Sustainability in focus: Lecture series at Saarland University!

Sustainability in focus: Lecture series at Saarland University!

Nowadays, the topic of sustainability is becoming increasingly important for companies, consumers and society as a whole. On April 15, 2025, the Department of Economics at Saarland University will start a lecture series that will deal intensively with the implementation of economic, social and ecological sustainability

The lecture series takes place every Tuesday from 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. in the Audimax building, room 0.06, and is open to the interested public. The aim is to raise awareness of the relevance of sustainability in various areas of the economy. The organizer, Prof. Bastian Popp, whose research focuses on retail management, has put together a diverse program that includes topics such as sustainable finance and sustainability reporting. In addition, the role of consumer behavior in this context is examined.

Variety of topics and experts

A highlight of the lecture series will be the lecture by Univ.-Prof. Dr. Andrea Gröppel-Klein, who will deal with the topic “Sustainable consumer behavior – myth or reality?” busy. This lecture will critically analyze the discrepancy between consumers' expressed attitudes and their actual purchasing behavior. Research shows that less than 20% of consumer behavior can be explained by attitudes, leading to a large gap, particularly in the area of ​​sustainable consumption. Consumers say they prefer sustainable products, but often buy other items.

The lecture series also addresses current challenges, such as: B. the legally required sustainability reporting, which represents a hurdle for many companies, especially medium-sized companies. Companies are increasingly required to design their business models sustainably and act responsibly in order to meet social requirements.

The role of companies

Sustainability means not consuming more than can be regenerated. Companies have a social responsibility that goes beyond simply maximizing profits and also extends to ecological and social concerns. Corporate responsibility is underpinned by the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which positions companies as good citizens and motivates them to proactively assume responsibility.

Important legal frameworks, such as the EU Non-Financial Reporting Directive and the Supply Chain Act, force companies to respect human rights and environmental standards throughout their supply chain. These regulations create transparency about companies' environmentally harmful and social activities and require their commitment in these areas.

Integrating sustainability into everyday company life requires comprehensive training, adjustments to internal processes and close cooperation with sustainable suppliers. This is the only way companies can take advantage of the opportunities that sustainable action brings, such as access to new markets and strengthening brand reputation.

For Prof. Bastian Popp, sustainable transformation is not only a necessity, but also an opportunity for companies to secure long-term success and at the same time create social added value. The lecture series at Saarland University offers a valuable platform for an intensive exchange on the challenges and opportunities of sustainability in business.

For further information about the lecture series and how to participate, those interested can visit the website Popp Chair Visit or contact us directly: bastian.popp@uni-saarland.de.

For a more comprehensive and in-depth discussion about corporate responsibilities when it comes to sustainability and the need for change in the economy, take a look at the comprehensive analysis and research from sustainability-economics.de.