Sustainability and data intersect in a powerful way, forming the backbone of contemporary efforts to achieve a more sustainable future. As the world works towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, data plays a critical role in measuring, monitoring, and strategizing these efforts. From quantifying carbon footprints and energy consumption to analyzing gender diversity and economic impacts, sustainability data is crucial in understanding where we are and in guiding where we need to go. However, as much as data drives sustainability, it also brings challenges in governance, management, and application, necessitating a dialogue among those at the forefront of these fields.

Event Summary: 1st Conference on Sustainability and Data

Date: September 12, 2023

Venue: Virtual, via Zoom

The 1st Conference on Sustainability and Data (S&D) was an engaging virtual event that took place on September 12, 2023. Hosted jointly by the IT University of Copenhagen and the University of Münster, this conference marked a significant gathering of minds at the intersection of sustainability and data management. It aimed to connect practitioners and researchers from various fields to discuss the critical role of data in implementing the SDGs and the broader impacts of digital solutions on sustainability.

As the 2023 SDG Summit marked a pivotal year in assessing the mid-point progress of the 2030 Agenda, the conference's timing was apt for reflecting on the achievements and challenges in sustainability data. The event covered various aspects, including the governance and management of sustainability data, the role of IT and digital solutions in sustainability efforts, and the transformative possibilities that data presents for sustainability practices.

Participants had the opportunity to hear from leading academics and practitioners who shared their experiences, research, and reflections on organizing sustainability data, governance complexities, strategic CSR, and more. The sessions were designed to foster dialogue and exchange, with speakers and moderators guiding discussions on new developments, challenges, and emerging standards in sustainability and data.

The 1st Conference on S&D was not just an academic or industry conference; it was a collaborative effort to propel forward the use of data in sustainability practices. It resonated with the goals of the UN's 2030 Agenda and aimed to contribute to the global discourse on sustainable development. This event was a call to action for all stakeholders involved in sustainability and data to come together, share insights, and drive change towards a more sustainable world. For more information, have a look at the website: