Global crisis, North-South power imbalances and energy sufficiency
Apuan Alps, 12-15 July 2026
Location: Rifugio Del Freo, Italy
https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rifugio_Del_Freo, 44°01’57.2″N 10°18’16.6″E)
We are pleased to announce the 2026 edition of the Hiking Ecological Economics Workshop, taking place from July 12 (Sunday) to 15 (Wednesday), 2025.
This programme is designed for researchers, students, and professionals with a background in ecological economics who are interested in exploring the societal and economic challenges posed by climate change.
The workshop will combine academic discussions with outdoor activities in the stunning natural landscapes of the Apuan Alps. Participants will interact in an environment where resource scarcity, energy sobriety and sustainability are mandatory: the Rifugio del Freo is powered solely by solar panels, meaning that there is no electricity at night. Similarly, the Apuan Alps, where the world-famous Carrara Marble is mined, are slowly being eroded by the marble industry, provide a perfect opportunity for experiencing the tension between nature, sufficiency, and extractivism.
Theme Description
The backlash of recent geopolitical events has caused a global crisis in energy and in the provision of key raw materials. This has resulted in a situation where rich nations in the Global North are outbidding poorer nations in the Global South for key resources, with many countries having to implement energy rationing. In the Global North this will result in a large inflationary shock, whilst the Global South could experience resource unwanted and unjust forced economic de-growth: scarcity, recession, and social turmoil.
Within the context of the ecological crisis, it is widely acknowledged that the Global North should take strong action to curb its resource consumption and emissions. Yet, we are seeing that the crisis leads to the exact opposite: the Global South, which has legitimate claims to development, is being forced to curb consumption whilst the Global North (and in particular its wealthiest classes) attempt to continue previous trends unabated.
This workshop wishes to reflect on sufficiency as a paradigm to implement equitable reductions in consumption in the Global North, whilst allowing more “breathing room” for the Global South to navigate development needs in the midst of the polycrisis.
Contributions and registration
Participants are invited to contribute on the topics outlined above, and in particular would like to focus on issues of sufficiency policies in the global North and how these could help rebalance North-South power imbalances within a context of resource scarcity, price instability, and global tensions.
You may apply to present, but also just to attend as a participant.
Please submit your application here by May 29th.
Program
Sunday, 12th of July
- Morning: Departure from Pisa Train Station. Meeting point fountain in front of the station at 8.30.
- Afternoon:
- Opening and participant introductions
- Lectures by invited speakers: Alessandro Rubino (University of Bari)
- Selected presentations by participants
Monday, 13th of July
- Morning: Short hike
- Lunch: At the rifugio
- Afternoon:
- Lectures by invited speakers: Giacomo Gabbuti (Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies) & Elma Hadzic (Sciences Po Paris)
- Selected presentations by participants
Tuesday, 14 July
- All day: Long hike with packed lunch
Wednesday, 15 July
- Morning: Departure for Pisa. Arrival in Pisa at 18.00
A detailed program will be published soon.
A detailed hiking list with necessary equipment can be found here.
If you have any queries, please reach out to:
- Liam Mc Court: l.mccourt@student.unisi.it
- Maddalena Calabretta: maddalena.calabretta@gssi.it
Accommodation
Rifugio Del Freo (nights of Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday).
The total cost of €250 includes:
✔ Accommodation & meals (from Sunday dinner to Wednesday breakfast)
✔ Transport
A detailed schedule and further logistical information will be shared with registered participants.
We look forward to welcoming you to this unique experience of learning, discussion, and exploration!
Organizers
Liam Mc Court (University of Siena)
Maddalena Calabretta (GSSI)
Angelo Facchini (IMT Lucca)
Simone D’Alessandro (University of Pisa)