Building a Sustainable Future: Essex Hosts International Conference on Climate Action and Finance

The University of Essex welcomed global experts to campus for a landmark international conference, Building a Sustainable Future: Integrating Climate Action, Financial Stability, and Transition Financing, held on 18–19 June 2025.

Led by Dr Mohammed Alshaleel, Senior Lecturer at Essex Law School, and supported by the British Academy’s prestigious Conferences Scheme, the event brought together leading voices in law, finance, and environmental policy to explore the urgent challenges posed by climate change and the pathways to a just and sustainable transition.
The conference was co-hosted in collaboration with Dr Bian Jing (University of Greenwich), Dr Johanna Hoekstra (University of Edinburgh), Dr Chike Emedosi (University of Aberdeen), and Dr Godswill Agbaitoro (University of Essex), reflecting the interdisciplinary and international nature of the discussions.

Over two days, delegates engaged in five thematic sessions covering:

• Financial stability in the face of climate risk
• Corporate responsibility and ESG integration
• Climate-related financial disclosures
• Environmental regulation and enforcement
• The evolving role of central banks in sustainability

Speakers represented institutions from Uganda, Qatar, the United States, and across the UK, highlighting the global relevance of the topics under discussion.
The conference opened with a keynote address from Professor Onyeka K. Osuji, Dean of Essex Law School, who offered a thought-provoking perspective on sustainable finance and accountability frameworks. Subsequent sessions featured contributions from scholars at King’s College London, the University of Edinburgh, Gulu University, and the University of Aberdeen, among others.

Looking ahead, the organisers plan to publish an edited volume of selected papers from the conference, contributing to the wider academic and policy discourse on climate action and finance.

“The conference was a tremendous success, bringing together leading experts from diverse regions and disciplines to engage in rich, forward-looking discussions on climate action and sustainable finance. It was inspiring to see how academic dialogue can generate practical insights and collaborative pathways for addressing the urgent global challenges we face.” - Dr Mohammed Alshaleel.

This event reaffirmed Essex’s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and driving forward research that addresses the legal and financial dimensions of sustainability. It also showcased the University’s role as a convenor of global expertise, working collaboratively to shape a more equitable and resilient future.