Venice Climate Week 2025

A Symbolic and Urgent Context

Ten years after the Paris Agreement and the Laudato Si' encyclical, Venice Climate Week was born to inspire individuals and organizations to update their goals, tools, and narratives. In a city symbolizing the beauty and fragility of our time, climate change is tackled in a cross-cutting way: Venice becomes the capital of a new dialogue between science, art, education, technology, and politics.

The Promoters

The project is led by Riccardo Luna, a journalist, former director of Wired Italia, Italy's former Digital Champion, documentary filmmaker, and columnist for Corriere della Sera. Production is entrusted to the Future Food Institute, founded by Sara Roversi, an international organisation working towards the transition to sustainable and regenerative food systems.

The Locations

The meetings will be held in iconic venues across the city: The Human Safety Net House at the Procuratie, Ca’ Foscari University, IUAV, Corderie dell'Arsenale, Ocean Space, M9 Museum in Mestre, Casa Sanlorenzo (host of the "Sanlorenzo Talks"), Palazzo Diedo Berggruen Arts & Culture - Venice, and the new SEA BEYOND Ocean Literacy Centre, a dynamic space in the Venetian Lagoon, inaugurated by the Prada Group and co-designed by the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO-COI) and CRA - Carlo Ratti Associati.

The Program

June 3, 2025 – PRE-OPENING | JEREMY RIFKIN VISITS THE SEA BEYOND OCEAN LITERACY CENTRE
The SEA BEYOND Ocean Literacy Centre will host Jeremy Rifkin and a group of PhD students from the universities IUAV, Ca' Foscari, University of Padua, and CNR-ISMAR to discuss the future of the planet and the ocean.

June 3, 2025 – OPENING | THE HUMAN SAFETY NET HOUSE AT THE PROCURATIE

An inaugural ceremony in the heart of Venice, with the Lectio Magistralis by Jeremy Rifkin, who will present the concept of “Planet Aqua,” focused on the crucial role of water as a global common good. Jeremy Rifkin: “Our hydrosphere, which animates all life, is being re-naturalized in the wake of global warming, triggering record winter snowfalls, torrential spring floods, devastating summer droughts, heatwaves, wildfires, and deadly autumn hurricanes, causing severe damage to ecosystems, infrastructure, and society.” Jeremy Rifkin is working with the European Commission, the European Parliament, industry, and civil society to integrate a Blue Deal into the existing Green Deal, positioning Europe as the first actor in the transition from the Era of Progress to the Era of Resilience in the age of Planet Aqua.
Among the guests: Mayor Luigi Brugnaro, Carlo Barbante (Ca' Foscari), Antonio Navarra (CMCC), Francesca Santoro (UNESCO), Ekhosuehi Iyahen (IDF).

June 4, 2025 – PLANET AQUA | OCEAN SPACE

Water from various perspectives: a scientific panel in collaboration with Marevivo, Jeremy Rifkin, and the Italian Pavilion at the 2025 Architecture Biennale. Jeremy Rifkin, economist and visionary, will be the protagonist of another event, including this conference at Ocean Space. With his extraordinary participation, the week proposes a radical reinterpretation of the ecological transition, starting from the centrality of water as the most valuable common good. An invitation to rethink the economy, energy, and governance in the light of the climate crisis and the priceless value of natural resources. Morning guests: Markus Reymann – Co-director TBA21, Giulio Boccaletti – Scientific Director of CMCC, Ferdinando Boero – Professor at the University of Lecce // Vice President of Marevivo, Tosca Sala – Project Officer at EMBRC-ERIC // EEG in AMU in Aquaculture Member of the World Organisation for Animal Health, Valerio Rossi Albertini – Scientific Committee of Marevivo // Professor at La Sapienza University of Rome, Antonio Ragusa – Scientific Committee of Marevivo, Louise Carver – Programme Lead Convivial Conservation TBA21, Massimo Perotti – Executive Chairman Sanlorenzo, Pierroberto Folgiero – CEO and General Manager Fincantieri S.p.A, and the explorer and science communicator Alex Bellini.
In the afternoon: Pietro Daniel Omodeo – Professor at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Antonio Scurati – Professor at IULM University in Milan // Columnist for Corriere della Sera and La Repubblica, Francesco Musco – President of CORILA, Rosalba Giugni – President of Marevivo, Jeremy Rifkin – Conclusions of Planet Aqua: The Venice Water Declaration.

