Sustainability Standards Conference 2026 at Goethe University Frankfurt

Under the title „Sustainable Governance amidst Global Constraints: Navigating Diverse Goals and Implementation Challenges Towards Common Standards“, the third annual Sustainability Standards Conference took place on 18 May 2026 at Goethe-Universität Frankfurt. The Sustainability Standards Conference is jointly organized by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), the Deutsches Rechnungslegungs Standards Committee (DRSC), Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, the Leibniz Institute for Financial Research SAFE, the House of Finance, and Deutsche Börse Group.

The focus of the conference was on how common standards for sustainable governance and reporting can be developed in an environment of increasing geopolitical tensions, regulatory fragmentation, and differing global objectives.

Particular emphasis was placed on the challenges and opportunities of interoperability between European and international sustainability standards, the role of global baselines, and the practical implementation of sustainable governance.

The discussions brought together perspectives from academia, regulation, standard-setting, and practice. Keynote speakers and panelists included Emmanuel Faber (Chair, ISSB), Sue Lloyd (Vice Chair, ISSB), Frank Elderson (Vice Chair of the Supervisory Board, ECB), Petra Hielkema (Chairperson, EIOPA), Sven Gentner (European Commission), Prof. Dr. Kerstin Lopatta (Chair, EFRAG Sustainability Reporting Board), Ingo Speich (Head of Sustainability and Corporate Governance, Deka Investment), as well as representatives from academia and companies such as BlackRock, Allianz Global Investors, BASF, Deloitte, and ISS ESG. The event was moderated by Dr. Detlef Fechtner (Chief Political Reporter, Börsen-Zeitung).

In the panel „Aligning Sustainability Reporting: Paths to Interoperability“, Georg Lanfermann, together with Sue Lloyd, Jochen Kurtz, Wim Bartels, and Kristina Rüter, discussed practical challenges and solutions for improving the interoperability of sustainability standards in an international context.

We thank all speakers, panelists, and guests for their valuable insights and engaging discussions.