The 10th International Degrowth Conference and 15th Conference of the European Society for Ecological Economics were held in Pontevedra, Spain, from June 17 to 21. 

The conference convened more than 1,2000 participants, including academics from an extensive network of research centres and universities, local and regional government entities, activists, artists, local companies, citizens, and other actors worldwide. This platform offers a rich and wide range of opportunities to move beyond the imperative of economic growth and reimagine how we can create better well-being conditions within planetary boundaries.

We jointly organised a Learning Lab for a Just Transition Towards a Sustainable Future with Engineers Without Boarders (ESF), the Transnational Institute (TNI), and an academic from the Research and Degrowth Network (R&D). The session aimed to detonate a debate and engage participants in discussing feminist, human rights, and degrowth approaches to transforming energy systems.

During the event, presenters and participants discussed the imperative to rethink alternative energy systems that can, on the one hand, produce and distribute clean, renewable energy for all and enable the realisation of economic, social, and cultural rights and gender equality, and on the other hand, ensure energy production and consumption does not exceed the capacities of the planet. This critical two-fold objective is indispensable if new renewable energy systems are to avoid the mistakes of the past caused by its extractive fossil-fuel forebearer.

This led to several questions that powered the conversation during the event: what can we learn from feminist degrowth economics that can inspire alternative energy models that do not overshoot the ecological capacities of the planet and enable good living? How can reproductive activities and care lead to new sustainable energy solutions? Which specific policy recommendations and case studies can be used to reimagine the current energy paradigm? How can human rights be used to guide the transformation of energy systems?

The learning lab was facilitated in person and online by:

● Lavinia Steinfort, Transnational Institute
● Irene González-Pijuan, Engineers Without Boarders
● Marula Tsagkari, Institute of Environmental Science and Technology- Autonomous University of Barcelona
● Alejandra Lozano, Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

The session allowed us to connect partner organisations actively advocating for the transformation of the energy paradigm with academics and the broader degrowth movement, fostering the opportunity to exchange and share knowledge, tools, and experiences. Furthermore, the session continued to build momentum to reimagine global energy systems to power societies and economies that realise human rights and protect the planet.