ESF Research Conferences

The human impact on global climate change is now deemed to be unequivocal. However, human impacts on the global environment go well beyond changes in the physical climate, into effects on ecosystems, biodiversity, and the essential goods and services provided by the environment on which we are dependent. In the next few decades, we will need to fundamentally transform a number of sectors if we are to be able to ensure the sustainable pursuit of the human endeavor. Among these sectors are energy, transportation and agriculture.

The purpose of this conference is to provide the research basis for long-term transformation of energy systems that will allow us to achieve a sustainable production of energy for future generations. The conference will begin by mapping out the current landscape for energy production, and envisioning the goal for future sustainable energy systems. We will then explore the transformations necessary to realise this goal, and define the kinds of systemic-level analyses that will be necessary to support reaching this goal.

The conference will be a mix of plenary sessions and group meetings. The aim is to produce a report (to be made openly available) documenting a) a discussion of the major transformations that are necessary, b) a picture of the desired energy systems landscape, c) a description of the research required, and d) suggestions for an implementation framework to enable and support this research and ensure that it is useful for decision.