Sustainable Finance, AI and the Circular Economy: Pathways to a Sustainable Future

Conference Information
Date: August 6 – 8, 2026
Venue: University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland

Conference Chairs
Professor Bing Xu, Heriot-Watt University
Professor Liming Wang, University College Dublin

Description
We are delighted to announce the Call for Papers for the 18th CEA (Europe) and 37th CEA (UK) Annual Conference, to be held at the University College Dublin. The 2026 conference focuses on the theme “Sustainable Finance, AI and the Circular Economy”, bringing together scholars, policymakers, financial professionals and industry leaders to explore how financial innovation, technological development, and circular economic models can
jointly shape a more resilient and sustainable future.

As environmental pressures grow, resources become scarcer, and geopolitical uncertainties reshape economies, reconsidering financial systems is increasingly urgent. Traditional capital allocation models are insufficient for long-term ecological and economic resilience. Sustainable finance is therefore emerging as a key driver, channeling investment into circular business models, low-carbon technologies, and resource-efficient systems.

Financial instruments like green bonds, blended finance, and impact investments help manage systemic risks—from supply chain disruptions and environmental shocks to energy volatility—while closing financing gaps for SMEs and enabling scalable circular economy transitions. At the same time, AI and digital technologies, including blockchain, machine learning, and big data, are transforming how capital is deployed, monitored, and assessed, improving transparency, ESG tracking, efficiency, and risk management.

Challenges remain, including fragmented regulations, ESG accountability, greenwashing, and uneven policy alignment. Overcoming these requires cross-sector collaboration, innovative financial tools, and a focus on long-term value creation. Ultimately, transitioning to a circular economy requires more than funding—it demands rethinking how value is created, measured, and shared. Embedding resilience, equity, and regeneration into financial systems is essential for sustainable prosperity.

For more information, visit: https://ceaukeu.org/.

CEA (UK/Europe) 2026 seeks paper submissions that critically examine the opportunities, challenges, and systemic
transformations required to support sustainable economic futures. We encourage submissions on topics including,
but not limited to:

• Behavioural insights into responsible, ethical, and sustainable investing.
• Blockchain for traceability, accountability, and trust in circular supply chains.
• Circular business models and supply chain transformation.
• Sector-specific CE practices (e.g., electronics, chemicals, mining, etc.).
• Digital finance, AI, and fintech applications in CE transitions.
• Economic security, financial sovereignty, and strategic CE alignment.
• E-waste recycling governance, supervision, and innovation.
• Financial and non-financial drivers of CE adoption.
• Financing innovation, clean technologies, and decarbonisation pathways.
• Financial regulation, taxonomies, and sustainability disclosure frameworks.
• Financing reverse logistics and responsible material recovery systems.
• Green bonds, carbon markets, and climate-related financial disclosures.
• Greenwashing, ESG integrity, and accountability in sustainable finance.
• Geopolitical risks and their impact on CE and financial resilience.
• Public-private partnerships for circular infrastructure development.
• Resource efficiency and economic resilience through circularity.
• Sustainable finance strategies prioritising long-term value creation.
• The role of financial institutions in enabling CE transitions and ESG portfolios.
• Venture capital and private equity in circular and sustainable technologies.

In addition to the core theme, the conference welcomes high-quality submissions across the broader fields of economics, finance, sustainability, and digital innovation that align with the mission of the CEA (UK/Europe).

Keynote Speakers (in alphabetical order)

• Professor William Cong, Cornell University
• Professor Steven Ongena, University of Zurich
• Professor Wim Vanhaverbeke, University of Antwerp
• Professor Bohui Zhang, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen
• Professor Jun Zhang, Fudan University

Paper Submission Procedure
Please submit your papers to ceaukeu2026@gmail.com with the subject “Submission to the CEA (UK/Europe) Conference 2026” by April 15, 2026. Preference will be given to completed papers, but abstracts will also be considered. Successful candidates will be notified by April 30, 2026. The workshop will take place in person at UCD on August 6 – 8, 2026.

Additional Information
There is a submission fee of 320 GBP per paper (160 GBP for PhD students), payable via this link: https://ceaukeu.org/?page_id=992. Only submissions for which the submission fee has been paid will be considered. Presenting authors of accepted papers must register for the CEA (UK/Europe) Conference; registration must be completed by June 30, 2026.