03|06|25, Hofburg Vienna
UNITE IN ACTION – TERMINATE POLLUTION
Young vs. old, urban vs. rural areas, progressive vs. conservative – we are living in an increasingly divided world, fueled by economic hardship and the lingering effects of a global pandemic. Our media consumption habits often deepen these divides, fostering misunderstanding rather than dialogue. At the same time, the impacts of pollution, biodiversity loss, and the climate crisis are becoming impossible to ignore.
As Arnold Schwarzenegger best said it, “There is no Democratic or Republican air; there is only clean air.” This quote reminds us that while our backgrounds and beliefs may differ, our shared humanity and dependence on a healthy planet unite us. Clean air, thriving ecosystems, and a sustainable environment are essential to ensuring a peaceful, livable future for everyone.
Though our approaches may vary, the goal remains the same: safeguarding a liveable future for generations to come. Let us commit to truly listening to one another, bridging divides, and finding common ground to make our world a better place for all.
Program
(subject to change)
Doors open at 8:00 am.
The AWS Conference Expo takes place as part of the AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT . It complements the AWS stage program with individual booths where innovative solutions and concrete ideas for protecting our planet are presented. An ideal platform for networking!
The Expo is open throughout the day.
Matt Iseman, Presenter
Monika Langthaler, Host AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT
Alexander Van der Bellen, Federal President of the Republic of Austria
António Guterres, Secretary General United Nations
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Founder AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT
We live in a period of political disruption, transformation, and environmental crisis – people are more and more anxious about their future. Shared and familiar values seem to disappear. Democracies are under threat.
On the other hand, people have been developing technologies and political instruments that could help us to live in welfare and peace.
So, the questions are: What sort of new leadership is needed to solve the challenges of our time peacefully and respectfully, especially when it comes to living on a healthy planet? How can we UNITE in ACTION for a healthy and peaceful future for all?
Host: Hannelore Veit
Speakers to be announced
The times they are a-Changing (Bob Dylan)
“News media have long been seen as both a necessary observer and, at times, a counterpart to politics. Climate and environmental issues have become deeply polarizing, and people often seem to disengage when it comes to taking action on these topics. Taking a self-critical approach, we must acknowledge that our communication on global warming and environmental pollution has on the whole, not been effective.
In this panel, we aim to explore the roles of journalism, finance, and the economy in this ‘new normal.’ Our goal is to create a new, positive narrative around climate action—one that unites people and takes meaningful steps toward terminating pollution.”
Host: Hannelore Veit
Steve Westly, Founder and Managing Partner The Westly Group
Additional speakers to be announced
The industrial sector – one of the main CO2 emitters globally – faces huge challenges but also opportunities in becoming climate-neutral. The Industrial Clean Deal as the current strategy of the European Union to reduce environmental and climate impacts focuses very much on the decarbonizing industries as well as implementing a circular economy. Companies and industries demand long-term political planning and goals in order to maintain competitiveness and economic sustainability. How do companies react and act in this environment and what strategies and decisions have they chosen to become clean?
Also, research and science play a vital role in innovative and sustainable developments. How do companies and policy makers ensure to be up to date with latest scientific results? And at what stage and how do they implement these results?
Host: Hannelore Veit
Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, European Union
Nollaig Forrest, Chief Sustainability Officer Holcim
Leah Ellis, Co-Founder & Co-CEO Sublime Systems
Marta Sjögren, Co-Founder & Co-CEO Paebbl
Food security is highly dependent on healthy soils and biodiversity. UNESCO is warning that 90% of the planet’s land surface could be degraded by 2050, with major risks for biodiversity and human life. However, as the EU says, healthy soils are essential for achieving climate neutrality, a clean and circular economy and stopping desertification and land degradation. They are essential to reverse biodiversity loss, provide healthy food and safeguard human health.
Host: Hannelore Veit
Wolfgang Grabher, CEO Sun AG
Sheila Darmos, Farmer & Social Entrepreneur, The Southern Lights
Todd Wagner, Co-Founder FoodFight USA & Co-Founder and CEO 2929 Entertainment
Additional speakers to be announced
For many people, sports are an essential part of their life and culture, whether through participation or as passionate fans. However, the relationship between sports and the environment is complex. On one hand, sports contribute to emissions that drive global warming, but on the other hand, extreme weather events, like heatwaves, disrupt competitions and pose risks to athletes’ health and performance. Many athletes have voiced concerns about global warming and pollution. In this panel we give the stage to well-known former and current athletes who are actively engaged in advocacy for a healthy planet. Equally to sports, we need to integrate environmentally friendly habits into your everyday life step by step, until it becomes a routine. Have a look at Pump for the Planet to learn more your ultimate workout for the planet.
Host: Matt Iseman
Dominic Thiem, Tennis Champion and Founder Thiem Energy
Felix Neureuther, Alpine Ski Racing Champion and Founder Felix Neureuther Stiftung
Additional speakers to be announced
We have witnessed immense environmental catastrophes like fires, droughts or floodings worldwide in the last years. With a changing climate we can expect more natural disasters with a greater intensity. In this panel we talk with people who are on the forefront of the climate and environmental crisis.
Hearing the perspective of a first responder, listening to a medical worker and understanding what challenges they are facing in their work – in some cases even volunteer work – with a warming climate and a polluted world. What drives them to continue taking action? What can we learn from them for our own lives in a changing climate? How do subnational policy makers react to that?
Host: Matt Iseman
Viktoria Zechmeister, Vienna Fire Department
Dom Bei, Firefighter, Santa Monica Firefighters
Carol Devine, Assocation Member Médecins Sans Frontières
Sasa Braun, Interpol
Fiona Donovan, Vice-President of Response Administration, World Central Kitchen
Additional speakers to be announced
Check out the AWS Conference Expo during the lunch break!
To be announced
Inspiring stories and innovative personalities – the best mix for an intriguing panel. We present climate action heroes from all around the world proving that change is already in motion.
Host: Matt Iseman & Barbara Meier
Rainn Wilson, Actor, Author & Co-Founder Climate Basecamp
Müge Baltacı, CEO & Co-Founder mol-e
Benji Backer, Co-Founder & Chairman Nature is Nonpartisan
Saara Hango, Eco Champion SOS-Kinderdörfer weltweit
Julia Bialetska, CEO & Co-Founder s.lab
Maximilian Wilk, Co-Founder & CEO AqonPure
Felix Krainer, Founder Planet Matters
Valerie Huber, Actress, Author & Climate Activist
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Founder AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT
Monika Langthaler, Director Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative