Events

The joint event of the Sustainable Finance Cluster and econsense – Forum Nachhaltige Entwicklung der Deutschen Wirtschaft e.V. aims to illustrate the interaction between the real economy and the financial sector based on the STM25 results and to show ways in which effective transformation financing can be made possible.

The Sustainability Transformation Monitor (STM) uses a longitudinal survey to record the progress of the socio-ecological transformation in companies in the real economy and on the financial markets. It analyzes key drivers, success factors and obstacles that promote or hinder the conversion of business models, processes and products to more sustainable structures.

Agenda and registration will follow

At our Cluster Get Together, Sebastian Rink from Frankfurt School presented the most important findings from two recent working papers. One dealt with the question of how to estimate sustainability data from financial data with the help of machine learning (“It’s in the financials, stupid! But is it certain?”). The other paper dealt with the role of private capital in the context of the Paris climate goals (“Consistency or Transformation? Finance in Climate Agreements”).

A lively discussion developed with the participants on both topics. The exchange continued afterwards over snacks and drinks, then also with a view to the “big issues” such as the impact of the Bundestag elections on sustainable finance in Germany and the current proposal of the Omnibus Initiative.

At our first get-together of the year at the Tech Quartier in Frankfurt, Heimo Saubach presented the key findings of the ESG Data Monitor 2024 conducted jointly by open ESG, PPA and Frankfurt School.

The current survey sheds light on the ongoing integration of ESG (environmental, social and governance) data into the risk management of financial institutions. Based on the survey of almost 150 financial institutions from Germany and Switzerland, the report provides valuable insights into the status quo, practical challenges and necessary solutions for the use of ESG data.

Following the presentation, the attendees discussed possible implications for the use of data in their organisations as well as remaining challenges. Many thanks to Heimo Saubach for the interesting presentation. We are looking forward to the new edition of the survey in 2025.

The motto of the summit was “More impact, more change – sustainable finance in implementation”. Around 400 experts from the world of finance, business, research, politics and supervision came together to discuss the latest developments and challenges in the implementation of sustainable finance and to develop concrete solutions for practical implementation.

The summit, which took place for the 8th time annually, provides a platform for the exchange of expertise and experience on the design of a sustainable financial system. Particular attention was paid to the question of how financial players can implement the change towards greater sustainability in practice. It was discussed which targeted measures and innovations can be used to channel more financial flows into sustainable projects in order to accelerate ecological and social change.

Many of the speakers underlined the urgency of the topic and emphasized the importance of pragmatic cooperation between the real and financial economy. The conclusion of the summit is: the future of finance is sustainable – and the time to act is now!