This year, the XI TIEC conference celebrates the conclusion of the Project MSCA DN “Training for a Hydrogen Economy based Renewable Energy Society in the Anthropocene” (THERESA). THERESA focuses on three key topics in the development of a hydrogen economy: reducing sectoral fragmentation to spur socio-environmental sustainability, enabling sustainable circular use of hydrogen, and societal engagement in the hydrogen economy. The Anthropocene compels us to rethink how law enables or obstructs meaningful sustainable decarbonisation. Energy transitions should constitute profound transformations in law, economy, governance, and democracy, reshaping how collective decisions about energy and the environment are made, rather than merely technological or economic transitions. Among emerging technological solutions, renewable and low-carbon hydrogen, along with other renewable gases, stand out for their potential to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors such as industry and transport. Yet these technologies also raise significant societal and environmental challenges that must be addressed to ensure genuinely sustainable and inclusive carbon-neutral societies.

The conference will explore the above-mentioned topics through the following three interconnected streams:

1. Governing the Sustainable Energy Transition: Regulatory Frameworks for Decarbonisation

This stream aims to explore the legal and regulatory foundations that shape sustainable energy systems and enable the transition towards climate neutrality. It invites contributions examining the design, implementation, and coordination of regulatory frameworks at international, EU, national, and local levels. Topics of interest include the regulation of hydrogen networks, system integration across electricity, hydrogen, and gas sectors; energy market design and cross-border infrastructure; legal instruments for energy efficiency, flexibility, and digitalisation; and the interplay between energy and climate objectives.

2. Just Transition, Democracy, and Participation in the Energy Sector

This stream focuses on the social and economic dimensions of energy transitions. exploring legal mechanisms to ensure equitable distribution of decarbonization benefits and burdens, meaningful community participation in decision-making, just transition frameworks, community energy initiatives, and gender considerations within energy sector transformation.

3. Competitiveness, Innovation and Energy Law in Polytransitions

This stream aims to explore how law can both drive and regulate innovation in renewable and clean technologies, focusing on industrial policy, competition law, and sustainable finance, with particular attention to hydrogen and clean technology value chains. Contributions may explore legal frameworks supporting research, development, and deployment of low-carbon technologies; finance mechanisms driving innovation; corporate accountability and value chain regulation for decarbonisation; and circular economy approaches to industrial decarbonisation in hard-to-abate sectors.