Building a nature-positive economic recovery. How to prepare for the coming climate disruption. Keeping our cities efficiently warm. High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. Scaling up low-carbon energy: economic, geopolitical, and environmental impacts. Decarbonising transport and the role for flexibility. The role of green hydrogen in reaching zero emissions. Community energy resilience. Find out about these and more online events of the week!
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6 July, 10:00 – 11:30 AM and 4:00 – 5:30 PM CEST
“Realizing systems transformation – Business insights into WBCSD’s Vision 2050” (by World Business Council for Sustainable Development – WBCSD)
Together with 40 leading companies, WBCSD kicked off a process in 2019 to drive a collective, business-led effort to revisit its Vision 2050 – a landmark report issued a decade ago and focused on the opportunity for business to help unlock the transformations that are needed to allow over 9 billion people to live well, within the boundaries of the planet by mid-century.
The final Vision 2050 output aims to provide business with the positive, opportunity-based, action agenda it needs for the decade to come. This virtual session provides an opportunity to learn more about the work, hear executive perspective from business leaders, discuss on the back of the latest insights and obtain a recent overview with regard to the progress that has been made over the last few months, in particular in the challenging context of COVID-19.
6 July, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CEST
“A circular economy at the heart of climate action: how materials connect the dots in the EU Green Deal” (by European Parliament Intergroup on ‘Climate Change, Biodiversity & Sustainable Development)
With the European Green Deal and the European Climate Law, Europe is setting itself the ambitious goal of becoming climate neutral by 2050. However, relying on current climate policies alone – even if they are revised to increase ambition – will not be enough to meet this goal. Materials are still a major unaddressed climate challenge. Materials used to produce our cars, clothes, packaging and other consumer products, currently accounts nearly one-quarter of global CO₂ emissions from energy and industry. It has been estimated that emissions from materials used for packaging only are already larger than those for global aviation or shipping. A more circular economy – addressing not just how we produce but also how we use materials – can thus be a major part of the climate policy toolbox. This event is an opportunity to discuss how the circular economy can become an enabler for climate action.
6 July, 4:00 – 5:00 PM CEST
“The Global Status of Renewables – REN21’s 2020 Report” (by International Solar Energy Society – ISES)
Join the webinar in which REN21 will introduce their annual Renewabels 2020 Global Status Report. The Report is REN21’s longstanding publication that tracks worldwide trends and developments in renewable energy policy, markets and industries, energy access and contemporary issues, including system integration of renewables. You will hear an overview of the developments during 2019, demonstrating the leading role of solar energy in renewable energy uptake during the years.
6 July, 4:00 – 5:00 PM CEST
“The impact of COVID on the energy transition: Accelerator or retardant?” (by Carbon Tracker and International Renewable Energy Agency – IRENA)
The COVID-19 crisis has disrupted the global economy and shaken the fossil fuel system. Global governments have committed trillions to recovery and have created a space for policymakers and institutions to put in place a sustainable energy system. IRENA will present its latest analysis on COVID-19 and the energy transition and Carbon Tracker will present findings from their latest report “Decline and Fall: the size and vulnerability of the fossil fuel system”.
7 – 16 July
“High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2020” (by UN DESA Division for Sustainable Development Goals)
The theme of this year’s event is “Accelerated action and transformative pathways: realizing the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development”. The 2020 Forum (HLPF) will take stock of where we stand on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, taking into account the impact of COVID-19 on the SDGs. It will reflect on how to respond to the pandemic in a way that puts us back on track to realize the 2030 Agenda and accelerate progress towards the SDGs for the coming ten years. It will discuss international solidarity and multilateral action to realize the 2030 Agenda at this time of crises. Many side events are to take place in conjunction with the Forum.
See full programme, including list of virtual side events, here.
All informal plenary meetings of the Forum and High-level Segment of UN’s Economic and Social Council will have a live webcast here.
7 July, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM CEST
“Virtual Industry Transition Day” (by World Economic Forum)
The Industry Transition Day will convene leaders, communities and the general public online from across the global industry transition and climate space, and will raise ambition for the industry transition towards net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. See the programme here. You can watch all of the dialogues livestreamed on weforum.org.
