On May 6, 2025, we launched the Sustainability Fundamentals for IR Practitioners course at SIX. Block 1 covered key topics like ESRS, Swiss OR, global sustainability reporting regulations, and double materiality assessments. Speakers like Fredré Ferreira from EFRAG,Kieran Dobson from S&P Global, and Timo Honsel from ISS ESG led engaging sessions on EU regulations and ESG ratings. Adrian Siegrist of Sulytics wrapped up with a focus on sustainability data collection and reporting.
In Block 2, in a remote session, we explored stewardship, sustainability engagements, and IR communications. A big thank you to Cecile Biccari and Matthias Narr from Ethos Stiftung, François Perrin from GBL, Danielle Brassel from Zurich Insurance, and Mike Tyrrell from SRI-CONNECT for their invaluable insights on how to steer IR sustainability communications and on the role asset owners and managers are playing to drive sustainability with engagements.
In Block 3, we took the corporate perspective and discussed stakeholder expectations. Elsa Pernot, Head of Sustainability at Gunvor Group, kicked off with an insightful session on how to include stakeholder expectations into double materiality assessments, followed by Elisabeth Wallimann from SIX, who focused on ESRS reporting at SIX. The block concluded with Lindsay Zingg from Georg Fischer, who led an impactful session on Driving Sustainability Through Investor Collaboration, followed by a practical workshop to reflect and summarize the course content.
A big thank you to my co-organizers Vera Güttinger from SIX, Hazel Winchester, Board member at the IR club Switzerland and all the speakers for their contributions and to the participants for their active involvement. Looking forward to the next session in spring 2026!
#Sustainability #ESG #InvestorRelations #ESGReporting #SustainabilityFundamentals #SIX #StakeholderEngagement #SustainabilityThroughCollaboration
Feedbacks from participants:
Benjamin Sieber, SFS AG
- Why should someone enroll to the course?
- "The course provides a broad and comprehensive overview into sustainability reporting and sustainability communication, as well as major stakeholders involved with their goals and ambitions."
- "The course provides a broad and comprehensive overview into sustainability reporting and sustainability communication, as well as major stakeholders involved with their goals and ambitions."
- What are your main 3 takeaways and learnings of the course?
- "Each company has to find its own way and concept for target setting, reporting and communicating in the area of sustainability."
- "Understand your key stakeholder's needs. It's all about materiality."
- "Regulations and framework landscape will keep changing. Keep up to changes and requirements."
- How can you embed some of the learnings into your daily work?"
- The course and various discussions have confirmed that the company I work for is moving in the right direction with regard to our sustainability engagement. However, we have to continue to develop and remain open for all changes that will come in the years ahead."
Darleen Amann, Zurich Airport
“The HSLU Specialist course "Sustainability Fundamentals for Investor Relations practitioners" offers a valuable and comprehensive overview of the various components of sustainability and the relevance for investor relations. One of its key strengths lies in the dynamic interaction with keynote speakers and the engaging exchange with fellow participants. These elements provide meaningful insights into how different companies approach similar challenges. Despite its compact three-day format, the course allows for in-depth discussions on specific issues and the development of recommendations for action.”