The University of Oregon’s Center for Sustainable Business Practices Presents:

Summit for Sustainable Organizations

April 25-26, 2025

Join Us at the Forefront of Sustainability Innovation

The Summit for Sustainable Organizations (SSO) is an annual two-day sustainability summit hosted at the University of Oregon for professionals, students, and sustainability enthusiasts alike to gather in community.

Whether you're looking to expand your knowledge, collaborate on meaningful initiatives, or grow your professional network, SSO is the perfect place to connect with others who share a passion for creating positive change.

We’re Making Sustainability More Accessible Than Ever.

Act Now— Limited Seats are Available and They’re Going Fast!

You must be registered to be admitted and to receive your free food!

Purpose to Progress

The 2025 summit theme celebrates the synergy between a clear organizational purpose and meaningful progress. We believe that purpose fuels action, and progress validates purpose—both are essential for driving sustainable change.

Join us as we explore how purpose-driven organizations can turn vision into impact and align their values with measurable outcomes.

We will have a host of keynote speakers, as well as multiple panels that explore various topics related to an organization’s sustainability values, goals, and actions.

To structure the conversation and provide a comprehensive approach to sustainability, the Summit will focus on four key tracks: Policy, Planet, Profit, and People. These tracks will guide discussions, breakout sessions, and speaker engagements, ensuring a well-rounded exploration of sustainability in business, governance, and society.

The Four Tracks

  • Policy plays a crucial role in shaping sustainability efforts at organizational, governmental, and global levels. This track will explore how regulations, corporate governance, and advocacy drive sustainable change. Key topics may include, but are not limited to:

    • Emerging sustainability regulations and compliance requirements

    • Corporate responsibility and ESG reporting standards

    • Public-private partnerships for sustainable development

    • The role of advocacy and policy in accelerating change

    Attendees will gain a better understanding of the evolving regulatory landscape and how policy influences corporate decision-making and long-term sustainability initiatives.

  • This track focuses on the environmental dimensions of sustainability, including climate action, resource conservation, and sustainable business practices. Discussions will highlight ways in which organizations can minimize their environmental footprint while creating long-term value. Topics may include, but are not limited to:

    • Climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies

    • Circular economy and waste reduction innovations

    • Sustainable sourcing and supply chain management

    • Biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration

    Attendees will learn about practical strategies to integrate environmental sustainability into business operations and contribute to a more resilient planet.

  • The financial sustainability of an organization is critical for achieving long-term impact. This track will explore the intersection of financial success and sustainability, proving that responsible business practices can drive profitability. Topics may include, but are not limited to:

    • Sustainable finance and impact investing

    • ESG as a driver of financial performance

    • Innovative business models for sustainability

    • Risk management and resilience in a changing economy

    Attendees will gain insights into how sustainability efforts can align with financial performance, helping businesses create shared value while maintaining profitability.

  • People are at the heart of any sustainability effort, whether as employees, consumers, or community members. This track will examine the social dimensions of sustainability, including diversity, equity, and well-being. Topics may include, but are not limited to:

    • Workplace culture and employee engagement in sustainability

    • Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in business and sustainability

    • Community impact and corporate social responsibility (CSR)

    • The role of leadership in driving sustainable change

    Attendees will better understand how to integrate social sustainability into their organizations, foster inclusive workplaces, and engage communities in meaningful ways.

Volunteer at the summit

We are looking for volunteers to help out during the event!

Join us for the 2025 Summit for Sustainable Organizations

Registration is free!

The University of Oregon is located on Kalapuya Ilihi (Cal-uh-POO-yuh ILLihee), the traditional indigenous homeland of the Kalapuya people. Today, descendants are citizens of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde (rond) Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz (suhLETZ) Indians of Oregon, and continue to make important contributions in their communities, at UO, across the land we now refer to as Oregon, and around the world.