#CRX25 – Politics and climate protection in times of multiple crises: The Otto Group at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference

Prof. Dr. Michael Otto, co-founder of the HSC, recognized already decades ago that companies have a special role to play in addressing global challenges. "The economy must be transformed from its role as a contributor to the sustainability crisis to a new role as the key solution," he emphasized at the official press conference of the HSC, reiterating the role of business in achieving the global sustainability goals. In front of national and international press representatives, he expressed his belief that the HSC could become one of the world's most important events on sustainability in the long term, as it drives progress towards a fair transformation of industry and societies globally.

“The climate crisis is threatening the whole complex ecosystem, and it is crucial that we address not only the immediate challenges but also the long-term implications of environmental degradation.” With these powerful words, Petra Scharner-Wolff, CEO of the Otto Group, opened the panel discussion on "Sustainability in Challenging Times – Climate Crisis & Politics" in front of around one hundred guests.

An impressive keynote speech followed by Bernd Lange, Member of the European Parliament, who had just returned from discussions about trade relations between the EU and the USA in Washington D.C. and shared his insights with the attendees. Lange pointed out that sustainability and climate protection are currently not a priority in the USA. For this reason, it is crucial to join forces in Europe and keep climate policy at the forefront in order to develop effective solutions for the challenges of the climate crisis within the context of social justice.

This was followed by a lively discussion, moderated by Bernd Rakers, Head of Public Affairs at the Otto Group, between Bernd Lange and two esteemed sustainability experts: Sabine Nallinger, Managing Director of Stiftung KlimaWirtschaft, and Prof. Dr. Laura Marie Edinger-Schons, Professor of Sustainable Management at the University of Hamburg.

At the center of the discussion was the question of how to address the climate crisis in times of global tensions and economic uncertainty while maintaining its urgency. The responsibility of politics for climate protection during crises was highlighted, as well as the necessity for urgent actions at national, European, and international levels – such as the development of effective incentives for climate protection while minimizing economic burdens.

Sabine Nallinger expressed her conviction: "The majority of German and European companies are on the right track and are committed to their climate goals. (...) They are developing their own climate strategies, launching numerous projects, and above all, investing a lot of money to become climate-neutral." She added that it is crucial for politics to establish dependable framework conditions that companies investing in sustainable business models can rely on.

Laura Marie Edinger-Schons added from a scientific perspective that sustainable action benefits not only companies but also strengthens the future resilience of our society: "There is a lot of research indicating that companies investing in sustainability are more resilient in potential crises. Sustainability helps us to be resilient and successful, while also creating prosperity."

The session provided space for constructive exchange and active participation from the audience – in line with the already established format of the "Otto Group Zukunftswerkstatt," which regularly brings together political decision-makers and experts in Berlin to discuss current political issues. The initial kick-off event of the Zukunftswerkstatt took place in 2023 as part of the first #CRX.

The HSC is a joint initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Michael Otto Foundation, and the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. It aims to foster a partnership-based exchange between the global North and South to address the structural challenges of our time. This year's conference has launched and further developed significant initiatives such as the Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI, the Global Alliance against Inequality, and the SCALED initiative to promote the responsible use of artificial intelligence, combat inequality, and mobilize private investments for sustainable projects.

The HSC is part of the Hamburg Sustainability Week, which takes place from June 1 to June 6, 2025. The week, aimed at the city's citizens and civil society actors, offers over one hundred public events focused on sustainability.