Live Session Recap: Boards Processes and Transition & ESG Board Game – Board Oversight of Sustainability for Value Creation

On February 14, 2025, Boards Impact Forum hosted an insightful webinar focused on board processes, transition planning, and ESG oversight. This engaging session featured expert insights from Peter Ahlström and Katri Sipilä, both experienced board directors with extensive knowledge in sustainability and governance.

Moderation by Liselotte Engstam, chair of Boards Impact Forum, professional NED and chair, and Fernanda Torre, Operations Director Boards Impact Forum and NED.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways: The Role of Boards in Sustainable Value Creation

Peter Ahlström opened the session by sharing his perspectives on stewardship for sustainability, drawing from his experience as a long-term industrial owner and board director. He emphasized that sustainability is deeply embedded in the DNA of successful family-owned businesses, as demonstrated by Ahlström’s seven generations of commitment to responsible business practices.

Key insights from Peter included:

The importance of joint ownership and vision in long-term sustainability strategies.
How active board involvement ensures ESG integration at every stage of business operations.
The significance of science-based targets and aligning with the Paris Agreement.
The necessity of continuous learning and training for board members to stay updated with evolving ESG frameworks and regulations, including CSRD compliance.
How ESG considerations are now integral in investment screening and due diligence.
The role of board governance structures in overseeing sustainability performance through KPIs and benchmarking.

Peter also presented an ESG ladder framework used to assess progress in sustainability across various businesses, highlighting the need for continuous ambition and improvement.

Integrating ESG into Board Strategy and Decision-Making

Katri Sipilä followed with an insightful discussion on how boards can lead sustainability transformation, particularly in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). She outlined different governance structures that boards can adopt to integrate ESG, including:

Establishing a dedicated ESG committee.
Appointing an ESG-expert board member.
Embedding ESG within existing governance structures to ensure full board accountability.

Katri emphasized that board responsibilities in sustainability cover three main areas:

Strategic oversight – Identifying ESG risks and opportunities and ensuring sustainability is embedded in corporate strategy.
Business development – Monitoring sustainability KPIs and driving transformation through resource allocation and culture building.
Supervisory role – Ensuring compliance, transparency, and stakeholder engagement.

She also shared insights from Portman’s ESG guide, which provides a structured approach for companies to transition towards sustainability.

Interactive ESG Board Game and Group Discussions

The session also featured an interactive ESG board game, where participants explored real-world boardroom dilemmas and decision-making scenarios. This hands-on exercise enabled board directors to apply ESG principles in governance and reflect on how they can drive meaningful change within their organizations.

Final Thoughts

The webinar concluded with a call to action for board members to:

Take a proactive role in sustainability transformation.
Align incentives and reporting structures with ESG priorities.
Foster cross-sector collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
Stay informed on evolving regulatory landscapes and best practices.

The final 30 minutes were reserved for the Board Oversight of Sustainability for Value Creation program participants, offering a more in-depth and tailored discussion.

This session reinforced the critical role of board directors in shaping sustainable businesses and navigating the evolving ESG landscape. As the conversation continues, Boards Impact Forum remains committed to equipping board members with the insights and tools needed for impactful governance.