Tough Conversations in Tough Times

Please find the updated programme and more information on the conference website!

Climate change and escalating social and environmental crises are touching our lives with growing frequency. Yet, we are also seeing growing opposition to policies, designed to address these challenges. This resistance to sustainability is no longer subtle – it’s becoming increasingly vocal in the public and political debate, including social media. The RIFS 2025 Conference “Tough Conversations in Tough Times” aims to create a space for open discussion to understand this backlash and explore how we, as a community dedicated to sustainability, can effectively foster a just and inclusive societal transformation.

In keynotes and a high-level panel discussion we will discuss the current challenges and potential strategies of change with inputs from Manisha Anantharaman, Senior lecturer at Sciences Po Paris; Jürgen Trittin, former German Federal Minister for the Environment in Germany; Eckart von Hirschhausen, foundation "Gesunde Erde – Gesunde Menschen,“ and others.

In 48 break-out sessions with presentations, panel discussions and co-reflective workshop sessions, participants can engage in discussions on

• Policy backlash against sustainability, climate obstructionism, the relationship between far-right populism and attitudes towards socio-ecological justice, and how societal fragmentation affects sustainability transitions.
• Narratives and approaches to dialogue that can enable effective discussions.
• The role of research in counteracting policy backlash and the potential of transdisciplinary alliances.
• Governance arrangements and instruments at local and global levels, democratic innovations and instruments for sustainability-oriented transformations.
• Local and global (in)justices of sustainability transitions and the potentials of participation and co-creation.
• How to achieve sustainability in consumption, especially through the concept of consumption corridors.
• The effects of AI, systemic risks and global (military) conflict on sustainability transitions.

In addition to its academic focus, this inaugural RIFS conference will feature art exhibitions, artistic interventions, and role playing exercises exploring the connections between sustainability research, emotions, and environmental activism.

• Location: Leonardo Royal Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz, Otto-Braun-Straße 90, 10249 Berlin, Germany
• Date and time: Wed 03.12.2025, 11:45 a.m. - Fri 05.12.2025, 1 p.m.