Marcin Kotlarek

Marcin Kotlarek is the CEO of Race For The Baltic, a non-profit organization founded in Sweden whose mission is to accelerate action for a healthy Baltic Sea. RFTB focuses primarily on combating eutrophication-one of the region’s most significant environmental challenges-by reducing inflows of phosphorus and nitrogen from sources such as agriculture, wastewater, industry, and fertilizer transport. In its work, the organization emphasizes measurable impact, practical pilot projects, and collaboration between business, science, public administration, and civil society.

Before becoming CEO of RFTB, Marcin spent 25 years at Boston Consulting Group, supporting companies and institutions across Europe in developing strategies and implementing large-scale transformation programs. Today, he leverages this experience to build partnerships and scale solutions that can meaningfully reduce pressure on the Baltic Sea.

Presentation title: “Baltic Sea: From Problem to Solutions”

The Baltic Sea is one of the most polluted seas in the world, with eutrophication remaining its biggest challenge-an excess of phosphorus and nitrogen leading to algal blooms, oxygen depletion, and ecosystem degradation. In this talk, I will explain why the Baltic is in such a critical condition, while also showing that it is a sea whose problems can realistically be solved. I will discuss the work of Race For The Baltic, practical projects that reduce nutrient inflows, and how business, science, public administration, and civil society can work together to accelerate the restoration of a healthy Baltic Sea.