Ryan Gellert & Jesper Brodin - Climate Smart is Business Smart session. Action Speaks CWNY 2025

Two CEOs—Ryan Gellert of Patagonia and Jesper Brodin of IKEA—discuss how climate action drives business success and why visible leadership matters in an increasingly political environment. At Climate Week NYC 2025, Gellert and Brodin sit down with Leah Seligmann, CEO, The B Team, to compare how they lead high-reputation companies through real-world climate and business pressures. It’s a rare chance to listen to them in the same room—exploring where their values align and what it takes to lead with conviction. Today, 97% of business leaders say they remain committed—or plan to deepen their commitment—to sustainability, yet only 50% feel comfortable speaking openly about it. They share why accelerating climate impact requires focusing on long-term thinking, not short-term gains—and why doing what’s right for the planet and people is also good business. From examining their own roles in a consumer society to efforts to reduce their climate impact to communicating progress with increased transparency, their perspectives reveal what it means to lead global brands toward measurable, values-driven change while keeping optimism alive inside their organizations. “If it’s muddy, just extend your perspective—you’ll see things clearer. Two hundred years is a good place to start.” — Jesper Brodin “The most important title in any society is not president. It’s not prime minister. It’s not CEO. It’s citizen.” — Ryan Gellert 00:00 Welcome 02:13 Jesper Brodin on how Action Speaks began 03:58 Ryan Gellert: when protecting nature became personal 05:36 Leading through uncertainty and business silence 09:25 Why cutting carbon is good business 11:40 Balancing growth with reducing impact 19:38 Speaking openly about progress and limits 25:35 Keeping optimism alive in turbulent times 29:38 Vegan balls or hot dogs? 31:28 Climate myths that hold us back 33:10 Technology moves fast—mindsets don’t 35:42 Why collaboration with policy makers must accelerate 40:05 Takeaways