The Villars Institute will participate in Zurich Climate Week, co-hosting a day of discussions and workshops with partners at the Villars x UBS House on 8 May. The programme will explore how systems thinking, climate entrepreneurship, and innovative finance can accelerate the transition to a net-zero and nature-positive economy, while bringing youth voices and intergenerational perspectives into the conversation.

Villars x UBS House: Program

Shaping the Next Generation of Systems Leaders in Investing

In partnership with UBS Young Investors Club

Date & Time: Friday 8 May, 09:30 - 10:30 CET

While financial and climate risks converge, traditional investment approaches are reaching their limits. This workshop explores how systems leadership equips next-generation investors with a mindset that embraces complexity, breaks silos, and unlocks the transition to a net-zero and nature positive economy.

Systems Change: Why Earth Is a Warming System

Date & Time: Friday 8 May, 11:00 - 12:30 CET

As global temperatures rise, the climate crisis is often framed as a collection of isolated environmental challenges. In reality, Earth is a tightly interconnected system; where oceans, ice sheets, ecosystems, economies, and societies are deeply linked. When one part shifts, the entire system responds.

This panel will explore why viewing Earth as a dynamic, warming system changes how we approach climate action. From polar science to education and youth leadership, the discussion will examine how scientific insight, institutional leadership, and intergenerational collaboration can drive systemic solutions; moving beyond symptoms toward the structural shifts needed to safeguard planetary stability.

Climate Start-ups: What’s Scaling and Why

Date & Time: Friday 8 May, 13:30 - 14:30 CET

Climate innovation is accelerating, but only a small number of start-ups successfully scale. Turning breakthrough ideas into real-world impact requires more than strong technology; it demands the right capital, partnerships, market conditions, and bold leadership. This panel will explore what differentiates climate ventures that scale from those that stall, where investors see momentum, and how founders, institutions, and young leaders play a critical role in shaping the next generation of scalable climate solutions.

Innovative Finance for Nature: Challenges and Opportunities

Date & Time: Friday 8 May, 14:45 - 15:45 CET

As nature loss accelerates, the limitations of both traditional philanthropy and standalone impact investing are becoming increasingly clear. This panel will explore how innovative finance can leverage philanthropic capital more strategically, and mobilize investment at scale—turning ambition into practical, financeable solutions for nature.

Why and How Youth Engagement in Climate Actually Works

Date & Time: Friday 8 May, 16:00 - 17:00 CET

Young people are often described as the “leaders of tomorrow,” yet the climate crisis demands leadership today. Meaningful youth engagement goes beyond symbolic inclusion; it requires real responsibility, intergenerational partnership, and institutional change. This flagship panel will explore what effective youth engagement in climate action actually looks like: in schools, finance, civil society, and global decision-making. By examining successful models and honest lessons learned, the discussion will highlight how empowering young leaders strengthens institutions, accelerates innovation, and drives long-term systemic impact.

From Innovation to Action

Date & Time: Friday 8 May, 17:15 CET - 18:00 CET

Throughout the day, we have explored systems change, innovation, finance, and youth leadership. The critical question remains: how do we translate insight into implementation? This closing panel will focus on moving from ideas to action; exploring how entrepreneurship can work to accelerate tangible climate solutions. The discussion will highlight what it takes to deploy innovation that deliver measurable real-world impact.