Next week, 1,200 experts from around the world will gather in Oslo to discuss how we can create socially just and environmentally sustainable societies — without economic growth. The world is in a serious predicament. We have built an economic system on the assumption that endless growth is possible. But our planet’s resources are finite and already overexploited.
Photo credit: Odd Terje Sandlund/NINA
Both the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stress that deep, systemic societal change is essential if we are to achieve a sustainable future. IPBES also highlights post-growth development — or degrowth — as a potential pathway.
The ISEE-Degrowth 2025 is a conference that will bring together researchers, policymakers and civil society in Oslo from June 24–27, 2025. The event will explore how academic research and practical knowledge can contribute to building sustainable societies that ensure quality of life for all — without relying on economic growth.
Alternative ways of ensuring well-being and sustainability
Today, many still believe that continued growth is compatible with solving environmental crises and social inequality. However, research shows that the link between economic growth and environmental degradation is extremely difficult — if not impossible — to break. Also, economist Thomas Piketty (attending the conference) has shown how capitalist systems have an inherent tendency to increase economic inequality.
Ecological economics and degrowth offer alternative ways of organizing society, focusing on ensuring well-being for all within the planet’s ecological limits. This includes discussions on structural transformation and concrete policy proposals — such as replacing GDP with indicators centered on sustainability and well-being, reducing working hours, taxing overconsumption, and introducing caps on income and wealth.
The conference will feature panel discussions on topics such as shorter working hours, a fair green transition, and what happens when younger generations hold the older ones accountable.
See the full conference program here.