SMG, TUMCS, ECO, SCM

Sustainability Dialogue at TUM Regulation and responsibility as the key to a sustainable corporate future

How can companies meet increasing regulatory requirements while operating sustainably? This question was the focus of the "Sustainability Dialogue" at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). Under the title "Regulation & Responsibility: Shaping a Sustainable Future," representatives from academia and industry discussed current developments in the field of sustainability and corporate responsibility on 15 January at the Vorderholzer Forum on the TUM campus.

A conference with round tables in the TUM clocktower, a high square room lit in red, purple and orange hues. A steel stairway, following the walls, spirals to the top.
Alexander Hübner

This time, the Sustainability Dialogue also took place in the historic clock tower of TUM.

The evening before, a dinner was held in the inspiring surroundings of TUM's historic clock tower, where Matthias Ballweg (CIRCULAR REPUBLIC & UnternehmerTUM) gave a talk on "Beyond Tree-Hugging: Circular Economy as a Business Opportunity of this Century". "Many thanks also to Luc Albert for his inspiring presentation and for sharing his journey from business manager to sustainability enthusiast with us, as well as providing valuable insights into his work at Swiss Re and the Anthesis Group," said organiser Prof. Alexander Hübner from the Chair of Supply and Value Chain Management at TUM Campus Straubing. "It was great to see how strategic entrepreneurial thinking and sustainability can go hand in hand and how personal career paths can develop in such a way that they have a real impact."

Strengthening skills for companies in transition

The event one day later was opened by Prof. Dr. Claudia Peus, Vice President of TUM and Director of the TUM Institute of Life Long Learning, and Prof. Hübner. The aim of the dialogue format is to strengthen skills for companies undergoing change and to promote the transfer of knowledge between research and practice in a targeted manner. 

One of the main topics was ESG reporting. In the session "ESG reporting: transparency for a sustainable future?", Prof. Dr. Jürgen Ernstberger (TUM School of Management), Dr. Katharina Kerl (Senior Manager, KPMG Germany) and Dr. Christine Prauschke (CEO, Leadity) highlighted the growing importance of transparent sustainability reporting for companies, investors and other stakeholders. 

Prof. Dr. Stefan Gold (TUM Campus Straubing), Sebastian Zingsheim (GEA Group) and Prof. Dr. Tobias Wollermann (Otto Group) then discussed current developments relating to the Supply Chain Act. Under the title "Rules that Matter" , the discussion focused in particular on why transparency in global supply chains remains a decisive factor for responsible business practices. 

Another highlight was the panel discussion on the tension between regulation, bureaucracy reduction and sustainability. Moderated by Prof. Dr. Sebastian Goerg (TUM Campus Straubing), Prof. Dr. Claudia Peus, Melanie Kubig-Hardewig (Deutsche Telekom), Stefan Haensel (Lidl) and Hanna Rieder (Voith) discussed how political framework conditions must be designed to effectively support sustainable transformations in companies without hindering innovation and competitiveness. 

With the Sustainability Dialogue, TUM offers a platform that brings together the latest scientific findings with practical experience from companies. The format is part of the continuing education and dialogue offerings of the TUM Institute of Life Long Learning and is aimed at specialists and managers who want to strategically anchor sustainability in their organisations. The event ended in the afternoon with a joint conclusion and an outlook on future dialogue formats. 

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