7 July, 9:30 – 10:45 AM CEST
“Re-starting the EU economy – How can industry contribute to a resilient and sustainable recovery?” (by Euractiv)
How can policymakers help create planning security for companies, including European SMEs, leading to renewed investment and increased productivity? Has the Corona crisis damaged the internal market? If yes, what needs fixing? Are the selected 14 ecosystems the right choice to achieve the objectives of the Green Deal and a digital and resilient economy? Strategic autonomy vs open economy: Can business models depending on exports survive? Join this virtual conference to discuss the future of Europe’s industrial policy and how stronger industrial competitiveness can help accomplish a successful restart of the EU economy.
7 July, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CEST
“Unravelling South Africa’s Just Transition: Stakeholder Perspectives” (by Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies)
South Africa, a coal-intensive economy, has initiated a transition to a more sustainable development pathway. This is centred on the energy sector. In a highly unequal society like South Africa, the need for a just transition which would empower vulnerable stakeholders has emerged as an imperative. Yet tensions remain, which hinder an inclusive process and outcomes. Part of the early process is forming a unified understanding and pathway that is inclusive and just. What do stakeholders mean when they talk about a just transition? How can South Africa achieve a just transition? This dialogue explores stakeholder perspectives from government, the private sector, the labour movement and civil society.
7 July, 12:30 – 2:00 PM CEST
“Protecting the Environment in Situations of Armed Conflict” (by Geneva Academy)
Armed conflicts can lead to environmental degradation or destruction (such as the contamination of land and soil) with effects frequently extending over large areas, including to water resources, thus contributing to the increased vulnerability of the affected populations that can last for years and even decades. This online talk will provide an overview of the rules of international law providing protection to the natural environment and seeking to limit the damage caused by it, as well as of initiatives aimed at clarifying and/or reinforcing such rules. Panelists will also discuss avenues for the criminalization of prohibited behaviours, notably through the crime of ecocide.
7 July, 1:30 – 2:30 PM CEST (5:00 PM IST)
“The Road to Recovery with India’s First Green Window” (by Council on Energy, Environment and Water – CEEW)
As India prepares for its economic recovery post the pandemic, a huge strategic opportunity lies in greening financial flows and investing in green projects in the country. This will ensure that new assets create sustainable clean jobs, are good for the air quality and the environment, and increase India’s energy independence as aligned with the Government’s Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. The webinar will highlight how catalytic green finance mechanisms can make a strong impact on accelerating India’s clean energy transformation. Register here.
7 July, 2:00 – 3:00 PM CEST
“Tracking SDG 7: Progress towards achieving universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all” (by IRENA, IEA, World Bank, WHO and UNSD)
Following the high-level launch of the Tracking SDG 7: the Energy Progress Report, this event aims for a more in-depth discussion on the data and findings of the report. It will further be focusing on national and international measures needed to safeguard the gains already attained to achieve SDG 7 while accelerating efforts in the post-COVID-19 world. Country representatives will be invited to comment on the report and present their plans/response measures and needs to achieve SDG 7 during the coming decade of action. Register here.
7 July, 2:00 – 3:00 PM CEST
“Solar for Airports in Africa” (by Africa Solar Industry Association)
In this webinar airport operators in Africa will learn how their airport can benefit from solar energy. They will also learn about technical considerations for smooth and secure integration of solar. Finally, they will get tips on how to get such solar project financed and even how to make the solar project generate revenue for the airport. Register here.
7 July, 2:00 – 4:30 PM CEST (8:00 AM EST)
“Building a Clean and Resilient Recovery from the COVID-19 Crisis” (United Kingdom Mission to UN and World Resources Institute)
During this virtual discussion, speakers will showcase concrete opportunities for policymakers, the public sector and civil society to use climate action to support rapid and inclusive recovery from COVID-19, framed around the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement on climate change. They will assess how countries can deliver enhanced national climate commitments and long-term climate strategies in the lead-up to COP26, and measures to strengthen adaptation and resilience to future shocks. Register here.
