Davos 2026: A look back at the World Economic Forum
Key takeaways from this article
- Pina Earth organized a Forest Walk at the World Economic Forum for the third time, bringing climate protection to life.
- What is striking this year is that companies are no longer discussing climate targets, but rather their operational implementation.
- The Nature Lunch has shown that effective climate protection happens when organizations and people act together.
A new format at the WEF: The Nature Lunch with Pina Earth
This year, we attended the World Economic Forum in Davos for the third time. Together with Nature Wealth, the European Biodiversity Coalition, Biodiversity Bridge, and Innovate 4 Nature, we hosted the first Nature Lunch at the WEF.
Over 150 people from renowned companies and organizations such as The Club of Rome, Standard Chartered Bank, Holcim, Airbus, and Breitling attended.
Keynote speakers included
- André Hoffmann (Co-Chairman, World Economic Forum)
- Johan Rockström (Director, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research)
- and Miljan Gutovic (CEO, Holcim).
Johan Rockström summed up the urgency: "The window to act is still open, but it is closing rapidly.". André Hoffmann made it clear that the dominant economic logic continues to reward exploitation rather than regeneration. Only when nature appears in key figures and becomes part of the basis for decision-making will something change. Miljan Gutovic made it clear: The transformation is already underway, but it needs clear framework conditions and cooperation.
From the Schatzalp Hotel into the forest
Together with our partners from Waldklimaschutz Schweiz (Swiss Forest Climate Protection), we organized two "Winter Forest Walks." Together with companies, investors, and representatives from science and practice, we walked through the snow-covered forest, sat around an open fire, and translated the keynotes into concrete questions: How do we integrate climate protection projects into existing strategies? How do we recognize quality? And how do we create collaboration that actually works?
Many people are now realizing that it is essential to act now. We can no longer afford to treat climate protection as a "nice to have."
Pina Earth CEO Jodok Batlogg sums it up:
The focus is shifting away from trying to convince everyone and toward working with those with whom cooperation is possible. Not out of convenience, but out of sober necessity.
Do you want to integrate climate protection projects into your strategy?
Pina Earth's Forest Walks bring forests to life at the World Economic Forum
Together with Waldklimaschutz Schweiz (Swiss Forest Climate Protection), Pina has now organized two Forest Walks for the third year in a row to do just that: make climate protection tangible. In the forest, you can see the value of nature today: Paul Polman "We need to value standing trees more than trees being cut down."
Every year was special. A brief chronology:
2024 - "Highlight of the Week"
Our first Forest Walk (then still called Tree.ly) was described by participants as the absolute highlight of the week. Over 200 people took part—from entrepreneurs to leaders of large global corporations. The initial discussions centered on whether nature-based solutions should even be part of corporate strategies.
2025 – Nature is on the agenda
Back then, when we were still Tree.ly, we teamed up with Glacier and Waldklimaschutz Schweiz to organize the "Snowy Forest Lunch"—with Marc Buckley as our speaker. The goal: to take biodiversity from theory and bring it into the forest, making it tangible.
2026 – Focus on implementation
In 2026, we hosted the first "Nature Lunch" with Innovate4Nature, Nature Wealth, the European Biodiversity Coalition, and Biodiversity Bridge, and organized two "Winter Forest Walks." The tone of the discussions has changed: it is no longer about "why," but about "how."
We will once again be part of the dialogue in Davos in 2027. Subscribe to our newsletter and receive regular updates on climate protection projects and the voluntary carbon market (VCM).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Nature Lunch at the World Economic Forum?
Nature Lunch is a new format that Pina Earth 2026 organized together with Nature Wealth, the European Biodiversity Coalition, Biodiversity Bridge, and Innovate 4 Nature at the WEF. Over 150 people from companies such as The Club of Rome, Standard Chartered Bank, Holcim, Airbus, and Breitling took part. Keynote speakers such as André Hoffmann, Johan Rockström, and Miljan Gutovic discussed the importance of nature and biodiversity for the economy and society.
What are Pina Earth's Forest Walks?
Forest Walksare events held in the forest where companies, investors, and representatives from science and practice discuss specific questions about the integration of climate protection projects. Together with Waldklimaschutz Schweiz (Swiss Forest Climate Protection), Pina Earth has been organizing these walks annually at the WEF in Davos since 2024. The aim is to bring climate protection to life.
How have the discussions at the WEF changed over the years?
In 2024, the question was whether nature-based solutions should even be part of corporate strategies. In 2025, biodiversity became a greater focus. By 2026, the discussion had shifted completely: companies were no longer asking "Why?" but "How can we integrate climate protection projects into our strategy in the long term?" The focus is now on operational implementation.
Sources
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Dr. Christine Rzepka has been Chief of Staff at Pina Earth since 2023 and is responsible for the marketing and communication of climate protection projects, among other things. In her articles, she shares recommendations and practical insights on credible sustainability communication and provides insights into Pina Earth's technology-based approach to regional climate protection. Before joining Pina Earth, she worked in other start-ups in the FinTech and EdTech space, in technology consulting and in academia as part of her PhD in Information Systems.
