KTH Welcomes Wharton Business School for a Sustainability Workshop

A Deep Dive into Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The day kicked off with a morning coffee session, and some light networking over Fika between Wharton and the KTH Scholarship students. Shortly after, Francesco Fuso-Nerini, Director of the KTH Climate Action Centre, delivered an insightful lecture on the history, current developments, and future directions of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). His presentation sparked an active Q&A session, with students exploring comparative views between the United States and Sweden’s approach in achieving sustainability targets.

Interactive Group Discussions: From Ideas to Business Concepts

Following the lecture, students were divided into focus groups, each consisting of approximately eight participants, and with a mix of students from both schools. The session was designed as a dynamic exchange of ideas, focusing on how students’ current or future work could contribute to sustainable development. The structured format of the discussion unfolded in four key stages:

1. Roundtable Sharing – Each student introduced an idea linked to sustainability and business.
2. Selection Phase – Groups selected one promising idea to refine further.
3. Refinement & Development – Teams brainstormed improvements and practical applications.
4. Elevator Pitches – Each group presented their refined idea as a business concept.

Among the diverse ideas proposed, these standout concepts emerged:

• Community-Driven Second-Hand Marketplace – A digital platform integrating social media and e-commerce to promote ethical consumption through resale and circularity.
• Sustainable Fast Fashion – A B2B solution that helps fashion brands expand into second-hand markets and thrifting, leveraging AI for optimization.
• Environmental Accounting of AI – A real-time tool that helps assess and optimize the environmental impact of AI-usage.
• Impact Investment Fund - Investments in sustainable projects that help marginalized communitie
• Local Food Sourcing & Supply – An initiative focused on reducing emissions and enhancing local food security by promoting locally sourced food and employment.

Building Bridges Between Business and Sustainability

The event highlighted the synergy between business acumen and technological innovation in addressing sustainability challenges. Wharton students brought forward market-driven perspectives, while KTH students contributed deep technical knowledge, creating a productive interdisciplinary environment.

Reflecting on the event, Francesco Fuso-Nerini shared, “Bringing together students from different schools created a truly unique exchange of perspectives. I was especially surprised by the engagement during the Q&A session, with students eager to dive deeper and deeper into the theme of sustainability. Their curiosity and shared experiences were truly inspiring."

This was a positive learning and networking session for the KTH scholarship students  as part of their interschool-sharing events. As the day wrapped up, students continued discussions over lunch, further deepening connections between the two schools. With such a successful exchange through the Wharton International Program (WIP) , both institutions look forward to future opportunities for continued learning and partnership. 

Stay tuned for more initiatives and upcoming events at KTH Climate Action Centre, where sustainability meets action.