In the last member meeting of four during 2024, the agenda composed entirely of topics proposed by the members themselves.
Martin Lehmann from Aalborg University presented the Case Study Atlas, an initiative supporting the IPCC’s Special Report on Climate Change and Cities. The Case Study Atlas will provide an interactive, searchable database of city-focused climate case studies, enabling leaders and researchers to access practical solutions and compare strategies globally. SDSN Northern Europe members are invited to contribute Nordic case studies to enrich the Atlas, with further collaboration opportunities planned for the spring.
Policy Operations Room to navigate uncertainty
Janne Hukkinen from the University of Helsinki introduced the Policy Operations Room, a novel decision-making platform for testing and developing strategic decision-making capabilities during chronic crises. The POR framework emphasizes collaboration, scenario exploration, and adaptive thinking to enhance resilience and long-term policy effectiveness.
Regional innovation for sustainability
Avit Bhowmik of Karlstad University discussed lessons from the ARIES4 project, focusing on fostering innovation through Smart Sustainable Specialization Strategies (S4+). The initiative connects education, enterprises, and society to promote sustainable and inclusive growth, with key case studies from regions such as Värmland (Sweden) and Navarra (Spain).
Building a culture of sustainability in academia
Snorre Nordal from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences outlined the Sustainability for All initiative, which aims to embed sustainability into the university’s culture and operations. Through workshops, tailored courses, and collaborative projects, the initiative seeks to transform the campus into a "Living Lab" for sustainability, engaging both students and staff in practical, community-focused solutions.
Exciting developments at SDSN
Martin Eriksson announced SDSN’s transition to the SustainChain platform, a cutting-edge tool for enhancing collaboration and knowledge-sharing within sustainability networks. Launching in early 2025, SustainChain will facilitate partnerships and amplify impact across sectors and SDGs.
The meeting concluded with a reminder of the next member gathering, scheduled for 11 March, 2025. All members are encouraged to continue submitting ideas for future meetings, as everyone benefits from the exchange of valuable insights.
