Rethinking the System for Climate Action

November 8th, UNIL Amphimax

Not Just a Conference. A Catalyst.

Bilingual Event: English and French (talks' translation available)

What if the solutions to the climate crisis aren’t only technical — but relational, cultural, and systemic?

TEDxLausanne Countdown 2025 is more than talks. It’s where changemakers, creatives, scientists, entrepreneurs, and citizens gather to do something rare: connect deeply, rethink boldly, and act together.

This is Switzerland’s only TEDx Countdown Anchor Event, handpicked by TED among 18 events globally to shape the future of climate storytelling, prototype solutions, and contribute to TED Countdown's impact.

Inspiring Talks and Workshops

This year’s theme, Rethinking the System, brings together visionary thinkers and action-takers across energy, fashion, governance, water, and storytelling.

From decoding how to redesign prosperity, to sparking courage through intergenerational climate justice, each speaker offers not just insight — but a map forward.

In the afternoon, you’ll find hands-on spaces designed to unlock new perspectives — from debates and think tanks to collaborative labs or serious games like Daybreak and The SDG Game. You’ll meet startups, regenerative projects, and climate innovators already building the future — and leave with tools, allies, and ideas you can act on.

TEDxLausanne Countdown 2025

Rethinking the System for Climate Action

Bilingual event in English & French (talks' translation available)

Date

Saturday, November 8, 2025

15h00 Workshops
Hands-on labs to rethink climate actions

17h30 Evening Event
TEDx Talk and Networking Cocktail

Ticket Price

Evening Event:
89.– CHF

Evening Event + Workshops:
129.– CHF

Reduced price available for Student, AVS, AI, AC

Location

UNIL, Amphimax

Rte de la Sorge 9,

1015 Lausanne

Buy your ticket now

This is where Switzerland gets real about climate. Not just talk: strategy, actions, and community.”

(Damien Gauthier, TEDxLausanne)

Speakers

Timothée Parrique

Researcher in ecological economics at UNIL - University of Lausanne

Jonathan Normand

Ecosystem Pollinator, CEO Foundation B Lab (Switzerland)

Tatiana Fedotova

Changemaker & Aquapreneur

Yamina Saheb

CEO World Sufficiency Lab, lead author of the IPCC AR6

Arthur Keller

Expert in societal vulnerabilities to systemic risks and in implementing resilience strategies

Margaux Peltier

CEO & Co-Founder of Enerdrape

Olivier Stähli

CEO & Co-Founder of Synature

Jordan Bellatreche

Head of Business at SoHHytec

Viviana Nebuloni

Soprano, entrepreneur and cultural innovator

Workshops

Four parallel workshops from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Requires a “Evening Event+ Workshops” ticket.

Attention: "Action écologique et Jeux Vidéo" will be given in French.

Rethinking Mega-Events: Toward a Regenerative Olympics

Bloom Up – Workshop in English

Creative Writing / Ecriture Créative

Plume – Bilingual English & French

The Optimal Mix – Rethinking the Future of Mobility

UNIL, HEC Lausanne – Bilingual English & French

Action écologique et Jeux Vidéo

Eprouvette - UNIL – Workshop in French

Join the conversation

Meet Your Tribe. Find Your Allies.

You’re not alone. Meet a growing community hungry for clarity, purpose, and connection... and ready to act!

TEDxLausanne Countdown is your home for honest dialogue, unexpected solutions, and renewed hope.Come with your doubts. Leave with new questions, bold ideas, and people to walk the path with.

The Experience

Designed to challenge assumptions, provoke new thinking, and fuel meaningful action.

Afternoon: Workshops & Discovery

  • Hands-on labs for rethinking business, climate storytelling, and immersive eco-ideation
  • Debates and think-tanks to spark meaningful conversations and actionable change

Evening: TEDx Talks That Shift Perspectives

  • 6–7 powerful talks + intermission performance
  • Ideas challenging the status quo, stories grounded in impact, and ideas you can act on.

Night: Cocktail & Connection

  • Intimate networking with fellow changemakers, speakers, and partners
  • Meet startups, artists, and change initiatives from across Switzerland
  • Creative spaces to spark collaborations, share ideas, and build momentum

The Only TEDx Countdown Anchor Event in Switzerland

TEDxLausanne is proud to be among only 18 global Anchor Events selected by TED for Countdown 2025 — a recognition of our vision, community, and commitment to systemic change.