7 July, 3:00 – 3:30 PM CEST
“The role of green hydrogen in reaching zero emissions” (by International Renewable Energy Agency – IRENA)
Hydrogen from renewable power (green hydrogen) has been considered key element for the energy transition. Hydrogen technologies have been enjoying unprecedented momentum with a growing evidence in terms of their decreased costs and increased performance that, in addition to decreasing costs of renewable power, suggest they are becoming an attractive option to decarbonise global energy systems. While in the past the major application consideration favoured the road-transport sector, recently the debate surrounding hydrogen has evolved and shifted towards all hard-to-decarbonise sectors. Following the IRENA’s 2019 report ‘Hydrogen: A renewable energy perspective’, this webinar will provide a more in-depth perspective on hydrogen’s strategic considerations, its nexus with renewable energy, its economics and trade.
7 July, 3:00 – 3:45 PM CEST
“Renewable energy: Financing the future” (by WindEurope)
As wind energy continues to expand and mature, new financing strategies will emerge for projects and their associated infrastructure. Project finance has been one of the preferred options for offshore wind projects up today. Companies are starting to issue green bonds to finance their portfolio expansion. But as projects become larger, more complex, and competition tightens, new financing structures, expertise and partners will be needed to deliver them. What would be the future of finance for projects combining generation and transmission connecting two or more countries? Or for projects combining generation from wind, solar PV and battery storage? How electrolisers will be financed with wind projects?
7 July, 3:00 – 4:00 PM CEST
“Integrating Bifacial PV trackers and automated cleaning at extreme desert locations” (by ATA Insights)
Solar plants are often located in regions with extreme weather and PV trackers must be designed to withstand the challenge. Projects in this kind of extreme locations have been the proving ground of standard tracker features and cost-effective innovation that resolves customer challenges like high temperatures and extreme winds. In this webinar you will analyze in detail the technical parameters that trackers need to be able to withstand in extreme weather conditions.
7 July, 3:00 – 4:00 PM CEST
“Building Flood Resilience in a Changing Climate: Insights from the United States, Germany and England” (by Geneva Association)
Floods are among the most costly weather-related events globally and an urgent and growing risk for society. Economic losses associated with floods are on the rise due to the effects of climate change, land-use planning and development practices. Floods and other extreme weather-related events are a special threat in light of COVID-19, with government resources for emergency management and socio-economic recovery already stretched. Join leading international experts on flood risk for a discussion of The Geneva Association’s forthcoming, major series of studies. The studies offer a comprehensive look at flood risk management in the United States, Germany and England, factoring in the changing risk landscape.
7 July, 3:00 – 4:30 PM CEST
“Sustainability After COVID-19: Fiscal policies to green the recovery” (by Green Growth Knowledge Partnership)
Why does sustainability need to be at the core of the COVID-19 recovery and how green are current COVID-19 stimulus packages? How can green fiscal policies deliver on short-term and long-term national priorities for a green and inclusive COVID-19 recovery? How can good green fiscal policy design address sensitive political economy challenges and just transition concerns? Join the webinar to hear speakers from IMF, University of Oxford and Vivid Economics.
7 July, 4:00 – 5:00 PM CEST
“Decarbonising transport and the role for flexibility” (by Carbon Trust)
This webinar is a part of Future Energy Systems webinar series discussing the role of flexibility in an energy system and its importance in achieving net zero targets in the United Kingdom. The delivery of future net zero energy systems will require radically different ways of doing things, including novel technologies, new habits for consumers, new business models, new collaborations and new regulatory and governance frameworks. The webinar will explore decarbonising transport and the role for flexibility, and provide the opportunity to hear different perspectives from confirmed speakers from the Carbon Trust, UK Power Networks and EDF Energy.
7 July, 4:00 – 5:30 PM CEST (10:00 AM EST)
“Scaling up low-carbon energy: Economic, geopolitical, and environmental impacts” (by Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
The energy sector is facing unprecedented challenges, with the global Covid-19 pandemic complicating an already challenging transition toward a low-carbon future. One of the key elements in addressing both the current pandemic and climate change is with forward-looking collaborations in technology development and innovation. Join the webinar to hear and discuss with the experts so together we will be able to better navigate these difficult times for a successful transition to a sustainable energy future after the current crisis.
