Conferences
Upcoming Conferences & Events
2026
Fragwürdige Framings: Eine Podiumsdiskussion zur "Nachhaltigkeitsinitiative" (Questionable Framings: A Panel Discussion on the "Sustainability Initiative")
Prof. Debjani Bhattacharyya, together with Dr Hanna Hilbrandt will be hosting a panel discussion on the so-called "Nachhaltigkeitsinitiative" (Sustainability Inititiative). “Our trains are full,” “housing shortage,” and “Our beautiful Switzerland is being paved over” are some of the slogans and buzzwords used to promote the so-called “Sustainability Initiative.” This upcoming vote takes place against the backdrop of the growing global influence of right-wing populist forces and anti-immigration mobilization. It is striking how social and environmental arguments, such as those regarding housing equity and ecological sustainability, are being turned against immigration. The panel will examine the social, geographical, political, and historical contexts of these framing strategies - particularly in light of neoliberal economic practices.
Date: 18 May 2026, 18:30
Location: University of Zurich, Main Building, Rämistrasse 71, KOL-F-104 (floor F)
Previous Conferences & Events
2026
Climate Week Zurich 2026 events featuring CCS members, associated members, and senior fellows: Download the Overview (PDF, 2 MB)
Conference & Book Launch - "The Role of Sustainability in Central Banking", with Keynote by Danae Kyriakopoulou (Bank of England)
Date: Fri, 8 May 2026, 9:15-16:00, incl. Refreshments & Networking Lunch
Location: University of Zurich, Main Building, Rämistrasse 71, KOL-F-101 (floor F)
Organized by UZH CCS and ILE-HSG Institut für Law and Economics, University of St. Gallen
With interdisciplinary panel speakers and chapter authors of the newly published book "Central Banking and Sustainability" (Cambridge University Press, 2026), ed. by Kern Alexander and Seraina Grünewald
Learn more about our speakers in our Speakers' Biographies
Registration & Download programme (PDF, 208 KB)
Beyond Carbon: Debating the Future: “Green Finance”
Date: Fri, 8 May 2026, 12:15-13:45, online
In this lecture series lunchtime lecture, Prof. Debjani Bhattacharyya, Prof. Markus Leippold, and Prof. Nadine Strauß (moderating), will answer the question "Can sustainable finance truly drive climate action –and how can capital be steered toward a low-carbon future despite the challenges?"Attend here
Conference “Sustainable Finance and Climate Finance - From Roots to Innovation”
Date: Thu, 7 May 2026, 16:00-19:00, incl. Networking Apéro
Location: UZH Careum, Pestalozzistrasse 3, Zurich
Prof. Zacharias Sautner and Prof. Markus Leippold among others will answer the question "How can finance actually move the needle on climate and nature?", with key topics such as sustainable finance, climate risks, engagement, stewardship and impact investing, and the role of technology and innovation.Registration and Information
Panel Discussion “Framing Sustainability in the Age of AI: Public Voices, Corporate Strategies, Media Influence"
Date: Thu, 7 May 2026, 17:00-19:00, incl. Apéro riche
Location: UZH Digital Society Initiative Event-Room, Rämistrasse 69, Zurich
Prof. Nadine Strauß and others will answer the question "How are narratives around AI and sustainability shaped today?", focusing on key topics such as AI, environmental discourse and public perceptions as well as corporate strategies. Registration and Information
EY's Focus Event: Greenwashing in Financial Services, Keynote
Date: Tue, 5 May 2026, 15:30-17:00
Location: EY hosting @Westhive, Hardturmstrasse 161, Zürich, Switzerland
Dr. Tadas Zukas will be delivering the Keynote, with key topics including sustainable finance, corporate transition, and climate justice and social responsibility. Registration and Information
Oxford Bank Governance Webinar, University of Oxford Saïd Business School
Date: 17 March 2026, 15:00 CET, online
Prof. Kern Alexander will be co-hosting the webinar and will discuss geopolitical risks and financial stability, as well as investment opportunities for banks in private credit in technology, energy independence and the environmental transition in Europe.
Register now and secure your spot
Lunchtime Sustainability Seminar Series, No. 3: Sustainability-Linked Insurance
Date: 10 March 2026, 12:15-13:45 (including Apéro), location RAI-F-041, Rämistrasse 74, 8001 Zurich, floor F (tbc). Expert speaker: Robert Eigenheer (Head of Corporate Finance, Swiss Federal Railways SBB)
Download flyer (PDF, 162 KB) and register here (non-obligatory). Entry is free.
Video recording of the seminar
Read the recent briefing of the seminar, by André Bittner
Colorectal Liver Metastasis Consensus Conference
Date: 24-26 February 2026, Online & TMC3 Collaborative Building, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center JOIN THE WEBINAR & access the progam
UZH Sustainable: Wissenschaft und Politik im Dialog
Date: 25 February 2026, 18:00-20:00.
Download program andregister here.
Growth and proposed regulation of stablecoins in the UK: Prof. Kern Alexander will give oral evidence to the UK Parliament’s House of Lords
Date: 11 February 2026, at 11:00am GMT / 12:00 CET
2025
Lunchtime Sustainability Seminar Series, No. 2: Climate-Proofing Sovereign Bonds
Date: 16 December 2025, 12:15-14:30 (including Apéro), UZH Center, Rämistrasse 71, Zürich, in room KOL-F-104 (floor F). Expert speaker: Dr. Dominic Wälchli (Schellenberg Wittmer & Lecturer, UZH Law Faculty)
Download flyer (PDF, 264 KB) and register here (non-obligatory). Entry is free.
Video Recording of the Seminar
Read the recent briefing of the seminar, by André Bittner
Annual meeting of the UZH-ETH Network on Interdisciplinary Climate Research
Date: 5 December 2025, 13:30-17:00.
Download program (PDF, 207 KB) and register here.
Lunchtime Sustainability Seminar Series, No. 1: Swiss Sustainable Finance Regulation – At a Crossroads?
Date: 3 December 2025, 12:15-14:30 (including Apéro), UZH Law Faculty, Rämistrasse 74, Zürich, in room RAI-F-041 (floor F). Expert speakers: Prof. Dr. Aline Darbellay (UZH Law Faculty) & Dr. Tadas Zukas (Vontobel)
Download flyer (PDF, 479 KB) and register here (non-obligatory). Entry is free.
Video Recording of the Seminar
Read the recent briefing of the seminar, by André Bittner
Cross-border Crypto Conference: Swiss Challenges, Opportunities and the Law
Date: 5 November 2025. To register before 29 October and for more information, click the Invitation & Agenda below, or visit the LinkedIn Link below:
Cross-border Crypto Conference Invitation and Agenda (PDF, 165 KB)
2024
Vanderbilt-Zurich Transatlantic Dialogue on Corporate and Financial Market Law
Date: 27 May 2024
Program & Overview (PDF, 230 KB)
2024 SCFL Lecture Series, Dr. Tadas Zukas - "How to (not) regulate sustainable finance: Experiences from capitals of capital
Date: 3 May 2024
CLDS & SCFL Joint Conference in association with Loyens & Loeff
Date: 7 March 2024
Program & Overview (PDF, 820 KB)
2022
Conference on Sustainability in Commercial and Financial Law – Participants and Discussants
Date: 9 November 2022