The 2026 Programme
The Summit is structured around two distinct days, each focused on a different dimension of how sustainability creates business value.
Day 1 explores value through industrial systems: how companies strengthen resilience through smarter resource management, circular supply chains, energy transition, and water stewardship.
Day 2 shifts to value through markets and capital: how sustainability connects to consumer demand, investor expectations, and long-term competitiveness.
Each day moves from a high-level plenary to practitioner-led Learning Labs and Leadership Roundtables, where you choose the sessions most relevant to your work.
Day 1 | October 13
Materials, Water & Energy
Through focused discussions on circular business models, resource efficiency, and strategic value-chain partnerships, participants will examine how to turn resource challenges into drivers of innovation and long-term business value. The outcome is a clearer understanding of how integrated resource strategies strengthen operational resilience, manage risk, and support sustainable growth.
10:00 – 11:00
HIGH-LEVEL PLENARY
11:05 - 12:30
Materials, Water & Energy
The High-Level Plenary will examine how businesses and policymakers can work together to create the conditions for this transition. Discussions will focus on aligning industrial strategy, market incentives, and policy frameworks to support sustainable production systems across Europe.
12:45 – 13:45
Learning Labs
Round 1: 14:00–15:00 | Round 2: 15:00–16:00 PM.
Each session runs twice, choose two topics across the afternoon.
LEARNING LAB #1
learning lab #2
learning lab #3
learning lab #4
learning lab #5
LEARNING LAB #6
Round 1
 | Building Key ESG Competences & Skills and Translating Them into Day-to-Day Business |
Round 2
learning lab #7
learning lab #8
Leadership Roundtables
16:30 – 17:45
(3/3 possible choices) - Connected to the topic of Plenary II
ROUNDTABLE #1 - Local Value Chain Creation and Due Diligence for Responsible Materials Sourcing
ROUNDTABLE #2 - Resilient by Design: Circularity in Europe’s Industrial Supply Chains
ROUNDTABLE #3 - Advancing Water Stewardship: Creating Value for Business, Nature and Communities
6:00 – 8:00 PM
7:30 – 10:00 PM
Day 2 | October 14
Consumers & Investors
Through discussions on evolving customer demand, investment trends, and financial incentives, participants will explore how policy ambition can translate into tangible market outcomes. The outcome is a clearer understanding of how sustainability strategies drive competitiveness, attract investment, and strengthen long-term market performance.
CSO Network Breakfast Meeting (closed-door meeting)
8:30 - 10:20
09:30 – 10:30
high-level plenary II
10:30 - 11:40
Consumers & Investors
The High-Level Plenary will explore how businesses, investors, and policymakers can align to create stronger market conditions for sustainable products and services.
Leadership Roundtables
11:45 – 13:00
(3/3 possible choices)
ROUNDTABLE #1 - Navigating the Sustainable Finance Ecosystem: Value Creation through Transition Finance and Impact Investing.
ROUNDTABLE #2 - Boosting Demand for Sustainable Solutions: From Green Premium to Industry Standard
ROUNDTABLE #3 - Sustainability Around the Globe: A Cross-Regional Dialogue on a Sustainable, Competitive, and Resilient World Economy
13:00 – 14:00
Closed Network Meetings (invitation only)
14:00 – 16:00
National Partner Organisation’s Annual Meeting
Drive Sustainability Grievance Platform Advisory Board Meeting
Responsible Trucking Platform Group Meeting
The European Sustainable Industry Summit 2025 Highlights
Over 200 senior leaders from business, policy and civil society came together in Mechelen for the 2025 European Sustainable Industry Summit. Across two days of dialogue, the Summit explored how sustainability can drive competitiveness, resilience and long-term value for Europe’s industry.