Past SSF Events 2025
SSF/GIIN/SPII Webinar on Climate Solutions
Over 125 people joined us for the third webinar in our year-long series with the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), organised by the Swiss Platform for Impact Investing (SPII). The series aims to provide Swiss investors and intermediaries with the latest insights, guidance and tools to help them navigate the ever-changing world of global impact investing.
After a short introduction from Veronica Baker (SSF) and Mirjam Garzon (GIIN), this session focused on the GIIN Climate Solutions Investing Framework, a practical tool designed to help investors align their portfolios with net-zero pathways. Participants gained an overview of the framework itself and heard how it is already being applied in practice, with concrete examples of how capital is mobilised for climate solutions.
Elina Rolfe (GIIN) then moderated a panel discussion with two practitioners, Liza Rubinstein Malamud (Carbon Equity) and Amara Goeree (Schroders Private Equity). Their insights emphasised the opportunities and challenges of financing climate-positive investments.
The session emphasised the importance of collaborative learning within the Swiss impact investing community, reinforcing SPII’s role as a knowledge hub for global best practices.
Access the recording here.
View the slidedeck here.
Webinar series: Sustainable Investing – Here to Stay. Edition 2: The Value of Sustainable Business Strategies
The second edition of our webinar series “Sustainable Investing – Here to Stay” gathered strong participation from the sustainable finance community. This edition highlighted the opportunity side: how sustainable business strategies can create value for both companies and investors.
Natalie Benz, Global Sector Lead in Sustainable Finance at Quantis, opened the session with insights from Quantis’ latest publication “A force to lead – How CSOs can claim their relevance”. She outlined four actionable strategies that Chief Sustainability Officers can implement today to enhance their impact and turn a rapidly evolving landscape into a strategic advantage, supported by examples from different sectors.
Rachel Whittaker, Head of Sustainable Investing Research at Robeco, followed with a presentation on how Robeco captures and assesses the financial materiality of diverse sustainability topics across sectors, illustrating how these insights contribute to strengthening the investment decision process.
The session concluded with a Q&A discussion moderated by Sabine Döbeli, CEO at SSF.
Nature Exchange Group - 4th Session
The fourth session of the Nature Exchange Group took place this morning at UBS Grünenhof in Zurich. Co-organised by SSF and the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein, the group brings together real economy and financial institutions to exchange and learn on nature-related topics within organizations.
This session focused on good practices in nature reporting. Early adopters and forerunners UBS and Holcim shared how they structured their disclosures in alignment with TNFD recommendations – highlighting key challenges, quick wins, and insights into how reporting can drive organization-wide engagement and change.
With contributions from Judson Berkey (UBS) and Renata Pollini (Holcim), participants engaged in group discussions on common reporting sections and related challenges, fostering valuable peer-to-peer learning.
The session was moderated by Veronica Baker (SSF) and Anna Eiperle (UNGCNSL).
Roundtable - Sustainable Real Estate Investments
The SSF Roundtable on Sustainable Real Estate Investments took place in Zurich and focused on climate-related financial disclosures and risk assessments in the real estate sector.
Contributions came from Anna Shpak, CEO of Generation Impact Global, who addressed the practical challenges of sustainability reporting, and from Laura Archer-Svoboda and Tomasz Orpiszewski of ZHAW, who presented their research on physical climate risk assessments for real estate portfolios.
Discussions among members highlighted both the opportunities and challenges of implementing TCFD and ISSB standards as well as assessing physical risks in real estate investments.
The workshop was moderated by Dr. Hendrik Kimmerle, Senior Project Manager at SSF, who guided the exchange.
SSF/McKinsey/SIX Investment Opportunities in Carbon Markets
On 26 August, SSF, in partnership with McKinsey & Company and SIX, hosted a high-level conference in Zurich on investment opportunities in carbon markets. The event brought together over 150 finance leaders, industry specialists and policymakers to explore the role of carbon markets in accelerating the transition to a sustainable economy.
