Our workshops for 2024–2025 are designed to bring together thought leaders, researchers, policymakers, and community stakeholders to tackle the pressing sustainability challenges of our time. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge research, these events aim to develop practical solutions and strategies that promote environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic resilience.
These workshops offer a unique platform to engage, learn, and drive meaningful change. Please join us in our commitment to a sustainable future and explore the transformative power of knowledge and collaboration.
More about CFP: FY26 Sustainability Workshops →
2024–2025 Sustainability Workshops
🔬 The Role of Life Cycle Analysis in Understanding Systems-Level Sustainability
Date: March 1, 2024
Partner: Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies (CES)
Focus: How Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) can evolve to meet sustainability goals.
🌿 Nature-Based Solutions for a Resilient Gulf Coast
Date: March 3–4, 2025
In collaboration with: SSPEED Center
Focus: Explore innovative solutions to combat flooding in urban areas at this workshop. Join local and international experts to discuss sustainable strategies for flood mitigation, community engagement, and adapting to climate-induced challenges in both inland and coastal settings.
🏗️ Fiber Futures: Plant-Based Materials and Low-Carbon Construction
Date: March 7, 2024
Focus: Using plant-based materials in construction to reduce carbon emissions and build more sustainably.
Discover innovative, plant-based materials and low-carbon construction methods at the Fiber Futures workshop. This event brings together experts to explore sustainable building practices that can transform the construction industry and contribute to a greener future.
🦎 Texas Biodiversity Symposium
Date: March 14–16, 2024
Location: Kraft Hall 130, Rice University
Focus: Addressing biodiversity loss and conservation in the age of human impact.
Join the Texas Biodiversity Symposium to address the urgent challenges of biodiversity loss and conservation in the Anthropocene. This event gathers leading scientists and conservationists to explore solutions for protecting biodiversity in Texas and beyond, fostering collaboration and innovative strategies for a sustainable future.
⚖️ Energy Justice & Degrowth Roundtable
Date: April 7, 2024
Speakers: Kohei Saito, Matthew Tejada, Ed Hirs
Center for Environmental Studies→
Focus: Exploring degrowth pathways to a just and low-carbon future.
The Energy Justice workshop series brings together global experts and local leaders for a series of conversations on the most pressing questions facing the future of our energy system. The series will investigate and debate concerns such as the democratic distribution of energy, degrowth, and resilience and adaptation, all to understand the future of the rapidly changing energy landscape.
What comes after fossil fuels — and after economic growth?
Join the Center for Environmental Studies on April 7 for a roundtable on degrowth pathways to a low-carbon future, featuring:
🌱 Kohei Saito (University of Tokyo) — Influential degrowth scholar + bestselling author
⚖️ Matthew Tejada — SVP of Environmental Health at NRDC, former EPA deputy for environmental justice
⚡ Ed Hirs — Energy Fellow and Lecturer at the University of Houston
Together, they’ll explore bold visions for energy justice, the strengths and limits of degrowth, and what a “just transition” could look like in Texas and beyond.
🗓 Monday, April 7 | 6–8 PM
📍 Kraft Hall 130, Rice University
🎟 Free + open to the public
🌎 Texas Climate Conference
Date: April 10–11, 2024
Partner: Texas Center for Climate Studies (TAMU)
Focus: Climate change impacts and water extremes on the Gulf Coast.
Learn how climate change impacts the Gulf Coast at the 'Texas Regional Climate Network' workshop. This event brings together experts to discuss extreme heat, flooding, sea level rise, and health challenges, and to develop strategies for climate resilience in our communities. Keynote: Katharine Hayhoe
More about CFP: FY26 Sustainability Workshops →
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