Social impacts of climate policy instruments: Their role for policy acceptability and implications for policy-making and communication in tough times

Sustainability, as a guiding concept, seems to be getting driven out of the political arena. Opposition to an inclusive, fact-based exploration of pathways towards a “safe and just space for humanity” is no longer indirect nor tacit; it fuels nationalist and authoritarian counter-responses in a hitherto unthinkable, unconcealed manner. Common values and commonly accepted facts seem to dwindle, narrowing down the room for meaningful conversations.

How can we – supporters of socio-ecologically oriented transformations – foster a just and inclusive transformation in these times of geopolitical crises and backlash? 

The RIFS 2025 Conference focuses on the challenges for leading meaningful conversations about sustainability, on specific obstacles and on successful strategies for overcoming them. It aims at identifying means of returning public attention towards the necessary socio-environmental change by bringing together national and international stakeholders from academic and non-academic sectors. The conference’s presentation and discussion formats will address the difficulties associated with sustainability governance, research, and communication that we are witnessing in different societal, political, and cultural developments. In particular, it will consider how we, both as communities of practice and as individuals, can advance sustainability in an unfavorable societal and political environment. We will also ask how sustainability research must change in order to achieve impact in the face of new circumstances. 

The RIFS 2025 Conference will bring together scientists working on sustainability topics from a wide range of disciplines, along with practitioners from policy, civil society, the private sector, and the arts. It will offer an opportunity to:

• Present and discuss recent scientific findings in an inter- and transdisciplinary setting
• Share and exchange on experiences, challenges, and good practices via facilitated sessions for reflection and interaction
• Meet new people and get inspired

Dirk Arne Heyen will contribute to this event with a lecure on the following topic: "Social impacts of climate policy instruments: Their role for policy acceptability and implications for policy-making and communication in tough times."