7 July, 4:00 – 5:30 PM CEST (10:00 AM EST)
“Build Back Better: How to Prepare for the Coming Climate Disruption” (by World Resources Institute – WRI)
WRI is convening experts across sectors and geographies to provide insights about how to shift to a more sustainable and equitable model after COVID-19. Tune in to the webinar to engage in a conversation about the pandemic’s long-term implications and how recovery can support a range of environmental, economic, social and health benefits.
7 July, 5:00 – 6:00 PM CEST (11:00 AM EST)
“The Resilient Recovery Series: Climate Finance for a Sustainable Future” (by World Bank)
The COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping the world’s financial system and having a huge impact on companies and employment. As many countries begin to look to recovery, investment in climate-friendly strategies carries the potential to boost growth and create new jobs. How can we place sustainability at the heart of investment and business strategies and support a low-carbon future? It’s a business plan that’s not only positive for the environment, but also good for people and profitability. Join the discussion with senior advisor for climate finance at the International Finance Corporation on the role of investors, businesses and financial institutions in building a new, more sustainable economic model.
7 July, 9:00 – 10:00 PM CEST (3:00 PM EST)
“The Global Impact of Climate Change” (by Yale International Alliance)
Climate change connects us all – the magnitude of its effects on the interdependency between the global environment and human society may jeopardize our survival as a species in the not-too-distant future. And yet efforts to mitigate the looming risk of climate change are often uncoordinated and conflicting, differing from country to country and industry to industry. What does it mean to be a Global Citizen in the face of this reality? This panel will discuss how we can use interdependence of our own to counter the threat that climate change poses and the role that Global Citizenship can – and should – play in tackling this vital issue.
8 July, 10:00 – 11:15 AM CEST
“Iraq: Climate, Water & Conflict in 2020” (by Planetary Security Initiative)
Iraq is among the most vulnerable countries in the region when it comes to climate change and water scarcity. Over the last two decades, the situation deteriorated dramatically, affecting health, livelihoods and the broader socio-economic situation in the South. In this webinar, you will hear discussion about climate and water security in Iraq in 2020 against the current political and security situation. Natural resource scarcity will also be discussed in the light of ‘lessons learned’ from the protests 2017-2019. The focus will be at what can be done to reverse the situation and finding sustainable solutions on the management of natural resources.
8 July, 10:00 – 11:30 AM CEST
“From purpose to action: integrating sustainability into strategic outcomes” (by World Business Council for Sustainable Development)
For businesses to reach the scale at the pace needed for “deep transformative change” by 2030, they will need to start “sprinting” in 2020. For a company, this likely means revisiting historical sustainability objectives, refining their strategies, and to signal a demonstrated commitment through an aggressive set of proposed actions across their business functions. To raise their ambitions, businesses need to carefully define and deliver solutions that can effectively catalyse into business opportunities and concrete outcomes aligned across multiple ESG factors and SDGs. This interactive session will share insights from companies that have embarked in the journey of redefining their purpose and strategy. This will be an opportunity to learn from their experience and best practices, and discover how they are translating purpose into action and strategy into outcomes.
8 July, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM CEST
“How to set-up a One-Stop-Shop for home energy renovation?” (by Energy Cities)
The webinar will present the final results and conclusions of Innovate, a 3-years EU-funded project whose main objective is to develop and roll-out One-Stop-Shop (OSS) for home energy renovation in 11 targeted territories. Through an interactive discussion, the various partners involved in the project will give practical recommendations to newcomers on how to set-up a OSS and will present what really matters when starting a one-stop-shop project. The inspiring experience of Innovate partners will give answers to questions such as: what do we mean by OSS? What different OSS business model have been identified and tested? What are their (dis)advantages? How to design your own business model and business plan? Where to start and what to expect when setting-up a OSS?
