Inspiration

Johan Rockström is director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and professor of Earth System Science at the University of Potsdam. As a leading scientist in the field of global sustainability, he has made an international name for himself with his concept of planetary boundaries. This groundbreaking model, which has now become a central building block of sustainability science, shows how far human activities can go without endangering the stability of our earth system. His research spans a wide range from the resilience of the earth in the Anthropocene to tipping points in the earth system to the transformation of the food system and the sustainable use of global water resources. With a clear focus on the challenges and opportunities of the Anthropocene, Rockström addresses key questions of sustainability and the necessary transformation to secure the future of our planet.

Thomas Wunder is a German economist, consultant and thought leader in the field of strategic management and sustainability. Since 2010 he has been a professor of business management at Neu-Ulm University. He also develops and leads sustainability programs for managers at the EBS Executive School of the EBS University of Business and Law. He is also the founder of the management consultancy Sustainup GmbH. Dr. Wunder combines many years of experience as a management consultant and managing director with a clear vision: Only by intelligently combining economic, ecological and social value creation can companies and society become sustainable. His work provides current and future managers with scientifically sound and practical approaches to successfully develop and implement sustainable strategies.

Paul Polman is an economist, activist and author who advocates for faster action on climate change and social inequality in the economy. As CEO of Unilever (2009-2019), he proved that purpose-driven companies can be both sustainable and profitable. During his tenure, shareholder returns increased by 290% and Unilever was recognized as a global leader in sustainability. Today, Polman is committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, supporting systems change through initiatives such as Systemiq and promoting new economic models in industries such as fashion and food. He is also an ambassador for Race to Zero and is working with institutions such as Oxford University, INSEAD and One Young World to develop the next generation of leaders. Polman also supports human rights projects such as Valuable 500 and the Kilimanjaro Blind Trust, founded by him and his wife Kim, which works to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities.