Conference Theme & Projects
Project List 2024
The PDF-file below lists the 15 projects registered to participate in Euroweek 2024.
Click on the image to enlarge picture.
Dilemmas in the Transition towards a Sustainable Future
One big challenge for Sustainable Development is the 'dilemma' of nations, who seek faster economic growth for the elimination of global warming, poverty, hunger, inequality, unemployment, responsible consumption and social injustice without impacting the global environment further.
In a new study from January 2023 (1), "...artificial intelligence provides new evidence our planet will cross the global warming threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius within 10 to 15 years. Even with low emissions, we could see 2 C of warming. Every action initiated now and in next 15 years will, therefore, determine the future of the world's climate system."
"Today we need about 1.75 planets to provide the resources for our
consumption and absorb our waste. By 2030, we will need 2 planets. We
only have one." (2)
Now the dilemma is, "What is the priority?". Is it development and economic growth? Or, is it a reduction of Co2 emissions for protecting humanity from the destructive consequences of climate change?
We are living in critical times.
1. Diffenbaugh, N. S., & Barnes, E. A. (2023). Data-driven predictions of the time remaining until critical global warming thresholds are reached. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 120(6), e2207183120.
Possible perspectives and sub-themes
Twin Transition for a Sustainable Future
- A twin transition approach recognizes that there is a huge and largely untapped opportunity for technology and data to drive sustainability goals.
- By adopting a 'twin transition' approach, leaders can bring the digital and sustainability agendas together to future-proof their organizations and societies.
* https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-news/twin-green-digital-transition-how-sustainable-digital-technologies-could-enable-carbon-neutral-eu-2022-06-29_en
* https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/10/twin-transition-playbook-3-phases-to-accelerate-sustainable-digitization/
* https://www.europeanfiles.eu/digital/twin-transition-as-a-driving-force-for-a-fair-and-prosperous-future
Moving Towards and Making Resilient Energy Systems Work
"The term resilience describes the ability to survive and quickly recover from extreme and unexpected disruptions. A high energy system resilience is of utmost importance to modern societies that are highly dependent on continued access to energy services." (1)
"A resilient energy system is one where energy makes an optimal contribution to a country's social, economic, and environmental development, and that is able to withstand and recover quickly from any unanticipated shocks and reflects potential impacts of climate change on energy resources in its planning and operations. Sustainable energy is based on three pillars: i) energy security, ii) quality of life and iii) environmental sustainability." (2)
1. Jasiūnas, J., Lund, P. D., & Mikkola, J. (2021). Energy system resilience – A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 150, 111476
2. https://unece.org/sites/default/files/2023-03/Resilient%20Energy%20Systems_EN.pdf