At Casa Sanlorenzo, from 7:00 PM, the Sanlorenzo Talks will begin with “Breathtaking” with Fabrizio Ferri.

June 5, 2025 – LIFE ECONOMY | CA’ FOSCARI

Regenerative transition – Life in a changing world: food, health, and business. In an era of discontinuity, this day explores the foundations of a new life-centered economy, where food systems, human health, and business come together to regenerate the planet.
The morning sessions, co-curated with the global network of Climate Shapers, will highlight young changemakers, innovators, and educators working to generate impact through systemic education and radical collaboration. Speakers include: Anna Pirani (Scientist, CMCC), Daniele Franco (Scientific Director of Fondazione CINI), Barbara Terenghi (Head of Sustainability Division, Edison), Giovanna Melandri (President of Human Foundation), and Carlo Petrini (President of Terra Madre, Founder and President of Slow Food), Miria Pigato (Professor at Ca' Foscari University of Venice), and Angelica De Vito (UN Advisor on Climate Migrants). The morning will conclude with the panel: “How to Switch to a Life Economy” with Kim Polman – Co-Founder and Chair of Reboot The Future, Carlo Giardinetti.
In the afternoon, don’t miss the “La Via Europea” session curated by partner NATIVA. In the context of global tensions, Europe finds itself at a pivotal crossroads: either abdicate its natural leadership in sustainability or relaunch a social pact with current and future European generations. The challenge is to place regeneration at the center as a strategic choice for the continent, while defending values and lifestyles. Through testimonies from business and thought leaders, the event will highlight how adopting regenerative models can create competitive advantages, attract investments, and improve business productivity. It will also demonstrate how Europe can position itself as a global beacon of well-being and cooperation. Among the speakers: Monica Lucarelli (City of Rome), Cecilia Plicco (Chiesi), Leonardo Bagnoli (Sammontana), Antonio De Matteis (Kiton), Peter Graschi (Arena), Davide Bollati (Davines), Simone Colombo (OVS), Cristina Bombassei (Brembo-AIDAF), Federico Marchetti (Chair, Fashion Task Force of the Sustainable Markets Initiative), Antonio Capaldo (Feudi di San Gregorio), Paolo Di Cesare and Eric Ezechieli (NATIVA).

At Casa Sanlorenzo from 7:00 PM, Kim Polman will present the book “Values for a Life Economy.”

June 6, 2025 – FUTURE EARTH | IUAV

Future Earth is a crossroads: from circular cities to regenerative territories, where climate-sensitive urban design meets bold innovation in rural areas. In the morning, IUAV and CMCC will lead a deep dive into urban adaptation strategies. The morning will be dedicated to circular cities with IUAV and CMCC: Paola Mercogliano (Head of the REMHI Division at CMCC Foundation), Valentina Orioli, Carlos Moreno (15-Minute City), Pierluigi Sacco, Luigi De Vecchi (Fondazione Sylva).
In the afternoon, curated by the Future Food Institute, attention will shift to Future Lands—a dialogue on integral ecology, exploring how food security and the regeneration of marginal areas can shape resilient futures worldwide. With David Laborde (FAO), Merijn Dols (NOW Partners), Charlie MacGregor, Sara Scherr, Stefano Pisani (Pollica).

At Casa Sanlorenzo at 7:00 PM, Ersilia Vaudo Scarpetta will hold a talk titled “The Miracle of Hydrogen.”

June 7, 2025 – CLIMATE TECH | CORDERIE DELL'ARSENALE

Co-curated with Cleantech for Italy, in collaboration with VeniSIA, this afternoon brings together startups, investors, and thought leaders to explore cutting-edge climate technologies, from carbon capture and smart buildings to co-design with nature and future agriculture. Venice is a living paradox: fragile and ancient, a symbol of beauty threatened by climate change. From this suspended city, VeniSIA and Venice Climate Week aim to demonstrate how technology, when rooted in the territory, becomes a tool for antifragility. Through the Future Farming Initiative, VeniSIA presents a visionary and replicable model that radically rethinks the relationship between nature, technology, and material production—a new paradigm to equip the planet without destroying it.
Moderated by Michele Torsello (Cleantech), speakers include: Carlo Ratti, Simona Maschi, Niccolò Calandri (3Bee), Chiara D'Adamo (CarpeCarbon), Massimo Portincaso (Arsenale Bioyards).

