The roundtable convenes twice a year, bringing together representatives from leading companies to exchange experiences, challenges, and solutions. It offers peer learning, expert insights, and the chance to test ideas in a confidential, non-competitive environment. It enables members to discuss both achievements and obstacles, fostering practical solutions that can be applied across industries. By involving diverse functions from operations, finance, supply chain, and marketing, the SBRT helps companies break down silos and embed sustainability more deeply into their strategies. 

Kunal Chandra, director strategy & sustainability at RWE AG, emphasizes: “Sustainability is at the heart of our strategy at RWE and we are delighted to join the SBRT as it allows us to learn from other companies and shape the future of energy transition in Germany and other countries.” 

For over a decade, the SBRT has brought together companies from different industries and has established itself as a leading platform to jointly address sustainability challenges. Over the years, it has initiated numerous cross-industry projects that have advanced corporate sustainability, for example by supporting preparations for EU-CSRD reporting. The SBRT has also strengthened ESMT’s teaching by integrating real company projects into student programs and Executive Education, for example by involving MBA and master’s students in developing biodiversity strategies with Nespresso. Faculty collaborations have also emerged on sustainable development and analytics. 

Merck’s experience illustrates the impact: “We are delighted to be part of the Sustainable Business Roundtable. The SBRT fosters collaboration with ESMT students on real projects, with faculty on actionable research, and through educational workshops tailored to our company. These initiatives demonstrate the powerful impact of business and academia working together to advance sustainability,” says Pamela Fandel, head of corporate sustainability at Merck Group. 

The upcoming meeting will focus on the intersection of artificial intelligence and sustainability: “Looking ahead, we increasingly see the importance of connecting AI and sustainability, from optimizing energy systems to improving sustainability reporting. We invite additional companies to join the SBRT and collaborate with us in shaping the future of sustainable business,” says Joanna Radeke, director of sustainability at ESMT.