. The new US administration’s cut list has included, among other things, the Paris Agreement on climate change and diversity and inclusion programs. The EU is currently trying to ‘lighten’ the corporate responsibility directives that were agreed upon only a year ago and have already partially entered into force. Views that emphasize economic growth instead of longer-term sustainability have also risen in Finland.
Despite all this, the long-repeated truth still holds true: the sustainable well-being of future generations requires that we secure the viability of the planet in this time.
In practice, this means breaking our ways of operating and thinking that are based solely on continuous economic growth and moving towards regenerative thinking that ensures the conditions for life instead of destroying them. This requires significant changes but also brings new opportunities for value creation in every sector of society, from food and energy production to housing and transport.
Based on these principles, FIBS, the largest corporate responsibility network in the Nordic countries, updated its strategy, which was announced today at the association’s 25th anniversary celebration at Finlandia Hall.
A key part of the new strategy is the Center for Sustainable Transformation and Regenerative Business, which will start operating at the beginning of next year. The competence center will provide concrete support for companies’ sustainability transitions and introduce them to regenerative thinking with concrete tools to guide them forward. The Center is reportedly the first of its kind in Finland.
According to Kimmo Lipponen, CEO of FIBS, supporting companies in their transition towards more sustainable and regenerative business is not only required but also inevitable in the future.
”We no longer have any options or time. The reckless destruction of nature, the accelerating warming of the climate, and the alarmingly steepening inequality of people in Finland as well as globally must be stopped. Simply reducing the harm will not do it. We know well enough that we cannot continually postpone the necessary changes to correct these problems, citing the struggling national economy, the geopolitical situation, and problems with international trade.”
Companies play a key role – Skills shortage must be solved
Companies play a key role in sustainable change and regenerative thinking: a large-scale sustainability transformation can only be achieved if companies invest in sustainable practices as part of their operational strategy.
However, sustainability work must also be commercially viable, which requires not only an increase in the number of experts in the field but also strong support from the public sector and political decision-makers.
”One of the biggest bottlenecks in corporate sustainability work is currently the shortage of experts in the green transition and sustainable business in general. Education and competence development in the field should be significantly increased. In addition, sufficient financial incentives supporting sustainable change, common rules of the game and predictable regulation guaranteeing a minimum level of sustainability are needed,” Kimmo Lipponen emphasizes.
Sustainability transformation also requires close cooperation between companies, the public sector and civil society actors. FIBS’s new competence center will therefore bring together experts from different sectors, including the scientific community.
The Center for Sustainable Transformation and Regenerative Business complements FIBS’s current service offering, which includes FIBS Basic services and FIBS Pro additional services, which are open to all FIBS members. The Center will be open to FIBS members and include additional service fees and funding.
FIBS will continue to produce its services together with top experts in various sustainability themes through the FIBS Partner program. The Center’s operations will also be based on domestic and international partnerships.
More detailed information about the Center’s operations will be published this coming autumn.
More information
Kimmo Lipponen, CEO, FIBS, +358 40 758 7247, kimmo.lipponen@fibsry.fi
Read the press release in Finnish here.
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