On 24 September Vattenfall is hosting an open seminar on how bad news fatigue can be avoided when communicating around climate change. Anna Borg, CEO and President of Vattenfall, shares her own reflections.
We asked three questions to Anna Borg, CEO and President of Vattenfall:
Why is it important to discuss how we talk about climate change?
Because when the challenge is so big and the required transformation of our society so large we need to also hear and see the good examples, the progress. Climate change is the most important issue of our time to deal with and it is the responsibility of all of us to leave a safe, liveable world for future generations. To get there it’s also important to have a business perspective where you can build business models that there is actually a demand for. If the dooms day scenario is all we are exposed to, it’s easy to lose hope, to give up trying. I am absolutely convinced that we can live a modern, comfortable life with a reasonable climate footprint. But we need to all join forces to get there.
Electrification of our society has become a major tool for fighting climate change, a societal change comparable to the industrial revolution. What gives you the most hope?
The energy transition alone will not solve the climate crisis, but it is an incredibly important piece of the puzzle. Unfortunately, many times more focus is put on highlighting the hurdles and problems. We need to shift the focus to the possibilities; jobs, innovation, growth, welfare. In my role, I have the privilege to meet business leaders, policy makers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and climate activists and there is an incredible drive and will to succeed with the challenges ahead. That gives me energy and hope.
What is the responsibility of an energy company like Vattenfall?
We have set out to be a leader in the energy transition; our work should enable the fossil freedom that drives society forward and we should do this by conducting profitable energy business. Our own climate and biodiversity goals is a prerequisite to be competitive. Sustainability is the business. As part of that we have decided to be visible, join conversations, be open about our work as well as that of our partners. No company, organisation or person can alone take on the climate challenge so collaborations and partnerships are of course key and hopefully by communicating about them, others can be inspired to act.
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