Natural Resources, Energy, and Society:

Global Risks and Pathways to Sustainability

26 to 29 of May 2026
Coimbra, Portugal

Climate change and the Paris Agreement (EU, 2016), by requiring a profound review of production and consumption patterns and the reduction of carbon emissions, have spurred structural changes and technological innovations, particularly in the energy sector. This movement has paved the way for the so-called “dual energy and geopolitical transition,” based on the progressive replacement of fossil fuels with renewable sources, which are seen as sustainable alternatives.

However, these sources, considered clean, imply increased extraction of rare earths and other strategic minerals. This process carries risks of environmental contamination, landscape changes, and pressure on raw materials classified as critical due to their scarcity and geographic dependence. Increased exploration promotes the depletion of natural resources and the destruction of ecosystems essential to the balance between humankind and nature, intensifying disputes and geopolitical conflicts over access to these resources.

At the same time, other territories are more susceptible to natural hazards associated with their geographic location and specific environmental conditions. Among the most significant processes are earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, storms, droughts, and forest fires. Persistent water deficits, combined with erosion and soil degradation, fuel desertification. Rainfall episodes, when they occur, tend to be concentrated and intense, causing flash floods, inundations, and landslides, factors that increase the exposure and vulnerability of populations and infrastructure.

Given this context, it is essential to reflect on the risks and opportunities associated with the “Natural Resources and Energy” binomial in the development of strategic sectors and the future of societies. The challenge lies in understanding the impacts on territories, focusing on interpreting global risks and implementing local strategies that promote sustainability. This reflection guides the 7th International Risk Congress, dedicated to the theme: “Natural Resources, Energy, and Society: Global Risks and Pathways to Sustainability”.