8 July, 1:00 – 3:00 PM CEST
“Insurance Sustainable Development Goals (iSDGs)” (by UN Environment Programme’s Principles for Sustainable Insurance Initiative and Swiss Re)
Currently, many insurance products and solutions already support achieving the SDGs but the industry lacks a systematic mapping of such products and solutions, a clear narrative, and methods to measure impact. There is also a lack of understanding on the types of insurance products and solutions needed—both existing and new—to support the achievement of various SDGs, and how such products and solutions can be developed and brought to scale. Finally, there are no global goals or targets for the insurance industry linking its insurance portfolios to the SDGs. In this vein, the UN’s Decade of Action offers an unprecedented opportunity for the global insurance industry to scale up action and impact through a set of “Insurance Sustainable Development Goals” that would harness insurance products and solutions to help achieve the SDGs.
8 July, 3:00 – 4:30 PM CEST (9:00 AM EST)
“Transport pricing” (by Initiative for Climate Action Transparency)
From the webinar series ICAT Assessment Guides. The transport sector is responsible for approximately 18% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and experts predict that economic growth could cause transport activity to double by 2050. This webinar will explain how policymakers and technical experts can use the Assessment Guide for Transport Pricing to assess the GHG impacts of their transport pricing policies and actions at various levels of governance. Featuring exclusive presentations from Indonesia and India, the webinar will showcase how the Guides have been applied by governments and non-state actors to advance their national climate goals.
8 July, 4:00 – 5:00 PM CEST
“Green finance for a climate-resilient post-COVID-19 recovery” (by RFF-CMCC European Institute on Economics and the Environment)
The COVID-19 crisis can be seen as a wake-up call for our social and financial system to be better prepared for the long-term climate crisis. Today’s financial interventions, while addressing the short-term health and economic urgencies linked to the pandemic, must think about the chronic climate crisis to design a resilient and green recovery. Forgetting of the global climate emergency in such a crucial moment for financial investments would mean to lose the opportunity to reverse the previous pattern, locking us into long-term unsustainable investments and moving the world away from the possibility to meet the Paris Agreement’s goals.
8 July, 7:00 – 8:00 PM CEST (1:00 PM EST)
“Local Government Clean Energy Trends and Resources” (by EPA Green Power Partnership)
Cities are a core driver of climate change, accounting for more than 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions and over two-thirds of energy consumption. Because of this, cities have the opportunity to be on the forefront of tackling climate change by leading the charge to renewable energy. In fact, more and more U.S. cities have set and started acting upon their own clean energy goals. This webinar will highlight local government clean energy trends across the U.S. and showcase the Renewables Accelerator’s Local Government Renewables Action Tracker along with other tools and resources to help cities move forward on procuring clean energy themselves.
8 July, 7:00 – 8:00 PM CEST (1:00 PM EST)
“Covering Climate, COVID, and Environmental Justice: A Journalists’ Roundtable” (by Society of Environmental Journalists)
At this moment of reckoning — with COVID-19, climate change and racial inequality — it has never been more clear that ensuring a safe environment for all requires recognizing that this inequity increases people’s vulnerability to climate change, disease and disaster. Through reporting on environmental injustice, journalists can help the public understand these linkages and share the experiences of under-represented communities with a wider audience. At the same time, the news industry is beginning to reckon with its own history of structural inequality and ongoing racism within the newsroom, which have helped to marginalize the concept of environmental justice and the reporters who cover it.
8 July, 8:00 – 9:00 PM CEST (11:00 Pacific Time)
“Community Energy Resilience: Resilient Schools, Safe Communities” (by Clean Coalition)
In this webinar, discussions will focus on solar+storage applications and microgrids for school and community needs. These technologies have the ability provide schools with significant financial benefits while simultaneously providing a resource for backup power during grid outages.
9 July, 4:00 – 5:00 AM CEST (10:00 AM Singapore)
“A Practitioner’s Guide to Implementing Solar Rooftop Programs and Navigating Net-Metering Policies” (by USAID Clean Power Asia, Hawaii Natural Energy Institute and U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory – NREL)
What are the key steps and considerations for implementing solar rooftop programs and policies in Southeast Asia? What are different options for net-metering policies and how have they worked in countries around the world? Join to find out.
