A Clear Business Case for Sustainable Finance: Key Takeaways from Davos 2025
At the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, one message stood out amid ongoing geopolitical shifts: sustainable finance is not just a moral imperative—it’s a strategic necessity. Business and finance leaders sent a resounding signal: investing in sustainable development and inclusive growth remains a top priority, driven by clear market trends and long-term value creation.
After speaking with numerous CEOs, CFOs and CSOs, a key takeaway from the discussions was that global corporate executives view sustainability and inclusivity not merely from an altruistic perspective, but as a business imperative, even in the midst of new and persistent global challenges. As Ingka Group (IKEA) CEO and UN Global Compact Board Co-Chair Jesper Brodin noted, “The leading companies of the world are going through a couple of transformations—the tech transformation and the climate transformation. The train has left the station. The benefits are clear.” The work now of the CFO Coalition continues in earnest: to continue to prove the business case for sustainability.
"The leading companies of the world are going through a couple of transformations—the tech transformation and the climate transformation. The train has left the station. The benefits are clear." - Jesper Brodin, CEO of Ingka Group
Economic Growth through Equity: Invest in Women
Despite concerns about a global backslide on diversity and inclusion efforts, gender equality remained a priority at Davos. Participants emphasized that investing in women is not just altruism— it's an economic opportunity. Anna Bjerde, Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank, cited research showing that global GDP could be 20% higher if women participated equally in the economy. McKinsey & Company’s latest findings have revealed that closing the gender health gap could add up to $1 trillion to the economy annually by 2040.
Leaders at Davos made it clear that they are not turning their backs on supporting female leaders in the workplace and decreasing gender inequalities. When asked at WEF about critics of inclusion and gender equality, for example, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon confidently responded, “bring them on.”
"Bring them on" - Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan Chase CEO on critics for workplace inclusion.
The Energy Transition: From Pledges to Execution
The energy transition remained a top concern for those gathered at Davos this year, as were pointed conversations on how to move the space forward. The urgency of the climate imperative was underscored by a backdrop of raging fires in Los Angeles and illustrative data from the WEF’s 2025 Global Risks Perception Survey, in which respondents ranked environmental concerns as the top four long-term risks.
Encouragingly, new technologies are emerging that may soon accelerate decarbonization. AI’s role in mitigating climate risk was a prominent topic of discussion, with experts highlighting how AI can optimize supply chains, reduce waste, and simplify reporting.
Leaders also emphasized the need for policy action. Unilever CEO Hein Schumacher called for a “level playing field” to regulate plastic waste, while Sabancı Holding CEO Cenk Alper spoke on a panel focused on the potential for a unified market for carbon, water, and biodiversity credits. The importance of blended finance was also stressed, with discussions focusing on strategies to mitigate early-stage risks and scale sustainable investments.
For CFOs and business leaders, the key takeaway from Davos is clear: doing good and doing well are not mutually exclusive. Sustainable development and inclusive growth are integral to economic resilience. As Allianz CEO Oliver Bäte aptly put it, “The challenge now is to turn that mindset into action—fostering collaboration, driving measurable impact, and committing to a pragmatic, results-driven path forward."
