The Role of Industrial Ecology in Reaching the Sustainable Development Goals

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) issued by the UN General Assembly aim to globally end all forms of poverty and achieve sustainable development by the year 2030. Natural resource use and environmental impacts are directly or indirectly related to all SDGs, making the field of Industrial Ecology a core discipline for achieving the SDGs. The 2018 Gordon Research Conference on Industrial Ecology will investigate the newest insights on how Industrial Ecology can contribute towards achieving the SDGs. Particularly, the conference will focus on methods and approaches for assessing achievements and exploring synergies and tradeoffs between SDGs. For instance, the goal of eliminating hunger requires addressing food production and consumption systems, in conjunction with sustainable management of land, water and energy, as well as consideration of equity. Likewise, effective poverty alleviation and welfare creation often relies on installation or renewal of infrastructure systems, which put additional pressure on natural resources and environmental assets, unless innovative solutions are explored that simultaneously address social, environmental and resource sustainability. With concepts and methods prioritizing sustainable actions in resource management, technological development, and policy-making, Industrial Ecology is uniquely positioned to quantify and resolve such trade-offs, thereby contributing to the ultimate goal to advance well-being of both people and the planet.

The Gordon Research Conference offers a unique forum for open and in-depth scientific exchange with academic and industry leaders with diverse backgrounds. Invited top-level speakers will present cutting-edge research at the forefront of science. The conference also provides opportunities for junior scientists and graduate students to discuss with leading scientists and to present their work as posters. Three selected junior poster presenters will also present short talks (Wednesday morning session). We ask Ph.D. and early postdoctoral researchers to bring slides for a 5-10 minutes presentation, in case their poster is selected to be presented. Additionally, a Gordon Research Seminar aimed at young scientists will be held prior to the main conference. The conference schedule enables both extensive discussions and informal gatherings, providing opportunities to brainstorm and foster cross-disciplinary collaborations.