Driving business competitiveness and resilience through nature: Leaders explore new growth solutions at a major event in Helsinki

Nature is a strategic asset for businesses. As biodiversity loss continues globally, companies face increasing risks to their operations, supply chains, and long-term viability. At the same time, nature-positive strategies offer new opportunities for innovation, resilience, and growth.

The European Business and Nature Summit (EBNS) 2025 will spotlight how integrating nature into business can drive competitiveness and future-proof operations.

Held for the first time in the Nordics, the flagship event will convene at Finlandia Hall in Helsinki on 23–24 October. The event is organised by the European Business & Biodiversity Platform, an initiative of the European Commission. Co-hosted in Helsinki by Sitra – the Finnish Innovation Fund – the event will feature high-level plenaries, technical sessions, and interactive workshops.

“At a time of global instability and new security challenges, investing in nature and building resilience are essential. It also makes strong business sense, as every euro invested can yield strong returns. So, restoring nature is good for our business, good for our societies, and good for our future.

The companies involved in the European Business and Nature Summit are leading the way. By focusing on the sustainable bioeconomy, nature restoration, regenerative agriculture and nature-based climate adaptation solutions, we can build prosperity while ensuring a resilient and healthy planet,” says Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, who will speak at the event.

“The circular economy benefits businesses, the climate, nature, and economic resilience. That’s why it is gaining momentum and will be on the agenda at the COP30 negotiations in Belém, Brazil, this November,” adds Outi Haanperä, Director of Sitra’s Sustainability Programme.

Three themes, one goal: nature-positive business

The summit is expected to welcome nearly 500 participants, including more than 60 speakers across 15 sessions. EBNS 2025 will focus on three transformative themes:

• Business Action – explores how companies can enable and accelerate credible transformation for nature. Sessions will highlight practical tools, strategies, and financing models that support the integration of nature into corporate decision-making.
  
  
• Circular and Bioeconomy – highlights how circular business models and regenerative resource use can address biodiversity loss, with a special emphasis on nature-based solutions and bioeconomy innovations.
• Biodiversity Finance – examines how financial flows can be aligned with biodiversity targets, showcasing approaches such as nature credits, risk valuation frameworks, and investment strategies that support nature-positive outcomes.
  
  

Speakers from both the policy and business sectors will share their perspectives on advancing nature-positive solutions. They include Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, and Jussi Vanhanen, CEO of Metsä Group. Sari Multala, Finland’s Minister of Climate and the Environment, will also address the summit, alongside Emmanuel Normant, Vice President for Sustainable Development at Saint-Gobain, and Eric Mamer, Director-General for Environment at the European Commission.  Other corporate guests include Klaus Luetzenkirchen, Vice-President Sustainability at Siemens, and Jan Erik Saugestad, CEO of Storebrand Asset Management, who will contribute insights on aligning business with nature.

Media access and registrations

Journalists can follow the summit online by registering here. High-level plenary sessions and selected technical sessions will be live-streamed, with recordings available on the EBNS website after the event.

The streaming link will be available closer to the conference date on the official website: European Business and Nature Summit 2025 – European Commission.

Journalists interested in attending the summit in person for media coverage are invited to contact the organising team.