Henrik Sjöblom, a top expert on strategic risk management with a strong background in the financial industry, has started as Gaia’s new Senior Advisor. Sjöblom has wide experience in sustainable business, cleantech, energy efficiency solutions, as well as corporate reporting and governance.
Depleting natural resources, unabated carbon emissions, rapid urbanisation, and widening wealth inequality pose new challenges to the financial industry. Growing calls by investors and shareholders have prompted companies to disclose their carbon risks and question the true value of fossil fuel assets. Companies also face growing pressure to become more open in their performance reporting. The markets acknowledge the value and benefits of integrated reporting.
“Organisations need a clear understanding of their sustainability risks and opportunities. Particularly businesses that have a strategy based on fossil fuels need to understand their risk position,” states Henrik Sjöblom.
“There is an increasing demand for sustainable investment products, for example green bonds and fossil fuel free funds. For organizations, this offers more funding alternatives and a great opportunity to reconsider their financing strategies,” Sjöblom says.
“Cleantech has classically been driven by consumer demand, regulatory changes and the need to find alternatives to costly and scarce raw materials. Recently, the scrutiny of business risk assessments by finance institutions has started to favour low-carbon and biobased solutions. The growth of new products – such as green corporate bonds – gives new boost to cleantech,” says Chairman of the Board Pasi Rinne.
“After more than 20 years in the business, Gaia is one of the biggest and most experienced sustainable business consultancies in the world. With the expertise of Henrik Sjöblom, we are even better equipped to continue supporting the finance industry in turning sustainability into efficiency, reduced risks and opportunities,” says Rinne.
More information:
- Pasi Rinne, Chairman of the Board, Gaia Consulting, tel. + 358 400 464 127, email: firstname.lastname@gaia.fi
