The Congress of Ecological and Economic Scientific Circles (Polish: Kongres Ekologicznych i Ekonomicznych Kół Naukowych - KEEKS) 2024, providing a forum for discussing the key challenges of our time, brought together science and sustainability enthusiasts at the Faculty of Economics during two science-filled days, i.e. April 24 and 25, 2024.

The 8th Congress of Ecological and Economic Scientific Circles was an important element of the project 'We zero emissions - knowledge transfer (from) the University of Gdańsk', co-financed by the Provincial Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Gdańsk and the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management.

The Rector of the University of Gdańsk, prof. dr hab. Piotr Stepnowski, assumed honorary patronage of the Congress. The event was held under the patronage of the Center for Student and Doctoral Student Activity, the Centre for Sustainable Development, the University Newspaper and Radio Mors.

The organisation of the Congress involved the Scientific Circle of Chemical Business, the Scientific Circle of International Finance, the Scientific Circle of HaZet, the Scientific Circle of Economic Policy, the Scientific Circle of START-UP Entrepreneurship, the Maritime Scientific Circle, the Scientific Circle of Logistics, the All-University Scientific Circle of Digital and Analogue Games ‘UGranie’ and the Student Business Club.

During this year's KEEKS, the main topics of discussion centred around the issues of zero-carbon and sustainability. Presentations and panel discussions led by students brought these issues closer to the numerous participants and indicated potential solution paths.

During the Congress:

• 15 lectures were delivered (12 student presentations and 3 expert lectures), which were listened to by a total of approximately 450 participants,
• the results of the film competition were announced, honouring 6 grand prize winners,
• an interactive field game was conducted,
• a lecture was given in English.

All this was possible thanks to the involvement of 9 scientific circles from 3 faculties of the University of Gdańsk and more than 80 students, including 6 session moderators, as well as scientific circle supervisors and project team members.

On April 24, 2024, the first session of the Congress addressed issues such as the challenges faced by companies reducing CO2 emissions, how to measure carbon footprint, the impact of green challenges on consumer behaviour, and the use of drones in direct transport.

The results of student surveys on environmental anxiety among Tricity residents, indicating little awareness of how to measure one's own carbon footprint, were addressed by Joanna Kotowicz, a manager in the ESG Public Programmes Department at PKO BP, sharing her experience of building public awareness in this area during a speech entitled 'How to measure a carbon footprint'.

The second part of the Congress dealt with issues relevant to entrepreneurship: economic freedom and interventionism in economic theory and practice, the development of the photovoltaic panel market, the impact of the Green Deal on the future of Polish agriculture, and the reverse charge in VAT in relation to trading in greenhouse gas emission rights.

The third panel dealt with issues of consumer safety and freedom of decision: awareness of 'fast fashion', the impact on purchasing decisions, short-term rentals in the housing market, socio-economic challenges related to the electrification of road transport, including aspects of consumer choice of electric cars, the issue of maritime piracy in the context of international trade security and ecological decision-making aspects of board games.

During the first day of the Congress, the film competition 'Pollution emissions - human, animal, plant environment' was adjudicated.

Prizes and diplomas were presented to the winners by the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education Quality, dr hab. Arnold Kłonczyński, prof. UG, who supported all students with his presence during the scientific sessions of the Congress.

The KEEKS 2024 film competition was adjudicated.

The expert keynote on the first day of the Congress was a speech by Wojciech Tyborowski from Invest in Pomerania, who comprehensively presented the issue of ‘Environmental protection and the strategy of acquiring investments in the Pomeranian Voivodeship’.

On the other hand, the ‘UGranie’ scientific association organised a stand at the Faculty of Economics that day, where it was possible to play pro- and anti-environmental and economic games with association members.

The second day of the Congress started with an educational urban field game ‘In search of the carbon footprint’. The game attracted a large number of participants, including students from various faculties as well as schoolchildren. Hidden QR codes, when scanned, led to very interesting questions relating to carbon footprint issues, broadening knowledge on reducing carbon emissions in the atmosphere and reducing carbon footprints. Interactive elements were key to the gameplay, as participants had to provide correct answers using special cards.

The congress culminated with an expert lecture on 'Great myths of the Great Depression', which was given by Lawrence W. Reed at the invitation of the Student Business Club. The lecture provided a detailed insight into the economic and historical background of one of the landmark events in modern history that forever shaped the global economy. During the lecture, we learned, among other things, about the investments made during this difficult time for the world, such as the H. Hoover Dam, and about the economic determinants of the crisis.

The Congress was also an opportunity to learn about the important results of the scientific work of students active in scientific circles seeking answers to research questions related to the functioning of today's world. A world whose pace of development is determined by climate change, environmental change or ESG-related regulations. This is followed by the need to create awareness of the importance of taking care of the planet we live on.