Hosted by the University’s Sustainable Consumption Institute (SCI), the first workshop in the Understanding Sustainability in a Turbulent World series took place on 26 February, titled Governing Polycrisis and Sustainabilities.  Bringing together experts to discuss governance amid global crises, the event examined sustainability challenges in the face of political polarization, climate change, and global instabilities.

Workshop Focus

As part of SCI’s research strategy development, the workshop explored how governance structures must adapt to overlapping crises. Discussions emphasized systemic transformations over technological fixes, focusing on governance, daily life, and provisioning systems.

Expert Contributions

Four speakers provided key insights:

• Matthew Archer (Maastricht University) critiqued corporate sustainability, arguing that corporations and banks often hinder progress rather than facilitate it.
• Kirsten Jenkins (University of Edinburgh) called for radical governance restructuring to address fragmentation in Scotland’s green transition.
• Vanesa Castán Broto (University of Sheffield) highlighted the importance of grassroots activism in achieving meaningful sustainability change.
• Peter Forman (University of Northumbria) advocated for shifting climate narratives from critique to optimism to counter misinformation.

Key Takeaways

A central theme was the role of optimism in sustainability governance. The workshop explored ways to frame transitions around tangible benefits, such as lower energy costs and public health improvements. Connecting governance strategies to local initiatives was identified as a promising approach.

A powerful quote from Vanesa Castán Broto resonated: “Fight with hope or without hope, but please do fight.”

Looking Ahead

The series continues with two upcoming workshops:

• Polycrisis provisioning – Addressing sustainable provisioning in crisis scenarios.
• Everyday life, sustainabilities, and polycrisis – Examining daily practices in sustainability transitions.

These discussions will shape SCI’s research strategy, a future conference, and a forthcoming book on navigating sustainability in turbulent times. Stay connected with sci@manchester.ac.uk.