Outreach & Engagement
The CLIFF project has been presented, discussed, and showcased at a range of conferences, academic workshops, and public events across the globe. Below is a selection of these engagements.
In a session of 1.5 hours, Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta spoke about why climate change, Leaving Fossil Fuels Underground, and other environmental challenges call for a different kind of economy and a different kind of global governance; she proposed ten elements of such an economy based on the collaborative work she has done with 7 other experts called 'A Manifesto For a Fair Economy' and she called for a Global Constitution.
On the train from Haarlem to Utrecht, in the company of Her Majesty Queen Máxima and Minister of Climate and Green Growth Stientje van Veldhoven, Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta talked about reusing, industrialisation, and resilience. She talked about how industrialisation and automisation of the circular economy helps our collective resilience against climate impacts.
As part of the panel on 'Multilateralism in Times of Geopolitical Tension', Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta spoke about 1) why none of the presented future geopolitical scenarios are compatible with addresing the climate, water, and biodiversity challenges in the world, as systemic drivers and fossil fuel lock-ins are not addressed, and 2) the global constitution project, emphasizing the need for (climate) justice to Leave Fossil Fuels Underground.
During a presentation on the 'Operationalisation of Climate System Justice at the summer residence of the pope, Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta supported the pope's call to restore nature and change the way we think about nature. She presented slides about climate justice, speaking about the need to unlock 10 fossil fuel lock-ins in order to achieve climate justice and Leave Fossil Fuels Underground.
In a discussion of the briefing of the Global Risks Report 2026 at the World Economic Forum, Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta responded with her climate perspectives to questions about the increased concern with relieving short-term economic shocks, and rising inflation, focusing on the need of justice in addressing these issues. She highlighted this short-term focus as one of the main bottlenecks in Leaving Fossil Fuels Underground, as short-term fossil fuel solutions to the energy problem prevent a full fossil fuel phaseout.
At the conference 'Water Science and Governance: Navigating Safe Operating Spaces through Research, Policy, and Practice', organized by CMCC, Joyeeta Gupta spoke on the compounding pressures on water systems and the impacts of climate change on water as an argument to Leave Fossil Fuels Underground. The following discussion brought up the topics of injustice at a global level, the governance of safe and just boundaries, and the embedded nature of environmental justice in other elements of justice.
In the course (Re)Energize: The Transformation of Power given by the University of Amsterdam, Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta teaches about the ten fossil fuel lock-ins preventing us from achieving a full fossil fuel phase-out. The lecture is followed by a discussion and Q&A regarindg Leaving Fossil Fuels Underground and the role of justice in doing so.
At a roundtable at the law faculty at the University of Amsterdam, Joyeeta Gupta spoke about the ten fossil fuel lock-ins preventing us from achieving a full fossil fuel phase-out. Afterwards, questions raised included the attack on multilateralism, litigation in achieving a fossil fuel phaseout and scientific knowledge dissemination.
In a meeting of the municipality of Amsterdam, the city wanted to address its target of reducing GHG emissions by 60% in 2030. Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta participated with her views on the necessary steps and agreed to write a piece on the goals and targets for the city.
In two cases at the Ecocide Tribunal, Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta was invited to explain the science of climate change and the impacts on Africa. She further supported to prosecution, preparing a text and presentation based on her CLIFF work. She argued that all states have a duty to stabilize the climate and not cause harm to the climate system and others. Arguments raised by the defense were based on the lack of a legal duty, the large costs of Leaving Fossil Fuels Underground, and the separation of financial and environmental issues. All arguments were countered by the prosecution and Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta.
At the Clingendael Institute, Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta presented a lecture on climate change and fossil fuels to 18 junior diplomats from Central Asia and Mongolia. Following the presentation, she continued on the bottlenecks and opportunities in Leaving Fossil Fuels Underground in the context of climate diplomacy, discussing contextual challenges on this topic. Questions and comments included the lack of news coverage in the relevant countries, the role of green technology, and the role of diplomats.
As part of the Ambassadors Conference 'No Trade Without Water', Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta spoke about the impacts of climate change on water. She highlighted why this is another reason to accelerate action on climate change and to ensure that even water policymakers highlight the climate change problem.
