T H E 1 2 T CEOS SAY THAT GLOBAL CHALLENGES “As a business, you need to completely H U N I embrace decarbonization for all the T ARE, PARADOXICALLY, ACCELERATING E obvious reasons, namely that climate D N THE GREEN TRANSITION A T change is it the biggest and most I O N Global challenges, while highly disruptive, urgent problem. However, hiding behind S G L decarbonization are many opportunities O are accelerating sustainability overall. B A CEOs recognize this moment in time as an that companies can take advantage of.” L C O M unprecedented opportunity: “The sustainability Ola Källenius, P A CEO of Mercedes-Benz C transition is a once-in-a-lifetime shift, and T - A brings with it huge opportunities for those who C C E N are willing to see and act,” says Girish Wagh, T U R Executive Director of Tata Motors Limited. “This ever-changing environment E C E Chief Executive Officer of AXA, Thomas Buberl, provides us the chance to identify new O S T adds, “We may look back on this period and U opportunities, pivot toward new ideas, D realize that it has been the biggest accelerator further embrace diverse perspectives, Y in our shift towards a more sustainable and reshape our purpose.” world. Let’s use this moment now to properly invest in long-term sustainable solutions.” Sue Y. Nabi, Chief Executive Officer of Coty Simultaneously, the idea of a ‘sustainability premium’ is breaking down. CEOs are increasingly realizing that sustainability “We need to develop programs that action can drive operational competitiveness, enable the monetization of sustainability excellence, and efficiency, while providing actions and create the financial businesses potential new growth avenues, incentives for companies to become spurring innovation, and attracting top-tier more sustainable.” talent. APRIL Group’s President, Praveen Rohan Lunkad, Singhavi, confirms, “Achieving our sustainability Executive Director of Rohan Builders goals improves our costs, grows our business and provides jobs and growth opportunities alongside the benefits to climate and nature.” For example, by embracing renewable energy, “In order to be resilient, one must be CEOs are future-proofing their business from committed to a sustainable goal and energy fluctuations and building operational creative enough to reach it. Now is the efficiency and reliability. Sustainability also helps moment where we can take action companies maintain their license to operate, and make a difference, but without as sustainability is also seen as a measure of the support of the public sector, responsible corporate action by communities, it’s impossible.” customers, and governments. Clara Arpa, CEO of ARPA CEOs are therefore accelerating their progress towards sustainability goals because of, not despite, global challenges such as geopolitics “UPM’s valuation is no longer based just and climate change. ZenSar Technologies’ on earnings or growth anymore. The other Interim Managing Director, Anant Goenka, big part of the valuation is based on confirms, “These global challenges are sustainability, leadership, culture, amplifying and accelerating the march towards and the values that you represent.” the ESG goals that we set for ourselves.” Jussi Pesonen, President and CEO of UPM-Kymmene Corporation 38 39