Sustainability in Action – Insights into Swiss companies and Business Ethics

In our recent session, we had the opportunity to dive deep into sustainability and business ethics with experts from KPMG and the University of St. Gallen. The session provided valuable insights into the evolving landscape of sustainable finance and the ethical challenges businesses face today.

Sustainability in Action: The ESG Blueprint

KPMG introduced us to their ESG Blueprint, a structured approach to integrating sustainability into corporate strategy. They walked us through the ever-growing requirements in sustainable finance, highlighting the increasing regulatory expectations and the role of financial institutions in driving sustainable change.

One of the most engaging parts of the session was the discussion on greenwashing—the practice of making misleading claims about sustainability. We tested our analytical skills by evaluating real-world examples and determining whether they were genuinely sustainable initiatives or marketing strategies. This hands-on exercise emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in corporate sustainability efforts.

Business Ethics: A Philosophical and Corporate Perspective

The second session, led by Iwan Alijew from the University of St. Gallen, introduced us to the foundations of business ethics. We explored various ethical frameworks, such as Kantian ethics (duty-based ethics) and utilitarianism (consequentialist ethics), applying them to controversial business cases. The discussion sparked an engaging debate on how ethical considerations shape corporate decision-making and whether businesses should prioritize profitability over moral responsibility.

Key Takeaways

• Sustainability in finance is evolving rapidly, requiring companies to stay ahead of regulatory changes.

• Greenwashing remains a critical issue, making it essential to verify sustainability claims.

• Ethical decision-making in business is complex, with different frameworks leading to different conclusions.

• A balance between profitability and ethics is necessary for long-term corporate success.

This session reinforced the importance of a holistic approach to sustainability and ethics, ensuring that businesses operate responsibly while adapting to the changing global landscape.

We kindly like to thank KPMG & Iwan Alijew for their insights! A special thanks to KPMG for continuously supporting connectUS as our Gold Partner!