At the session on 'Sharing our Earth with a focus on Climate Change', Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta spoke about the justice requirement for Leaving Fossil Fuels Underground.
As a speaker at the Fair(er) Futures Festival, Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta spoke on the need for social justice, ecological sustainability and global connection as key players in the effort to Leaving Fossil Fuel Underground.
Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta discussed the need for abandoning fossil fuels, why it's not happening, and how this can be countered by social movements and independent courts providing access to climate justice. She then discussed the bigger picture of crossed planetary boundaries. Research into 'just boundaries' shows we must accelerate multilateralism, and not retreat into nationalist rights to pollute. When resources are scarce, three rational actor responses often emerge: neo-liberal capitalist, hegemonic state-centred, and polycentric approaches. However, only a social practice model building on multilateral goals and principles, institutionalised in a possible global Constitution, could help us address our dire situation. Though seemingly impossible today, in five years, the world may call for such a dream.
As part of the Final CLIFF Conference, several CLIFF PhD, team members, and Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta gave speeches and presentations on the options for leaving fossil fuel underground (LFFU) and the role of large investors, fossil fuel companies and the low and middle income countries with large fossil fuel reserves, presenting the final results of the CLIFF Project.
- Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta gave a keynote on how climate system justice (CSJ) is essential to combat climate change, and gave a closing speech on the lessons learnt from the conference
- Dr. Yang Chen & Janina Herzog-Hawelka gave a keynote on the key challenges and opportunities in the fossil fuel phaseout
- Dr. Augusto Heras gave a keynote on how developing countries could better leapfrog ahead than become locked into a fossil economy.
- Frank de Morrée, Clara McDonnell & Moataz Talaat gave a keynote on investors as change agents and the opportunities and limitations of pension fund activism for phasing out fossil fuels
- Janina Herzog-Hawelka & Opal Morales Asencio gave a keynote on the role of social movements in phasing out fossil fuels
As a panelist in the '100 years Simavi'-event at Rijksmuseum, Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta spoke on the topic of water problems, women's rights, and climate, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of tackling the climate issue and phasing out fossil fuels.
As part of the panel 'Climate justice and gender, A Feminist Bid for the Climate Summit: How could the Netherlands take a leading role in feminist climate action at the global summit this year?', Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta spoke on the links between social justice and solving the climate crisis, emphasizing the need for climate justice and highlighting the significant harm done to humans and nature through systemic injustices.
At the Clingendael Institute, Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta presented a lecture on climate change and fossil fuels to junior diplomats from Bangladesh and Pakistan. Following the presentation, she continued on the bottlenecks and opportunities in Leaving Fossil Fuels Underground in the context of climate diplomacy, discussing contextual challenges on this topic.
As part of the Joint Master Climate Change and Diversity Sustainable Territorial Development, Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta gave a lecture in the course on 'Alternative Finance for Territorial Change'.
Together with violinist Lonneke van Straalen, Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta told the story of climate justice in the form of Vivaldi's Four Seasons.
As part of the session 'Strained Multilateralism and Global Climate Cooperation, Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta was questioned about the increasing strain put on multilateralism in relation to solving the climate crisis. She highlighted its importance in our efforts to Leave Fossil Fuel Underground.
As part of the panel 'Het geluid van Vooruit: En Nu Door (naar Den Haag)', Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta spoke on the need to switch to a new form of organising our economy, as this is the only way to achieve climate justice for all. The panel was followed by questions and comments about how climate justice is seen with relation to Leaving Fossil Fuels Underground.
At the workshop 'Existential Risk in The Netherlands', Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta spoke about environmental and climate risk, highlighting how climate change impacts communities differently, often putting entire livelihoods at risk. She emphasized the need to Leave Fossil Fuels Underground, as justice will not be achieved without a complete phase-out.
Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta gave a presentation at the IHE Delft about the justice issues arising from the climate change problem. She mentioned the need for Earth System Justice and the importance of finding a balance between the safe and just boundaries before tipping points are reached.
At the Clingendael Institute, Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta presented a lecture on climate change and fossil fuels to several mid-career diplomats. Following the presentation, she continued on the bottlenecks and opportunities in Leaving Fossil Fuels Underground in the context of climate diplomacy, discussing contextual challenges on this topic.
