Sustainability is one of three strategic priority areas for Dalarna Science Park. The topic was the theme of this year's second Innovation Panel, our own digital survey among various actors in Dalarna. We took the sustainability temperature in the county and can state that awareness of sustainability issues has increased significantly since the UN's sustainability goals were presented in 2015.
Halfway to the 2030 Agenda
The 2030 Agenda has been the focus of organizations and businesses worldwide since the SDGs were launched in 2015. Now, half the time has passed and according to the Innovation Panel, 83% are more aware of sustainability today than at the launch. The questions we asked about how actors in Dalarna view, and work according to, Agenda 2030 gave mainly consistent and clear answers.
Sustainability issues are definitely gaining in importance
For example, just over half (56%) believe that the SDGs are clearly more important and relevant today than seven years ago. A full 96% responded that they consider themselves to be contributing to a long-term climate transition. 62% believe that the UN Sustainable Development Goals have made it clear that sustainability is about so much more than just environmental and climate issues, such as social and economic aspects.
Continued priority in Dalarna
Dalarna Science Park is very pleased that the general awareness of sustainability seems to be increasing so clearly in the region in recent years. The more expertise and motivation there is on the subject, the better the conditions are for long-term stable growth. All this shows that sustainability work should continue to be prioritized. In the transition to a more sustainable Dalarna, Dalarna Science Park definitely wants to be a driving force that achieves the goals of Agenda 2030 in constructive collaboration with others.
Dalarna Science Park works actively and on a daily basis with sustainability issues and helps already established companies to change. In parallel, Dalarna Science Park supports new innovation companies in reaching the market with stable sustainability work built into their strategy. Today, there are four full-time sustainability strategists within the organization, who coach companies in the area and ensure that sustainability becomes a natural part of their business plans. Dalarna Science Park's sustainability work is reflected in the regional business community's efforts to contribute to long-term growth for both the companies themselves and Dalarna as a whole.
Innovation Report 2023
This is an article from Dalarna Science Park's Innovation Report 2023.
Read the full Innovation Report 2023
