Hamburg Sustainability Conference: An Event That Inspires Hope

Recently, I attended an event that inspired me. Why? Perhaps I should briefly introduce myself before returning to this thought. Since 2019, I have been the Corporate Vice President of Corporate Responsibility at the Otto Group, and I can’t imagine a better role. I believe we are facing perhaps the greatest challenge in human history: combating climate change and protecting our planet—ultimately, protecting ourselves. We all need to take individual responsibility and contribute our part. At the Otto Group, I have found a company that shares this vision, especially through the example and leadership of Prof. Dr. Michael Otto. I can take responsibility in a company that, in turn, assumes its own responsibility for nature and people.

Climate Protection: A Task That Never Ends

I am an optimist. I am convinced of what we are doing, and I believe that we are making a difference. Nevertheless, I must admit — it is a challenging task. Climate protection in large companies is very complex; regulations from politics, such as the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, are complex for even large companies to navigate. Additionally, global crises push climate protection into the background for many people. This is also because we are unlikely to see the fruits of our (hopefully) successful work ourselves: We must combat climate change today to preserve a livable world for future generations. Therefore, we must be committed advocates. It reminds me of the statement “There is no glory in prevention” from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Is there a reason to despair? Absolutely not! Because I know that many inspiring, courageous, visionary, and active people around the world think and act similarly. At the premiere of the Hamburg Sustainability Conference 2024, initiated by the 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, I experienced that shared spirit.

The opening of the HSC was already an impressive event. Achim Steiner from the UN Development Programme emphasized that “the HSC is a sign of hope in these times.” His words that without peace, there can be no development, and without development, there can be no peace resonated with me and set the tone for the next two days.

With over 1,600 participants from 102 countries, Hamburg’s Town Hall became a venue for significant dialogue. I was particularly impressed by the diversity of attendees, including heads of state like the President of Ghana and the President of Namibia. This alliance of politics, business, science, and civil society is a strong symbol of the necessity to find solutions together.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in his keynote address, spoke about the connection between the HSC and the UN Future Summit in New York and emphasized the role of business in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). His words that the SDGs cannot be achieved without the investments and expertise of the private sector confirmed my belief that companies must play a central role in sustainable transformation. My colleague Dr. Marcus Ackermann, the Group Executive Board member for Multichannel Distance Selling, also participated in a discussion and noted that companies need to offer sustainable products and communicate those better — so that customers can make informed, conscious purchasing decisions. 

The Responsibility of Companies and Politics for Climate Protection

Our Supervisory Board Chairman and co-host of the HSC, Prof. Dr. Michael Otto, urged in his speech to finally take action. Companies must actively contribute to solving global challenges. He firmly believes that we can find the keys to many solutions in business—through creativity, experience, and the ability to act agilely. Additionally, it is important for politics to create the right framework and for science to develop innovative ideas. Only in dialogue with civil society can we develop concepts that have real breakthrough potential.

Therefore, the citizens of Hamburg were, of course, not forgotten. In addition to keynotes and workshops, there was a public program that allowed citizens to learn and be inspired about how they can actively contribute to a sustainable future.

Continuing to Work Together on Sustainability

The HSC was not just a conference but a powerful call to action. I am proud to be part of this movement and look forward to the next steps we will take together. So yes, climate protection and sustainability are lengthy, complex, and a significant task. But together, we can do it.

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