On September 24, 2024, GLOBE EU members Martin Hojsík and Bruno Tobback hosted a conference on overcoming challenges to sustainable investments. The event, co-organized with the European Investment Bank, featured a keynote address by Maive Rute, Deputy Director General of DG GROW. Panelists then examined three key obstacles highlighted in the EIB’s 2023-24 Investment Report: access to finance, skills shortages, and regulatory barriers.
Sirpa Pietikäinen, along with Heidi Hautala and Margrete Auken, hosted an event in the European Parliament’s VoxBox on April 9 to welcome high school students from the European Schools in Brussels and VIBGYOR High in Mumbai, India.
This yearly GLOBE EU gathering marks Earth Overshoot Day, which, for the European Union, falls on May 3 this year.
During the event, Sarnath, Beatrise, Petra, Brielle, Neil, and Valentina inquired about various topics, including the sustainability of fashion, climate justice, and the responsibilities of legislators.
On March 5, GLOBE EU members Sirpa Pietikäinen, Paul Tang, Heidi Hautala, and Ville Niinistö were joined by Janez Potočnik and a host of experts to learn about the IRP’s 2024 Global Resource Outlook.
The meeting focused on the urgent need to address climate change and resource use inefficiency, emphasizing the importance of cooperation, sharing, and collective responsibility in solving global socio-ecological problems.
Participants discussed the limitations of current policies and the necessity of integrating circular economy principles, demand-side solutions, and nature-based solutions into climate action to achieve sustainable resource use and enhance human well-being.
The conversation also highlighted the need for systemic change, including institutional governance, financial incentives, and equitable resource distribution, to ensure a fair and green future.
On November 15, 2023, GLOBE EU board members Sirpa Pietikäinen and Paul Tang welcomed speakers from the European Commission, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the League of European Research Universities (LERU), the All European Academies (ALLEA), as well as representatives from Bee Group members Dow and Nestlé, and Microsoft and Lenovo.
During the meeting, participants discussed the integration of sustainability and digital skills into the European education system, the challenges faced, and potential solutions to support the European Green Deal and sustainable development.
Key points included:
Overall, the meeting highlighted a collective ambition to advance sustainability and digital education but recognized the need for coordinated action, practical tools, and systemic change to achieve these goals.
The GLOBE EU conference of September 26 focused on the need to secure the EU’s resource efficiency and prevent its economy from becoming reliant on non-energy natural resources.
Sirpa Pietikäinen, President of GLOBE EU, welcomed Stientje van Veldhoven (WRI) who emphasized the need for sufficiency in her keynote address, and Peter Handley (DG GROW) who presented the proposed Critical Raw Materials Act. The conference aimed to address targets set by the CRMA for 2030, including a 15% target for strategic materials supplied through recycling and a 40% target for raw materials processed within the EU.
A panel of experts (Zero Waste Europe, Leiden University) presented diverse perspectives and provided concrete recommendations on meeting these targets, while also considering industry input. Key issues addressed included funding availability, waste shipments within Europe, and sustainable design.
Industry representatives (Umicore, C&A) highlighted regulatory obstacles impeding the scaled-up development of recycling and processing capacities. The ensuing discussion focused on overcoming these obstacles to ensure the EU’s resource efficiency.
The conference provided a platform for experts and industry representatives to collaborate and work towards a more sustainable approach to resource management in the EU.
Presentation Stientje van Veldhoven
Presentation Eline Boon (who had to cancel her presentation due to illness)