Accountability in the Anthropocene

The ‘Anthropocene’ refers to a new geological epoch in which humankind has an unprecedented influence on the functioning of the Earth. The extent of this influence is such that human activity discernibly changes and destabilizes biogeochemical processes (e.g., climate, hydrology, biodiversity) upon which we depend. Hence, the Anthropocene implies a fundamental change in socio-ecological relations. This epochal change invites critical reflection on central mechanisms for regulating socioecological relations, given existing conceptions and practices of governance appear incapable of integrating planetary boundaries into socioecological metabolism in a way consistent with sustainability. In this two-day workshop, we would like to explore this environmental governance challenge through the lens of accountability. In particular, the goal of the workshop is to develop a better understanding of the analytical and practical value of accountability in relation to anthropogenic drivers of global environmental change. To advance the debate, the workshop will bring together leading researchers from abroad (USA, Australia, Netherlands, Sweden, Austria, Germany) with researchers from Switzerland (Geneva, Zürich, Neuchâtel, Lucerne, Bern), all of whom have never worked together in research projects before. In this way, the workshop creates new synergies on the topic, which are enhanced by the interdisciplinary exchange. Workshop participants identify with disciplines of sociology, economics, political science and anthropology. The scientific results presented and advanced through the workshop will be published collectively as a special issue in a thematically suitable top journal and the workshop format has the potential for the 12 authors to write a joint synthesis paper. Due to the careful selection of participants, the workshop provides unique opportunities to jointly plan and organize mini-conferences and panels at professional meetings in the coming years. At the same time the theme of the workshop is well suited to continue the debate with non-academic practitioners. This means, the scientific workshop will lay the groundwork for organizing a transdisciplinary follow-up event.