Event Summary: Swedish Australian Sustainable Innovation, Technology & Design Summit 2025

18–19 September 2025
Melbourne Connect, University of Melbourne
Organised by the Swedish Australian Chamber of Commerce (SACC) in collaboration with the University of Melbourne, Embassy of Sweden, Business Sweden, and Team Sweden partners.

A Platform for Swedish–Australian Collaboration

The 2025 Swedish Australian Sustainable Innovation, Technology & Design Summit brought together more than 500 attendees across two dynamic days of discussion, inspiration, and collaboration. Hosted at Melbourne Connect — the University of Melbourne’s innovation precinct — the Summit explored how Sweden and Australia can jointly accelerate sustainable transformation through innovation, technology, and design.

The program featured 12 themed sessions, 50+ speakers, and multiple cross-sector panels, highlighting the importance of collaboration between government, academia, and industry. The Summit reaffirmed the value of the Swedish innovation model — built on partnership, inclusion, and sustainability — as a source of inspiration for Australia’s ongoing transition to a low-carbon future.

Opening and Keynote Reflections

The Summit opened with remarks from SACC President Jan Gardberg, Professor Jane Gunn AO, Provost, University of Melbourne, Nils Hedberg Grimlund, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Sweden and Minister for Economic Growth, Finance and Resources, Danny Pearson MP, who emphasised Victoria’s commitment to global partnerships driving innovation-led sustainability.

The keynote presentation by Professor Dan Hill, Director of Melbourne School of Design, challenged the audience to think critically about technology’s purpose, quoting British architect Cedric Price:

“Technology is the answer, but what is the question?”

Dan Hill presented inspiring examples from Vinnova, Sweden Innovation Agency, including the Street Moves and 1-Minute City projects that transformed urban streets into healthier, people-focused spaces. These initiatives demonstrated how design-led policy and citizen engagement can redefine the purpose of public infrastructure — moving from traffic corridors to living, collaborative, and sustainable environments.

Dan Hill’s central message echoed throughout the Summit:

“We are trying to create a shift in practice with the same tools that created the climate crisis — we need to think differently.”

DAY 1 HIGHLIGHTS

Pioneering Innovation and Technology for a Sustainable Future

This session showcased how Swedish companies are driving progress toward a low-carbon society through electrification, automation, and circular solutions.

• ABB’s Paul Thomas emphasised that enabling a low-carbon society involves not only technology but also social progress and resource preservation. ABB’s digital substations are already reducing material needs and improving grid efficiency.

• Ericsson’s Nick Bromhead highlighted the company’s 130-year presence in Australia and its role as a backbone of national telecommunications. He outlined how AI, Cloud, and Mobile (5G) serve as “force multipliers” in tackling climate change.

• Hitachi Energy’s Veeman Buell discussed the global challenge of building resilient grid infrastructure to support rapid electrification.

• OX2’s Steve Symons shared how renewable energy projects in Australia are generating local employment and scholarships through partnerships with TAFEs, and how retraining initiatives in Poland are supporting former miners’ transition to green jobs.

Urban Design and Planning – Rethinking Urban Futures

Urban sustainability experts from Sweden and Australia examined the policies, technologies, and design principles shaping cities of the future.

• Professor Anna Hurlimann (University of Melbourne) introduced her “Priorities for Climate Action” process map, emphasising cross-sector alignment in the built environment.

• Malmö City Architect Finn Williams shared how 200 organisations have signed a sustainability roadmap in conjunction with the Malmö’s Varvsstaden Project, noting:

  “We need to get much better at using what we already have.”
  He highlighted the shift in mindset: where demolition once needed no justification, now retention and reuse are the default expectations.

• Victorian Government Architect Jill Garner reflected on Sweden’s enduring success with modular housing compared to Australia’s short-lived experiments, such as the Holmesglen Concrete Housing Project (1946–1962). Garner stressed that “profound change needs more than will — it requires systems designed for innovation.”

• Viable Cities’ Jason Nielsen presented the Climate Neutral Cities 2030 initiative and its Australian counterpart Net Zero Cities, connecting cities to global networks of climate action.

• Volvo Group’s Shayne Commons highlighted the company’s zero-emissions agenda by 2050, reinforcing that sustainability depends equally on climate, resources, and people.

Smart Buildings for People and Planet

The Smart Buildings session addressed how digitalisation, automation, and design can make buildings more intelligent — and more human.

• Professor Behzad Rismanchi (UoM) reminded the audience that “most of the buildings we need are already standing,” highlighting retrofitting as the key to decarbonising the building industry.

• ABB’s Christian Schiemann stated: “AI is an opportunity, not a threat,” outlining ABB’s work integrating automation and AI with a strong focus on education.

• Professor Christhina Candido (UoM) warned of the environmental cost of data centres and the need for biophilic design to reconnect people with nature.

