A Day at the Sustainable Switzerland Forum 2024

On a crisp morning in Berne, the Sustainable Switzerland Forum 2024 kicked off, bringing together people from business, science, and government to discuss sustainability. This event is one of Switzerland’s top gatherings focused on sustainability, aiming to inspire ideas, foster connections, and drive action. This year, the main goal was clear: to help move toward a more sustainable and future-ready economy.

As someone who cares deeply about sustainability, I was thrilled to help organize the thematic stream on biodiversity—a topic that is very important to me. The day was filled with engaging discussions, inspiring talks, and a strong sense of community among those working towards a sustainable future.

My day started early as I made sure everything was set for the biodiversity session. The room buzzed with energy as people arrived, eager to learn about the vital role of biodiversity in our world. The session began with two insightful presentations by Kristy Deiner from ETH Zurich and Simon Zadek from NatureFinance. They laid the groundwork for a deep dive into why biodiversity matters for sustainability.

Kristy shared a powerful reminder of how all life is interconnected and how critical it is to protect our ecosystems. She stressed that the loss of biodiversity is not just an environmental issue but a real threat to human life. Simon then connected biodiversity to financial systems, showing why we need to consider nature in our economic decisions. His talk really made the audience think about how we value the natural world.

The following panel discussion brought together Kristy, Simon, and Judson Berkey from UBS. Their conversation highlighted how different sectors—science, finance, and business—can work together to protect biodiversity. Judson explained how financial institutions can drive change by investing in projects that support biodiversity and sustainable development.

As I listened, it became clear to me that biodiversity isn’t just one issue among many; it’s linked to everything—from the food we eat to the air we breathe, and even the financial systems we depend on. The discussion wasn’t just theory; it was a call to action, urging each of us to do our part in protecting the planet.

The session wrapped up with a lively Q&A, where the audience’s questions , but also concerns showed just how engaged and committed everyone was.

Outside of the sessions, there was also plenty to see and do at the Forum. One standout was the CYBATHLON stand, where visitors could try their hand at the BCI (Brain-Computer Interface) game. The game was a big hit, with a total of 80 people trying it out—a clear sign that there’s a lot of interest in how technology and sustainability can intersect in exciting ways and support people with disabilities in their everyday lives by using assistive technologies.

I left the Forum feeling inspired and hopeful, with a renewed sense of purpose. The day reminded me that while the challenges are big, we have the collective will and knowledge to overcome them.