Parallel Sessions Wednesday, 14 November 2018 | 13:20 – 15:10

  • Parallel Sessions | Day 1 - Part 1
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    13:20 - 15:10 | Plenary Hall D
    Digitalisation and Environment

    Marcel Haraszti, CEO REWE International AG
    Steffen Lange, Postdoc at the Institute for Ecological Economy Research, Germany
    Patrick Kessler, President of Swiss Online-Merchants Association
    Pille Pruulmann-Vengerfeldt, Professor in media and communication, Malmö University
    Julia Stone, Director Digital & Innovations, BILLA AG

    Moderation: Peter Woodward, Conference Facilitator

    The Digital economy is the culmination of the explosion of consumer connectivity: half the world's population is online, a third can be found on a social network and 53% are mobile. This young, dynamic, $3 trillion system based on technological infrastructure has changed the rules of doing business. The digital revolution has transformed the time we live in and will continue to do so. All these changes lead or will lead to a profound transformation of society and the economy.

    Specific elements of the digital economy - such as online shopping - , the opportunities they provide and the impact on the energy demand they cause are reflected in this slot. The question with regard to the growing significance of the digital economy will be discussed: 'Is there a chance of shaping a sustainable digital economy?'

    Organised by: Federal Ministry for Sustainability and Tourism and REWE International AG

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    13:20 - 15:10 | K1
    Economy and Environment
    Challenges for a Socio-Ecological Transformation

    Martina Schuster, Federal Ministry for Sustainability and Tourism, Austria
    Sigrid Stagl, Head of the Institute for Ecological Economics at Vienna University of Economics and Business
    Stefan Giljum, Head of the Research Group “Global Resource Use” at the Institute for Ecological Economics at Vienna University of Economics and Business
    Heidi Leonhardt, Research Assistant, Institute for Sustainable Economic Development at BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna
    Emanuele Campiglio, Researcher, Visiting Fellow at the Grantham Research Institute, London School of Economics and Political Science

    Moderation: Fred Luks, Head of the Competence Center for Sustainability, Vienna University of Economics and Business and Stephan Lutter, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Ecological Economics, Vienna University of Economics and Business

    The session will present and discuss the results of a study presenting the main challenges and opportunities at the intersection of “Economy and Environment”. It will focus on the challenges that derive from the economy-environment-interaction with respect to the goal of a socio-ecological transformation towards sustainable development. Therefore, macro perspectives will be contrasted with entrepreneurial and consumer perspectives. Short thematic inputs will feed into a group discussion, which will lead into an elaboration of open issues for research as well as policy intervention.

    Format: Interactive

    Organised by: Vienna University of Economics and Business, Competence Center for Sustainability

    13:20 - 15:10 | G1
    Future Café – Actions & Solutions that Matter

    In this participatory format diverse high-Level stakeholders from politics, business, civil Society, science and creative industries will hold a dialogue with conference participants. In small groups the participants will tackle one of the following challenges we face: Climate Action, Circular Economy, Digitalisation, Inclusive Society, Media, Sustainable Financing. Each group will through guided questions get to know each other, map the challenges in the field, understand what solutions are already out there and then decide on needed next actions. Additionally we will prototype collaboration between diverse stakeholders for a common challenge.

    Format: Interactive

    Organised by: Impact Hub Vienna

    Arjen WalsPlaceholderHelga Kromb Kolb
    13:20 - 15:10 | B2
    Science in Transition

    Arjen Wals, Professor of Transformative Learning for Socio-Ecological Sustainability at the Education and Competence Studies Group, Wageningen University

    Moderation:
    Helga Kromp-Kolb, Institute of Meteorology/ Center for Global Change and Sustainability, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences
    Gerald Steiner, Dean of Faculty of Business and Globalization, Head of Department for Knowledge and Communication Management, University Professor of Organisation Communication and Innovation, Danube University Krems – University for Continuing Education

    This session emphasizes the necessity of a transformation in the knowledge system. If science and higher education are to contribute to a socio-ecological transformation and to reaching the SDGs, a paradigm shift in higher education and science is required. We start from a keynote by Arjen Wals and the outcomes of the Science in Transition Conference (Nov. 13, 2018) and discuss them in an interactive setting: How should the university of the future look like? How do we get there? Which obstacles must be overcome?

    Format: Interactive

    Organised by: Alliance of Sustainable Universities in Austria

    Gerald PlattnerGerdrud HaidvoglPlaceholder
    13:20 - 15:10 | 3A
    Future without Natural Areas? Zukunft ohne Naturräume?

    This session will be hold in German with English translation

    Gertrud Haidvogl, Resarcher, Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences
    Kerstin Friesenbichler, Policy Officer for Nature Protection/Bio-Diversity
    Johannes Peterseil, Head of department, Ecosystem Research and Environmental Information Management, Environment Agency Austria
    Bernhard Kohler, World Wide Fund for Nature
    Gerald Plattner, Nature Management Austrian Federal Forests (ÖBf), B.A.U.M. - Austrian Network for Sustainable Leadership
    Pupil of the Sir Karl Popper public school for highly gifted pupils

    Moderation: Eva Berger, Vice-President of B.A.U.M.-Austria

    This session, hosted by B.A.U.M.-Austria (an independent environmental initiative and network of entrepreneurs www.baumaustria.at), will focus on SDG 15, Life on Land. Introductory notes will highlight the current best practices for the sustainable use and protection of natural areas and evaluate chances for advancements. Afterwards, diverse stakeholders will discuss these approaches with regard to their sustainability and articulate necessary need for action. Finally, the importance of natural areas for young people in the face of cyberspace and augmented reality will be discussed.

