People - 27.02.2026 - 11:30
The mission of the new Institute for Responsible Innovation, Sustainability and Energy (RISE-HSG) is to use scientific knowledge and effective teaching to enable business leaders to develop positive solutions to global challenges in the areas of sustainability and climate.
President Manuel Ammann opened the event and placed RISE within the strategic orientation of the University of St.Gallen. Sustainability, responsible innovation and energy issues are central challenges for business and society, especially in today's world.
The three RISE directors, Charlotta Sirén, Judith Walls and Rolf Wüstenhagen, then outlined what the new institute stands for: interdisciplinary research, innovative teaching, close cooperation with partners in business and society, and a combination of local roots and international appeal. With 32 employees, RISE has a broad range of expertise in its field.
In four discussion rounds moderated by RISE lecturers, key stakeholders expressed their expectations of the new institute. The Deans' Panel kicked things off. Björn Ambos (SoM-HSG), Martin Eling (SoF-HSG) and Patrick Emmenegger (SEPS-HSG) expressed their hope that RISE would build bridges – between disciplines, between research and teaching, and between the university and practice.
Next, the students had their say. The president of the student body and representatives of the student boards of the Integrative Sustainability Management (SuM) and Managing Climate Solutions (MaCS) certificate programmes formulated their expectations for teaching in the areas of sustainability, energy and responsible innovation. From the students' point of view, the innovative teaching programmes in this area should be given more visibility on campus. Further expansion of interdisciplinary study programmes was also suggested.
The second part of the event focused on social and business perspectives. In the Social Partner Panel, representatives from WWF, Oceancare and the City of St.Gallen, among others, discussed the role that science can play in an increasingly polarised debate. Karin Hungerbühler, head of Environment and Energy, highlighted the valuable impetus that cooperation with students and lecturers has given the city in achieving its urban climate goals.
In the Corporate Partner Panel, executives from AMAG, BKW, Catchfree and Hansgrohe discussed the contribution that RISE could make in the context of global sustainability challenges. In the field of energy and mobility, climate-friendly solutions are now technologically mature. The challenge for countries such as Switzerland is to increase the pace of implementation and implement systemic solutions. The current economic and geopolitical environment was seen not only as a challenge, but also as an opportunity for entrepreneurial solutions.
The event concluded with a poster session and aperitif. The researchers presented ongoing projects and discussed them with guests from science, politics and business. The informal exchange demonstrated what sets RISE apart: openness, networking and the will to develop viable solutions together.
With the official opening, RISE has now also symbolically launched. The new institute brings together the HSG's expertise in the areas of sustainability, innovation and energy and offers guidance in a time of global upheaval.
Images: Robert Stürmer (STÜRMER FOTO)
