For two days, between 29 and 30 October, leaders in the areas of Sustainability, Innovation and Regeneration in companies and academia will explore and discuss the latest national and international developments in these areas. The 4th Insure.hub International Conference, an initiative of the Portuguese Catholic University in Porto, through its Faculties - Católica Porto Business School and Escola Superior de Biotecnologia -, with Planetiers New Generation, will bring to Portugal: Michael Sheldrick (‘From Ideas to Impact’), Wayne Visser (‘Thriving: Innovation to Regenerate Nature, Society and the Economy’) and Varun Nagaraj, dean of the S. P. Jain Institute of Management & Innovation. P. Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR) and founder of the Wise Innovation Centre, who will discuss the impact of innovation on societies and the environment. Six case studies from leading companies such as Altri, Greenvolt, Mota Engil, Soja de Portugal, Sonae MC and Superbock Group will also be presented. The event, open to the public but subject to registration, will take place at the Portuguese Catholic University in Porto.

Inspiring, challenging and promoting change for sustainability and regeneration are the main objectives of Insure.hub, an innovative platform that brings together more than 80 public and private organisations. For four years it has sought to bring together knowledge and practices in sustainability, promoting a space for the exchange of ideas between students, academics and professionals. The 4th Insure.hub International Conference will have two parts: the academic part, on 29 October, and the business part, on 30 October.

‘This conference is a vital opportunity to share experiences and discuss solutions that boost sustainability in the national and global context,’ says João Pinto, dean of Católica Porto Business School and co-leader of this platform. ‘Over the four years that Insure.hub has been operating, we have noticed that organisations are paying more and more attention to these issues, which favours a closer relationship between the business, association and academic sectors, with an emphasis on cooperation and the development of mutual learning and networking networks, with the ultimate aim of promoting the transition to a more sustainable economy,’ he concludes.

Manuela Pintado, director of the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF) at the School of Biotechnology and co-leader of Insure.hub, adds that ‘we want this conference to demonstrate the importance of this platform as a transformative initiative for sharing transdisciplinary and innovative knowledge, essential for meeting Europe's 2030 targets and the European Green Deal,’ adding that ‘innovation is the key to sustainability and at Insure.hub we drive ideas that transform society and the environment. This innovation has promoted the integration of sustainability into companies, creating value and strengthening their competitiveness at national and international level.’

‘We intend to dedicate increasing efforts to sustainability literacy and regeneration, as well as strengthening the connection and cooperation between the business sector, society and the new generations,’ concludes António Vasconcelos, co-leader of Insure.hub and head of Planetiers New Generation. ’This is becoming increasingly possible as we mobilise the top management of companies to lead very strategically for sustainability and progressively open up to a relationship with a growing diversity of stakeholders.’

Six case studies will be presented from leading companies such as Altri, Greenvolt, Mota Engil, Soja de Portugal, Sonae MC and Superbock Group. At the end of the conference, prizes will be awarded for Best Scientific Presentation in Natural Sciences and Social Sciences, sponsored by KPMG and MDS. Registration is free but compulsory. The 4th Insure.hub International Conference will take place on 29 and 30 October at the Portuguese Catholic University in Porto.