    Organised by: B.A.U.M. - Austrian Network for Sustainable Leadership

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    13:20 - 15:10 | 3B
    The majority is not enough! - how to develop sustainable infrastructure projects

    This session will consist of a Panel discussion and a Hands-on session

    Heidrun Maier-de Kruijff, Managing Director, Verband der öffentlichen Wirtschaft und Gemeinwirtschaft Österreichs - VÖWG
    Oliver Gumpert, International Business Development, Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH
    Sabine Gaber, Board Member, Oesterreichische Entwicklungsbank AG - OeEB
    Andreas Gunst, Partner, DLA Piper

    Moderation: Heinz Nusser, Nusser & Partner - Managing Sustainability

    This session will focus on the structural Framework and individual readiness required to support the development of sustainable projects worldwide: Part 1 - Panel discussion "how to develop sustainable infrastructure projects." In our discussion we will look for an answer, how Europe´s Intention to contribute to positive change in accordance with SDGs can be translated into actual projects and sustainable development worldwide. Part 2 - Hands-on Session:"The Majority is not Enough" Here we will individually experience where people matter by working on three simple questions about real-world challenges.

    Organised by: Austrian Federal Chancellery

    Anitra NelsonArmon RezaiFritz HInterbergerPlaceholderPlaceholder
    13:20 - 15:10 | B1
    "green" or "brown" investments - another bubble in the making?

    Friedrich Hinterberger, President, SERI - Sustainable Europe Research Institute
    Armon Rezai, Associate Professor, Institute for Ecological Economics, Vienna University of Economics and Business
    Anitra Nelson, Honorary Associate Professor, Centre for Urban Research at RMIT University in Melbourne
    Wolfgang Pinner, Chief Investment Officer, Socially Responsible Investment, Raiffeisen Capital Management, Vienna
    Lukas Stühlinger, Chief Financial Officer, Oekostrom AG

    Moderation: Franz Partsch, Director Treasury Department, Oesterreichische Nationalbank

    Do investors believe in “green” or “brown” growth? Do they foresee sustainable development or more of the same in terms of resource overconsumption and climate change? If financial markets are right reflecting investors’ predictions about the economic future, the 2015 Paris climate agreement is not worth the paper it’s written on. Yet, if they are wrong, the burst of a brown investment bubble might trigger a new financial crisis. To square the circle, “green” investments must move mainstream. What are investors still waiting for? And: can finance be “green” at all? Economists and practitioners will try to give answers to these questions.

    Organised by: Sustainable Research Institute Europe, Oesterreichische Nationalbank and Club of Rome – Austrian Chapter

    Alexander KesselringPlaceholderMartin HollinetzPlaceholder
    13:20 - 15:10 | B3
    At the Peak of Social Change!
    Learning from success stories for social innovation

    Martina Handler, Austrian Society for Environment and Technology
    Alexander Kesselring, Co-Lead Impact Transfer, Ashoka
    Martin Hollinetz, Co-Founder and Board Member, Otelo eGen
    Indra Adnan, Co-Initiator, The Alternative UK
    Katarzyna Batko-Toluc, Co-Founder and Board Member, Citizens Network Watchdog Poland
    Peter Lasznig, Founder of GELA Ochsenherz, currently active in SOLAWI Ackerschön

    Moderation: Astrid Reinprecht, Austrian Society for Environment and Technology

    Change towards sustainability will only succeed, if we manage to reconfigure established daily practices. Fortunately, initiatives exist from which we can learn how to further sustainable transformation. The workshop brings together storytellers from different professional fields to share their stories on achieving change. The setting (collective story harvest) stimulates a thorough analysis of different approaches to change, possible stumbling blocks and measures to overcome such hurdles.

    Format: Interactive

    Organised by: Austrian Society for Environment and Technology

    13:20 - 15:10 | Foyer X1
    Art Workshop: Growing Pictures - Transformation with Brain, Heart and Hand

    Flag workshop run by Wolfgang Weinlich, in collaboration with artists Emmerich Weissenberger and Nora Ruzsics (ArtEmbassy). Transformation into a joint work of art- creating commin holistic social structures. Living in dignity is fundamental for all human beings. Which common human quality is needed to deal with this topics? Messages inspired by 7 lectures of the conference appear on individual areas of the fabric of the flag. These messages can be retraced, expanded, reworked, overpainted or associated with the objects, materials and tools on the tables provided. The flag will be raised the next day and will be used after the conference concludes for a number of sustainably printed art book covers, to continue with the artistic and reflected Messages produced at this conference. We pass your and our Messages on and so become ambassadors for sustainability.

    Organised by:
    Wolfgang Weinlich, Professor of Art Education, University College of Teacher Education Vienna
    - in collaboration with Emmerich Weissenberger - ArtEmbassy, Artist

    15:10 - 15:40 | Foyer Area
    COFFEE BREAK
    Coffee and drinks are available at the foyer areas.