Our existential ecological threats raise anew the question of the relationship between social order (law) and nature. Can the term sustainability outline a meaningful normative standard here, or does it remain just an empty phrase for political fair-weather speeches and economic marketing? After an introduction to the topic, the event presents and discusses a reflexive structuring of the normative standard of sustainability with nuanced subsumable concepts for different social systems. On the one hand, an ecological paradigm shift is required for the law (e.g. sustainable debt). On the other hand, the law itself is the key place of social reflection on sustainability and the relationship to nature.

Wednesday, 12 July 2023, 10 am – 12 pm, Max-Kade-Auditorium (Audimax), Henry-Ford-Bau, Garystraße 35

- Schedule -

10.15 am Law and Nature, introduction to the topic by Prof. Lomfeld 10.45 am Reflexive Sustainabilities, research paper by Prof. Lomfeld 11.00 am Discussion with Prof. Bosselmann, Prof. Aust and Prof. Rentsch

Prof. Bertram Lomfeld, FU Berlin, Young Academy of Europe and European Research Council Project "Resolvency: A Global Theory of (Sustainable) Debt"

Prof. Klaus Bosselmann, Auckland University (NZL), co-author of the Earth Charter and the Hague Principles for a Universal Declaration on Responsibilities for Human Rights and Earth Trusteeship

Prof. Helmut Aust, FU Berlin, International Law Association Study Group “The Role of Cities in International Law” and fellow of the SARCHi Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability, North-West University Potchefstroom (ZAF)

Prof. Bettina Rentsch, FU Berlin, University of Michigan Lloyd E. Cutler Fellow in International Law (USA) and member of the Institute for Advanced Study in Berlin