7th Greece-Sweden Business Forum on "Climate Action: Challenges and Solutions"

The forum was held hybrid with the participation of distinguished speakers from the business and academic sectors, from Greece and Sweden with Microsoft Development firm.

The Hellenic-Swedish Chamber in collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden held on May 19, 2022, at the Benaki-Piraeus Museum 138, the 7th Greece-Sweden Business Forum entitled "Climate Action: Challenges and Solutions". The Forum was held hybridly with the participation of distinguished speakers from the business and academic sector, from Greece and Sweden, moderated by Ms. Maria Boura, Executive Advisor on Strategy, Leadership, 5G.

The opening of the Forum was announced by the President of the Hellenic-Swedish Chamber, Ms. Ourania Patsiopoulou, who after making a brief report on the goals and actions of the Chamber in Greece and Sweden, said:

"Sweden is a pioneer in the field of sustainable development, innovation and climate change. Given the already visible effects of climate change in our country, we consider it our duty to contribute to the exchange of ideas, views and best practices between the business world of the two countries, and to further strengthen our cooperation. In this context, I am proud of the valuable ideas and discussions that will take place today in the framework of the 7th Business Forum Greece - Sweden. "

Afterwards, the Ambassador of Sweden to Greece, SA addressed a greeting. Johan Borgstam, who described as "a great success for Greece", the new bill recently submitted to Parliament by the Ministry of Environment and Energy, for adaptation to climate change. On the occasion of the event, the Ambassador said:

"Climate change is already a harsh reality, which is rapidly evolving into the most serious crisis that humanity has ever faced. The final result is still largely unknown, as it largely depends on the actions we will or will not take today.

Sweden, a pioneer in this field, has taken a number of actions over the decades. "Events like this enhance transnational cooperation in terms of prevention strategies and successful management of the risks and challenges that arise, but also the exploitation of the opportunities that arise due to climate change."

The Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Mr. Christos Stylianidis, honored the Forum as a Keynote Speaker, noting, among other things, the following:

"The challenges of the climate crisis call us all for out-of-the-box thinking and immediate action , in three areas: the implementation of the Paris Agreement, the acceleration of actions at European level, as well as the strengthening of transnational and international cooperation. In this context, we welcome initiatives such as that of the Hellenic-Swedish Chamber that aim at the exchange of ideas and best practices between the two countries.

In Greece, we have committed at the level of Prime Minister to be pioneers in terms of actions to address the climate crisis and this is proven by the very establishment of our Ministry. Based on Prevention, Preparedness and Resilience, we promote a holistic policy to adapt to the climate crisis and upgrade the Civil Protection mechanism of the country, so that it effectively meets the needs of today and tomorrow of our country.

The first thematic section of the Forum, entitled "The Business Case of Climate Change", presented the latest data on the highly competitive (now) cost of Renewable Energy Sources and how sustainable "green transition" tactics can be applied without to affect the competitiveness of European companies. The risks and opportunities that arise, the required legislative interventions, as well as the ways in which climate change can be used as a new source of income by both large and small enterprises were also examined. The professor at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Tomas Kåberger, and the Deputy Director General of BSE, Dr. George Xirogiannis, agreed that the "key" for the smooth adaptation of businesses is the institutional framework,

The second section of the work was dedicated to "green energy" technology and the transport sector. All three speakers, Mr. Jacob Thärnå, Head of Sustainable Transport-Sales Marketing of Scania CV AB, Mr. Konstantinos Athanassiou, Local Business HSE & Sustainability Manager of ABB and the Professor and President of OASA, Mr. Ioannis Golias , argued that the technology for a sustainable transport system is already available and is constantly evolving at a steady pace in Europe. These technological tools are applicable to the wider transport sector, private and public, and what remains to be done is for the stakeholders to work more intensively to develop the relevant infrastructure and promote investment.

The representatives of three companies that have pioneered worldwide in the circular business model, had the opportunity to enjoy the audience that attended the 7th Business Forum Greece-Sweden. Ms. Anna Velikova, Regional Communications Manager REEU of H&M, Mr. Karl Esdjö, Director of Circular Solutions from Electrolux and Mr. Gustav Kruusval, Business Development of SKF RecondOil, presented specific, innovative industrial circular economy practices, with almost unexpected benefits , both for the companies themselves and of course for the environment. A common finding that emerges from all three of these different industries is that cyclical business models are primarily responsive to the now-environmental consciousness of the consumer.