This isn’t just Lausanne’s event. It’s Switzerland’s stage in a global movement.

Meet Our Partners

Thank you to our partners for this edition!

Platinum Partners

The University of Lausanne (UNIL) welcomes around 17,000 students in an innovative, interdisciplinary academic environment focused on sustainability. With seven faculties, some of which are unique in Switzerland, it offers a wide range of courses and conducts cutting-edge research led by nearly 3,000 researchers. UNIL values collaboration and international exchange and is actively committed to a sustainable future, with a rich community of 128 nationalities.

Gold Partners

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Silver Partners

Give objects a new life and do your part for the planet! Recyclage Market is the place where every secondhand purchase is an eco-friendly choice. Discover a unique selection of furniture, extend its life, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Bronze Partners

Eau'Dyssée est une association de sensibilisation aux enjeux de l'eau qui concoit et diffuse des ateliers pédagogiques afin de permettre à un public large la compréhension des enjeux liés à l'eau dans le contexte de dérèglement climatique.Eau'Dyssée est notamment connue pour sa conception de l'atelier La Fresque de l'eau et plus récemment sur son nouveau workshop : Gouvernance qui permet d'appréhender le fonctionnement de la gouvernance de l'eau en France métropolitaine.

Muse Feminist is a premium hand-made and eco-conscious candle brand, dedicated to uplifting women through beautifully crafted, hand-poured candles that not only enhance your living space but also elevate your spirit. For the past 15 years, our founder Zori has been empowering and inspiring women through her work as a portrait photographer, dedicated to capturing the essence and strength of women. Today, she continues her mission of women empowerment into the craft of candle making.

Swiss Tallow stands for the revival of the oldest and healthiest skin care. Our products are made from pure beef tallow from Swiss pasture-raised cattle and contain no chemicals, microplastics or hormones. Tallow has the same fat structure as our skin, is absorbed particularly quickly and strengthens the skin barrier in the long term. Whether Pure, Lavender, Jojoba or our Sun Cream – every product is light and airy, pleasant, odourless and perfect for all skin types. Swiss Tallow stands for Swiss quality, naturalness and skin care that works and inspires.

Theodor Hadzhiyski

Explorer Partners

Almighty Tree is committed to sustainable forests and biodiversity in Switzerland. Since 2020, more than 60,000 trees have been planted with the support of individuals and companies to reconnect people with nature. The growth of the trees can be tracked using the Tree Tracker.

Dona Coffee is changing the world one sip at a time.
DONA’s goal is to celebrate and support women coffee farmers by offering only the best specialty coffees grown by these courageous women.

Klover is a Smart Organic Kombucha. Created by a team of enthusiasts and scientists, four tasty drinks is enriched with prebiotics and adaptogens, known for their multiple health benefits. A true alternative to overly sweet industrial sodas. Pass by and discover the first Smart Drink, made in Switzerland!

Photographers

Tulip Films is a full-service video production studio that turns your vision into motion. From concept and scripting through filming, editing and distribution, we deliver high-quality video content that engages audiences and drives results. We specialize in corporate videos, event coverage, commercials, drone footage, real estate visuals, and more, with a personal touch, fast delivery, and attention to detail.

Zori Art Portrait helps professionals and leaders show up with confidence and authenticity through business headshots and personal branding photography. Based in Chardonne (Vaud), Zori creates portraits that go beyond appearance — capturing presence, purpose, and the story behind each professional journey.

Workshops

bloomUp is a disruptive sustainability agency working at the crossroads of major sports events, corporate innovation, and non-profit impact. Our mission is to guide organisations toward a future that respects planetary boundaries, champions social justice, and unlocks new business opportunities. Through our 361° business approach, we help partners find the right balance between purpose and performance, reinforcing the creation of shared value.

Facilitation of the workshop "The Optimal Mobility Mix – Rethinking the Future of Mobility."

