About ESG 2025
The 2025 ESG Conference, inspired by new collaborations and innovative approaches from previous years, is set to be a pivotal event in the ongoing discourse on sustainability and governance to support justice and equity. While the 2025 Conference will stand in a long tradition of global conferences on earth system governance, this year’s collaborative partnership between the ESG Network and the Transformations Community will stand out in several ways.
Two Communities
Following the programmatic focus on bridging sciences and societies through inter- and transdisciplinarity of the ESG 2023 Radboud Conference and the ethos of the Transformations Community’s 2023 conference, TC/ESG 2025 will emphasize the importance of transdisciplinary collaboration, integrating diverse knowledge systems to foster holistic solutions to the world’s pressing environmental challenges. The conference will bring together academics, policymakers, practitioners, and civil society members, reflecting the shared commitment to co-create actionable strategies that bridge the gap between scientific understanding and societal needs.
Earth System Governance Project
The Earth System Governance Project is the largest global network of social scientists focused on environmental and sustainability governance. The annual ESG conference is a cornerstone event, convening the community around the 2018 Science and Implementation Plan. The tradition of ESG conferences dates back to 2007 in Amsterdam, with subsequent events in locations such as Colorado, Lund, Tokyo, Norwich, Canberra, Nairobi, Utrecht, Oaxaca, Bratislava, Toronto, Radboud, and virtual forums. Recent conferences have tackled themes like transformative governance in the context of climate change (Bratislava, 2021), sustainability transitions in response to emerging crises (Toronto, 2022), and bridging sciences and societies for sustainability transformations (Radboud, 2023). The 2023 conference featured 678 participants from over 45 countries, connecting and mobilising global scholars from the social sciences and humanities researching at local and global scales.
Transformations Community
The biennial series of international Transformations conferences began in 2013 with the “Transformation in a Changing Climate” conference at the University of Oslo, Norway. From the outset, this conference series aimed to create a unique transdisciplinary space for scholars, practitioners, and artists working on transformations towards sustainability to engage in dialogue and practice. The conference series has continued to grow, addressing significant themes such as solving problems in the Anthropocene (Sweden, 2015), transformations in practice (Scotland, 2017), learning from transformative action and thinking (Chile, 2019), and enabling positive tipping points in an uncertain world (Online, 2021). The sixth conference in 2023 convened a global network of scholars and practitioners in Sydney, with simultaneous online access and hubs in Prague and Maine, Portland. Themed “Transformative Partnerships for a Better World,” it featured a wide range of high-quality sessions, fostering valuable connections and community engagement.
Objectives and Goals
The primary objective of the 2025 ESG Conference is to foster transformative change by advancing the integration of scientific research with practical implementation strategies. Echoing the transformative visions of both communities’ 2023 conferences, the conference seeks to enhance the capacities of individuals and organizations to contribute to justice and equity in global sustainability transformations. The conference will provide a platform for sharing best practices, innovative research, and policy frameworks that can drive systemic change. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the event aims to cultivate a collaborative environment where new ideas can flourish, leading to impactful actions that align with the global sustainability agenda.
The 2025 ESG Conference will be a cornerstone for building networks among stakeholders from various sectors, much like the previous conferences hosted by the Transformations Community and the Earth System Governance network. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in workshops, panel discussions, and interactive sessions designed to facilitate knowledge exchange and the co-creation of solutions. The conference will encourage the active involvement of early-career researchers and practitioners, ensuring that the next generation of leaders is equipped to carry forward the momentum of sustainability transformations. By fostering connections across disciplines and sectors, the conference aims to strengthen the global community dedicated to sustainable development and governance, ensuring justice and equity along the way.
Partnership Opportunities
This will be the first time the ESG Annual Conference 2025 is held in South Africa, with both in-person and online participation, in collaboration with the Transformations Community. This hybrid format presents a unique opportunity to connect with the foremost developments in earth system governance research and practice from around the globe. As we prepare for this landmark event, we are seeking sponsors who share our commitment to advancing governance supporting sustainability transformations. Your support will help us attract international academics and key decision-makers in related fields and enhance your visibility within a global community dedicated to impactful change.
Please email ipo@earthsystemgovernance.org for more information.
2025 TC/ESG Conference Committee
If you have any questions about the 2025 Earth System Governance conference, you can reach out to the organising committee. We will get back to you regarding your questions within a few working days.