GreenDeal-Net Conference: Rethinking EU Climate & Sustainability Governance in an Age of Disruption

Date: 19 June 2025, Time: 9:00-17:30, Location: Beursschouwburg, Brussels & Online

Europe stands at a crossroads. In an era of escalating climate challenges, economic shifts, and geopolitical uncertainty, disruption is reshaping the very foundations of governance, sustainability, and resilience. The future of the European Union—and the path to a more inclusive and adaptive society—depends on bold leadership, fresh perspectives, and collective action. As pressures mount, the need for informed dialogue, interdisciplinary thinking, and innovative solutions has never been greater. 

Our conference brings together policymakers, academics, students, civil society, and artists for a day of lively discussions, fresh ideas, and meaningful exchange. We are a vibrant European and international network of universities, research institutions and experts collaborating to explore and tackle key challenges in climate and sustainability governance. The conference will explore some of the most pressing and complex issues shaping the EU’s future, ranging from the role of democracy in climate action to balancing sustainability with competitiveness and enhancing synergy across policy areas. With space for debate, connection, and interdisciplinary thinking, the conference invites participants to engage critically and creatively with the governance challenges and possibilities of building a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient Europe in turbulent and disruptive times.

Register here.

Program:

09:00 – 09:30

Welcome coffee 

Registration & networking

Foyer, 2nd floor

09:30 – 09:45

The story and vision of GreenDeal-NET

By Sebastian Oberthür, Co-Director of the Research Centre for Environment, Economy and Energy (Brussels School of Governance, VUB) and Professor of Environmental Policy and Law (University of Eastern Finland).

Golden space theatre, 2nd floor

09:45 – 11:00

Roundtable debate

Democracy on thin ice? Climate and sustainability policy, backlash, and the legitimacy challenge in the EU.

Speakers:

  • Karin Bäckstrand, Professor in Environmental Social Science, Department of Political Science (Stockholm University)
  • Frederik Hafen, Senior Policy Officer for Environmental Law and Democracy, European Environmental Bureau (EEB)
  • Kamila Paquel, Expert, Secretariat to the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change (ESABCC)
  • Ben Eersels, Executive Director, G1000
  • Carina Carrillo Loeda, Deputy Head of Unit, Environmental Rule of Law & Governance, DG ENV, European Commission (tbc)

Moderator: Louisa Parks, Full Professor of Political Sociology (University of Trento).

Golden space theatre, 2nd floor

11:00 – 11:15

Coffee break

Foyer, 2nd floor

11:15 – 12:15

Keynote interview

Future-proofing Europe? Innovation, competitiveness, and the Clean Industrial Deal.

Speaker: Neil Makaroff, Director of Strategic Solutions

Moderator: Harri Kalimo, Professor (Brussels School of Governance, VUB)

Golden space theatre, 2nd floor

12:15 – 13:00

Networking lunch

Foyer, 2nd floor

13:00 – 13:45

Keynote address

The Future of EU Climate and Sustainability Governance 

Speaker: Jan Dusík, Deputy Director General – EU and External Policy Coherence, Directorate-General for Climate Action (DG CLIMA), European Commission

Golden space theatre, 2nd floor

13:45 – 15:00

Roundtable debate

Embedding social justice in EU climate and sustainability governance

Speakers:

  • Louis Florin, Post-Doctoral researcher on Sustainability and Just Transition, Governance, and the Labour Market, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
  • Dirk Bergrath, Head of the EU Liaison Office for IG Metall, and Member of Group II of the European Economic and Social Committee (ESCC)
  • Mags Bird, Just Transition Senior Policy Officer, The World Wildlife Fund for Nature European Policy Office (WWF EU)
  • Pawel Olechnowicz, Policy Officer, Smart and Sustainable Growth, Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO), European Commission
  • Catherine Ganzleben, Head of Unit on Sustainable and Fair Transitions, European Environment Agency (EEA)

Moderator: Claire Dupont, Research Professor of International Governance (Ghent University).

Golden space theatre, 2nd floor

15:00 – 16:00

Closing session

• Performance
• Final remarks: Weathering disruption and uncertainty through cooperation

By Sebastian Oberthür, Co-Director of the Research Centre for Environment, Economy and Energy (Brussels School of Governance, VUB) and Professor of Environmental Policy and Law (University of Eastern Finland).

Beurscafé, Ground floor

16:00 – 17:00

Reception

Networking reception with the possibility to enjoy a free concert afterwards on the rooftop of the Beursschouwburg (organized by them) 

Beurscafé, Ground floor