The first part of the conference focused on decarbonisation challenges across industries and opened with a keynote address from Christopher Blaufelder, Partner at McKinsey. It contributions from senior representatives of Holcim, Mammut, Neustark, NatureRe, Verra, GoldStandard, and the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment.
The second part of the conference highlighted the opportunities that carbon markets offer to the financial sector. A keynote address was delivered by Marion Leslie, Head of Financial Information and Executive Board Member at SIX, followed by contributions on the topics of infrastructure, investing and financing, made by experts from UBS, CarbonFutures and CarbonRemovalPartners.
The event was moderated by Sabine Döbeli and Romain Leroy-Castillo from SSF.
The discussions emphasized the innovative solutions emerging in Switzerland and the critical need for credibility, transparency, and trust in building robust carbon markets. The conference emphasised that high-quality carbon credits and negative-emission technologies present growing opportunities for companies looking to decarbonise, as well as for banks and investors seeking to support scalable climate solutions.
Understanding and Navigating Client Demand – Challenges and Perspectives
On 20 August 2025, Swiss Sustainable Finance (SSF) held a member-exclusive roundtable in Zurich, hosted by Bank J. Safra Sarasin. The session gathered SSF members and experts to discuss how financial firms can respond to shifting client expectations around sustainable finance.
Speakers underlined that, despite current criticism, the long-term drivers of sustainable finance remain intact and private clients continue to show interest in ESG when communicated clearly. The discussion highlighted the need for pragmatic regulation, transparent investment solutions with a strong transition focus, and a narrative that avoids vague promises in favor of tangible progress. Participants also stressed the importance of simpler language and stronger support for client advisors.
With contributions from Andrew Douglas (Center for Sustainable Finance and Private Wealth, University of Zurich) and Daniel Wild (J. Safra Sarasin), and moderated by Katja Brunner (SSF), the event provided an engaging platform for peer exchange.
SSF/GIIN/SPII Webinar: Impact Investing in Healthcare
Over 80 participants joined us for the second instalment of our 2025 Impact Investing Webinar Series, which was co-hosted by Swiss Sustainable Finance (SSF), the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) and the Swiss Platform for Impact Investing (SPII).
This session focused on impact investing in the healthcare sector. Together with our partners, we explored how finance can promote health equity and deliver tangible social outcomes. The first half provided market insights that highlighted the growing momentum in healthcare impact investing, particularly in underserved markets. Further, the session offered practical insights into the GIIN’s Healthcare Impact Benchmark and their QALY tool, which aims to capture a comparable value of quality of life years.
Next we heard from two very different approaches to healthcare investments from Jacob Tate (Senior Research Associate at GIIN), Michael Rieser (Programme Manager at UBS Optimus Foundation) and Lionel Frachebourg (Investment Professional at GENUI). In a discussion with them, we learned about the challenges they face in their respective solutions and how they aim of impact outcomes in different markets.
Mirjam Garzon, Senior Advisor Europe at GIIN, and Veronica Baker, Project Manager – Lead Impact Investing and Nature at SSF, moderated the session, guiding a rich and engaging discussion.
Access the recording here.
View the different slidedecks:
GIIN QALY Tool: Impact Quantifier (QALY Tool) landing page or the direct link here
Launch Webinar: Swiss Sustainable Investment Market Study 2025
Our launch webinar for the Swiss Sustainable Investment Market Study 2025 attracted over 200 participants, providing a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in sustainable investment in Switzerland.
The SSF team presented the study's key findings, highlighting the most significant trends in the Swiss sustainable investment landscape during 2024. The presentation revealed how the number of sustainability-related financial products has evolved and examined notable shifts in investment approaches. The webinar also explored the progress of the Swiss financial sector in adopting emerging sustainability standards and practices.
