2 Feb 2026
FULL PROGRAM FOR THE GOTHENBURG SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT
After a strong inaugural edition, Gothenburg Sustainability Summit returns in 2026 with a full programme focused on shaping an attractive and sustainable future.
The Gothenburg Sustainability Summit 2026 brings together research, leadership practice and real-world experience to explore how an attractive and sustainable future can be actively shaped. Across keynotes and conversations, the programme moves from envisioning desirable futures to examining the structures, tools and collaborations required to realise them.
The day connects long-term perspectives with concrete action, highlighting how leadership, entrepreneurship, policy and innovation can interact to accelerate systemic change. Together, the sessions form a coherent journey through the challenges and possibilities of the transition, with a clear focus on moving beyond incremental improvements towards transformation.
Full programme – Gothenburg Sustainability Summit 2026
Morning: Envisioning an attractive future
08:00
Registration and coffee
09:00
Opening of Gothenburg Sustainability Summit
Setting a shared direction for the day, with reflections on why the future question matters now and how leadership, collaboration and courage shape the path ahead.
Moderator: Malin Aghed
09:15
Envisioning Pathways to a Desirable Future (In English)
How future visions can be formulated and used as practical tools in strategic decision-making and long-term sustainable development.
Garry Peterson, Professor, Stockholm Resilience Centre
09:30
Utopian Stories
How imagination, storytelling and utopian thinking can expand our understanding of possible and positive futures.
Camilla Brudin Borg & Margaretha Häggström, University of Gothenburg
09:45
Continued Human Flourishing in the Age of AI (In English)
Ethical and philosophical perspectives on human wellbeing, dignity and leadership in an AI-shaped world.
Wakanyi Hoffman, Inclusive AI Lab, Utrecht University
10:10
Power and Space to Shape the Future
A conversation on motivation, trust and leadership across generations, and how belief in the future is translated into action.
Melker Wargbaner + additional speaker
10:25
Networking break & coffee
Late morning: Beyond organisational boundaries
11:00
Spheres of Influence (In English)
How organisations can move beyond internal emissions and activate their broader influence to drive systemic change across society.
Solitaire Townsend, Co-founder and Chief Solutionist, Futerra
11:50
Lunch
Afternoon: From commitments to collaboration
13:00
Entrepreneurship as a driver of the Future
A conversation on entrepreneurship as a force for societal transformation, scaling solutions and enabling impact.
Malin Frithiofsson, Guuled Mohamed
Moderator: Malin Aghed
13:25
From Global Commitments to Concrete Action
How international climate processes shape leadership, investment and decisions at national and local levels.
Mattias Frumerie, Sweden’s Climate Ambassador and Chief Climate Negotiator
13:40
Bridges for Long-Term Transition – Business and Politics in Dialogue
Exploring structures, friction points and collaboration pathways between business and policy to enable long-term transformation.
Mattias Frumerie, Charlotte Niklasson and Frances Sprei
Moderator: Kajsa Humlé Kirbe
Networking break & coffee
Late afternoon: Systems change and leadership
15:00
The Laghum Economy
A pragmatic proposal for reshaping market systems so that innovation and prosperity operate within planetary boundaries.
Stefan Krook, entrepreneur and author
15:30
Announcement of the 2026 WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award
Presentation of the award laureates to the WIN WIN Award (1 million SEK) and WIN WIN Youth Award (100,000 SEK) under the theme Gender-Equal Societies
Jonas Attenius, Sara Larsson, Martin Hultman, Annie Hohfält, Johan Holmén
16:05
From Vision to Action
Closing reflections on collaboration, direction and collective responsibility for the future.
Moderator: Malin Aghed
16:15
Continued networking in the lounge