Date: Tuesday, 11 March 2025, 18:00-19:15
Venue: ESSCA Lyon Campus and online via TEAMS
Convener: Dr Christoph Weber, Associate Professor and Head of the Ac. Department Economics, Law, and Society, Deputy Director of the EU*Asia Institute at ESSCA School of Management
This year's "Solve Climate by 2030" seminar, held on 11 March 2025 at the Lyon campus, was dedicated to the EcoTypes initiative. This event was part of the ESSCA course on Managerial Economics of Knowledge and Innovation.
The seminar began with a presentation by Prof. James D. Proctor, the event's keynote speaker. Prof.Proctor is a professor in the Environmental Studies Program at Lewis & Clark College with an extensive academic background in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, with research interests in environmental theory.
James D. Proctor presented his EcoTypes initiative, an online research and education project that provides an opportunity to explore environmental ideas. The project includes a survey, completed to date by over 17,000 people, which allows them to discover their general environmental framework, or "EcoType". Prof. Proctor showed how this helps to identify complementary EcoTypes, the one that differs most from their own.
Led by Alexandra Isabella Day
With growing demand for lithium, the EU faced regulatory and public opposition challenges. The group proposed the near-shoring of mining and refining and saw regulation as supportive.
Using EJAtlas data and the EcoTypes framework, they analysed environmental conflicts and stakeholder needs. They developed a multi-criteria decision analysis framework to support decision-making, balancing strategic resource needs with environmental and community concerns.
This approach aimed to support the transition to green energy while ensuring sustainable practices and stakeholder cooperation.
Led by Gabriel Ajah
Greece was facing increasing wildfire threats due to its climate, urban expansion, and poor land management. The framework used the EcoTypes model to develop sustainable fire management strategies, integrating scientific research, policy innovation, and community participation.
Key strategies included:
- Land restoration
- Fire-smart agriculture
- Controlled burns
- Financial support for vulnerable communities
- Public awareness
By bridging national policy and grassroots efforts, the model aimed to strengthen disaster preparedness, optimise resource allocation, and ensure long-term ecological and social resilience to wildfire.
Led by Sai Subramanian
The A69 motorway project, which aimed to improve connectivity between Toulouse and Castres, sparked significant environmental and social conflict.
Supporters cited economic growth, while critics raised concerns about deforestation, biodiversity loss, and carbon emissions. Despite legal approval, opposition remained strong.
The proposal examined the conflict through the EcoTypes framework, focusing on understanding different stakeholder perspectives and promoting inclusive dialogue.
Proposed actions included:
- Stakeholder workshops
- Targeted mitigation strategies
- A multi-stakeholder advisory group to ensure accountability and reduce conflict
The presentations were followed by a panel discussion, moderated by Christoph Weber, where Professor Proctor, the three student representatives, and attendees engaged in a lively debate on balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability.
The session concluded with a question-and-answer session, allowing participants to delve deeper into the issues presented and share their perspectives.
