SUSTAINABLE LEADERS SUMMIT:

Europe’s Green Transition Requires Empowered Managers

15 October, 12 - 14 PM | The European Parliament, Brussels

• A new edition (the 4th) of the Sustainable Leaders’ Summit will take place on October the 15th, in the European Parliament organised by CEC European Managers and its Swedish member organisation Ledarna.
• EU representatives, Swedish MEPs and CEC leaders and managers will showcase how they are already driving climate-related change in their daily work: turning decisions into practice, shaping culture, and leading transformation on the groundwedish managers will present the report 
• The summit coincides with the release of Ledarna’s new report From Green Ambitions to Reality: Climate Leadership and the Role of Managers in Driving the Green Transition.
• CEC European Managers is one of the six European social partners recognised by the European Commission. It represents around 1 million managers.

Brussels, 15 Oct 2025. CEC European Managers and its member organisation in Sweden, Ledarna, will convene leading voices at the Sustainable Leaders’ Summit on 15 October in the European Parliament, Brussels. 

The high-level summit will underline one clear message: Europe’s green transition can only succeed if managers are empowered to lead it.

“Sustainability is climbing higher on the agenda within many organisations. But without long-term, fact-based policy, and clear direction and support from top management, ambitions risk remaining mere words on paper,”

said Andreas Miller, President at Ledarna.

From Ambition to Action

The summit coincides with the release of Ledarna’s new report From Green Ambitions to Reality: Climate Leadership and the Role of Managers in Driving the Green Transition. 

The report demonstrates how managers across Sweden are already driving climate-related change in their daily work: turning decisions into practice, shaping culture, and leading transformation on the ground.

Still, the findings make clear that to succeed fully, managers need mandate, resources, and long-term clarity.

“With sufficient authority and support, managers can turn Europe’s climate goals into real competitiveness. Sustainability is a great tool to create jobs, drive innovation, and build resilience for the future,” added Miller.

Sustainable Leaders’ Summit – Elevating the Leadership Agenda

Now in its fourth edition, the Sustainable Leaders’ Summit has become a reference point for cross-sectoral dialogue on Europe’s sustainability agenda. This year’s edition focuses on leadership as a key enabler of systemic change, not only for the green transition but also for Europe’s broader transformations in competitiveness and security.

“Managers are Europe’s strategic resource. With the right support, they can turn policy into practice and make sure Europe delivers on its ambitions. That’s the key message we want to highlight in Brussels: the transition will only succeed if those who lead it every day are empowered to act,” said Miller.

Event Details

Sustainable Leaders’ Summit – Climate Leadership in Practice
Date: 15 October 2025
Venue: European Parliament in Brussels

Confirmed Speakers:

• Isabella Lövin, Member of the European Parliament
• Paulina Dejmek Hack, Head of Cabinet to Commissioner Roswall, European Commission
• Svante Axelsson, National Coordinator, Fossil-Free Sweden
• Lisen Schultz, Deputy Director, Stockholm Resilience Centre
• Lars Stenqvist, CTO, Volvo Group
• Maxime Legrand, President, CEC – European Managers
• Andreas Miller, President, Ledarna

Key Themes & Purpose

• The summit highlights that Europe’s green transition - and other major transformations - can only succeed if managers are empowered to lead it. 
• It aims to shift the conversation from ambition to action - showing how managers turn climate objectives into tangible results.
• Discussions will explore both the managerial and policy dimensions of leadership, focusing on how clear mandates, sufficient resources, and long-term, consistent policy frameworks are essential for real impact.

The session will be moderated by Catarina Rolfsdotter.

About CEC – European Managers

CEC represents around 1 million managers across Europe in social dialogue with European institutions and employers. By bridging the interests of employers and workers, CEC ensures managers’ voices are heard in shaping Europe’s future.

About Ledarna

Ledarna is Sweden’s organisation for managers, supporting leadership development and advocating for strong, sustainable leadership in business and society.

Practical details

Date & Time:
15 October 2025,
12:00 – 14:00

Venue:
European Parliament, Rue Wiertz 60, 1047 Bruxelles

Communication contact

Communication inquiries can be shared with CEC European Managers Communication officer Pere Vilanova vilanova@cec-managers.org.