Green Science Festival recap

Green Science Festival: fresh energy to advance the transition to more sustainable research practices 

On 28 May, Green Labs NL and NWO brought science, sustainability, and innovation together, celebrating both bottom-up and top-down initiatives. A diverse community of changemakers – researchers, professionals, students, funders, and national and international policymakers – united more than 200 people in Amsterdam, over 80 across five satellite locations in Utrecht, London, Ghent, Heidelberg, and Klosterneuburg, and another 130 online, showcasing a more sustainable approach to conference participation. Together, they explored how to advance a more sustainable future for research. 

The diversity of stakeholders was one of the strengths of the day, and the opening chain reaction set the tone. It showed how small actions, when connected, can create something much bigger. Throughout the festival, connections were made, ideas were exchanged, and new collaborations emerged. 

The programme brought together science and practice through talks, panels, workshops, and discussions on topics ranging from emerging technologies and environmental sciences to social innovation and policy. A common thread throughout the day was that sustainability is not only a technical challenge but also a social one, requiring collaboration, the right language, and space for different perspectives. 

The festival also celebrated the many initiatives already underway. Fifty-nine of these are featured in the Seeds for Change – Sustainability in Action booklet. The discussions and insights from the day fed into the follow-up meeting on 29 May, focused on the role of funders in supporting sustainability transitions. Topics for further action include stakeholder alignment, sharing best practices, integrating sustainability into funding calls, and supporting research-performing organisations. 

Key takeaways 

• Real transition starts with people. Finding allies and building connections helps turn ideas into action. 

• You do not need to have everything in place before you start. Small steps can create momentum. 

• Reducing our environmental footprint, particularly Scope 3 emissions, requires collaboration across the entire research supply chain. 

• Sustainability transitions are as much a social challenge as a technical one; the way we communicate and facilitate change matters. 

Continue the conversation 

• Follow up on the people you met and the ideas that emerged during the festival. 

• Explore the Seeds for Change – Sustainability in Action booklet for inspiration. 

• Keep sharing best practices and lessons learned. 

• Continue building bridges between research, practice, disciplines, policy, and funding. 

We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the festival, both through its organisation and by participating, for making it a valuable day of learning and connection. 

Change is already in motion—let's keep the chain reaction going.