Euro-CASE Annual Conference 2025

Vienna, 29 September 2025

The European Council of Academies of Applied Sciences, Technologies and Engineering (Euro-CASE) brings together national academies of applied sciences, technology, and engineering. Each year, one of the member academies hosts the annual conference, fostering international exchange on key future issues in science and technology. Under the theme “Complex Systems: Shaping the Future for a Resilient Society,” the Euro-CASE symposium took place on 29 September 2025 in Vienna, hosted by the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW). The symposium explored how complex systems can be designed to strengthen the resilience of our societies. On 30 September, the governing bodies and working groups of the member academies met to further enhance European collaboration.

Symposium Complex Systems: Shaping the Future for a Resilient Society“

acatech acatech was represented at the public symposium by its members Reinhard Hüttl, Robert Schlögl, and Georg Brasseur. The Energy Panel, moderated by Georg Brasseur (Graz University of Technology and acatech), focused on the complex interrelations between energy, climate, and society.

In his presentation, Reinhard Hüttl (EEI Eco-Environment Innovation and acatech) highlighted the key role of soils in the interplay between climate change and renewable energy. He emphasized that a sustainable energy transition can only succeed if soil and land-use strategies are integratively considered. Further contributions by Robert Schlögl, Stefan Freunberger (ISTA), and Louis de Fontenelle (Université de Pau) addressed the technological, chemical, and legal aspects of a resilient energy future.

Health and environmental topics were also central to separate panels, offering diverse perspectives on complex systems in medicine, climate research, and environmental policy.

Overall, the symposium underscored that resilience can only be achieved through a holistic understanding of interconnected systems – encompassing natural sciences, technological innovation, as well as social and political frameworks.

During the governing meetings held the following day, important strategic directions for the coming years were set. acatech will now be represented on the Euro-CASE Executive Committee.

In addition, new working groups with acatech participation were established:

• Working Group “Soils: Synergizing Climate Protection and Climate Adaptation”
  Aims to identify synergies between climate protection and climate adaptation, and to strengthen the role of soils as both carbon sinks and resources for sustainable land use.
• Working Group “Critical Review of the Euro-CASE Energy Report Energy Transition in Europe – Common Goals but Different Paths”
  Will evaluate the 2019 Euro-CASE Energy Report, reflecting on results to date, identifying successful approaches, and expanding the European perspective to include a global dimension.

Looking ahead, all participants now turn with anticipation to the Euro-CASE Annual Conference 2026 in Belfast, which will focus on “Resilience of Digital and Physical Infrastructure.”