33rd LISBON World Conference on Sustainable Development: LWCSD-26

Call for papers/Topics

Topics of Interest for Submission include, but are Not Limited to:

Sustainable development is a broad, multidisciplinary field traditionally organized into three core pillars: Environmental, Social, and Economic. In recent years, "Governance" and "Culture" have often been added as a fourth or fifth dimension.

Below is a comprehensive list of topics and subtopics based on international frameworks like the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria.

1. Environmental Pillar (Planet)

Focused on protecting the natural world and ensuring resources are available for the future.

• Climate Action

  • Greenhouse gas emission reduction (Decarbonization)

  • Climate adaptation and resilience

  • Carbon sequestration and carbon offsets

• Energy Transition

  • Renewable energy (Solar, Wind, Hydro, Geothermal)

  • Energy efficiency and smart grids

  • Phasing out fossil fuel subsidies

• Natural Resource Management

  • Water stewardship (Sanitation and scarcity management)

  • Sustainable forestry and reforestation

  • Soil health and desertification reversal

  • Sustainable mining and mineral extraction

• Biodiversity & Ecosystems

  • Marine life protection (Life Below Water)

  • Terrestrial habitat conservation (Life on Land)

  • Preventing species extinction and invasive species control

• Circular Economy & Waste

  • Waste-to-energy systems

  • Plastic pollution reduction

  • Sustainable consumption and production patterns

2. Social Pillar (People)

Focused on equity, human rights, and the well-being of individuals and communities.

• Basic Needs & Poverty Eradication

  • Ending extreme poverty

  • Food security and sustainable agriculture (Zero Hunger)

  • Universal access to clean drinking water

• Health & Well-being

  • Universal health coverage

  • Mental health awareness

  • Reducing maternal and infant mortality

• Education & Opportunity

  • Quality primary and secondary education

  • Vocational training and lifelong learning

  • Digital literacy and the "digital divide"

• Equity & Inclusion

  • Gender equality and women’s empowerment

  • Reducing income inequality (wealth gap)

  • Protecting indigenous rights and cultural heritage

  • Social protection systems (safety nets)

• Sustainable Human Settlements

  • Affordable housing

  • Public transportation and urban planning

  • Disaster risk reduction in cities

3. Economic Pillar (Prosperity)

Focused on creating resilient, thriving economies that do not exhaust the planet or exploit people.

• Sustainable Growth

  • Inclusive economic growth (GDP vs. Well-being metrics)

  • Decent work and labor rights

  • Ending forced labor and child labor

• Industry & Innovation

  • Sustainable infrastructure (Green building)

  • Eco-friendly industrialization

  • Research and development (R&D) for green tech

• Sustainable Finance

  • ESG investing (Environmental, Social, and Governance)

  • Green bonds and climate finance

  • Microfinance for smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs

• Responsible Consumption

  • Supply chain transparency

  • Fair trade practices

  • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

4. Governance & Peace (Partnership)

The "Glue" that makes the other pillars possible through policy and law.

• Peace & Justice

  • Reduction of violence and conflict

  • Access to justice for all

  • Ending corruption and bribery

• Institutional Strength

  • Transparent and accountable government institutions

  • Participatory decision-making (Citizen engagement)

  • Policy coherence for sustainable development

• Global Partnerships

  • North-South and South-South cooperation

  • Technology transfer to developing nations

  • Data collection and monitoring (Measuring progress)