Did you know that the global material footprint is growing faster than the world population and global economic output? At the 4th Sustainability Forum, we will focus on SDG 12.

>>Sustainable consumption and production<<. For the future of our planet, we need to use existing resources more responsibly and consume more consciously.

How can we reconcile resource conservation and economic growth? How can all stakeholders influence supply chains? How educated are consumers about sustainable lifestyles and consumption? Our society is called upon to fundamentally change the way goods and services are produced and consumed. What scientific, technological and innovative sources have already been identified or need to be mobilized?

Top speakers from science and business will provide insights into how they are meeting this challenge in keynotes and best practices. They will show you what opportunities lie within and what approaches and paths they have already taken.

Don’t miss the opportunity to talk to our speakers, become part of our expert network and experience an evening with inspiring participants.

To this end, we generate expert knowledge in various events and make it available. We also bring together decision-makers and experts from the fields of science, politics and business in order to jointly leverage existing potential and discuss possible solutions.

In workshops, we help companies to recognise and develop their innovative strength. At hackathons, we bring together smart doers to develop more sustainable solutions to challenges. In our own accelerator programme, we also support founders in developing their ideas to market maturity.

Our partners and sponsors are all companies and organisations that are already actively contributing to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and have anchored sustainability goals in their organisation.

We deliberately start our series with the industrial target of the 17 SDGs, as we have been living well and on the basis of high economic prosperity for decades, especially in the Southwest og Germany. Securing this and at the same time building a high-quality, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, modernising it and retrofitting industries to make them more sustainable are core issues on the path to industrial sustainability. At the start of our forum, we shed light on the contribution of research, technologies, established industry and start-ups.

In the subsequent panel, we discuss what we want to achieve with the SDG. Where we stand today, what we need to do and how concrete projects can look like.

Subsequently, we ask our speakers to join us for a panel discussion, during which we  look specifically at the question of where we stand today and what we must and can do on the way to decarbonising industries.

You, the audience, have the opportunity to join in the discussion. After the event, we invite you to join us for snacks and drinks to deepen the discussions and network.

Energy is linked to almost all the Sustainable Development Goals – which is why it is so central. Economic sustainability, jobs, security, climate change, production, income generation: whatever the issue, access to energy is essential. That’s why in our second Black Forest Sustainability Forum we are focusing on SDG 7, creating more sustainable and inclusive communities and increasing resilience to environmental issues such as climate change. In 7 presentations and impulses, we, therefore, look from the perspective of both science and business at the questions of how we can achieve better energy efficiency for business enterprises and how we can create new economic and employment opportunities through increased use of renewable energy.

Our cities are hubs for ideas, trade, culture, science, productivity and social development. Settlements have enabled us humans to develop socially and economically. By 2030, the number of people living in cities is expected to grow to 5 billion. This brings major challenges: traffic congestion, lack of resources for basic services, a shortage of adequate housing, safe and orderly waste management, wear and tear on infrastructure and increasing air pollution.

Therefore, in our #3 Sustainability Forum, we are focusing on SDG 11 to address the challenges of rapid urbanisation processes, where cities provide opportunities for all, with access to basic services, energy, housing and transport. We need to find ways to continue to develop cities. In parallel, we need solutions on how to improve resource use and reduce pollution at the same time.

In keynotes and pitches, academia and business will take a look at inclusive urban planning, waste management, how to develop innovative transport systems and how we can improve air quality to achieve SDG 11.