The session incorporated practical perspectives from the field through a panel discussion comprising leading industry figures. Dr. Agnes Neher, Head of Responsible Investment at Baloise, and Sara Razmpa, Sustainable Investment Specialist at Piguet Galland, shared valuable insights on applying sustainable investment strategies within their respective institutions. The discussion was moderated by Romain Leroy-Castillo, Director Projects at SSF.
View the Slidedeck here.
Read the Market Study here.
Access the Chatbot here
SSF Annual Conference 2025
Over 200 participants joined us in Bern on 17 June 2025 for our Annual Conference, focusing on the effective handling of climate risks in the face of increasing potential damage and resulting business opportunities.
The conference was opened by Sabine Döbeli, CEO of SSF, who welcomed participants and framed the day’s discussion. This was followed by a keynote from Andréa Maechler, Deputy General Manager of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), who emphasized the importance of systemic approaches to climate-related financial risks and underscored the role of central banks and regulators in shaping resilient financial systems. Stefan Walter, CEO of FINMA, shared insights into the implementation of FINMA’s circular on climate risk management. He highlighted how Switzerland’s supervisory authority is reinforcing the financial sector’s responsibility in addressing climate risk, with an emphasis on robust governance and disclosure practices.
The first panel discussion explored how banks and financial institutions are adapting their business models to address climate and nature-related risks while creating value. Dr. Alexandra Scriba, Head of Institutional Clients & Multinationals at Zürcher Kantonalbank, her institution’s approach to sustainability and ways to support clients on the transition.. Deia Markova, Head of Trade & Sustainable Commodities Finance at Société Générale, provided practical examples of integrating ESG factors into commodity finance.
After the break, Hans Hess, Chairman of the Board at Synhelion, offered a perspective on the role of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in advancing sustainable mobility and industrial innovation. Martin Weymann, Head of Group Sustainability at Swiss Re, added insights on how insurers are using data and scenario analysis to manage long-term exposure. Kayode Akinola, Head of Global Private Equity Direct Investments at Blue Earth Capital, emphasized the importance of allocating capital to businesses to act as a lever for change. The session was moderated by Carolin Roth who guided the discussion toward practical steps financial institutions can take to align with global sustainability goals while managing risks and maintaining profitability.
Patrick Odier, President of SSF, closed the session with his key take-aways and the conviction that collaboration, innovation and transparent accountability will be essential for the financial sector to play a leading role in accelerating the sustainable transition.
View the different slidedecks:
Webinar series: Sustainable Investing - Here to Stay. Edition 1: Effect of Climate Risk on Performance
The impact of sustainable investment practices on portfolio performance has long been a subject of debate. In light of growing scepticism around ESG approaches, it is more important than ever to adopt a fact-based, data-driven perspective to assess how sustainability influences investment performance and risk/return profiles.
On 12 June 2025, we hosted the first webinar in our new series, “Sustainable Investing – Here to Stay.” This inaugural session focused on how integrating climate risks into investment analysis can enhance the risk/return profile of portfolios. Sabine Döbeli, CEO of SSF, opened the session with a welcome note.
Guido Giese, Global Head of ESG & Climate Solutions Research at MSCI, delivered the first presentation, offering valuable insights from MSCI Research on the relationship between sustainable investing and portfolio risk and return, with a particular emphasis on climate risk.
Christopher Greenwald, Head of Sustainable Investment at LGT, followed with a presentation illustrating how a Swiss private bank can continue to deliver strong sustainable investment strategies in the current market environment.
The session concluded with a Q&A discussion moderated by Romain Leroy-Castillo, Director Projects at SSF.
Roundtable - Sustainable Real Estate Investments - Timber Finance
The SSF Focus Group Roundtable on Sustainable Real Estate Investments brought SSF members together for an in-depth discussion on timber construction and finance. The roundtable explored how financial instruments could support the expansion of timber construction, featuring real-world examples of timber use in building projects.
Frank Vasek (Timber Finance Management AG) shared his insights on financing mechanisms for timber projects. This was followed by Céline Fahrer (Topik Partner AG) presented practical experiences from timber construction projects.
