NZZ launches dialog platform for sustainability

The aim of the dialog platform is to promote sustainable development in this country and make it visible to the public by networking the relevant players and encouraging all those concerned to take action.

In cooperation with renowned partners from business and science, Sustainable Switzerland supports sustainable development in Switzerland. Sustainable Switzerland aims to make this visible to the public and provide added value for society as a whole by networking the relevant actors and encouraging all concerned to take action. After all, sustainability goals can only be achieved through close cooperation between all stakeholders. The mission of the national initiative is: "We promote a sustainable future for Switzerland, our planet and its people. Solution-oriented, liberal and together with strong companies as the driving force."

"In 2022, the halfway point for implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will almost have been reached. Globally, important progress has been made during this time, bringing the global community closer to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, these are not sufficient to achieve the goals by 2030." This is what the Federal Council writes in its introduction to the "Country Report of Switzerland 2022," which it published at the beginning of May and which it will present to the United Nations (UN) in New York in mid-July. In the outlook, the Federal Council states: "Looking ahead to the eight remaining years, it is clear that the goals can only be achieved through determined action throughout society."

Renowned partners on board

"If not now, when?" say the companies and institutions that are committed to the new national sustainability initiative Sustainable Switzerland and invite business, science, politics and the general public to assume economic, social and ecological responsibility and make their contribution to sustainable development in Switzerland. In addition to the company NZZ as initiator, these are the main partners BCG, BKW, BMW, Economiesuisse, EPFL, ETH Zurich, SAP, Swisscom and UBS as well as Lidl Switzerland as focus partner.

Felix Graf, CEO of NZZ, is convinced of the initiative's appeal and leverage: "We want to reach as many people and companies in Switzerland as possible. We want them to be aware of everything that is being done on the subject of sustainability, what science and business are doing and moving. And we want to encourage everyone to actively do their part." Because: "Only together can we make Switzerland more sustainable!"

Sustainable Switzerland supports and promotes not only the UN's 2030 Agenda and SDGs, but also the 2050 Climate Agreement. The initiative aims to make sustainable development visible in this country and provide added value for society as a whole by bringing relevant stakeholders together and encouraging them to act. "It's a fact that sustainability goals can only be achieved if all the stakeholders involved work together," says Samuel Wille, theme manager of Sustainable Switzerland. Before joining NZZ this year, he was one of the initiators of Swisstainable, the program for more sustainability at Switzerland Tourism, and Head of Corporate Relations at WWF Switzerland.

Topic specific content

In addition to constructive partnerships, key factors in achieving the sustainability goals set are both education and awareness: on the one hand on the corporate side (B2B), and on the other on the consumer side (B2C). A supporting element of all activities of the national sustainability initiative is the just launched portal sustainableswitzerland.ch. "We create understanding for the challenges of our time via topic-specific content according to NZZ quality standards. The editorial team looks specifically at approaches to solutions by various players and the contribution they can make to sustainable development in Switzerland, thus inspiring people to get involved," Samuel Wille sums it up.

Another important element and an annual highlight of Sustainable Switzerland is the Swiss Sustainability Forum (SSF). The premiere from September 22 to 24, 2022 in and around the Kursaal Bern is divided into two main parts: the SSF Leaders' Summit and the SSF Business Day on Thursday and Friday for thought leaders and decision makers, and the SSF Public Day on Saturday for the general public. The event is run by NZZ Connect, among others the organizer of the annual Swiss Economic Forum (SEF).

"The Swiss Sustainability Forum aims to become the exchange and experience platform for business, science, politics and the public in this country on the topic of sustainability," explains Corine Blesi, Managing Director of NZZ Connect. "We want to sensitize as many visitors as possible to different aspects of sustainable development along the three dimensions of economy, environment and society and, above all, encourage them to think - because a future fit for grandchildren concerns us all."