CCBRE at the Swiss Green Economy Symposium

We were honoured to participate in the symposium held in Winterthur from 2 to 4 September 2025. This is one of Switzerland’s leading platforms for sustainable innovation, business transformation, and cross-sector dialogue. The event brought together academics, business leaders, policymakers, and NGOs to discuss important issues such as the circular economy, climate action, and sustainable growth.

Insights from Podium Discussions

The symposium's podium discussions offered sharp and sometimes provocative insights into the transition towards a greener economy:

• Stefan von Bergen stressed that sustainability must be profitable. 'It's not about government subsidies,' he said.
• Dr. Clemens Wögerbauer emphasised that circular economy alternatives must match the quality of traditional offerings and that regulation should be viewed as a driver of innovation rather than an obstacle. He called for transparent evaluation throughout the process and the right team structures.
• Sarah Kim Harbarth emphasised the importance of consumers, reminding us that they cannot simply pass the buck to companies. 'We need framework conditions,' she said.
• Tim Schulten noted that 'China and India are much faster than we are', urging Europe to speed up if it wants to remain competitive.
• Joke Verdegaal Frei identified a shift in consumer attitudes, arguing that change is being driven more by consumers' newfound determination than by regulation.
• Thomas Vellacott called for 'radical cooperation across sectors', urging participants to prioritise sustainability and 'leave ideology to others'.
• Markus Reubi shared insights from the UN Agenda 2030 meeting, noting that countries such as Indonesia, Thailand and Mexico are now driving much of the momentum. He emphasised the importance of pioneering companies and organisations demonstrating their accomplishments.
• Andre Hoffmann emphasised that corporations of the future must serve both societal and financial needs.
• Looking ahead, Dr. Fabian Streiff predicted that 'sustainability reporting will be read by AI, if not by human readers', and praised the symposium for uniting such a diverse range of stakeholders.

The discussions made it clear that Europe must act faster and cooperate across sectors if it is to make the green transition truly scalable, combining profitability with responsibility.

Sustainability Communication

During the parallel sessions on sustainability communication, the speakers emphasised the importance of transparency, inclusivity and meaningful narratives.

• Grazia Grassi and Michaela Reischl explained how regular stakeholder dialogue across Lidl’s supply chain helps to drive change among decision-makers.
• Prof. Dr. Philipp Dreesen argued for shifting linguistic perspectives, focusing on discourse itself rather than rigid “top-down” or “bottom-up” constructs.

The overall message was clear: choosing the right form of communication can make a difference, but achieving genuine impact requires more than just rhetoric — it requires action.

Impressions from the workshops

The symposium also offered practical workshops that linked science with real-world applications. One session, which focused on applied science and intellectual property, presented ETH Zurich start-ups and spin-offs in an inspiring and accessible way. It showed how research can be transformed into tangible innovation.

Dr. Ulrike Pfreundt from Northern Germany shared her experiences of collaborating with local NGOs and academic partners in Indonesia, Ecuador and the Philippines, gradually empowering them to independently take over work — combining brand, quality and control with capacity building.

The workshops demonstrated how applied science, entrepreneurship and effective communication can accelerate the transition from research to practice, ensuring that sustainability initiatives deliver a measurable impact.

Spotlight on Innovation

We celebrated together innovative initiatives. Start-up Musikspitex was recognised for its creative approach, and young academics at ZHAW presented award-winning projects that connect sustainability with practical applications.

Takeaways from the Symposium

Profitability and responsibility must go hand in hand: sustainable solutions will only be adopted on a large scale if they are economically viable while delivering societal value.

Radical cooperation across sectors is essential: universities, businesses, policymakers, and consumers all have a role to play in the green transition.

Language and communication matter: framing sustainability in the right way and moving from words to action are key to achieving real impact.

Applied science and entrepreneurship accelerate change: from university spin-offs to regional pilots, innovation must bridge research and practice.

For CCBRE, participating in this symposium presented an invaluable opportunity to connect with like-minded European leaders. The insights gained have reinforced our commitment to providing practical, scalable solutions that combine science, business and social responsibility — the very foundations upon which we are already building in the Plovdiv region.