Workshops 

Biodiversity credits – A research workshop on the opportunities and challenges of a new global financing instrument to tackle the biodiversity crisi

Hosts: Dr. Julian Rode (Department of Environmental Politics)
Dates: 01.-04.09.2025

The workshop examines the emerging concept of biodiversity credits as a global financing tool to support the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework. It will critically assess opportunities, risks, and safeguards by comparing this mechanism to alternatives, and by analyzing its institutional, market, and social implications. Bringing together international scholars and practitioners, the event aims to initiate joint research and shape the academic and policy debate on nature-positive finance.

Economics of Land Degradation and Transformative Change

Hosts: Prof. Dr. Bernd Hansjürgens (Department of Economics), Dr. Heidi Wittmer (Department of Urban and Environmental Sociology), Dr. Christoph Schröter-Schlaack (Department of Economics)
Dates: 30.09.-01.10.2025

The workshop critically reflects on the Economics of Land Degradation (ELD) initiative, which provides economic evidence to support sustainable land management and restoration practices. Participants will assess successes and shortcomings of past ELD approaches, focusing on their potential to enable transformative land-use pathways and identifying institutional barriers. The goal is to refine the role of economic considerations in driving systemic land-use change and to generate joint research outputs on planetary solutions.

Real World Labs versus Solutions? From Real World Experimentation to Digital Laboratories and back again

Hosts: Prof. Dr. Matthias Groß (Department of Urban and Environmental Sociology), Dr. Danny Otto (Department of Urban and Environmental Sociology)
Dates: 08.-11.10.2025

The workshop examines the tension between real-world labs, which aim for predefined solutions, and experimental laboratories, which thrive on surprises and failures as sources of new knowledge. By exploring digital laboratories such as serious games, it highlights how simulated environments can enable experimentation, learning, and participatory solution development without the pressure of immediate success. The event brings together interdisciplinary experts to conceptualize “planetary solutions” and connect them to transdisciplinary research practices.

Sustainable Societal Metabolisms

Dates: 12.-14.11.2025

The workshop and fellowships focus on developing an integrated research framework for Sustainable Societal Metabolisms, addressing how societies can meet human needs fairly while respecting planetary boundaries. Bringing together experts in system modelling, ecological economics, political ecology, and data sciences, the program will foster interdisciplinary collaboration on methods, data integration, and governance strategies. The goal is to build a long-term research network and generate scientific outputs that support just and sustainable resource use, production, and consumption systems.

Navigating Decarbonization Dilemmas in Mining Contexts: Multi-Scalar Responses

Hosts: Dr. Diana Ayeh (Department of Environmental Politics), Theresa Herdlitschka (Department of Environmental Politics), Dr. Henriette Rutjes (Department of Urban and Environmental Sociology)
Dates: 17. and 21.11.2025

The workshop explores the dilemmas of decarbonization in the mining sector, focusing on the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act and its emphasis on supply security over justice and sustainability. It brings together perspectives from Europe, Africa, and Asia to discuss alternative approaches such as sufficiency strategies, environmental justice, and democratic participation in resource governance. By fostering dialogue among academia, policy, industry, and civil society, the workshop aims to develop pathways for a more equitable and sustainable raw materials transition.

Securing habitability in a changing world

Hosts: Dr. Sungju Han (Department of Urban and Environmental Sociology), Prof. Dr. Christian Kuhlicke (Department of Urban and Environmental Sociology)
Dates: 18.-20.11.2025

The workshop explores how climate change is transforming what makes a place habitable, emphasizing the social, cultural, and emotional dimensions beyond purely physical factors. Through interactive dialogue, expert input, and collaborative agenda-setting, participants will develop conceptual frameworks, identify research gaps, and outline policy implications for just and sustainable solutions. The initiative also builds an interdisciplinary network and integrates diverse perspectives, including those from affected communities and policymakers.

Addressing Justice and Equity in the Twin Transition

Host: Dr. Louisa Prause (Department of Environmental Politics)
Dates: 26.-27.11.2025

The workshop critically explores the “twin transition,” where green and digital transformations intersect, highlighting the often-overlooked justice and equity challenges linked to AI, big data, and digital infrastructures. With a focus on the energy and agri-food sectors, participants will co-develop visions, scenarios, and actionable pathways for a fair transition that respects planetary boundaries while addressing systemic inequalities. The initiative builds an international research network to shape policies and frameworks for inclusive, democratic, and ethically accountable digital solutions in sustainability transitions.

From global challenges to local solutions in the biodiversity crisis: legal and societal implementation barriers of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation

Hosts: Dr. Jessica Stubenrauch (Department of Environmental and Planning Law), Prof. Dr. Moritz Reese (Department of Environmental and Planning Law), Dr. Katharine Heyl (Department of Environmental and Planning Law)
Dates: 04.-05.12.2025

The workshop addresses the legal and societal barriers to implementing the EU Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR), a key instrument for translating global biodiversity targets into local action. It brings together legal experts, environmental psychologists, and transformation researchers to explore solutions for overcoming institutional challenges and societal resistance. The goal is to identify best practices, strengthen networks, and develop strategies that enable effective restoration of ecosystems across Europe.