ZHAW Sustainability Day 2026
14 April 2026, 9:00 - 21:00
Join us on 14 April in Winterthur for the ZHAW Sustainability Day 2026 and dive into the social implications of achieving net zero. Bringing together a diverse range of perspectives and experts across fields - from Google to SwissAid to ZHAW startups - the event explores how climate action influences carreers, equality, consumption patterns, and access to essential resources.
Once again organised by ZHAW students, the focus this year will be on the sustainable transformation and how it can be shaped in a fair and inclusive way with the guidance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
Important information
- The event activities take place in the ZHAW SW Building, Volkartgebäude, St.-Georgen-Platz 2, 8400 Winterthur
- The event is open to everyone and free of charge
- Most activities will be conducted in English, unless stated otherwise
- Registration is mandatory
9:00 - 12:00 Morning programme
10:30 - 11:30 - Opening Plenary
Location: SW Aula
Join us in the opening dialogue between the Head of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) initiative, Professor David Steingard, the new Chair of the ZHAW School of Management and Law (SML) PRME Committee, Professor Jens Lehne, and the Head of Sustainability Programme at the ZHAW, Francesco Bortoluzzi. In this dialogue, the topic of the social implication of net zero will be introduced, and their implication in the wider context of the PRME.
09:00 - 12:00 - Interactive stands
Location: SW building ground floor
The morning includes several open and flexible activities, so you can drop in whenever you like and take part in the interactive stands and activities:
Sustainability Mural - Collective Arte Vision Wall
Get creative and add your drawings, ideas, and messages to the growing picture of what sustainability means to us.Work for Tomorrow space
Immerse yourself in the changing nature of work by learning about its evolution in a sustainable, digital, and inclusive world and which skills will be most important for your own career.Sustainability Quest
Participate in the Sustainability Quest, an interactive challenge around the campus. Take part in challenges and get the opportunitiy to earn points while learning about ways to live more sustainably.
13:30 - 16:00 Afternoon programme - Workshops
Please note that each workshop accommodates up to 20 participants.
13:30 - 14:30
Workshop 1: Lifestyle Calculator - Your Path to Net Zero
In this workshop, led by Birte Rinas from myclimate and Teun van Goch from Eaternity, you will take a closer look at your environmental impact by calculating your individual carbon footprint using an online lifestyle calculator. Participants will analyse emissions related to food, travel, housing, and consumption, and work in groups to identify realistic strategies to reduce their individual emissions.
Location: Room SW 325
Note: It is recommended to bring your own laptop or smartphone.
13:30-14:30
Workshop 2: Code & Conscience - The Factory 2030
You will explore the social implications of net zero in an industrial context through an interactive negotiation simulation, led by Chris Ryan from iosys. Participants will take on stakeholder roles such as management, workers, technology consultants, and public authorities to decide how a company can reduce emissions while addressing job losses, automation, and social responsibility.
Location: Room SW 326
15:00-16:00
Workshop 3: Fairness in the Global Supply Chain
Explore the social dimensions of sustainable supply chains through a short keynote presentation held by Giovana Bressan, Communication & Community Manager at B Lab Switzerland. You will learn more about labour standards, power imbalances, transparency, and corporate responsibility. Participants will engage in a moderated discussion on consumer choices and ethical practices.
Location: Room SW 325
15:00-15:45
Workshop 4: Sustainable Fashion Challenge
You will dive into the environmental and social impacts of the fast fashion industry and the principles of responsible material choices and selected upcycling techniques through an input presentation by Camilla Plüss, Designer for Rework AG. This will be followed by a hands-on upcycling activity: Participants will transform second-hand clothing into new items, reflecting on the impact of fast fashion and applying practical sustainability concepts to promote circular economy principles.
Location: Room SW 326
Note: Bring old clothes if possible. No prior knowledge required; creativity welcome.
17:15 - 19:45 Evening programme
Note: The evening programme runs from 17:15 to 19:45, and is followed by an apéro. Each session lasts approximately 45 minutes.
Expert Dialogue: Women leadership and climate education
Join the exciting panel discussion on "Women leadership and climate education". Hear from experts Valentina Maggiulli (Swissaid) and Mirjam Hostetmann (Juso Switzerland) as they dive into the links between climate change and social inequality, and examine the importance of education and female leadership in advancing the path towards Net Zero.
The session will conclude with an open Q&A, giving you the opportunity to engage directly with the panel and contribute to the conversation.
Note: This sessions will be held in German.
Location: SW Aula
Panel Discussion: The price of sustainability
Who really pays for sustainability? Join our panel discussion to delve into the debates surrounding the green transition and the economic and social challenges it brings. Experts from academia, business, and civil society will examine how the costs of sustainability arise, who currently bears them, and what a fair distribution could look like.
The session will conclude with an open Q&A, giving you the opportunity to engage directly with the panel and contribute to the conversation.
Note: This sessions will be held in English.
Location: SW Aula
Keynote: Google Project Contrails
Join an exclusive keynote by Google expert Max Vogler from the Project Contrails. Find out how artificial intelligence has the potential to reduce the climate impact of aviation, and gain insights into this innovative technology. The keynote is followed by an open Q&A session.
Note: This sessions will be held in English.
Location: SW Aula
19:45 - 21:00 Apéro
To conclude the ZHAW Sustainability Day 2026, you are invited to join us for a vegetarian and vegan apéro.
This is the opportunity to continue the conversations, share your insights and connect with other participants and speakers.
Meet the organising team!
Learn more about the Sustainability Day Team, their inspiration behind the motto ‘Net Zero, Fair Future?’, and what they hope you’ll take away from the event.
- To the blog article (in German)
Date
Start date: 14 April 2026, 09:00
End date: 14 April 2026, 21:00