Menu
By providing an open platform for experts to interface with policy-makers, businesses and civil society leaders, we believe we can advance informed decision-making, highlight most pressing challenges and provide an evidence base for understanding which solutions really work and under what conditions.
WRF’23 will welcome international researchers from all over the world to share insights from a multitude of fields and methodologies, enabling a rich and diverse scientific dialogue.
The latest research made accessible to all.
WRF’23 will focus on three major transitions, with a high-potential for disrupting the status-quo and making global resource use a driver for planetary wellbeing. We will explore the nuances of these transitions through a multi-disciplinary approach able to convey together environmental, societal, technological, economic, governance and geo-political perspectives. A systemic approach in dealing with cross-cutting topics.
The current economic model, relying on demand as a driver of economic growth, is driving humanity to live beyond the limits for a safe operating space, exacerbating climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. A sufficient use of natural resources is increasingly seen as a key enabler for sustainable and fair resource use, as emphasised in the latest IPCC report. How can sufficiency become a powerful driver for innovative and equitable ways to deliver service needs and wellbeing for all, while consuming natural resources within planetary boundaries?
Current value chains are built as part of a globalised linear economy. Over the past years, external shocks have become more frequent, severe and costly, highlighting the fragility of this system. Furthermore, with environmental and social costs often shifted to specific locations and an unequal distribution of economic value, current value chains are often unfair. Moving from extractive to regenerative value chains requires rethinking how resources are used and moved, and how value is distributed. How can we make this grand shift towards regenerative value chains, enabling fairness, resilience and sustainability?
Digitalisation is permeating every aspect of our lives. Depending on the purpose with which digital technologies are developed and applied, digitalisation can be a double-edged sword. On one side, digital technologies may play a key role in achieving climate neutrality and reducing the resource intensity of our economies. On the other, digital technologies come with high resource requirements, may lead to rebound effects and are making e-waste the fastest growing waste stream globally. How do we ensure that digital technologies become a powerful force for sustainable transformation and minimise risks associated with them?
Submit your abstract before February 28 and gain the opportunity to share your research with an international, multi-stakeholder community.
Our Scientific Committee is composed by over 40 leading experts who have achieved remarkable results in the thematic areas of the conference. Coming from 5 continents and over 20 countries, our committee is as diverse as we wish our scientific programme to be.
Yes, you can still apply. The list of thematic areas is a broad overview of relevant topics within each track. As long as your contribution fits within one of the three tracks and is related to the topic of natural resources, it is likely that your contribution will be relevant for the conference. We always value original and less popular topics!
There is no fee associated with submitting an abstract. However, in case of acceptance, submitters will have to register for the conference in order to present their abstracts, either in-person or online. The participation fee for the 3-day conference and the online conference differ and give you access to the full conference.
We want to make sure that everybody has the possibility to participate in the conference, and we are aware that securing funding is sometimes difficult. For this reason, we offer a reduced fee for participants from low- and middle-income countries, and students. Furthermore, participants have the possibility to apply for a sponsorship, which – if awarded – will cover the full participation fee. In case of in-person attendance in Geneva, however, travel and accommodation costs will not be covered.
We welcome scientific abstracts from a very diverse audience, including experts, academics, senior and junior researchers, students and professionals.
There will be a variety of formats available at the conference, in order to ensure engaging and accessible scientific presentations. The formats range from traditional presentations + Q&A to more innovative formats as Pecha Kucha and Scientific Elevator Pitch. The presentation format also depends on whether you will opt for presenting in-person in Geneva or online.