The sustainable “backlash” starts from the Salon

Continuing to talk about – and do – sustainability today is more necessary than ever. It is so in the face of the geopolitical scenario, which raises heavy questions about the real capacity of man to “govern” the world. And it is also so with respect to the way in which Europe and what remains of the West intend to look at the economy and development. This is the challenge, both existential and social, of the CSR Fair and of everything that revolves around the thirteenth edition of the event that from 8 to 10 October 2025 at Bocconi University in Milan will rekindle the platform to discuss these issues under the title: “ Creating futures of value” .

We need to promote, the organizers relaunch, a constructive dialogue between all social actors - businesses, third sector organizations, institutions, academies - to promote social cohesion as a model antithetical to conflict. And to monitor environmental issues , which risk being relegated to the background in government agendas due to ongoing wars. But also to address the economic risks of the so-called Esg backlash . The phenomenon, evident in the United States but also growing in Europe and Italy , which denies the real economic return on investments and corporate practices based on sustainability criteria. In this regard, it seems of little interest that, according to Istat data, companies that invested in sustainability in the three-year period 2017-2019 grew, in the following three-year period, by an average of 16.7% . But there will be time to delve into this aspect as well.

The voice of Rossella Sobrero of the Group promoting the Salone summarizes the issue: «During the Salone, many organizations that have chosen to integrate sustainability into their strategic plan will meet. A change that starts with the modification of production processes, a different way of managing the supply chain, a new approach in the relationship with stakeholders. But there is a growing awareness that to become a strategic driver, sustainability requires a real cultural change: social and environmental commitment must be a convinced, continuous choice, integrated into the company's strategy».

Many of the organizations that have changed processes, products and governance in this perspective have understood – and made others understand – that sustainability is a lever of competitiveness. And, in some cases, a prerequisite for growth in the market. These are the companies that today are clamoring to keep open a constructive discussion on the value of environmental and social choices that also bring an economic advantage.

The organizers say that 250 organizations have already confirmed their presence. The cultural program includes thematic itineraries to address the most urgent issues of sustainable development: training and work; culture and territory; economy and finance; environment and regeneration; governance and leadership; innovation and impact. In the meantime, the Salone platform has never actually stopped. In fact, the work of the Giro d'Italia della Csr has just ended, which was held between February and June in seven Italian cities.

More specifically, the Salone will discuss how important it is to define inclusion policies , invest in people, and offer young people the opportunity to get involved. Sustainability is an investment in the future: if it wants to last over time, the company must implement medium-long term programs also aimed at attracting new talent. Another important theme for competitiveness is improving supply chain management and adopting a “circular” approach, a choice that improves an organization’s performance and therefore its competitiveness. The circular economy must be a model adopted in all phases – from design to production to the end of the product’s life – to seize every opportunity for savings and minimize waste and losses.

Likewise, it is essential to work on impact measurements , which are essential to make the benefits of sustainability evident and standardized in response to the ESG backlash. The Salone will also award the Impact Prize in this edition, designed to enhance the ability to measure the economic, social and environmental value created by sustainability projects and initiatives. Participation in the prize is free and open to profit and non-profit organizations and public administrations .

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Opening photo, the works of the CSR Hall, from the press office

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