The new era of digital transformation brought forth rapid changes in social and economic aspects of life. New developments and innovations, from the internet and cloud computing to the use of artificial intelligence (AI), are increasingly ubiquitous in every aspect of our lives. These new innovations potentially revolutionize the field of economics and laws. However, these new changes can also bring their own challenges, such as lack of privacy protections, increasing surveillance and possible loss of workforce due to digitalization, which may worsen existing economic inequalities, widening the gap between the rich and the poor. The infrastructure necessary in building and maintaining these technologies are often energy-intensive, which can cause significant damages to the environment and exacerbate climate change. Thus the digitalization of law and economics must ensure equity, justice and sustainability towards all.

Instruments of environmental protections include, but not limited to, environmental taxation, carbon trading, environmental analysis impact, and plenty other instruments used to reduce the risks of climate change. This sub-theme focuses on the importance of legal reform in using economic instruments as a means of control against excessive exploitation of natural resources. In this context, the law acts as the regulator and transformative decision-making in environmental instruments, as a prerequisite of sustainable development that is aware of environmental capacity and also the rights of local communities. These instruments are expected to respond to the new complexities in climate and ecosystem governance, so that the transition does not come at the expense of ecological sustainability.

Sustainable Industry and Food Systems plays an increasingly important role in discussing the transformation of industry and access to food that is inclusive and fair for everyone. In the midst of climate crisis and geopolitical conflicts which can cause disruption in the supply chain systems, new changes in the legal system are necessary to ensure food sovereignty and food security. This sub-theme discusses how law can protect and empower businesses, particularly small businesses while also promoting sustainable and equitable food distribution and production. Economic growth and prosperity must not only be enjoyed by the ultra-rich or powerful corporations, but also by farmers, fishermen and other economic actors in the supply chain as a pillar of the national food system. Through an approach that supports social and ecological justice, food systems can be directed towards independence and sustainability.

Sharia Economics and Halal Industry provides a space for new reflection on how the Islam-based economy can also promote economic justice and ethical sustainability. Current global economic transformation creates massive inequalities and environmental degradation, which prompted the need for an alternative system that prioritizes the principle of justice, equity and sustainability. This sub-theme highlights the role of law in strengthening Islamic-based economics, and ensuring economic activities that are free from usury and excessive speculations. In addition, the halal industry must not only be understood as a label, but also as an ethical system that ensures fair and environmentally conscious practices. Thus, economic relations can be restructured to be more just and sustainable, while simultaneously aligning innovation with the values of social, economic, and ecological justice.

Democratic decision-making processes in practice usually tend to be more anthropocentric, which prioritizes the interest of human beings above all else, and views the value of their surroundings only on how useful they are to human beings. Ecological democracy re-imagines decision-making processes to also include other ecological considerations to ensure sustainability. In this instance, ecological principles can be incorporated into the constitutional fabric. The State, as the main actor in the law-making process, plays an increasingly important role in balancing ecological and economic justice. State obligations are no longer limited in guaranteeing (civil) rights and safety of its citizens, but also a duty to protect the surrounding ecosystems. Innovations made in this instance includes, for example, legal personhood for natural entities such as rivers and mountains. This sub-theme highlights how democracy and constitutionalism can be re-imagined in order to properly deal with climate and ecological crises in the transition era.

Corporations as one of the main economic actors in the transition era are also responsible in ensuring the balance between ecological and economic justice. Corporations, particularly multinational ones, are often very powerful actors that sometimes even rival the power of States, and corporations act not only as producers of goods and services in this instance, but also as consumers and distributors. The ever-increasing power of corporations in the transition era also brings heightened obligations to uphold social and environmental justice, which includes among others, mitigating environmental harm, and contributing to sustainable development goals. Thus corporations need to shift from unsustainable profit-maximizing orientation towards a more equitable and sustainable orientation in the long term. Corporate involvement is not only limited to business processes within the company itself, but also includes discussions on how the company carries out its responsibilities towards the environment and surrounding communities. This sub-theme focuses on how the role of corporations as economic actors determine and map the extent of the role of corporations in realizing balanced ecological and economic justice.

Many vulnerable groups, such as indigenous communities, migrants, children, ethnic, religious and sexual minorities faced numerous new problems in the transition era. Massive transformations during this era, from the emergence of new technologies, escalation of geopolitical conflicts to the climate crisis, often disregard the interests and needs of these groups. Structural inequality in the transition era not only persists, but also exacerbated by these new developments. While there are growing visibilities on the struggles of vulnerable groups, overall their protection is often uneven, and the participation of state actors in protecting vulnerable groups is often lacking. Sometimes, state actors even sacrificed vulnerable groups in favor of majoritarian interest. This sub-theme focuses on how existing policies, frameworks and legal mechanisms can be changed and reformed to better protect vulnerable groups.

This theme explores the intersection of gender equity, environmental protection, and sustainable development. It highlights how environmental issues and climate change disproportionately affect gender differentiation. We invite critical reflections and innovative solutions that address structural inequalities, promote gender-responsive environmental policies, and support sustainable practices grounded in social and ecological justice. Contributions may focus on grassroots activism, policy frameworks, community resilience, feminist ecologies, indigenous knowledge systems, and interdisciplinary strategies for transformative change.

Presently one of the many challenges faced by countries in the Global South is mass deforestation and general environmental degradation caused by developmental projects. These activities are often perpetrated by powerful corporations with the approval of both local and national governments. Governments usually prioritized rapid economic growth over environmental protections, which shields the perpetrators and effectively gives them impunities for environmental crimes. Climate litigation, as one of the efforts used to prevent excessive destruction to the environment, increasingly relies on the judiciary to advance climate justice. Climate litigation is very broad, and ranges from criminal law, constitutional law, private law, administrative law, and even human rights law. However, the effectiveness of climate litigation relies on several factors, such as the existence of an independent judiciary, equipped with sufficient legal frameworks and expertise about environmental law, which includes international instruments and other evidence. Thus, strengthening independent judiciary and empowering access to justice is necessary counterbalance to check excessive development and environmental degradation.

In the context of increasing environmental disasters and worsening inequalities globally, it is very clear that countries cannot act alone in addressing such problems, especially in dealing with climate change. In this case, many are increasingly relying on international mechanisms as a collective effort in dealing with global problems. UNCTAD in the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2025 recognizes the interconnected crisis of inequality, debt, and climate change. Developing countries are often disadvantaged in the current international order, especially in international economic, investment and trade laws, and weaker bargaining power, especially during geopolitical conflicts. While recently there are new developments in international law to ensure ecological and economic justice such as the BBNJ Agreement and UNGA Resolution recognizing the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, significant challenges remain in ensuring that international norms and soft laws translate into effective action.