As policy actions to combat climate change gain momentum, and the analysis of climate-related financial risks matures, experts are beginning to shift their focus towards risks associated with nature more broadly, such as those stemming from environmental degradation and biodiversity loss, and the links between sustainability and digital technologies.  

While continued global disruptions and geopolitical crises may become bumps in the road to a sustainable economy, digital technologies have huge potential in the context of the green transition. There are also increasing opportunities to amplify sustainable finance in emerging and developing economies, despite their limited financial resources and infrastructure. Yet, there is a pressing need for tools and analyses to evaluate relevant risks and their consequences. This includes, for example, the practical execution of stress tests that should investigate environmental risks more broadly, by taking into account value chains, macro-financial feedback loops, and secondary effects. Finally, the integration of the social and governance dimensions into mainstream financial decision-making remains notably ;

For these reasons, the JRC Summer School on Sustainable Finance aims to bring together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to discuss recent developments and innovations in the field of sustainable finance. By doing so, it exposes researchers to the most demanding issues faced by the industry and helps them produce policy-relevant research. At the same time, it provides independent scientific advice to policy, reaffirming the crucial role of research in informing policymaking.

Organisation of the School 

The Summer School welcomes a broad audience, including scientists, policy officers from public and international institutions, and private-sector experts specializing in sustainable finance. To encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of science-based policy, the program will include both academic sessions and policy-oriented lectures.

We invite submissions on a wide range of topics related to sustainable finance, especially those focusing on the integration of digital technologies, expanding sustainable investment in emerging and developing economies, and developing tools for assessing pertinent risks.

Participation Details 

As a social event visits to the Nuclear Safeguards, Security and Standardization Laboratory (INS3L), the European Crisis Management Laboratory (ECML) and the European Microwave Signature Laboratory (EMSL) will be offered, free of charge. However, attendees are responsible for their travel and accommodation expenses.  The JRC will provide practical assistance in booking reasonably-priced accommodation in the local area and arrange local transportation. Note that the event and the social dinner are free of charge upon registration

Venue 

This year's Summer School will again be a hybrid event, accessible both online and in person at the JRC's premises in Ispra, Italy. Nestled in a picturesque location near Lake Maggiore, the JRC Ispra campus is a leading research hub, boasting state-of-the-art laboratories and research facilities.

Submission Procedure 

Interested individuals are encouraged to submit a full paper or an extended abstract to JRC-FINANCEec [dot] europa [dot] eu (JRC-FINANCE[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu), including "Submission for Summer School on Sustainable Finance 2024" in the subject line, by March 15, ;

Join us as we navigate the complexities of sustainable finance in an era of environmental, digital, and economic transformation.

Deadline for paper submission: March 15, 2024 

Notification of acceptance: April 8, 2024 

School dates: June 27-28, 2023 

ORGANISERS  

Prof. Andreas G. F. Hoepner 

For the European Commission - Joint Research Centre: 

Lucia Alessi 

Dominik Hirschbuehl