Thinking of sustainability as a business case
2026-03-13 To kick off the workshop series “Business Cases through Sustainability”, twelve companies, represented by 22 delegates, gathered in Lüneburg to explore how sustainability can become a driver of new business models. Rather than defending existing models, the focus was on developing sustainable value propositions.
How can companies use sustainability not just as an obligation, but as a foundation for new business models? This was the central question that launched the workshop series “Business Cases through Sustainability”, organised in collaboration with the Centre for Sustainability Management (CSM) and the Leuphana Alumni and Friends Association. The high level of interest – the series was fully booked with 25 participants – demonstrates the topic’s great relevance.
The focus was on a shift in perspective: rather than responding to crises by increasing efficiency in existing business operations, companies developed new value propositions. The starting point was the question of what influence they have on achieving global sustainability goals and how concrete business opportunities can be derived from this.
One participant summed up the atmosphere as follows: “It was great to spend a whole day again with people who see a future and a solution in sustainability!”
From vision to implementation
Building on this, the companies identified specific strategic starting points – ranging from efficiency, consistency and sufficiency strategies to new service offerings. The focus was constantly on the resulting added value for customers: which solutions help customers achieve their own sustainability goals whilst simultaneously reducing costs or simplifying processes?
The workshop series is part of the Leuphana Innovation Community for Sustainable Production and aims to translate academic concepts directly into business practice. The next session on 17 April will focus on implementation: what processes, structures and partnerships are necessary to turn the developed value propositions into reality?
The Leuphana Innovation Community Sustainable Production is committed to a climate-neutral, resource-efficient and economically viable transformation of manufacturing companies and brings together stakeholders from science, industry and society. Shape the future with us and become part of the community!