The week of 4-11 September marked the successful return of Euronext Sustainability Week, our flagship annual initiative that brings together Europe’s sustainable finance ecosystem for a full week of insight, discussion and collaboration.
Held across ten Euronext locations as well as virtually, this year’s edition continued to position Euronext at the forefront of shaping capital markets that are sustainable, resilient and competitive.
Launched in 2017 and expanded in 2023 to include all Euronext locations across Europe, Euronext Sustainability Week has grown into a key platform for sharing best practices, driving innovation and promoting dialogue on sustainable finance.
Responding to change while enabling progress
With recent shifts in regulation, economic volatility and global uncertainty, the need for informed, transparent and future-ready sustainable finance has never been more urgent. Euronext Sustainability Week 2025 responded to this urgency with a dynamic programme of in-person and virtual events designed to foster alignment, enhance ESG practices and support capital markets in addressing Europe’s long-term challenges.
Over the course of the week, we gathered a diverse set of stakeholders, including listed companies, institutional investors, financial institutions, regulators and ESG experts to explore the role of capital markets in driving the transition to a sustainable economy.
Events this year addressed a broad range of timely topics. These included the evolving dynamics of ESG regulation and reporting, with a focus on CSRD implementation and the expectations of investors around transparency and materiality. Several sessions examined the capital markets outlook for renewable energy and green infrastructure, while others tackled the evolution of ESG bond markets, sustainable corporate governance and the strategic role of stewardship in assessing long-term risks and opportunities.
In addition, stakeholders engaged in discussions on sustainability-linked investment strategies, the impact of climate benchmarks and how SMEs and supply chain actors can contribute to the broader sustainability agenda. Workshops and conferences provided space for practical learning and in-depth dialogue on how capital markets can best support Europe’s climate goals and economic resilience.
Insights from across Europe
Throughout the week, 10 Euronext locations hosted a series of 34 events showcasing the depth and diversity of Europe’s sustainable finance initiatives, gathering over 3,200 participants, 200+ investors and 180+ speakers. In Milan, Palazzo Mezzanotte welcomed stakeholders for a full day of debate on “Driving growth and competitiveness through sustainability”, exploring how innovation and regulatory clarity can help boost both resilience and performance. Afternoon seminars included “Navigating the path of mitigation, resilience and growth” and “The evolution of ESG bond markets: embracing standards and innovation”.
Also in Milan, the Physical Investor Conference on Infrastructure, Energy and Defence brought together 21 listed companies, 5 ESG bond issuers, 90+ institutional investors and 25+ analysts for over 450 meetings, supported by Bank of America, EQUITA, Intermonte and Intesa Sanpaolo. The workshop “Energy mix, networks and infrastructure” featured leading voices from across the Italian infrastructure sector including Fabrizio Testa, Luca Matrone, Renato Mazzoncini and others who discussed the future of infrastructure as a driver of sustainable growth.
In Paris, the session “The investor lens: strategy, stewardship and the future” co-hosted with Norges Bank Investment Management explored how investors are shaping the ESG agenda through engagement and long-term value creation. In Amsterdam, chief sustainability officers gathered for a closed-door roundtable, “Navigating ESG in a complex global landscape”, to share cross-border insights and align on common ESG challenges.
In Lisbon, the conference “Sustainability, return & risk” brought together Isabel Ucha, CEO of Euronext Lisbon, Assunção Cristas, partner-lawyer in the Environment & Climate practicer, professor and politician, and a panel of market experts to explore how to translate sustainability strategies and metrics into actionable financial insights that align with investor priorities. The event was organised in partnership with BCSD, a non-profit association uniting leading Portuguese companies to advance sustainability and promote corporate responsibility across multiple sectors as the national chapter of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
A highlight virtual session, “The ethical and sustainable use of AI”, led by AI Act consultant Dr Nathalie Devillier, addressed the implications of the European AI Act, the importance of ethical data practices, and how managing algorithmic bias can enhance inclusion and support ESG objectives in the digital age.
ESG in a changing world
One of our key events took place in Brussels with the session “The new ESG paradigm: Energy, Security and Geostrategy in a changing world,” led by Stéphane Boujnah, CEO and Chairman of Euronext. The event emphasised integrating traditional ESG principles with energy resilience and strategic autonomy, crucial for Europe’s sustainable future. Speakers including Belgium’s Minister of Defence Theo Francken and NATO’s Admiral Pierre Vandier highlighted the need to align investments with Europe’s energy, security and geostrategy initiatives. The session featured the launch of the ELITE-supported European Aerospace and Defence Growth Hub, connecting SMEs with industry leaders like Leonardo and Fincantieri, alongside new financing tools such as the European Defence Bond Label and IPOready Defence programme to foster innovation and resilience in critical sectors.
Experts including Eric Beranger (MBDA), Thea Utoft Høj Jensen (Insurance Europe), Philippe Zaouati (Mirova) and Thierry Francou (Eurenco) called for regulatory clarity, collaboration and deeper ESG dialogue in defence and security. A fireside chat with Robert de Groot, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, highlighted the €100 billion investment needed (€30 billion in energy projects) to support Europe’s infrastructure and innovation. Meanwhile, leaders like Gregoire Dallemagne (Luminus) and Guntram Wolff (Université libre de Bruxelles) stressed the importance of diverse energy sources, private capital and homegrown technologies for achieving energy sovereignty.
Announcing strategic initiatives in sustainable finance and governance
Euronext Sustainability Week 2025 was also a platform for announcing key developments reinforcing our commitment to sustainability, transparency and innovation across European markets. Highlights included the launch of Euronext Sustainability Network, with founding partners such as PwC, ING, ERM, Mood’s Ratings, South Pole and others; the new Euronext Foundation initiatives promoting diversity and financial literacy through a scholarship programme with INSEAD and the launch of the Euronext Trading Game; as well as the launch of a sustainability education partnership with AXA Climate School for Euronext employees. In support of listed companies and investors, enhancements to My ESG Profile and the launch My ESG Benchmark will increase access to meaningful sustainability data and performance comparisons. We also released an updated ESG Reporting Guide, the ESG Trends Report 2025, and introduced MTS Greenium, a new tool providing real-time insights into green bond pricing. Innovations from Nord Pool and expansions in Euronext Corporate Solutions further highlight how Euronext is enabling Europe’s transition to a more transparent, resilient and sustainable financial system.
More information about these announcements is available in our press release.
Shaping capital markets for a sustainable future
Euronext Sustainability Week reflects our broader commitment to embedding ESG into the fabric of the capital markets by educating stakeholders, facilitating sustainable finance solutions and leading by example.
As the leading market infrastructure in Europe, Euronext continues to play a defining role in building a sustainable financial ecosystem for the future. From helping companies align with ESG standards to providing innovative instruments for responsible investment, we remain committed to shaping capital markets that serve both present needs and future generations.
Thank you to all participants, partners and contributors who made Euronext Sustainability Week 2025 a success. Together, we are reinforcing the role of capital markets as a catalyst for sustainable growth and strategic resilience in Europe.
Visit our website to learn more about Euronext’s ESG commitment.