European Sustainability Week sends a strong signal for sustainability
Despite growing political headwinds in Europe, more than 500 experts from business, science, and politics made a clear commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices during European Sustainability Week (ESW) 2025 in Petersberg near Bonn. The focus was on the ESG Summit 2025, the use of artificial intelligence in sustainability reporting, and several awards for pioneering companies.
From November 25 to 27, 2025, the EUPD Group, a market research and consulting firm specializing in sustainability based in Bonn, Germany, brought together leading experts at the Steigenberger Icon Grandhotel & Spa Petersberg to discuss current challenges in European sustainability policy. In an environment where regulatory requirements are coming under pressure and initiatives are being scaled back in some cases, the ESW should position sustainability as a business-critical necessity rather than a luxury.
ESG Summit 2025 as the centerpiece
The highlight of the week was the ESG Summit 2025 on November 26, featuring expert presentations and interactive panels on six topics, including social sustainability, financing in transition, new reporting standards, and the potential of AI in ESG reporting. Leading ESG voices from Europe shared their assessments and emphasized the importance of networking and exchange for credible and effective sustainability strategies.
A key cross-cutting theme was the rapid progress of artificial intelligence and its significance for data quality, impact measurement, and leadership culture. In a roundtable discussion on the decarbonization of European industry, Robert Habeck and representatives from Goldbeck Solar, TÜV Rheinland, Deutsche Telekom, and Ruhr University Bochum, among others, discussed the real costs of uncertainty compared to consistent emission reduction.
Awards for transparency, energy transition, and corporate health
The conference was accompanied by breakout sessions, a trade exhibition, and several award ceremonies, including the ESG Transparency Award, the Energy Transition Award, and the SolarProsumerAward for particularly transparent and forward-looking companies. On November 25, the winners of the prestigious Corporate Health Award were honored at a gala dinner event. The award recognizes exemplary occupational health management and underscores the growing social importance of healthy working conditions.
Companies see sustainability as a competitive factor
EUPD Group CEO Markus A.W. Hoehner reported growing uncertainty in the market about the role of ESG, but at the same time sees an increasing number of companies that want to strategically anchor sustainability in their core business in order to remain competitive. European Sustainability Week aims to support this development, ask critical questions, and further promote cross-industry dialogue—with a follow-up event planned for ESW 2026.
Source: www.eupd-group.com
This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/european-sustainability-week-setzt-starkes-zeichen-fuer-nachhaltigkeit/
