Webinar: Who will finance the future? The role of sustainability in finance
A free webinar with prof. dr. Michaël Peeters (Antwerp Management School), Tine Bourgeois (BNP Paribas Fortis) and Peter De Keyzer
Friday May 29 at 11am
Language: English
Sustainable finance is increasingly shaped by geopolitical tensions, market and regulatory uncertainty, and the need for long-term stability. What was once mainly a sustainability issue has now become a matter of risk management and strategic resilience.
In this webinar, we explore sustainable finance from a hard finance perspective: how do geopolitical tensions influence investment decisions, lending, and the long-term stability of companies? What does sustainability mean when markets are volatile, regulations shift, and energy and material security are under pressure?
Drawing on practical insights from the field, we demonstrate why sustainability today is no longer a “nice to have,” but a prerequisite for accessing capital.
What will you learn?
- why sustainability is about long-term stability, not just ideology
- how international tensions, resource scarcity, and supply chains impact investment decisions
- why companies without a sustainability strategy face growing difficulties in securing financing
- the implications of uncertainty around CSRD, SFDR, taxonomy, and Omnibus I and why reporting remains crucial
- how banks and investors use sustainability as a risk indicator
Michaël Peeters
Prof. dr. Michaël Peeters is Professor of ESG and Digital Initiatives at Antwerp Management School and Assistant Professor at Delft University of Technology. His research focuses on sustainable finance and the impact of digital innovation on real estate valuation and investment decisions, bridging sustainability, technology and finance. With a PhD in Engineering Management (joint program with Antwerp Management School) and an Executive Master in Real Estate at Antwerp Management School, he combines academic rigor with hands-on entrepreneurial experience in PropTech and sustainable real estate.
Peter De Keyzer
Chief Economist at Growth Inc. and a leading Belgian economist, author, and keynote speaker. His work focuses on economic policy, financial markets, and the role of finance in driving sustainable long-term growth. He frequently advises organizations and policymakers on how economic systems, capital markets, and regulatory frameworks can support the transition toward more resilient and sustainable economies.
Previously Chief Economist at BNP Paribas Fortis and advisor to the Belgian Prime Minister, Peter brings both policy insight and real-world financial expertise.
Tine Bourgeois
Strategic leader with 30+ years at BNP Paribas Fortis, driving impact across Business Development, Philanthropy, and - most recently - Sustainable Business Transition & Solutions. Armed with a Master in Applied Economics (UA), MBA (UCL), and Sustainability Leadership Certification (Cambridge), she turns ambition into action. Passionate about embedding sustainability into core business—because profit and purpose can thrive together. Let’s redefine what’s possible.