SESTEF 2026 takes place during a critical transition period for global economic and financial systems, characterized by profound structural transformations that extend far beyond climate policy frameworks alone.
By 2026, economies are confronted with a set of simultaneous and deeply interconnected challenges, including:
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Persistent macroeconomic instability, inflationary pressures, and rising concerns over debt sustainability
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Increasing financial market volatility driven by geopolitical fragmentation and the reconfiguration of global energy systems
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Accelerating energy transition under constraints of energy security, affordability, and political uncertainty
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Rising systemic climate and environmental risks affecting firms, households, and financial institutions
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Growing biodiversity degradation and ecosystem stress, with tangible economic and financial consequences
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Rapid diffusion of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and data-driven finance, reshaping risk management and investment decisions
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Intensifying scrutiny of ESG practices, greenwashing risks, and regulatory credibility
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Expanding social inequalities, raising critical questions around just transition, inclusion, and economic resilience
In this context, SESTEF 2026 aims to provide a rigorous academic platform to examine how economic models, financial markets, corporate strategies, and public policies can adapt to these multi-dimensional transitions.
The conference welcomes theoretical, empirical, and methodological contributions that advance our understanding of sustainability transitions and provide evidence-based insights for decision-makers across academia, industry, and policy institutions.
Special Focus: Sustainability and the Luxury Nexus
In addition to core sustainability themes, SESTEF 2026 encourages contributions exploring the emerging intersection between sustainability and luxury industries, including but not limited to:
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Long-term value creation through sustainable luxury business models
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Energy efficiency, zero-waste strategies, and decarbonization in luxury tourism and hospitality
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Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in luxury industries: integrating environmental, social, and cultural value
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ESG and SDG alignment in luxury, creative, and cultural industries
Conference Themes
I. Climate Risks and Corporate Finance
I.1. Climate Risk Measurement and Corporate Disclosure
I.2. Climate Risk, Firm Value, and Financial Performance
I.3. Climate Risks in Mergers, Acquisitions, and Corporate Restructuring
I.4. Corporate Resilience and Long-Term Value Creation
I.5. Climate Risks and AI-Driven Financial Technologies
I.6. Climate Regulation and Corporate Adaptation Strategies
I.7. Corporate Social Responsibility and Biodiversity Disclosure
I.8. Stranded Assets and Transition Risk Management
I.9. Cost of Capital in a Low-Carbon Economy
I.10. Green Corporate Governance and Dual Materiality
I.11. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Sustainable Finance
I.12. Transition Risks for Energy-Intensive Industries
II. Energy Markets and Sustainability
II.1. Behavioral Dynamics in Energy Consumption and Investment
II.2. Energy Market Volatility and Climate Uncertainty
II.3. Digitalization of Energy Systems and Market Design
II.4. Econometric Modeling of Energy and Commodity Shocks
II.5. Smart Grids, Demand Response, and Energy Equity
II.6. Energy Security, Diversification, and Market Integration
II.7. Carbon Markets and Emissions Trading Systems
II.8. Financialization of Energy Markets
II.9. Water–Energy Nexus and Climate Vulnerability
II.10. Energy Pricing, Subsidy Reform, and Market Signals
II.11. Energy–Financial Market Interactions
II.12. Regulatory Innovation in Energy Markets
III. Resource Policy and Environmental Economics
III.1. Natural Capital, Ecosystem Services, and Economic Valuation
III.2. Fossil Fuel Dependence and Resource Transition Policies
III.3. Environmental Degradation, Health, and Migration
III.4. Agricultural Economics and Sustainable Land Use
III.5. Behavioral Responses to Environmental Regulation
III.6. Carbon Pricing and Policy Effectiveness
III.7. Governance of Transboundary Natural Resources
III.8. Intergenerational Equity and Long-Term Resource Allocation
III.9. Environmental Economic Modeling and Scenario Analysis
III.10. Natural Capital Accounting and Welfare Measurement
III.11. Pricing Environmental Externalities
III.12. Financing Circular Economy Transitions
IV. Transition to Carbon-Neutral Energy Systems
IV.1. Artificial Intelligence for Energy System Optimization
IV.2. Circular Economy and Industrial Decarbonization
IV.3. Clean Energy Technologies and Innovation Dynamics
IV.4. Decentralized Energy Systems and Social Inclusion
IV.5. Energy Security in a Fragmented Geopolitical Environment
IV.6. Financing Energy Storage and Grid Stability
IV.7. Low-Carbon Transportation and Mobility Transitions
IV.8. Blended Finance and Risk Sharing in Energy Projects
IV.9. Just Transition and Labor Market Adjustments
IV.10. Life-Cycle Assessment and Greenwashing Risks
IV.11. Comparative Economics of Renewable Technologies
IV.12. Nuclear Energy in Sustainable Energy Mixes
V. Biodiversity, Nature-Based Solutions, and Economics
V.1. Biodiversity Loss and Macroeconomic Stability
V.2. Biodiversity Metrics and Reporting Standards
V.3. Financing Urban Green Infrastructure
V.4. Corporate Strategies and Biodiversity Integration
V.5. Ethics and Economics of Biodiversity Offsetting
V.6. Biodiversity-Linked Financial Instruments
V.7. Nature-Based Solutions and Climate Adaptation
V.8. Conservation Finance and Impact Evaluation
V.9. Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being
V.10. Natural Capital in National Accounting
V.11. Climate–Biodiversity Synergies
V.12. Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture
VI. Sustainable Finance
VI.1. Behavioral Drivers of Sustainable Investment
VI.2. ESG Performance, Regulation, and Litigation Risk
VI.3. Financing the Circular Economy
VI.4. Green Banking and Climate Stress Testing
VI.5. Sustainable and Transition Financial Instruments
VI.6. Impact Investing and Measurement Challenges
VI.7. Gender-Lens and Inclusive Finance
VI.8. Socially Responsible Investment Strategies
VI.9. Finance and the Sustainable Development Goals
VI.10. Social and Sustainability Bonds
VI.11. Sustainable Real Estate and Infrastructure Finance
VI.12. Climate Risk Hedging and Weather Derivatives
