Steve Howard

Steve Howard is a sustainability leader, investor, and business strategist with a career focused on advancing practical and scalable environmental action. Trained as an ecologist, Howard holds a doctorate in ecophysiology and environmental physics, with field research experience in Kenya. Recognized as an authority on sustainability and climate change, he advocates for collaboration between political and business leaders to address environmental and economic challenges, aiming to foster job creation and a clean, green economy.

Before joining IKEA, Howard founded and served as CEO of The Climate Group, an independent nonprofit organization that works internationally with government and business leaders to reduce global emissions and promote a low-carbon economy. During his tenure, he advised leading companies, CEOs, and government officials on climate change policy and strategy. This experience at the intersection of policy, science, and business informed his subsequent corporate work.

Howard served as chief sustainability officer at IKEA Group and was a member of its group management team. In this role, he implemented the "People and Planet Positive" initiative, developed sustainable products, and led a project that invested 3 billion euros in renewable energy. By the end of his tenure, IKEA was recognized among the world's leading sustainable businesses. Howard's approach emphasized that sustainability and affordability can coexist, with the goal of making sustainable products widely accessible.

Following his time at IKEA, Howard continued his work in sustainability, serving as co-chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Global Future Council and as an advisory board member for Sustainable Energy for All, supporting increased access to resources that enhance social and economic well-being. He is vice chairman, sustainability at Temasek, having previously served as chief sustainability officer. Howard is also a board member of GenZero, which he helped establish, and chairs its investment committee.

Howard is a sustainability investor and business leader focused on scaling climate solutions through innovation and capital, supporting the growth of clean technologies in sectors such as energy, mobility, food, and finance. He has delivered a widely viewed TED Talk, "Let's Go All-In on Selling Sustainability," and is a frequent speaker at major global forums. His work has been recognized by Time Magazine and Scientific American, and he has been listed among the top 100 UK environmentalists by Independent on Sunday and received the Social Entrepreneur UK honor at the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards.