Sustainable Finance in 2026: Towards a More Pragmatic Approach

What sustainable finance looks like in 2026? Join INSEAD Professor Lucie Teplá for a thought-provoking online masterclass exploring the transition from ambition to practical implementation. Discover how organisations can align sustainability objectives with business performance in a rapidly changing landscape. Connect with the INSEAD community and gain insights that can help shape your leadership journey.

Date: 16 September 2026, Wednesday

Time: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm (GMT+8)

Online via Zoom - Check your timezone here

Agenda:

12:30 pm - 12:40 pm: Welcome and Introduction

12:40 pm - 1:25 pm: Masterclass and Q&A by Lucie Tepla

1:25 pm - 1:30 pm: Closing

Masterclass Topic: Sustainable Finance in 2026: Towards a More Pragmatic Approach

Synopsis:

In the decade since the Paris Agreement and the launch of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the integration of environmental and social considerations by banks, institutional investors, asset managers and other financial-sector participants has moved rapidly into the mainstream around the world. Key developments include the rise of ESG investing and green and sustainability-linked financing, commitments by many providers of capital to align their investment and lending portfolios with 1.5°C pathways in support of real-economy decarbonisation, and the rapid evolution of sustainability reporting frameworks and regulation for both businesses and financial institutions.

At the same time, concerns about hype, greenwashing and real-world effectiveness have intensified. ESG backlash, energy security, geopolitical tensions and shifting priorities are also testing the field. This masterclass will assess where sustainable finance stands in 2026, what it has delivered, where it has fallen short, and how it is evolving towards a more pragmatic and disciplined approach.