Hosted by Hendrik Kimmerle (SSF), the event emphasised the increasing importance of timber as a sustainable building material and the need for collaboration to drive innovation in the sector.
Nature Exchange Group: WWF/MSCI Integrating Biodiversity into Financial Data
The Nature Exchange Group was co-hosted by Swiss Sustainable Finance (SSF) and the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein (UNGCNSL) and saw members from a range of sectors come together to explore how finance can better address nature-related risks.
The session opened with expert presentations on the integration of the WWF Biodiversity Risk Filter into MSCI's datasets. Nicola Lei Ravello and Regula Hess (WWF) presented the tool, emphasising its capacity to assist financial institutions in evaluating portfolio risks and to aid companies in assessing the biodiversity implications of their supply chains. Thierry Corti, Bettina Meyer and Madeleine Helms (MSCI Inc.) then demonstrated how the data is being embedded into financial processes and the implications of this for practitioners. The session was moderated by our project manager, Veronica Baker (SSF) and Anna Eiperle (UNGCNSL) who guided participants through the discussion and introduced a practical case study.
Access the recording here.
View the different slidedecks:
Romandie Event – Investissements Immobiliers Durables
The Romandie community recently gathered for a focused session on sustainable real estate investment. The event was organised by SSF's Director Romandie, Daniela Lavrador, and Senior Project Manager, Dr Hendrik Kimmerle.
Giovanni Carlo Troccoli presented CPEG’s initiatives aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, improving energy efficiency and encouraging eco-friendly practices throughout its property portfolio in Geneva. Isabelle Nesme (JSS Real Estate Management) discussed how smaller real estate investors are successfully incorporating ESG considerations into their decision-making processes and operations. Ali Baghdadi and Oscar Delabranche (Quanthome) then discussed the challenges related to ESG data transparency and climate transition risks in real estate. The session reinforced the critical role of collaboration and knowledge sharing in driving the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient real estate sector.
Launch Webinar - Responsible Gold Investments
In this launch webinar, Daniela Lavrador, author of Responsible Gold Investments and Director for Romandie at SSF, presented key findings from Responsible Gold Investments spotlight. The session opened with remarks from SSF CEO, Sabine Döbeli, followed by a presentation from Daniela Lavrador, who highlighted key trends in responsible gold investment.
Two case studies followed illustrating these developments in practice: The Swiss Gold Bars ESG Initiative, presented by Esther Halas Budinsky (Banque Bonhôte & Cie SA) and Virginie van Doorn (Conser).The second presentation, Swiss Positive Gold Fund, was shared by Frederic-Karim Dawance (de Pury Pictet Turrettini) and Diana Culillas (Swiss Better Gold). Over 120 participants joined the webinar gaining insights on how ESG considerations are increasingly influencing gold-related financial products.
Access the recording here.
View the different slidedecks:
Read the spotlight here.
SSF/SFG/BB/SIFI Housewarming Party Maison de la Finance Durable
Swiss Sustainable Finance, together with Building Bridges, Sustainable Finance Geneva (SFG), and the SDG Impact Finance Initiative, celebrated the opening of our joint sustainable finance hub in Geneva: la Maison de la Finance Durable.
During this Meet & Greet, our combined network came together to connect, exchange ideas, and acknowledge our shared commitment to promoting sustainable finance and advancing the global agenda. The evening featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Patrick Odier.
We believe that la Maison de la Finance Durable will strengthen valuable synergies and further strengthen the missions of our respective organizations.
SSF/AMAS: "The Swiss Stewardship Code from Experience to Action"
The Swiss Stewardship Code: From Experience to Action’ took place at the Metropol in Zurich and was co-hosted by Swiss Sustainable Finance and the Asset Management Association of Switzerland. This event brought together professionals from the sustainable finance community to discuss the practical application of the Swiss Stewardship Code and its implications for the future of responsible investing in Switzerland. Several expert contributions were featured at the event, notably from Katja Brunner, our Director of Legal and Regulations. The discussions focused on the practical implementation of the Code, the current challenges faced, and the role of stewardship in promoting long-term value creation.
