SFI–SSF Conference 2026
500 registered, leading voices, and the conversations in between
On 24 September 2026, the 6th SFI–SSF Conference brought together around 500 participants from academia, finance and practice to explore the evolving relationship between sustainability and financial markets.
Among the speakers was CCS member Prof. Zacharias Sautner, Professor of Sustainable Finance at the University of Zurich and Senior Chair at the Swiss Finance Institute. His keynote and subsequent participation in the panel addressed the increasingly important role of nature- and climate-related risks in financial decision-making and investment strategies.
With a programme spanning keynote presentations, expert discussions and perspectives from across the financial sector, the conference provided a valuable platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange. Yet, as with many conferences, some of the most meaningful conversations happened beyond the stage.
Beyond the presentations, it is the "In-Between" where things consolidate: In the conversations held with a coffee in hand during the break, in a quick exchange while the music announced the next speaker, or in a moment had with someone from another sector, the diverse perspectives on preserving nature and biodiversity converged around a common goal and drive: to move beyond the numbers towards practical, impactful implementation. Because climate and nature cannot wait.
This sentiment was echoed in a key insight by Prof. Sautner:
- “When do things really change? When investors and financial institutions face climate-related risks in the real world, whether through flooding, extreme weather or other tangible impact. This is where finance can play an important role. Data can make risks visible, but capital ultimately has to shift. Banks can stop financing assets with high climate risks, and insurers can stop underwriting them. Policy makers can support this transition through carbon pricing and regulation, while investors such as pension funds can also influence companies through their capital allocation and engagement. The key question is how we can accelerate this shift from awareness to action.”
The conference was organised by SFI Swiss Finance Institute and Swiss Sustainable Finance, in association with Building Bridges. The Competence Center of Sustainability at the University of Zurich is pleased to see academic and practitioner perspectives continuing to come together around the challenges and opportunities of sustainable finance.
Read Prof. Sautner's research at the links below:
Corporate Nature Risk Perceptions
