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On 3 April, Deloitte Luxembourg hosted its annual MOMENTUM Conference, bringing together industry leaders to explore innovative strategies for navigating significant shifts in ESG and sustainable finance. The event focused on strengthening the market’s resilience amid evolving sustainability trends, and addressing the challenges posed by an ever-changing landscape.
"The landscape of sustainability has altered significantly. Previously considered a stable investment, it now needs to be revisited in the context of changing scenarios influenced by geopolitical tensions, regulatory adjustments, and economic uncertainties," said Oriane Schoonbroodt, Partner at Deloitte Luxembourg
Among the geopolitical changes significantly influencing the current outlook are recent policy developments stemming from the US elections. At the same time, the EU's shift away from its previous approach to ESG also contributes to uncertainty. "Luxembourg’s and Europe’s growth and competitiveness are closely linked with our ability to convert sustainability into actions,” said Bettina Werner, Partner at Deloitte Luxembourg.
The shift in ESG strategy and its economic value
Many funds have stopped explicitly labelling their investments as ESG to avoid regulatory burdens and compliance costs. However, this does not represent a withdrawal from ESG-aligned investments.
"While ESG investing has been part of asset management for years, 2021 marked a turning point, pushing ESG strategies to a new level of scale and integration. This acceleration was largely driven by an ambitious regulatory agenda at the EU level, aiming to embed sustainability into financial markets. However, as market conditions evolved, the initial wave of enthusiasm prompted many asset managers to reassess their ESG approaches. Regulatory frameworks have also matured, refining disclosure requirements to enhance investor protection. Today, the market sentiment is finding a balance—moving past early excitement towards more pragmatic and adaptable ESG strategies that acknowledge the diverse preferences of investors," said Sergio Venti, Partner at Deloitte Luxembourg.
The gathered experts remain cautiously optimistic, emphasising the need to redefine sustainability as a fundamental, value-creating strategy rather than merely a compliance trend. Speakers and professionals discussed how sustainability could effectively align with profitability and competitive advantages.
A positive trend noted during the conference was the European Union’s increasing role as an institutional investor, demanding stronger ESG alignment from private equity firms as a condition for co-investment. This drives sustainable transitions, reinforcing sustainability’s potential to enhance economic performance.
"The entire ecosystem needs to come together like pieces of a puzzle to create a new momentum around sustainability, focusing on action and impact over compliance," noted Werner.
The conference showcased leading-edge examples, including companies investing in renewable energy, clean technologies, and circular economy initiatives, such as Aperam’s renewable forestry initiatives in Brazil, which reduce production costs while enhancing environmental sustainability.
"Such examples underscore that sustainability when effectively implemented, delivers concrete financial and operational benefits," said Venti.
A room full of game-changers
MOMENTUM 2025 began with opening remarks by John Psaila, CEO & Managing Partner at Deloitte Luxembourg. "We must go beyond regulation. The planet isn’t asking for footnotes. It’s asking for a new footpath. The future is not interested in how we define sustainability. It’s watching how we live it." said Psaila.
His speech was followed by a fireside chat featuring entrepreneur and philanthropist Alexandre Mars, founder of blisce/, the Epic Foundation, and INFIИITE, in conversation with Oriane Schoonbroodt, Partner at Deloitte Luxembourg, discussing forward-looking investment strategies.
The panel "Impact or Illusion: Has asset management delivered on sustainable investing?" examined whether the asset management industry has genuinely advanced sustainable finance or merely created a perception of progress. Moderated by Chloé Piquet, Director at Deloitte Luxembourg, the discussion featured insights from Venti, François Ralet (Wellington Luxembourg), and Shaneera Rasqué (CSSF), who shared their perspectives on measurable impacts versus perceived achievements.
The second panel, "Thrive or Fade: Redefining sustainability's role in driving Europe's growth," explored how sustainability initiatives can be repositioned as catalysts for economic growth in Europe. Moderated by Werner, the panel gathered industry perspectives from Jérôme Petry (Ministry of Economy), Carlos Eduardo Martins (ESM), Sudhakar Sivaji (Aperam), and Imeshi Weerasinghe (WEO), who discussed the challenges and opportunities in sustaining growth through environmental strategies.
Concluding the event, Avanti Sharma, Director of Artificial Intelligence & Growth at Workshop4Me, reflected on key moments from the discussions, emphasizing the intersection of sustainability and innovation.
MOMENTUM 2025 reaffirmed its role as a key platform for the financial community, fostering open dialogues on sustainable investing. From the opening remarks to closing insights, the event blended practical strategies with bold visions for finance. Discussions spanned the real impacts of asset management on sustainability and the role of environmental strategies in Europe’s growth, urging the financial industry to evolve and keep sustainable investing relevant amid global challenges.