9 July, 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM CEST
“Stakeholder webinar on the European strategy for offshore renewable energy” (by European Commission, DG Energy)
The webinar covered the following questions: the future EU strategy on offshore renewable energy, the deployment and integration of offshore renewable energy in the future European energy system, sustainable management of maritime space and resources, strengthening European industrial and technological leadership in offshore renewable, building a social and inclusive growth through offshore renewable energy takeoff.
9 July, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM CEST
“Urban heat adaptation in Southern, Central and Northern Europe” (by CLARITY for Climate Resilience)
Urban heat waves in Europe: current situation, and future scenarios. Rapid assessment of the heat related risks at a 500m scale in over 400 European regions. Expert study results: detailed analysis for three regions in the southern (Naples, Italy), central (Linz, Austria) and northern Europe (Stockholm and Jonkopping, Sweden).
9 July, 12:00 – 3:15 PM CEST
“Clean Energy Transitions Summit” (by International Energy Agency – IEA)
The Summit will build momentum behind the development and implementation of policies that can help countries create jobs, put greenhouse gas emissions into a structural decline and increase energy sector resilience. It will bring together ‘a grand coalition’ of ministers, top energy CEOs, major investors and other key leaders from the public and private sectors from around the world. The high level virtual dialogue will review both near-term actions for sustainable recovery and government action to accelerate clean energy technology innovation for reaching long-term decarbonisation plans.
9 July, 12:30 – 2:00 PM CEST
“How to ensure a Just Transition towards net zero? State of play from Scotland, New Zealand, France and the UK” (by Scottish Government’s Paris Hub)
This webinar will present the Scottish approach to climate change and the just transition, and also explore the experiences of the the French, New Zealand and UK’s respective work in these areas. With the EU’s Just Transition Mechanism launched in January 2020 – the first on the roadmap of initiatives outlined under the European Green Deal – this event intends to share Scotland’s perspective on the concept of ‘just transition’. It will also outline the concrete steps Scotland is taking to ensure our shift to a climate neutral future happens in a way that promotes inclusive growth, cohesion and equality.
9 July, 2:00 – 3:30 PM CEST
“Paris minus the SDGs: a formula for inequality?” (by Stockholm Environment Institute – SEI)
The goals of the Paris Agreement intersect both positively and negatively with the SDGs; progress on climate goals can therefore either help or hinder progress on the SDGs. The success of both can be helped by policy coherence, wherein countries promote synergies and address conflicts in the implementation of both the Paris Agreement and Agenda 2030.
9 July, 3:00 – 3:45 PM CEST
“Wind energy: Tomorrow’s technology” (by WindEurope)
Wind turbines are rapidly changing: increased power, larger blades, new electrical configurations. In the onshore sector, +5 MW turbines are becoming more common. In the offshore sector there are more and more +10 MW solutions. And it is not just about the turbine. Wind farm configuration is as important. We have recently seen the importance of wake effects in energy yields. And the choice in cables, the design of the transformer station and additional equipment is extremely important to reduce costs and maximize the power output. What will the wind energy technology look like, 20 years from now? How are we going to be operating those wind farms? Are we expecting incremental changes or radical transformation? Industry experts will help uncovering some of these questions in this webinar.
9 July, 3:00 – 4:00 PM CEST
“Pandemics/Epidemics, Drought and Agriculture: Building back better” (by Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture – WASAG, Integrated Drought Management Programme – IDMP and UNCCD Drought Initiative)
This webinar will discuss the pathways through which drought vulnerable groups have been hit by COVID-19 and left behind during the lockdown. It will raise the point that they must not also be left out of the global green recovery. You will also hear discussion on what are the options and policy recommendations for an inclusive green recovery, as well as on ways to identify and mitigate the unintended economic and health consequences of the COVID-19 response and how to include drought vulnerable groups in COVID-19 decision-making and management by ensuring targeted messaging reaches all drought vulnerable groups.
9 July, 3:00 – 4:00 PM CEST
“Grid Edge Solutions to accelerate renewable deployment in islands and remote communities” (by ATA Insights)
Island and remote community power grids rely on diesel and heavy fuel oil to meet electricity demand. The declining cost of renewable generation and battery energy storage systems (BESS) offers new energy options. This webinar explores how the combination of BESS and smart automation systems unlocks lower-cost energy while increasing the use of renewables in remote areas and islands.