June 8, 2025 – PUBLIC ASSEMBLY | M9 MESTRE

“How Will We Get Out of This?” is an open and radically democratic public assembly—a critical thinking and political imagination exercise led by two sharp and passionate voices in contemporary journalism: Ferdinando Cotugno and Fabio Deotto. Together, we will explore the changing global landscape: geopolitical instability, climate justice, migration, and the transformation of production systems.
Above all, this is a space to recognize and amplify the role of associations, grassroots movements, civic networks, and the energy of youth—those who, every day, through creativity and perseverance, keep alive the possibility of a different society.
A clear political message emerges: the transition will only be just if it is shared. In a time marked by eco-anxiety and polarization, Venice offers a message of active hope: environmental justice cannot be separated from social justice. The future is not something to delegate—it must be built together, through new intergenerational and cross-sectoral alliances. Cities, local communities, and civic networks are living laboratories of social and ecological innovation. Now more than ever, change is driven by the protagonism of places, and by our ability to listen, co-create, and take care of each other. This day marks a clear invitation: to build a permanent coalition between associations, activist networks, local governments, scientists, artists, and regenerative businesses. To overcome today's crises, we don’t need top-down solutions—we need a cultural revolution rooted in solidarity, creativity, and regeneration. Venice is calling the world. Let’s transform fragility into strength. Let’s turn our voices into a wave of change.
Among the participants: Stefano Ciafani (Legambiente), Alessandra Prampolini (WWF), the band Eugenio in Via di Gioia, Sara Roversi (Future Food Institute), Miroslav Polzer (Glocha / UN ECOSOC, UNFCCC), Marcele Oliveira (COP30 Brazil Youth Champion), Talieh Wögerbauer (Federal Austrian Ministry for Agriculture and Climate), Roberta Ianna (Youth4Climate / Ministry of Environment and Energy Security), Domenico Vito (Hubzine / UNFCCC ECOS), Samuel Rubin (Entertainment and Culture Pavilion), Douglas Ragan (UN-Habitat Youth Programme, Global Mutirão), and the Climate Shapers.

Youth at the Heart of Venice Climate Week 2025

Nourishing the future, educating for critical thinking, enabling action.
The youth program will be the beating heart of Venice Climate Week 2025—a call to action for a new generation of leaders and changemakers. Students from across Italy and the world, the Climate Shapers of the Future Food Institute, together with national and international partners.
The week opens with an intense day of experiential training hosted by the Sustainable Venice Foundation: an immersive session of regulated philosophical debate, dedicated to 20 students from high schools and universities. In collaboration with the Associazione Amore per il Sapere—the organization behind the Romanae Disputationes and the Torneo Age Contra Plus—this workshop places at its core the education of speech, listening, and constructive dialogue. In an era of polarization and superficiality, rediscovering the value of reflection is a revolutionary act.
In dialogue with philosophers, scientists, innovators, activists, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, young people will also take part in moments of Conscious Conversations for Systemic Change, curated in symbolic venues such as the Serra dei Giardini and the Vigna di San Francesco della Vigna. These will be intergenerational encounters where youth and global leaders build bridges between visions, territories, and shared responsibilities.
Another key moment will be the three workshops: Switch Forward, Feeding the Future—developed with the Italian Chapter of the FAO World Food Forum—and the workshop All-of-Society Climate Action Empowerment, created in collaboration with IAAI GloCha. This hybrid-format laboratory, to be held on June 7, represents a crucial piece of the global mobilization toward COP30, activating youth, artists, scientists, and decision-makers to explore the transformative power of data, art, and knowledge. It’s the Mediterranean in dialogue with the Amazon, Venice connecting with Brasília, in a transcontinental alliance for regeneration.


Finally, the youth program will dedicate Saturday morning to a reflection on the “10 Years of Laudato Si’” at Palazzo Diedo, followed by a closing conversation on the meaning of living, nourishing, and cohabiting the Planet—between young people and great minds of our time.


All events are free with registration via Eventbrite.
Venice is calling the world. Turn fragility into strength. Turn voices into change.