Sustainability is a key consideration and priority in contemporary law and politics. It is invoked everywhere from ‘fair and sustainable migration’ to ‘sustainable energy’, but how do we understand and talk about ‘sustainability’ in different public law contexts? Do the views on sustainability differ between the various areas of public law? If so, could these different conceptions of sustainability learn from and inspire one another? This doctoral workshop aims to bring together various legal approaches to sustainability and public law, to stimulate and initiate cross-field discussions and creative collaborations between different legal perspectives on sustainability. Examples of such different approaches to sustainability and public law could include, but are not limited to, constitutional law and the rights of nature, ecocide in (international) criminal law, environmental displacement and migration law, and the concept of sustainable development in national, EU or international law.

During the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to present their research (around 10 minutes) in moderated thematic panels and engage in discussions with the other participants. PhD candidates focused on different aspects and intersections of sustainability and public law are encouraged to apply. The workshop also presents an opportunity to connect with peers from law faculties throughout the Netherlands.