9 July, 3:00 – 4:00 PM CEST (9:00 AM EST)
“Europe’s Green Recovery” (by Harvard Project on Climate Agreements)
Mauro Petriccione will discuss approaches to ensuring that Europe’s economic-recovery packages advance a green agenda – reduced greenhouse-gas emissions, reduced air and water pollution, and long-term sustainable development on the basis of a circular economy. Mr. Petriccione is Director-General for Climate Action in the European Commission.
9 July, 3:00 – 4:00 PM CEST (9:00 AM EST)
“The Journey of the Global Environment Facility: Delivering Transformational Change” (by World Resources Institute – WRI)
We are living beyond the carrying capacity of our planet, putting human systems and natural systems on a collision course: COVID-19 is a manifestation of this fact. The fundamental cure and prevention for this will be to change how we live, eat, move, produce and consume. How can we protect nature and combat climate change while rebuilding our economies?
9 July, 3:00 – 4:30 PM CEST (6:30 PM IST)
“Accelerating inclusive farmer-led irrigation development: a sustainable approach to reaching scale” (by International Water Management Institute, World Bank and Global Water Partnership)
This webinar will: (1) discuss the various aspects of sustainability and potential trade-offs for farmer-led irrigation (FLI) development, (2) discuss innovative approaches to ensure water access remains equitable to all water users as FLI development is accelerated, (3) introduce innovations for sustainable use of water resources during FLI scale-up.
9 July, 3:30 – 5:30 PM CEST
“Latin America Outlook for PV. Investment Opportunities for Solar Energy in post COVID-19 scenarios” (by Global Solar Council and Energía Estratégica)
“Build back better” is fast becoming a hashtag-friendly mantra for the need to seize the opportunity presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the suffering and tragedy it has inflicted, and put in place policies and actions to boost sustainable development and create new investment opportunities. During the webinar, experts will provide an in-depth analysis of the outlook for PV energy in Latin America in post COVID-19 scenarios. The event will explore solar energy investment opportunities in Latin America, public auctions and bilateral contracts.
9 July, 4:00 – 5:00 PM CEST
“Is this drought normal? How Earth Observation data can help you understand drought hazard and benchmark your risk” (by European Space Agency)
Drought is one of the main natural causes of agricultural, economic, and environmental damage. The effects of drought on the environment and agriculture are evident after a long period with a shortage of precipitation, making it very difficult to determine the onset of drought, its extent and end. The Earth Observation (EO) time-series datasets can build understanding about the scale of effects associated with different drought impacts, helping to develop early food security assessments in specific geographic areas or contingency planning and emergency preparedness for future shocks in a country. It can also improve understanding of the drivers and causes of food insecurity in areas and identify which investments or risk management strategies are best. The webinar will present how Earth Observation data with different spatial and temporal resolution can provide information on drought events.
9 July, 4:00 – 5:30 PM CEST
“Report Launch: Zero Carbon Buildings 2050” (by European Climate Foundation)
This report (by CE Delft and Climact) makes an assessment of the emission reduction potential of building renovation, a switch to fossil free heating fuels, improved appliance efficiency and the use of decarbonised building materials to bring the emissions of the sector to zero by 2050. The report further analyses the adequacy of existing EU policies on buildings and concludes that there is a lack of effective policies in areas with the largest emission reduction potential. It therefore proposes that policy makers put in place new pricing and regulatory policies for building renovation, heat fuel switch and decarbonised materials.
9 July, 7:00 – 8:30 PM CEST (1:00 PM EST)
“Beyond Divestment: Climate Change Strategies for Endowments” (by Principles for Responsible Investment – PRI and International Endowments Network – IEN)
University and college endowments and foundations face continued calls to divest from fossil fuels. While the merits of divestment are debated, questions remain as to what a comprehensive strategy to manage climate-related risks and opportunities looks like and what actions should be employed – from climate scenario analysis and its implications for asset allocation, to manager selection and stewardship. This webinar will explore the investment implications of climate change and highlight tools and resources endowments can leverage to develop a thoughtful climate strategy. You will hear from several endowments on the multipronged approaches they’ve implemented to manage climate-related risks, invest in opportunities and align endowment investments with organizational missions. Watch online here.
