GreenDeal-NET conference: Rethinking EU Climate and Sustainability Governance in an Age of Disruption

Date

The second GreenDeal-NET Conference, Rethinking EU Climate and Sustainability Governance in an Age of Disruption, took place on 19 June 2025 at the Beursschouwburg in Brussels and online. Bringing together policymakers, academics, students, civil society, and artists, the event fostered lively discussions and fresh ideas on how to navigate the EU’s climate and sustainability challenges in turbulent times. 

Throughout the day, participants explored the complex intersections of democracy, sustainability, competitiveness, and social justice, with sessions addressing governance innovation, cross-sectoral policy synergies, and strategies for building resilience in an era of disruption. Contributions from a diverse range of speakers and panellists offered multiple perspectives: bridging policy, research, activism, and the arts. These perspectives enriched the debates and highlighted the need for inclusive, adaptive, and forward-looking climate governance. 

The hybrid format ensured participation from across Europe and beyond, creating space for both in-person and online exchange. We extend our thanks to all speakers, moderators, and attendees for their thoughtful contributions, engagement, and commitment to advancing the conversation on Europe’s sustainable future.

If you missed the event (or wish to revisit the discussions), you can now rewatch the conference recordings below.

Click on the titles or images below to see the recordings, description or key highlights of the sessions.

The story and vision of GreenDeal-NET

By Sebastian Oberthür, Co-Director of the Research Centre for Environment, Economy and Energy (Brussels School of Governance, VUB) and Professor of Environmental Policy and Law (University of Eastern Finland).

 

Roundtable debate: Democracy on thin ice? Climate and sustainability policy, backlash, and the legitimacy challenge in the EU.

Speakers:  Karin Bäckstrand, Professor in Environmental Social Science, Department of Political Science (Stockholm University)  Frederik Hafen, Senior Policy Officer for Environmental Law and Democracy, European Environmental Bureau (EEB)  Kamila Paquel, Expert, Secretariat to the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change (ESABCC)  Ben Eersels, Executive Director, G1000  Moderator: Louisa Parks, Full Professor of Political Sociology (University of Trento).
 

Keynote interview: Future-proofing Europe? Innovation, competitiveness, and the Clean Industrial Deal.

Speakers:    Neil Makaroff, Director of Strategic Perspectives  Florian Anderhuber, Deputy Director General and Director for Energy, Climate & Sustainability at Euromines  Moderator: Tomas Wyns, Senior Researcher, Brussels School of Governance (VUB)

 

Keynote address: The Future of EU Climate and Sustainability Governance 

Speaker: Jan Dusík, Deputy Director General - EU and External Policy Coherence, Directorate-General for Climate Action (DG CLIMA), European Commission

 

Roundtable debate: Embedding social justice in EU climate and sustainability governance

Speakers:  Louis Florin, Post-Doctoral researcher on Sustainability and Just Transition, Governance, and the Labour Market, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)  Dirk Bergrath, Head of the EU Liaison Office for IG Metall, and Member of Group II of the European Economic and Social Committee (ESCC)  Mags Bird, Just Transition Senior Policy Officer, The World Wildlife Fund for Nature European Policy Office (WWF EU)  Pawel Olechnowicz, Policy Officer, Smart and Sustainable Growth, Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO), European Commission  Catherine Ganzleben, Head of Unit on Sustainable and Fair Transitions, European Environment Agency (EEA)  Moderator: Claire Dupont, Research Professor of International Governance (Ghent University).

 

Art exhibition

As part of our commitment to fresh ideas and interdisciplinary dialogue, the GreenDeal-NET conference also brought together artists whose works inspire reflection and spark conversation. 

Click here to see all artworks