From framework to business practice: Hear business leaders share the exponential way

2 Jul 2025

How do companies work to scale climate solutions and what does it mean for the broader transition to net zero?

This was one of the key questions at the session The Exponential Way: Climate Solutions co-hosted by the Exponential Roadmap Initiative, Oatly, and We Don’t Have Time during London Climate Action Week.

The panel featured representatives from the Exponential Roadmap Initiative, Oatly, Stegra, and Climate Collective, who shared practical experiences from diverse sectors to discuss the role of the Climate Solutions Framework in accelerating the transition to a net zero economy.

The Exponential Roadmap Initiative: Defining climate solutions

The Climate Solutions Framework, developed by the Exponential Roadmap Initiative and Oxford Net Zero, sets clear criteria for defining climate solutions at both the product and company levels. At the product level, to meet the baseline standard, a product or service must emit at least 50% less than the market average in its category — and be scalable. These innovations are recognised as key to replacing outdated products and services and, in extension, to phasing out the fossil economy and building a net-zero future.

“We need to identify which are the companies that actually will deliver on these technologies so that investors and financial institutions can allocate capital. That’s why we coined the term and developed the framework to identify those pioneers creating the future economy” said Katarina Wangler Björk, Chief Impact Officer, at the Exponential Roadmap Initiative.

Oatly: Recognition and validation

Since joining the Exponential Roadmap Initiative, Oatly has qualified its products as climate solutions. Just ahead of London Climate Action Week, the company updated its targets to achieve the next level of recognition: qualifying as a Climate Solutions Company. This requires that at least 90% of revenue comes from climate solution products, that the company actively works to transform its sector, and that it has net zero targets for Scope 1–3 emissions. Oatly became the first food and drink company to meet all three criteria under ERI’s framework.

Caroline Reid, Senior Sustainability Director, from Oatly reflected on their journey:

“The climate solutions framework has been really helpful to bring external validation and credibility to what we’ve always known for. Internally, it gives us a sense of pride. Externally, it validates our mission and sparks conversations about how companies can reduce their footprints and contribute to global net zero.”

Stegra: Complementing existing frameworks

For Stegra, the climate solutions framework has brought clarity in investor and customer discussions. Johan Mandaric Reunanen, Climate Impact Lead, from Stegra reflected:

“Trying to fit Stegra into the SBTi framework is like pushing a square into a round hole. Once the climate solutions framework was established, it made the process with both investor dialogues and customer dialogues smoother.”

Speakers emphasised that the framework builds on, rather than replaces, science-based targets. “It’s putting some extra cream on top of the cake. It’s opening up space to imagine growth, not just constraints.” noted Nick Nuttall who moderated the session.

Climate Collective: The role of technology and society

Technology was seen as an enabler, but not a solution on its own. Anna Lerner Nesbitt, CEO, from the Climate Collective emphasised that:

“Tech and data can accelerate climate progress, but they’re not solutions in themselves. We need to innovate with intent. Don’t just slap AI on something and think it’s solved. We also need to build capacities that matter.”

Anna also highlighted the need to create a new narrative that actively involves society in the net-zero transition. Caroline added that embedding climate solutions into existing frameworks and raising public awareness is essential to drive the movement and achieve societal net zero.