10 July, 10:00 – 11:30 AM CEST
“Keeping our cities efficiently warm” (by KeepWarm Project)
The EU-funded project KeepWarm aims to accelerate cost-effective investments in the modernisation of district heating systems (DHS), particularly in Central and Eastern Europe where DHSs are often still old, inefficient and remain overly reliant on fossil fuels. The focus of the first international webinar will look into relevant examples from three of KeepWarm’s target countries, namely: Austria, Czech Republic and Ukraine. Even though the common thread in all three cases will be about DHS-efficiency retrofits, the contexts to be presented still offer sufficient variety for distinct perspectives.
10 July, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM CEST
“Intergenerational approaches to promote sustainable mobility” (by CIVITAS ECCENTRIC Project)
European cities facing several challenges when it comes to their senior citizens. While this population group is growing, it is key to enable and empower them to move around the city independently and sustainably. This practitioner’s webinar brings you two experiences from different cities (Munich and Madrid) who have rolled out sustainable urban mobility projects that target the elderly and youth, that bring generations together, and that promote self-determined mobility and sustainability. Learn from speakers how to combine sustainable mobility, climate protection and internet education for seniors with the help from high school students. Register here.
10 July, 12:30 – 1:30 PM CEST (4:00 PM IST)
“Opportunities for Solar Heat in India” (by ATA Insights)
In this webinar, some of the most experienced experts and industry executives will share their experiences on the solar heat for industrial processes (SHIP) market in the India. Assess the size of the opportunity for solar heat in India, considering its energy need for industrial heat, the growth of renewables going forward, and the policies that are driving this technology forward. Learn about the potential of RESCOs (renewable energy service companies) to promote market development – listen to real case studies about payback time and calculate the amount of fuel you can displace by deploying these systems. Hear expert advice on new policies that can accelerate to the deployment of SHIP projects in India – consider the impact of the recent fall in fossil fuel prices in the future development and financing of SHIP projects
10 July, 2:00 – 3:30 PM CEST
“Introducing nature-based solutions and UrbanByNature in the Caucasus” (by UrbanByNature and ICLEI)
This webinar is part of an innovative facilitated capacity-building and expertise-sharing programme to lift the barriers to urban nature and set our cities and towns on a sustainable course. The webinar will provide insight into the working mode of UrbanByNature. It will outline how you as participants can benefit and learn how to plan nature based solutions to protect, sustainably manage and restore urban ecosystems. You will be helped to find ways to address major challenges that cities face today, for example climate change impacts, promoting food and water security and preventing natural disasters. The discussion should also help you in identifying how it benefits human well-being, health and biodiversity in your city and enable you to strategically plan for and make use of these benefits.
10 July, 3:00 – 4:00 PM CEST
“Building a Nature-Positive Economic Recovery” (by WWF, OECD, EDF and World Bank)
As governments put in place recovery/stimulus packages, this crisis could be turned into an opportunity to change our relationship with nature. How could a green recovery form the core of a Nature Deal, that starts to reverse the loss of biodiversity and put nature on a path to recovery, for the benefit of people and the planet? Register here.
10 July, 4:00 – 5:00 PM CEST
“For Teachers/Curriculum Leaders: Climate Emergency, How Can Designers Help Create Sustainable Futures?” (by Falmouth University)
Greta Thunberg has helped society understand the importance and immediacy of what a climate emergency will mean for humankind. The youth of today more than ever wish to contribute to new ways of solving complex environmental, societal and material challenges. This session will be an opportunity to hear from each of the course leaders within the school to better understand how their curriculum engages and inspires students to work towards solving the grand challenges of our times. From low impact architecture to wellbeing focused interiors and products that consider how to design with the circular economy in mind. Guest presenter for this webinar will be Drummond Masterton, Falmouth University Head of the School of Architecture, Design and Interiors.