• Subscribe to Our Newsletter

TALKS WITH GLOBAL GOVERNANCE LEADERS

Building a Sustainable Future through Net Positive Companies

Paul Polman

In this episode of our Talks with Global Governance Leaders series, held in collaboration with HBR Türkiye, we welcomed Paul Polman in a conversation moderated by our Board Member Gizem Argüden Oskay. We discussed sustainable business models, the “Net Positive” approach, the responsibility of companies to create long-term value, and the importance of collaboration among business, government, and civil society in driving systemic change.

Building a Sustainable Future through Net Positive Companies

Paul Polman

This video has been published by Harvard Business Review on November 4, 2025.

The role of sustainable business models and corporate leadership in enabling companies to create value for society and the environment is becoming increasingly important. Rather than focusing solely on financial results, companies need to develop strategies that take long-term, systemic impacts into account in order to achieve lasting success.

In this episode of Talks with Global Governance Leaders, moderated by Gizem Argüden Oskay, Board Member of the Argüden Governance Academy, we explore different dimensions of corporate governance and sustainability with Paul Polman, a pioneering leader in sustainability and Former CEO of the Unilever.

Known for launching Unilever’s Sustainable Living Plan and for his contributions to the United Nations Global Compact, Polman shares his perspectives on the responsibilities companies must embrace to create greater value for society and the environment. Framed around his Net Positive approach, the conversation explores the steps companies can take to shift from short-term profitability toward long-term impact, as well as the importance of building trust and resilience among diverse stakeholders.

We also discuss the critical role of collaboration among business, government, and civil society in accelerating systemic change, and reflect on the new perspectives and leadership approaches that will be expected from future leaders.

Related People