APRIL 29 2025
Nordic Capital firmly believes that sustainability and value creation go hand in hand. As an active and engaged owner, Nordic Capital seeks to build close partnerships with companies, equipping them with the right tools, playbooks and external experts, and provide access to a resourceful in-house team filled with functional and operational expertise. As part of this commitment, Nordic Capital recently hosted its annual Sustainability Summit.
With planetary warming posing fundamental risks to global economic stability and future growth, responsible investing requires much more than delivering strong returns – it requires coordinated efforts to safeguard planetary and human wellbeing. As conversations around sustainability intensify, both investors and companies are navigating a world marked by climate crises and societal concerns.
This was the setting for Nordic Capital's recent gathering in Copenhagen, bringing together leaders and senior executives from 23 portfolio companies to explore how responsible business practices can fuel growth and resilience. Over two days, participants interacted with Nordic Capital’s functional teams and external sustainability experts, engaging in thematic breakout sessions designed to facilitate knowledge sharing, peer discussion and practical insights into how sustainability can be integrated into strategy, operations and long-term planning.
“Nordic Capital seeks to support the development of some of the most successful companies,” said Elin Ljung, Operating Partner and Head of Sustainability & Communications. “We see sustainability as key to unlocking their full potential. In summits like these, Nordic Capital equips the companies with the right tools, network and knowledge to turn sustainability into a value driver.”
Empowering growth: Navigating sustainability frontiers
This year's summit in Denmark, headlined "Managing Sustainability Strategies with Growth", provided a platform for participants to build their capabilities and accelerate progress on topics such as decarbonisation, tracking impact data to amplify results, implementing sustainability-linked financing and strengthening sustainable procurement practices.
The first day focused on strategy, particularly on developing and steering sustainability initiatives in periods of both organic and inorganic growth. The Footprint Firm addressed the potential tension between sustainability and growth in a keynote speech, highlighting how leaders can adapt impact objectives in a growth setting and also leverage sustainability as a growth engine. Subsequent breakout sessions enabled participants to share insights and experiences, fostering peer learning and collaboration across industries.
“Our approach to investing in a greener future is twofold. In some cases, we back companies whose business models drive resource efficiency, or decarbonisation, or improve access to quality care or financing – but we also work to ensure that all companies, in all sectors, align with a sustainable and just future. For example, all portfolio companies need to try cutting emissions in their operations and influence their value chains. This summit is just one way we help them translate ambition into action,” said Kate Halldorson, Operations Director – Sustainability.
Day two centred on climate action and capability building, offering practical tools and peer insights in breakout sessions on science-based targets and decarbonisation, sustainability-linked loans and meeting customer demands. The summit concluded with a keynote speech by Janda Campos, a former sustainability leader at Carlsberg and Grundfos.
“My main goal was to exchange insights and bring home fresh perspectives on driving meaningful value creation. It reaffirmed how far we’ve come on our sustainability journey while also challenging us to think bigger. Hearing from others at different stages of implementation provided a valuable benchmark and sparked ideas on refining our approach,” said Josefin Dahlén, Head of Sustainability at Max Matthiessen, backed by Nordic Capital since 2020 and a leading financial advisor in pensions, insurance, and investment in the Nordics.
“It reminds us that real progress comes from the strategic integration of sustainability, driven by innovation, collaboration and the recognition that this is not a solo effort. Forums like this are invaluable because they challenge assumptions and enable knowledge-sharing,” Josefin added.
Embracing a greener and more resilient future
The Sustainability Summit is one of many initiatives Nordic Capital regularly hosts to support sustainability integration across the investment cycle. From training and spotlight sessions to sector-specific and functional playbooks, these tools serve to create stronger and more resilient businesses. To date, over 1,400 professionals in Nordic Capital and its portfolio have completed sustainability training. In 2024, 235 professionals participated, marking a record year.
Vision forward: Pioneering paths to sustainable success
Nordic Capital continues to reinforce its commitment to active ownership and long-term value creation. In the past year, Nordic Capital notably rolled out sector-based roadmaps and five-year prioritisation plans. For 2024, Nordic Capital is proud to see significant progress taking place across the portfolio:
- As many as 90% of companies now have a sustainability strategy in place (50% in 2019).
- 88% of companies have taken actions to reduce their energy consumption (55% in 2019).
- The portfolio’s GHG emission intensity (tCO2e/sales MEUR) has been cut in almost half since 2019, decreasing from 25.3 in 2019 to 14.8 in 2024.
- The share of zero-carbon energy usage out of total energy consumption across the portfolio has increased from 25% to 31% since 2022.
- 13% of the portfolio, based on invested equity, now have validated SBTi targets with strong momentum to the 33.4% target set for 2028.
- As of 2024, the share of female representation on board level and in executive management is 24% and 27%. In 2021, those figures stood at 26% and 23%.
- 96% and 100% of portfolio companies have a code of conduct and whistleblowing policy/system. In 2021, those figures were 91% and 100%.
Looking ahead, Nordic Capital’s commitment to implementing tools and scaling practices to drive positive impact across the portfolio remains a priority. The recently concluded Sustainability Summit marked one important part of Nordic Capital’s strategy to support its portfolio on this exciting journey.
Read more about Nordic Capital's sustainability strategy and commitment to making a positive contribution by building strong companies and driving sustainable development within its organisation and across the portfolio: