Lisbon Sustainability Week: A Platform for Sustainable Finance Advancement and Leadership

By Center for Sustainable Finance at CATÓLICA-LISBON

Lisbon Sustainability Week (LSW) has quickly established itself as a pivotal platform in Europe for advancing sustainable finance and mobilizing action toward a more resilient and inclusive economy. Organized by the Center for Sustainable Finance at Católica-Lisbon, LSW brings together global leaders, academics, innovators, and policymakers to accelerate practical solutions to the climate and sustainability challenges of our time. 

The first edition of Lisbon Sustainability Week took place from June 16 to 18, 2025, at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, in the heart of Lisbon. Under the motto “Empowering Sustainable Change,” the event opened its doors over the course of three days, welcoming over 430 attendees from more than 15 countries. From global CEOs and ESG leaders to academic researchers, policymakers, and startup founders, the conversations sparked at LSW 2025 reflected a shared ambition of shaping a more sustainable future through finance innovation. The event became a true cross-sectoral meeting point of stakeholders, with strong representation from multinational corporations and financial institutions, leading academic institutions, consulting firms, startups, public agencies, NGOs, and international organizations. 

Key Takeaways from LSW 2025 

The first edition of LSW left participants with powerful insights and clear calls to action: 

• Transition and Adaptation are putting Communities and People back into the center of the discussion 

• Securing biodiversity is a necessary condition for sustainable development 

• Finance is an essential enabler of this transformation 

• Purpose, pragmatism, innovation, and collaboration are key attributes of successful organizations 

• Every single one of us, individually and collectively, play a vital role in a successful transition 

Highlighting some quotes that demonstrate the call to action aligned with these takeaways, we have: 

• "Accelerating sustainable finance and innovation is no longer an option - it is the cornerstone of a viable future economy." - António Baldaque da Silva, Executive Director, Center for Sustainable Finance 

• "We now have the technology, assets, and knowledge needed to act. What we lack is the courage to use these tools." - Filipe Santos, Dean, CATÓLICA-LISBON 

• "It's time to stop repeating unachievable goals and start working on executable solutions." - Ernest Moniz, MIT & Former U.S. Secretary of Energy 

• "The extractive economy has hit a wall. We need a regenerative financial system that places people and the planet at the heart of decision-making." - Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Honorary President Club of Rome 

Structure of the Event 

To explore these themes in depth throughout the three days, Lisbon Sustainability Week 2025 offered a dynamic and carefully curated program structured around three core types of sessions: academic discussions, certified workshops, and high-level conferences. Each format was designed to foster dialogue, share cutting-edge research, and promote actionable solutions. 

1. Academic Sessions 

The academic track brought together some of the world’s leading scholars to present and debate cutting-edge research in accounting (day 1) and finance (day 2) applied to sustainability. Prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School, University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, Stockholm School of Economics, and CATÓLICA-LISBON were represented.  

2. Learning Sessions 

Specialized workshops, accredited and delivered by leading experts, covered topics ranging from climate modeling and natural capital to the economics of sustainability and the financial risks of climate change.  

3. Conference Sessions 

The conference series tackled the impact of climate change on business models, markets, and regulatory frameworks—focusing especially on transition financing. These sessions featured leaders from the MSCI Sustainability Institute, Bloomberg LP, the London Stock Exchange Group, BlackRock, the European Central Bank, the European Investment Bank, the Santander Asset Management, among others. 

What Participants Said 

Feedback from participants of Lisbon Sustainability Week 2025 reflects the event’s strong impact and exceptional organization. 

Nearly 95% of attendees shared that the venue and atmosphere were “inspiring,” reinforcing the role of space and environment in creating meaningful experiences. 

Over 90% of survey responses rated the overall organization as “Excellent” or “Very Satisfied,” highlighting the professionalism and seamless experience delivered throughout the three days. 

More than 89% described the topics addressed as “Highly Relevant” or “Relevant”, to their professional work and interests.  

Keynote addresses by Sandrine Dixson-Declève and Ernest Moniz stood out as major highlights, with 84% of participants rating their interventions as “Excellent” or “Very Good”, and citing them among the most memorable moments of the week.  

A Collaborative Initiative 

LSW is more than just an event – it’s a mission. Launched by the Center for Sustainable Finance at CATÓLICA-LISBON, with founding support from the Santander Portugal Foundation, LSW is committed to accelerating the sustainable transition through knowledge, policy engagement, and cross-sector collaboration. 

The event was made possible also thanks to esteemed partners, including corporate sponsors SIBS and Sonae, and the collaboration of key institutional partners including Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Banco de Portugal, and the Instituto Português de Corporate Governance (IPCG). Academic support came from institutions such as Climate Econometrics Group, from the Nuffield College at the University of Oxford, and Boston University. The IPCG and the “Big Four” accounting firms – Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and PwC – also joined forces to host their Annual ESG Conference as part of the LSW program. The event also benefited from additional support from Pestana Hotel Group and the Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative (GeSI).  

As Lisbon Sustainability Week looks ahead to future editions, it continues to position Lisbon as a new capital for sustainable finance innovation – connecting ideas, institutions, and individuals committed to shaping impact, and empowering sustainable change. 

For more information, visit the page centerforsustainablefinance.com/lsw2025. 

Lisbon Sustainability Week partners