The sustainability initiative Sustainable Switzerland was launched by NZZ in early 2022. Working with prestigious partners from the worlds of business and science, it supports sustainable development in Switzerland and makes it visible to the public. It puts relevant actors from business, science and politics in contact with each other and motivates them to take action. The initiative incorporates all three dimensions of sustainability: environmental, social and economic responsibility. The SSF network also includes myclimate, which has the role of climate protection partner. The myclimate advisory team calculates the emissions of the event and finances the corresponding climate protection contributions.
In addition to advising companies and providing climate education, myclimate’s core activities also include developing and supporting climate protection projects both national and international. These projects are on the agenda of this year’s SSF. A panel discussion will debate the financing of climate protection projects in the context of ‘climate neutrality’. The theme of the discussion is Climate neutrality through financing of climate protection projects – sale of indulgences or part of the solution? and it will feature contributions from Antoinette Hunziker-Ebneter (Forma Futura), Bastien Girod (National Councillor) and Simon Michel (Ypsomed). The input will take place in the afternoon on the main stage. Other speakers on the main stage include Dr Antje von Drewitz (CEO VAUDE) and Dr Philipp Bloom, historian, writer and philosopher.
Parallel to the main stage section, this year’s Sustainable Switzerland Forum (SSF) will focus on three thematic streams: mobility & energy, alpine habitat & biodiversity, and sustainable corporate governance. This means participants can configure their own morning programme with an in-depth examination of the topic in question in one of these thematic streams.
The SSF and the NZZ’s sustainability initiative combines the thematic streams with sustainability-related input from various speakers which will encourage people to engage with key issues. Or in the words of CEO Felix Graf:
“Quality journalism is at the heart of our commitment to sustainability. With our Sustainable Switzerland initiative, we are also putting important issues on the public agenda and presenting practical solutions for sustainable development in Switzerland.”