A clear difference between women and men in their views on sustainability efforts

Women in Dalarna are clearly more critical than men of how companies approach sustainability and the pace of the transition. Men are generally more satisfied and believe that things are moving in the right direction. These are the findings of a new survey by Novus conducted on behalf of Dalarna Science Park.

Among men, 55 percent believe that companies take sustainability seriously enough. At the same time, only 29 percent of women say that companies are doing enough.

The difference is also evident in attitudes toward the pace of change. Forty-four percent of men believe the transition is moving fast enough, while only 20 percent of women share that view. In other words, women are more likely than men to feel that things are moving too slowly.

“If Dalarna is to become one of Sweden’s next growth regions, we need to harness the momentum of this transition. It is crucial for both competitiveness and future jobs,” says Angelica Ekholm, CEO of Dalarna Science Park.

Strong belief in jobs during the transition

At the same time, the outlook for sustainability efforts is clearly positive. Fifty-two percent of people in Dalarna believe that sustainability efforts by companies and organizations can lead to more jobs in the region, while only 9 percent believe they will lead to fewer.

Optimism is highest among women aged 35–49, with as many as 59 percent believing that more jobs are on the way.

“The results show that expectations of companies are high, especially among women. There is a clear demand for more concrete action in the transition,” says Angelica.

Companies are adapting, but the picture is mixed

At Dalarna Science Park, there is also a strong commitment from the business community. The organization works daily with companies at various stages of development, from startups to established firms and large industrial companies. Interest in innovation support is growing, and over the past year, the incubator has had a record number of companies in its program.

“We see a great deal of work being done within companies. At the same time, the survey shows that this isn’t always recognized. There’s an opportunity here to both improve communication and accelerate the pace of the transition,” says Angelica.

Dalarna Science Park serves as the innovation hub for the entire Dalarna region and supports both startups and established companies seeking to develop new solutions and business models with a focus on sustainability and circularity. Through programs, projects, and collaboration, the organization contributes to innovation and long-term sustainable growth throughout Dalarna.