How a Learning Expedition to the Nordics inspired a leading company to turn low-carbon operations and circular models into core business drivers.
The challenge
With growing interest in sustainability from clients and public authorities, a leading facilities management company sought new perspectives on how to stay ahead. The Executive Committee aimed to understand how other countries — particularly in Northern Europe — are integrating sustainability into building operations. They set out to uncover new approaches that could shape their own services and operations to meet growing sustainability demands.
Our approach
We designed two Learning Expeditions — in Copenhagen and Helsinki — focused on inspiration and peer learning. Through visits with peer companies, public actors, and industry experts, participants explored core questions:
- What role does facility management play in enabling circular, low-carbon cities?
- How are leading players evolving their business models to put sustainability at the center of value creation?
- How are companies reshaping their service offers in anticipation of future regulations?
The outcome
The Executive Committee gained fresh perspectives from each city. In Copenhagen, long-term collaboration between public and private sectors drives sustainability. In Helsinki, sustainability is not a regulatory effort; it’s part of business DNA. Companies act proactively, going beyond regulation and embedding sustainable practices into every layer of business. These two approaches demonstrated how sustainability, instead of being a constraint, can become a driver of innovation and competitiveness.
The learnings are now being used to adapt service offerings to better meet evolving client needs, with a sharper focus on low-carbon operations, circular models, and integrated sustainability strategies.
What we learned
Real change starts with seeing what’s possible. When leaders witness how others are already building the future, they return equipped to lead change.
