The keynote by Clive L. Spash, Chair of Public Policy & Governance at the Institute for Spatial and Social-Ecological Transformations, Department of Socioeconomics,addressed the economic fallacies of the green transition. This was followed by a panel discussion with Ursula Bittner (Spokesperson and Economic Expert, Greenpeace),Jutta Kill (Researcher and Activist, World Rainforest Movement (WRM)), Vincent Liegey (coordinator of Cargonomia, Degrowth research and experimentation cooperative), and Christina Plank (Researcher, Institute for Development Research, BOKU University).

The panelists discussed a range of critical topics, including the interconnected social, ecological, and economic crises humanity is facing. They explored how strategies for economic transition, such as Green Deals and energy transitions, remain confined within the framework of the growth economy. The discussion also raised questions about whether trading new environmental commodities, like carbon permits and biodiversity credits, is an effective response to ecosystem destruction and the mass extinction of species. Finally, together with the audience, the panelists questioned whether a fundamentally new economic paradigm is needed to drive systemic transformation, and what alternative economic systems might be required to bring about genuine change.

We would like to thank our wonderful moderator, Ines Omann, and the engaged audience for their thought-provoking questions and for staying well beyond the original schedule. We believe this gesture in itself is an indirect answer to the final panel question: "How does one stay positive in this line of work?"

Event photos coming soon