Call for papers – International conference
“New Sustainability Challenges: The Role of Courts”
Certosa di Pontignano, Siena
26 and 27 June 2025
Conference subject-matter
In the 21st century, sustainability is becoming a key constitutional concept, being increasingly entrenched in national constitutions, mainly in the area of environmental protection. Nevertheless, the implementation of such provisions is rather problematic, due to the short-term perspective of political decision-making. In most cases, the burden to enforce sustainability clauses falls on courts, as shown by the growing trend in climate litigation. Against this background, the Conference aims to explore the role played by international, constitutional and ordinary courts, including the procedural tools to make judicial remedies effective, especially in light of civil society participation.
The Conference will be organized into three sessions, with the participation of leading scholars from different countries and continents. The sessions will be dedicated respectively to: 1) Challenging Climate Change Before International Courts; 2) Sustainability and Courts: Questioning the Role of Civil Society; 3) Future Generations and Environmental Rights: Insights from Constitutional Courts.
Preferential topics to be addressed
Within the framework of the Conference subject-matter, the call for papers is especially aimed at addressing cases related to climate change, future generations, and rights of nature at both international and national levels.
Questions to be addressed may include (but are not limited to):
– models of constitutional justice and sustainability litigation;
– regional systems of human rights and sustainability;
– the issue of standing in sustainability litigation;
– the role of amici curiae in sustainability litigation;
– the role of experts, agencies and independent authorities;
– the reasoning behind courts’ judgments (use of arguments in conventional or constitutional interpretation);
– strategic litigation;
– the execution of the judgments: the role of the legislator and the administration;
– solutions to address legislative omissions;
– the role of civil society.
Eligibility
The conveners encourage submissions from both PhD candidates and junior scholars (postdoctoral researchers, research fellows, assistant professors, etc.) at the early stages of their academic careers (within 7 years of completing their PhD). A maximum of 14 proposals will be selected.
To submit an abstract
Interested scholars are invited to submit a CV and an abstract, in English or French, of no more than 500 words by March 15, 2025. Submissions should be sent to Rachele Bizzari at rachele.bizzari@unisi.it (please use “Call for papers – New Sustainability and Courts” as the subject line of your e-mail). Applicants will be notified by April 1, 2025. Full drafts of papers must be submitted no later than June 5, 2025. Papers should not exceed 10,000 words and may be written and presented in either English or French.
Those submitting a proposal must specify whether they prefer to participate in person or online at the time of submission.
Papers presented at the Conference will be considered for publication in an edited volume.
Registration, travel, and lodging
There is no fee to participate in the Conference. The conveners will provide meals for paper presenters. Paper presenters are responsible for their own accommodation, travel and incidental expenses.
Conveners
The Conference is organized by the DIPEC Research Group at the University of Siena, within the PRIN 2022 PNRR “New Sustainability Governance (NESUS-G)”, Principal Investigator Prof. Tania Groppi.
Scientific Committee
Tania Groppi
Antonella Brozzetti
Valentina Carlino
Giammaria Milani
Riccardo Pavoni
Nicola Vizioli
Organizing Committee
Rachele Bizzari (coord.) rachele.bizzari@unisi.it
Virginia Lemme
Matteo Paolanti