At the Conference on Procurement, Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta gave a keynote on the opportunities and challenges of Leaving Fossil Fuels Underground.
For the start of the CLIMARES Project, Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta gave a keynote on climate justice and resilience.
At the conference celebrating the 60th anniversary of the SNV, Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta spoke about the importance of international collaboration in the midst of climate deterioration and persistent inequality, highlighting the importance of climate justice.
Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta
At the Clingendael Institute, Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta presented a lecture on climate change and fossil fuels to several delegates from ASEAN countries. Following the presentation, she continued on the bottlenecks and opportunities in Leaving Fossil Fuels Underground in the context of climate diplomacy, discussing contextual challenges on this topic.
As part of the session on 'Governance of Earth Systems Tipping Points & Risks', Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta spoke on the governance challenges and strategies for managing risks associated with Earth system tipping points. Furthermore, she discussed frameworks to prevent and manage irreversible changes for ecological and human systems through approaches that prioritize justice and equity, globally and across generations.
On the second day of the People and the Sea conference 2025, Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta acted as day chair and guided the sessions focused on the balance between tensions, trade-offs, and the potential transformations required for the future of sustainable marine resource management and governance, thriving coastal livelihoods and healthy, biodiverse oceans.
Discussing the concept and approach to Leaving Fossil Fuels Underground, Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta met with The Hague alderman Arjan Kapiteijns to exchange views and highlight the importance of municipal collaboration in Leaving Fossil Fuels Underground.
Organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta spoke in a session on 'Measuring and Curbing International Spillovers of The Netherlands, aiming to explore existing practices and emerging trends in spillover measurement and discuss the development of an integrated framework for spillover assessment in The Netherlands.
At the Clingendael Institute, Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta presented a lecture on climate change and fossil fuels to several diplomates from South-Eastern Europe and Turkey. Following the presentation, she continued on the bottlenecks and opportunities in Leaving Fossil Fuels Underground in the context of climate diplomacy, discussing contextual challenges on this topic.
At the Clingendael Institute, Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta presented a lecture on climate change and fossil fuels to several diplomates from The Netherlands. Following the presentation, she continued on the bottlenecks and opportunities in Leaving Fossil Fuels Underground in the context of climate diplomacy, discussing contextual challenges on this topic.
At the 2025 STI Forum, with the theme "Advancing sustainable, inclusive, and evidence-based, science and technology solutions and innovations for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for leaving no one behind", Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta provided the closing speech, highlighting the forum's key messages and contributing to the discussion by highlighting the role of technology and innovation leaving fossil fuels underground.
At the 2025 STI Forum, with the theme "Advancing sustainable, inclusive, and evidence-based, science and technology solutions and innovations for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for leaving no one behind", Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta participated in the session "Making AI accessible, inclusive, and beneficial for all", highlighting the need for justice and climate in tackling the SDGs, even with relation to AI.
At the workshop "The 'What' of Systems Transformation: Anchoring Climate Action in Health", Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta participated in the discussions on reframing climate action through a health-focused lens, examining opportunities and challenges for leveraging health as a strategic anchor point to bridge diverse economic and geopolitical interests. She highlighted the impacts that healthy water and climate systems have on global health, stressing the need to LFFU.
In a lecture on Earth System Justice and Boundareis, Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta gave her standard lecture on climate change and justice, emphasizing the need for ESJ and Water System Justice and its implications on LFFU. The session was followed by a discussion and Q&A on the role of justice in LFFU.
At the Clingendael Institute, Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta presented a lecture on climate change and fossil fuels to several junior delegates from Indonesia. Following the presentation, she continued on the bottlenecks and opportunities in Leaving Fossil Fuels Underground in the context of climate diplomacy, discussing contextual challenges on this topic.
At the Maastricht University, Prof. dr. Joyeeta Gupta gave her standard speech on climate change and justice. The presentation was followed by a discussion on the role of justice in LFFU and how stranded fossil assets could be managed.
About
The CLIFF project was financed by the European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.
Grant agreement: No. 101020082
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