Annette, you left a successful career as Secretary-General of the Arbitration Institute to run the company Climate Change Counsel. What is your business idea and what does your market look like?
We are consultants with backgrounds in international law, leadership, and the environment who assist companies, organizations, and decision-makers with the legal aspects of climate work. Right now, for example, we are working to raise awareness of climate risks and how clients' commercial agreements can be used for climate transition. One of our larger assignments is a study of an intergovernmental agreement for energy investments and how it stands from a climate perspective. We also offer training and monitoring of the external environment. The legal aspects of the climate issue are naturally global. It can be challenging for individual companies to follow, and that is where we can step in and support the client's own environmental analysis. The market is, not entirely unexpectedly, limitless, and we have collaborations across virtually the entire world. The interest in our business since we started has been somewhat overwhelming.

What is most inspiring in what you do today?
The issues we work with and the ways in which we can make a difference are constantly evolving. Almost every meeting we sit in results in some kind of business development. It is incredibly exciting and engaging. We are given the opportunity to use both our creativity and experience on a daily basis. What ultimately guides our priorities is our shared commitment to the climate issue – how we can together use our knowledge and drive to assist in the societal transition. It is also what determines which issues we get involved in together with clients. The fact that climate is an issue that engages is very clear, and our job has also become to introduce the climate perspective in new contexts, not least among lawyers.

Finally - any tips for like-minded people who are considering a good idea but are afraid to take the plunge?
My experience is that if you are clear enough about what you want, the environment tends to ”adjust”. Formulate your vision and you will be surprised at how much of this appears on your radar. Surround yourself with wise, happy people in one way or another and don't think too much. Be inspired by everyone who has taken the plunge before you!