Swiss Banking Executive Training (BET) – Sustainable Finance Module
As part of Swiss international cooperation, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) supports the development of financial centres in other countries to promote sustainable economic growth. As part of this mission, the Swiss Banking Executive Training (BET) programme, which was tailored for Vietnam and organised by the Swiss Finance Institute (SFI), included a dedicated module on sustainable finance for the first time since its inception. Sabine Döbeli, CEO SSF, delivered this module, providing participants with comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices and opportunities associated with sustainable finance.
The training attracted 80 senior banking executives, who engaged deeply with topics such as the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria, green financial products, and sustainability-related risk management. By enhancing the understanding and capabilities of these key financial leaders, the module played a vital role in supporting the implementation of Vietnam’s green finance strategy. This initiative contributes to aligning Vietnam’s banking sector with global sustainability standards and reinforces Switzerland’s commitment to fostering inclusive, environmentally responsible economic development in emerging markets.
Workshop - Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Finance
SSF has launched a new initiative that explores the intersection of emerging technology and sustainability, marking its inaugural event with a workshop on the subject of Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Finance. In partnership with ZHAW School of Management and Law and BearingPoint, the event brought together experts from the banking and asset management sectors to explore how AI can enhance ESG analysis and support more effective responsible investment strategies.
Roundtable - Sustainable Real Estate Investments
On the 9 of April, SSF Focus Group Roundtable on Sustainable Real Estate Investments brought together SSF members for an engaging discussion on real estate benchmarking and ESG data transparency. The event featured a presentation by Elvira Bieri (CEO, SSREI AG) on sustainability benchmarking and assessment frameworks. Ali Baghdadi and Oscar Delabranche (Co-Founders, Quanthome) followed with insightful input on enhancing ESG data transparency and accessibility. Hosted by Hendrik Kimmerle, Senior Project Manager at SSF, the roundtable highlighted the value of collaboration and shared expertise in advancing sustainable real estate investments.
Workshop - Impact Investing
SSF collaborated with the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in delivering a dynamic, purpose-driven workshop. The aim of the workshop was to equip Asset Owners with the tools and insights needed to lead in Impact Investing. The session focused on practical approaches for identifying and scaling investments that deliver strong financial performance while driving meaningful social and environmental outcomes.
Impact Investing Webinar: Market Insights
SSF in collaboration with the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) launched off its 2025 webinar series. Mirjam Garzon presented institutional approaches and real-world examples from Switzerland and beyond. This was followed by a presentation from the GIIN research team, with Maddie Ulanow and Renée Remsberger outlining the latest global trends in impact investing based on findings from the GIIN Impact Investor Survey. The session concluded with a case study from Gregoire Haenni, Chief Investment Officer at Caisse de prévoyance de l'État de Genève (CPEG) and finished with a Q&A. This webinar was created for the Swiss Platform for Impact Investing (SPII) to share market insights and practical examples specific to the Swiss impact investing market.
Find more information about the Swiss Platform for Impact Investing here.
Access the recording here.
Nature Exchange Group Opening Webinar
SSF and the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland and Liechtenstein are Co-conveners of the Swiss Consultation Group to the TNFD. In 2024, we led the TNFD Exchange Group with the goal of fostering discussion and capacity building around the TNFD recommendations. This year, we established the Nature Exchange Group to go beyond the TNFD framework and discuss further nature related issues. For this reason, we hosted the opening webinar to give interested parties a review of last year's activities and an outlook on this year's agenda. Close to 100 participants joined us for this session, which further featured an interview with Barbara Sanderson (COO, TNFD) and a Q&A.
Find more information about the Nature Exchange Group here.
Access the recording here.
