GREENEXT 2025 Redefines Sustainability as Business Strategy

Over 5,000 professionals gather to turn sustainability from concept to execution, driving cross-industry innovation and collaboration.

The GREENEXT Expo 2025, held on September 27 at the Shanghai Exhibition Center, reaffirmed its role as a premier global platform for sustainability transformation. Attracting 5,022 participants, the event brought together over 120 international enterprises and organizations to share more than 200 practical case studies, emphasizing actionable pathways for sustainable business growth.

Concluding successfully at the Shanghai Exhibition Center, GREENEXT Expo 2025 emerged as a key catalyst for sustainability-driven business transformation, moving the global dialogue from “why” to “how.” As China’s leading greening accelerator platform, the two-day event centered around the theme “Sustainability Innovation × Cross-Sector Collaboration × Business.”

“Sustainability is a journey carried by tangible solutions—from product design to business models, from technological innovation to cultural expression, transforming green ideals into perceptible, tangible, and communicable practices,” said Dr. Hong Zheng, Founder of GREENEXT.

Action-Oriented Innovation Across Six Strategic Zones

The expo showcased over 200 scalable solutions across six thematic zones, turning sustainability into measurable outcomes in key industries:

Fashion Forward: Presented circular economy models for textiles and apparel, featuring brands like adidas and Ellassay Group.
Living Earth: Highlighted regenerative business practices and transparent “field-to-bottle” supply chains with exhibitors including The Macallan.
Green for Next: Explored ESG reporting, carbon auditing, and low-carbon manufacturing with contributions from HKRI Taikoo Hui and Tencent CarbonXmade.

The event also emphasized four business transformation scenarios — Urban Regeneration, Global Expansion, Technological Innovation, and Public Good Integration — demonstrating how sustainability can enhance competitiveness and long-term value creation.

Global Dialogue: Sustainability as the New Luxury

The conference segment featured 183 international experts across 77 sessions, fostering dialogue among global leaders, policymakers, and innovators. Diplomats from Finland, Norway, Belgium, and Denmark participated, strengthening global collaboration on sustainability regulations and market alignment.

“The Third Aesthetic of Commercial Spaces: Making Sustainability the New Luxury,”
— Ms. Ruifang Ding, Co-General Manager, HKRI Taikoo Hui

This emerging “aesthetic of value” underscores sustainability’s evolving role in defining premium commerce and consumer appeal.

Empowering Future Generations and Philanthropic Action

GREENEXT 2025 also launched initiatives aimed at nurturing future talent and social responsibility:

Shanghai Population Welfare Foundation Sustainable Development Fund: Supports integration of corporate philanthropy and sustainable development.
Youth Action Guide for Sustainable Development: Introduced at the Innovation Hub to inspire young changemakers.
Global Sustainable Fashion Consumption Industry Pioneer Awards: Recognized companies leading sustainability efforts in fashion.

Public engagement was amplified through the “Sustainable Journey”, an experiential route featuring interactive sessions such as Climate Fresk and Recycled Plastic Workshops, connecting consumers with real-world sustainability practices.

A Platform for the Future of Sustainability

By framing sustainability as a driver of productivity, economic growth, and ecological balance, GREENEXT Expo 2025 demonstrated that environmental progress and business success are no longer separate goals but mutually reinforcing forces.

Preparations are already in motion for GREENEXT Expo 2026, which aims to broaden its global participation and deepen its industry impact.