Carsten Skovlund Hansen owns designwerk, a resident of Bæredygtig Herning’s co-work space. It was shared values that attracted him to the space, and although there is a wide diversity amongst resident companies, a dedication to sustainability is the common thread. Carsten uses the SDGs extensively in his work as a designer, communications strategist and coach for start-ups.

When the UN adopted its 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets in 2015, it created order out of chaos, says Carsten Skovlund Hansen. That’s because the SDGs provided a common frame of reference that enabled everyone to make a commitment to sustainable development for people and the planet. For Carsten it was also a welcome platform for his work as a designer, communications strategist, and coach for start-ups.

“I have always wanted to do something more than just earn money, and that’s taken many forms through the years. For me, the SDGs fit well with my own values and where I want to go with Designwerk. I’m not an activist, but I want to spend the time I have on meaningful things, and I use the SDGs as a beacon for the work I take in. It gives a deep sense of purpose to work with companies and organisations that want to play a role in realizing the goals or that already are,” he says.

Carsten’s work spans across many areas, but the SDGs play a role in most of them. “I design a lot of brand identities and it is most rewarding when I can get on board from the very start and help formulate how my clients can differentiate themselves and create a competitive advantage in their market. In this regard, I believe sustainable ambitions play a big role. When sustainability becomes a part of a company’s mission – whether it is about addressing climate change or ensuring social sustainability – then we have made a difference. Then it is not just myself working to create a better world, but also my customers.”

Social sustainability is often in focus when Carsten teaches young people about entrepreneurship and design. He has a particular interest in working with start-ups and pre-seed start-ups, because he can share his years of experience with them and impart a belief that they can achieve all the things they dream about. “Globally, 90 percent of all pre-seeds fail with their idea. For 70 percent of them it takes two years to fail and that can be demotivating and feel like a waste of time. I want to help them qualify their ideas, and so I teach them how to do that. In this way sustainability is not just about the green transition, but also social sustainability in being able to give something to the next generation.”

"Everyone who is involved with sustainability in Herning comes this way, so you see them and can build a network, too."

There are several advantages to sitting in Bæredygtig Herning’s co-work space, Carsten says: “It is rewarding to be with the people here- both those in the association but also my co-work colleagues. It’s a new generation that has the ability, drive, and wisdom to do things the right way – it is inspiring. And I have to say that everyone who is involved with sustainability in Herning comes this way, so you see them and can build a network, too. I recently met a managing director here who shares my interests and now we’re meeting for coffee. The most important thing for me is that I am a part of a community based on shared values where, although we may work with a lot of different things, we share a lot of common ground.”

Having a place like Bæredygtig Herning is important for this city. One of the great things about Herning is that we are good at working together to accomplish things no one thinks is possible. But we are also business-minded, and we want to be responsible businesspeople. There is a cultural change happening, and it will take a few years, but I feel like I am doing my humble part to push a sustainable paradigm shift by being here. And I have been inspired to work with sustainability in new ways – and you should never stop learning.”