L’éprouvette, the Science and Society Laboratory at the University of Lausanne (Unil), aims to bring science closer to society by offering innovative and accessible activities in both the natural sciences and the humanities and social sciences. By emphasizing public debate and citizen participation, it stimulates critical thinking, informed dialogue, and engagement around major contemporary issues. These activities, aimed at a wide audience, take various forms (science workshops, science aperitifs, lively debates, guided tours, interactive conferences, etc.) and offer unique opportunities to understand, experience, and discuss science in a high-level university environment. In its desire to open up the university to citizens, L'éprouvette develops engaging formats that make scientific knowledge understandable, relevant, and useful to everyone (schools, children, families, adults, seniors, associations, and businesses).

PLUME is the EPFL-UNIL literature association. Our mission is simple: to promote writing and literary practice as a whole on campuses through an annual theater play, an annual album-concept, writing workshops every Tuesday and many other projects! Join our team of highly motivated writers who will take you down the rabbit hole of the art of writing!

Special Thanks

Global Shapers believe in a world where youth is central to policies & solutions for sustainable change. Through empowerment, respect, and meaningful impact, we help shape a better and lasting future.

With soon more than 1,000 rooms in Geneva, Lausanne, and Zurich, Hotels by Fassbind is the largest independent hotel chain in Switzerland. It is based in Lausanne. The hotels are close to train stations and are all 3- and 4-star establishments.

Impact Hub Lausanne is a workspace and innovation hub that supports entrepreneurs and change makers in creating positive impact. We offer a range of services, such as coworking spaces, events, training courses and entrepreneurial programmes providing access to mentoring and funding opportunities. All this in an iconic and historic location in the heart of the Olympic capital of Vaud, the Beaulieu Lausanne site, a vibrant hub for living and meeting people.

One-third of global food is wasted, contributing to significant CO₂ emissions, while 783 million people face hunger. The Lost Food Project (TLFP), aims to change this by rescuing surplus food and delivering it to charities supporting vulnerable communities. In Switzerland, where one in twelve people live below the poverty line, TLFP collects high-quality surplus food six days a week, reducing waste and environmental impact. Additionally, TLFP runs educational programs to raise awareness about food waste and inspire action. The TLFP mission is simple: We Rescue Food!

WRS (World Radio Switzerland) is a privately owned commercial radio station based in Geneva, Switzerland. WRS has been running since 1996. WRS started as World Radio Geneva - or WRG - and changed to WRS in 2007.

It broadcasts around Lake Geneva on DAB+, using a selection of different local transmitters. In Geneva you can find it by searching for WRS GE. In canton Vaud search for WRS VD, or in canton Valais you'll find WRS VS.

Join the Countdown

Rethinking the System: A Climate of Possibility

Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025

Location: UNIL Amphimax, Lausanne

Bilingual event in English & French

You're not only joining inspiring speakers, you're joining the global conversation on climate.

A Hub of Innovation and Inspiration

This is where change begins. Here, innovation meets inspiration, and passion converges with purpose, creating a fertile ground for the seeds of transformation.

In this vibrant and dynamic environment, individuals from all walks of life converge to drive positive impacts. Our TEDxLausanne stage will welcome talks on artificial intelligence, art, economy of the environment, personal growth, gender equality, to name a few.

In this lively and dynamic environment, participants, partners and speakers will exchange ideas over a cocktail reception and networking activities.

This event is not just a gathering; it's a catalyst for change, cultivating a brighter future for our world today and laying the foundation for the one we aspire to build tomorrow.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to be at the forefront of change. Secure your spot and join us for a day that promises to inspire, challenge, and spark the flame of transformation.

About TEDxLausanne

Since 2010, the TEDxLausanne community seeks to extend the TED experience at a regional level.

TEDxLausanne has hosted 17 events, given the opportunity to more than 100 amazing people to share their ideas through outstanding talks, thanks to the work of more than 200 volunteers and leading to hundreds of thousand views of our videos across the world.

> Discover the TEDx program

About TEDx

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.

Our event is called TEDxLausanne, where x = independently organized TED event. At our TEDxLausanne event, TED Talks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group.

The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.

Join our next event

At TEDx Lausanne, we hold a steadfast belief: true change begins by focusing on our immediate sphere of influence. We understand that effective systemic change is not solely an individual responsibility but a collective endeavor.

Together, let's explore the power of collective action and ignite the sparks of transformation.