Too Much Change? Contradictions and New Beginnings in Socio-Ecological Transformation

Is the “Great Transformation” faltering before it has even begun? Many believe that the transition to a sustainable and climate-neutral society is happening too slowly. However, even limited efforts are currently facing massive backlash. Transitions in transport, the building, heating and energy sectors as well as the “Green Deal” more broadly are the subject of intense discussions. Political decision-makers are exposed to lobbying interests, misinformation and increasing political radicalisation. People who drive the transformation forward in their communities and regions and implement innovative projects are exposed to numerous constraints, emotional debates and protests, and even violent attacks. Yet regions, cities and municipalities are crucial arenas for what is referred to as the “Great Transformation”. This great change can only succeed if many local and regional individual initiatives come together. This raises a critical question: how can we create new momentum for transformation, both at the local level and on a larger scale?

We want to explore this question in keynote speeches and workshops. Invited are experts from academia, political leaders in local, state and federal governments, administrators, planners, members of initiatives, journalists and anyone else who is concerned with change.

High-profile speakers have been secured for the keynote speeches:

• Dirk Messner, President of the Umweltbundesamt (German Environment Agency), Dessau-Roßlau;
• Andreas Novy, Institute for Spatial and Social-Ecological Transformations, Vienna University of Economics and Business;
• Nicolas Schmit (invited), European Commissioner (2019-2024) “Employment and Social Rights”, Brussels

Workshop topics:

• local conflicts and oppositions in relation to transformation projects,
• local and regional possibilities for design and experiments,
• transformation and public administration,
• alternative models of prosperity