Sustainable Switzerland, a platform and event series run by the Neue Zürcher Zeitung media company, awarded Global Footprint Network co-founder, Mathis Wackernagel, with the Sustainable Shaper distinction on September 2, 2025. He received it in the category of “Knowledge & Opinion”. This distinction was awarded for the first time to honor individuals who, through their entrepreneurial, scientific, or social efforts, initiate tangible change and drive sustainable development in and from Switzerland. From more than 240 nominations, an independent jury selected 15 winners.
Neue Zürcher Zeitung Interview with Mathis in run-up to the event
Q: On July 24th was Earth Overshoot Day 2025. What does “Overshoot” actually mean – and why does it affect every company?
Mathis Wackernagel: Kodak probably should have asked itself a similar question: What does “digitization” actually mean – and why does it affect every company?
Persistent overshoot makes one thing clear: the future is becoming increasingly predictable. It will be shaped ever more by climate change and resource scarcity. Will your company’s products become more relevant or more obsolete as a result?
Q: What would you say to people who believe their contribution is too small to matter?
MW: If people view their preparation as a “contribution,” they’re most likely already on the wrong track. It becomes more tangible when we recognize our actions as an economic necessity—and invest accordingly. Incidentally, such actions usually bring the greatest benefit to humanity.
Q: Why is now the right time to engage with the future viability of our way of life?
MW: Because we’re already very late in the race. The future is coming at us faster than our sluggish, material world can adapt to it. Continuing to wait instead of effectively aligning our cities, companies, and countries – and thus our way of life – to the predictable future is probably the most inefficient and expensive strategy, if not self-defeating.
