Today, we see a growing number of areas where the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges intersect with significant business potential. These intersections can be described as opportunity gaps—situations where a clear societal needs align with a viable business model and limited competition. For companies that identify and act on their […]

Mikael Karlsson, scientific advisor at 2050, reflects on the atmosphere within businesses and politics regarding climate issues in a 2050 Highlights. He observes a shared understanding that calls for action from citizens, companies and other organisations. Engaged and intense, but friendly and respectful. So are the conversations about climate policy […]

As regulations shift and external pressure on sustainability reporting diminishes, many mid-sized companies are at a crossroads—either continue to invest in sustainability efforts or scale back. But new research from the Center for Sustainability Research at the Stockholm School of Economics reveals that sustainability reporting is a strategic goldmine, especially […]

Is the world falling behind in climate efforts? Signals from around the world suggest so. Mikael Karlsson, scientific advisor at 2050, sheds light on the dire situation in the US, and climate policy uncertainties in the EU, but also on positive signals and trends. “I might lose my job this […]

On February 26, 2025, the European Commission released the much-discussed Omnibus proposal—just as the first wave of companies finalized their annual reports and the next wave is deep into materiality assessments, gap analyses, and data collection for the upcoming year. What does this proposal mean for companies operating in Sweden […]

2024 is unlikely to go down in history as the pinnacle of Swedish climate policy. Throughout the year, the government has tried to quietly release or obscure several pieces of bad news. But a positive exception came just before Christmas. Can one dare to wish for a climate policy in […]

FN:s klimattoppmöte COP29 avslutades med vad många menar var ett misslyckande. 2050:s vetenskapliga rådgivare Mikael Karlsson, som var på plats i Baku, reflekterar över vad han varit med om: En besvikelse, en synvilla, bottenlöst… epiteten är många och hårda när delegaterna på COP29 försöker sätta etikett på ett av utkasten till beslut om klimatfinansiering, mötets […]