Our alum Leo Stranius: Sustainability consultancy for businesses with planet-scale goals

From empty talk to strategically sustainable business 

Leo Stranius says his career so far has contained three stages. First, he worked in the telecoms sector, then in NGOs and now in business consulting since 2019. His concern for nature and the environment has been strongly present throughout.

“I became a consultant for corporate social responsibility because I wanted to boost sustainability work in organisations. The IPCC's 1.5 degrees report was the final straw that made me realise that time is running out. By helping companies, we influence the source of problems,” Leo says.

Companies start the work from highly different situations: some have been working on sustainability for decades, others are only starting out. Readiness to change also varies.

“Fortunately, we have long since got over the idea that sustainability wouldn’t be sensible business-wise. No company can ignore the issue, as pressure comes from all around: from legislation, customers, investors and sponsors, and the company’s own employees. Environmental work can easily become a mere buzz word, but we help make it strategically sustainable,” Leo says.

University helped find like-minded people and a meaningful life

Back in 1998, Leo browsed through his then-partner's university application guide and discovered an interesting subject: environmental policy. The discovery led him to apply to Tampere University. Entrance exam and course literature consisted of books which Leo had already read and been impressed by, which further boosted the feeling that the place was right for him.

There was just one catch. Leo had to make top five in the entrance exams to be admitted without a matriculation certificate. Leo says that he did not do well at comprehensive school and that his school grade average in the final certificate was 6.6. His starting point for university studies was also quite exceptional in other respects, as he was 24 years old and worked full-time in the ICT sector in Espoo throughout his studies. 

Through my studies, I found like-minded people for the first time, and that's also where I discovered environmental and non-governmental organisations. There were still relatively few players in the environmental sector at the turn of the millennium, which led me to ask, ‘If not me, then who?’”

Leo Stranius

“Through my studies, I found like-minded people for the first time, and that's also where I discovered environmental and non-governmental organisations. There were still relatively few players in the environmental sector at the turn of the millennium, which led me to ask, ‘If not me, then who?’”

Follow your heart and values

Leo's advice to current and future students is to follow your heart and values. Trust that everything else will follow, such as livelihood, social relationships and place in society. For Leo, university studies triggered a decisive change of direction in his life.

“The studies were great preparation for working life and social advocacy. The instruction given in Tampere had exactly the kind of social approach to the subject that I was looking for. Instead of a biological approach, Tampere University and Professor Yrjö Haila in particular had a rather philosophical approach to environmental policy, and I was really interested in that.”

The studies were great preparation for working life and social advocacy. The instruction given in Tampere had exactly the kind of social approach to the subject that I was looking for."

Leo Stranius

Even if Leo were able to make his educational choices again in the light of his current knowledge, he would not make changes. He found environmental policy and administrative sciences to be an excellent combination, which he further complemented with sociology and philosophy.

“The only thing I would probably study more is environmental law. Society is changed and environmental issues are largely steered through legislation, both in Finland and in the EU context,” says Leo.

In addition to his paid work, Leo volunteers, enjoys literature and does triathlon. Drawing from his experience in juggling many causes at once, Leo has also written books on life and time management.

“The topic of my latest book is different, however: 1.5 degrees better everyday life. I want to explain why and how climate-friendly choices increase well-being and are actually positive selfishness – not about sacrifice at all.”

Text: Tiina Leivo