• Organic Response’s Olivier Coquerel envisioned “smart buildings where people thrive,” while Axis Communications’ Mats Thulin emphasised the importance of trust and cybersecurity:

  “If cameras add sensors, we must find ways to keep trust.”

The discussion explored how AI can enhance human experience — but not replace it — and how digital transparency must underpin design.

Driving Innovation through Electrification and Automation

This highly anticipated session demonstrated the power of Swedish engineering in shaping a net-zero future.

• Orica’s Angus Melbourne described the integration of autonomous and manual systems in mining operations, illustrating the challenges of transitioning legacy assets.

• ABB E-Mobility’s Sean Stove reflected on 15 years of EV charging innovation, underscoring user experience and sustainability as design imperatives.

• Volvo Construction Equipment’s Kurt Sowerby described how constant charging practices can extend equipment life cycles and enable battery reuse over 25 years.

• CJD Equipment’s Reid Gibson reported a 330% increase in electric machine adoption, with operators noting health and safety benefits — quieter operation, less vibration, and 30–40% less maintenance.

Public Safety and Security

Led by Professor Ben Rubenstein (UoM), this session focused on the human dimension of safety in an increasingly connected world.

• Ericsson’s Sarah Goss discussed how digital networks connect first responders, improving emergency coordination and resilience.

• Axis Communications’ Mats Thulin reinforced the need for cybersecurity and transparency in AI adoption.

• The discussion concluded that education and awareness are essential to building public trust in digital systems.

Transforming Food Systems for a Sustainable and Healthier Future

The session explored innovation in sustainable food production and nutrition.

• Professor James Ryall (UoM) highlighted breakthroughs in cultivated meat and biomanufacturing.

• Dr Jessica Biesiekierski (UoM) explained how fermentation supports healthy diets and reduces intolerances.
  The session emphasised the importance of connecting science, industry, and policy to secure resilient and sustainable food systems.

DAY 2 HIGHLIGHTS

Innovation Ecosystems – Unlocking Collaboration

The second day focused on how ecosystems of innovation can drive growth across sectors.

• Dan Hill (UoM) and Joakim Skog (Vinnova) explored strategic foresight — planning for “what if” scenarios in rapidly changing environments.

• LaunchVic’s Puji Fernando discussed supporting founders and startups for success.

• University of Melbourne’s Vanessa Campbell illustrated how deep connections within the biomedical precinct foster innovation.

• AstraZeneca’s Penny George highlighted the company’s 60-year presence in Australia and its commitment to research partnerships addressing chronic disease.

Innovating Health and Life Sciences

This session showcased Sweden and Australia’s shared ambition to make healthcare both sustainable and equitable.

• AstraZeneca’s Ben McDonald discussed decarbonising the pharmaceutical supply chain.

• Sobi’s Chloé Perot described the company’s focus on rare disease treatment and the need for less fragmented collaboration.

• Getinge’s Darren Pavitt stressed that incentives, not only regulation, are key to driving environmental impact reduction.

• Dr Rebecca Patrick (UoM) reminded attendees that healthcare contributes up to 7% of Australia’s total emissions, underlining the urgency for education and climate literacy across the sector.

• Scott Edwards (Victorian Government) highlighted that “changing climates are changing the distribution of infectious diseases,” confirming government support through a $400 million investment in the Australian Institute for Infectious Disease.

The Future of Work and Work Skills – AI

The final session explored the transformative impact of AI on work, skills, and inclusion.

• Dr Marc Cheong (UoM) traced the evolution from access to speed, stressing equity in digital connectivity.

• Saab Australia’s James Barr called for “critical thinking, systems thinking, and continuous learning” as essential skills in the AI era.

• Axis Communications’ Mats Thulin discussed how rapid technological change fuels fear and how leaders must foster psychological safety.

• Hitachi Energy’s Veeman Buell introduced the concept of reverse mentoring, where younger employees support older colleagues in digital adoption.
  The session concluded that adaptability, trust, and lifelong learning will define the future workforce.

Key Takeaways

• Sustainability is now Business as Usual: Across industries, sustainability is embedded rather than optional.

• Trust and Collaboration: A recurring theme from AI to healthcare — partnerships and transparency build progress.

• Education and Inclusion: Equipping both current and future generations with skills and ethical frameworks is vital.

• Leadership and Foresight: Innovation requires courage to rethink, redesign, and invest in systems that serve people and the planet.

• Swedish–Australian Collaboration: The Summit demonstrated how both nations can learn from one another’s strengths — Sweden’s design-driven innovation culture and Australia’s agility and entrepreneurial drive.

Closing Thoughts

The Summit concluded with renewed energy for the next chapter of collaboration between Sweden and Australia. As SACC President Jan Gardberg summarised:

“We’ve built momentum, partnerships, and a shared vision. The challenge now is to turn these insights into lasting change.”