Paradigms, Models, Scenarios and Practices for more sustainability

Call for Papers
Closing date for abstracts: 30 June 2019

CUSP co-investigator Prof Peter Victor has joined the Scientific Committee for an upcoming symposium on: ‘Paradigms, Models, Scenarios and Practices for more Sustainability‘ (4–6 Dec 2019, Clermont-Ferrand, France). The international conference has set out to critically examine the notions of sustainability and sustainable development. Abstracts are invited in English or French. The closing date for submissions is 30 June 2019.

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While the notion of sustainability continues to be associated with the Brundtland Report (1987) and the concept of sustainable development, it is increasingly seeking to emancipate itself in order to provide a representation of the world that is consistent with the aspirations of the moment: everything must be sustainable—agriculture, food, natural resources, biodiversity, water, energy, cities, territories, tourism… To avoid ecological and social catastrophe, our social model must be part of a strong sustainability and must refuse to be compromised by lobbyism, green-washing and false hopes of technical innovation.

The enthusiasm and expectations for more sustainability go beyond the environmental framework. Indeed, if reducing our ecological footprint is a necessity, it sees itself associated with other objectives (such as the SDGs) that claim a certain legitimacy. The eradication of poverty, the reduction of inequalities, access for all to education, electricity and water, the development of 100% renewable energy… are all part of a political discourse, targets of major international institutions, but also demands from the world’s citizens. The recent events in France, the movement of yellow vests, is an excellent illustration of this. Motivated by the increase in the domestic consumption tax on energy products, this movement has gradually been extended to other social demands (increase in purchasing power, maintenance of public services, improvement of democracy, etc.), and then spread to a large number of countries (Germany, Belgium, Spain, Ireland, United Kingdom, etc.).

The call for papers intends to build on these facts and expectations in order to question the paradigms, models and scenarios that embody our notion of sustainability today. Subjects such as renewable energies, participatory democracy, organic farming and eco-cities did not wait to be carried by the ‘wave of sustainability’ to claim certain practices or propose alternative representations. So, this conference is asking: What remains of the concept of sustainability? Where have we got to be careful, and where can we strengthen the sustainability agenda.

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