On 15 June 2026, the EEAC Working Group on Sustainable Development hosted an online webinar on “From backlash to buy-in: Why acceptance matters in making sustainable development policies work”.
Across Europe, governments are under increasing pressure to implement climate and sustainability policies, but many of these measures face public resistance. Debates over fuel subsidy cuts and renewable energy projects show how difficult it can be to balance environmental goals with public support. Research suggests that people are more likely to accept policies when they are seen as fair, effective, easy to understand and beneficial to everyday life.
This webinar focuses on improving sustainability policy design by taking public perspectives and concerns into account. Jürgen Janssen, Secretary-General of the German Council for Sustainable Development and co-chair of the Sustainable Development Working Group at the EEAC Network, moderated the session and opened with an introduction to the topic. The keynote talks were given by Prof. Dr. Cornelia Betsch from the Institute for Planetary Health Behaviour at the University of Erfurt and David Melches from the think tank More in Common Germany. The webinar ended with a lively discussion with the audience.
