Building resilience on a changing planet
From extreme heat and water scarcity to biodiversity, waste and circularity, the environmental landscape is changing rapidly. While urgent action to prevent further damage remains critical, we must also prepare societies to live with the impacts of a changing climate. This means moving beyond awareness to meaningful public engagement, equipping communities with the knowledge and tools to adapt, and building resilience into the systems we depend on.
This track explores how we can shift behaviours, protect natural resources, strengthen climate resilience, finance the green transition and redesign our economies for a sustainable future beyond 2030.
Join us to explore how research can be translated into real-world action and how the wider knowledge economy can accelerate the transition to a sustainable future.
Discussion topics
Our expert speakers and senior decision-makers in environmental protection will debate four big questions shaping the future.
1. How will we build resilience in a world of increasing environmental instability?
What role should universities play in preparing societies for a future of ever-greater environmental instability? From extreme heat, water scarcity and food insecurity to biodiversity loss and climate shocks, how can governments, businesses, cities and communities prepare for a more volatile future?
2. Can we turn environmental ambition into action at scale?
How should universities collaborate to turn environmental ambition into measurable impact beyond 2030? Beyond 2030, what will it take to move from targets and commitments to real-world implementation – harnessing innovation, AI, regenerative agriculture and behavioural change to deliver measurable environmental progress?
3. What strategies are needed to build a prosperous global economy without exceeding planetary boundaries?
How can we redesign production and consumption, move towards circular economies, and mobilise the finance needed for a sustainable transition without leaving developing economies and vulnerable communities behind? How can universities help to redefine economic prosperity within planetary boundaries?
4. With multiple planetary crises competing for attention, what must we prioritise?
As climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, water insecurity and resource depletion intensify, where should we focus investment, political leadership and collective action in order to deliver the strongest impact? How can universities make the greatest difference?
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