More than 100 sustainability leaders gather at EADA for the second edition of CSO Day
EADA Business School held the second edition of CSO Day, the meeting that brings together Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs) and business leaders committed to integrating sustainability into corporate strategy. The event, held at the school’s Campus 2-Provença in Barcelona, brought together more than one hundred professionals to reflect on the role of sustainability in a global context marked by economic, geopolitical and social uncertainty.
Under the theme “Resilience at the Limit: sustaining purpose in a world in crisis”, the meeting focused on how organisations can maintain their commitment to positive impact in increasingly complex environments. In this context, CSOs are consolidating their position as key figures in driving more resilient organisations and aligning sustainability with business strategy.
The event was opened by Ainhoa Grandes, President of the MACBA Foundation and Chair of CSO Day, who highlighted that the current international context is redefining global balances also in the field of sustainability.
In her remarks, she noted that the rollback of certain policies in the West could open the door for other powers, such as China, to assume a more prominent role in leading sustainable initiatives on a global scale.
Three pillars to rethink leadership in sustainability
The CSO Day 2026 programme was structured around three major discussion blocks: purpose in times of crisis, alliances in response to systemic risks and ESG leadership from governance.
The first roundtable addressed one of the most relevant challenges for organisations: how to sustain corporate purpose when crises put pressure on reputation, brand and corporate strategy. Moderated by Olga Villacañas, co-founder and Impact Director at Ocean52, the conversation featured Ernesto Barceló, Chief ESG Officer at Gestamp, and Choni Fernández, COO & CSO of PortAventura World.
During the debate, Fernández pointed out that the CSO acts as the “conductor of sustainability”, coordinating the different areas of the company to integrate commitments into strategy and ensure that they translate into concrete actions. Barceló, for his part, highlighted that sustainability is already embedded within executive teams and is increasingly integrated into corporate strategy, with metrics that go beyond financial results.
The second block analysed the importance of building alliances capable of collectively responding to the systemic risks affecting companies and society. The session, moderated by EADA professor Federica Massa-Saluzzo, brought together Laura Quintana, Director of Sustainable Development at Redeia, and Josep Maria Ribas, Climate Change Manager at Familia Torres. Both experts agreed that the success of collaborations depends on defining shared objectives from the outset and establishing rigorous monitoring mechanisms to ensure the long-term continuity of projects.
The event also featured an intervention by Mario Rotllant, President of the Environmental, Social and Governance Committee at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, in conversation with EADA professor Desirée Knoppen. During the discussion, Rotllant emphasised the importance of distinguishing between short-term factors arising from the current geopolitical tensions and companies’ structural sustainability commitments, ensuring that short-term pressure does not divert long-term objectives.
Recognition for leadership in sustainability
CSO Day 2026 also hosted the presentation of the CSO Award, a recognition that distinguishes professionals who are driving significant progress in corporate sustainability.
The award was presented to Choni Fernández, COO & CSO of PortAventura World, for her leadership in integrating sustainability into the company’s strategy and business. The prize was presented by Jordi Díaz, Dean and Director General of EADA, and by Mario Rovirosa, CEO of Ferrer and Chair of the award jury.
The jury particularly valued Fernández’s ability to position PortAventura World as a benchmark for sustainability within its sector, as well as her contribution to female leadership in the business sphere.
The EADA Forest: a tangible impact initiative
As the closing of the event, the EADA Forest was presented, an initiative that emerged from CSO Day 2025 and aims to materialise the commitment to tangible, long-term sustainability. The project, developed in collaboration with ReTree, includes the planting and maintenance of native trees, as well as the measurement of their environmental and social impact.
During the 2024–2025 academic year, nearly 300 trees were planted in an area near Santa Coloma de Queralt (Tarragona), and the addition of 100 new trees is planned in the next phase of the project.
Through initiatives such as CSO Day, EADA Business School reinforces its commitment to sustainability and to educating leaders capable of integrating positive impact into business decision-making. Over the past decade, the school has launched several specialised programmes in sustainability and has consolidated this field as one of its strategic priorities, in line with its institutional purpose Leading What Matters.
