On September 8, members of GLOBE EU hosted an event (online, due to limited access to the European Parliament) together with experts on sustainable food systems, resource efficiency, and biodiversity to discuss how land for agricultural activities (growing crop, livestock) can be used more efficiently. Speakers demonstrated how land use optimization (e.g., by promoting regenerative agriculture) would not affect current yield levels while the environmental impact of farming would be significantly reduced thereby restoring biodiversity.
Sustainability in the EU: The State of Play
GLOBE EU, with the support of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and The Club of Rome, was pleased to host three panel discussions –on our use of natural resources, the protection of our natural capital, and the sustainability of urban infrastructures and mobility– in the European Parliament, Brussels, on October 15, 2019.
The conference, which was hosted by GLOBE EU members Sirpa Pietikäinen, Peter Liese, and Seb Dance, opened with a statement by general (retired) Tom Middendorp of the International Military Council on Climate and Security. His address was followed by interventions from Sandrine Dixson-Declève (The Club of Rome) and Joss Blériot (the Ellen MacArthur Foundation).
Opening address Tom Middendorp
Images 1-6 are courtesy of Folker Herlyn; images 7 and 8 were kindly provided by UN Environment
Fast-tracking a Circular Economy in the EU
GLOBE EU organized on March 19 its first major event for 2019 on “fast-tracking a circular economy in the EU” together with the Center for European Policy Studies (CEPS). The objective of the conference was to look back on what has been achieved and present GLOBE EU’s recommendations with priorities for the next European Commission. The event was very well attended thanks to an impressive line-up of speakers: GLOBE EU members and MEPs Sirpa Pietikäinen, Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, Benedek Javor, and Bas Eijkhout acted as hosts to Commission Vice President Jyrki Katainen, Janez Potočnik, Vasileios Rizos, Luc Triangle, Carolien van Brunschot, Harriët Tiemens, and Eline Boon (see program below for details).
Presentation Carolien van Brunschot
GLOBE EU high-level conference: Sustainable Finance
On November 20, GLOBE EU hosted a high-level conference with the appropriate title: “Missing Links in the evolution of Sustainable Finance”. Keynote speeches were delivered by Vice President Jyrki Katainen, the UN’s Assistant Secretary-General Mami Mizutori, Allianz Global Investors’ CEO Andreas Utermann, and Commissioner Karmelu Vella, respectively. Four panel discussions moderated by Neena Gill MEP and GLOBE EU members Jo Leinen, Sirpa Pietikäinen, and Bas Eickhout covered key elements of a transition towards sustainable finance (for more details, see the conference’s program, below).
Keynote address Andreas Utermann
Opening adress: EU Commission Vice President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness Jyrki Katainen
FLTR: Sirpa Pietikäinen MEP and Mami Mizutori, UN Assistant Secretary-General
Mami Mizutori
FLTR: Sébastien Godinot (WWF), Nick Robins (LSE), Jo Leinen MEP, Astrid Ladefoged (DG ENV), and Constance Kann (EIB
Jo Leinen MEP
FLTR: Astrid Ladefoged and Constance Kann
Nick Robins
Sébastien Godinot
FLTR: Stanislas Dupré (2° Investment Initiative), Sirpa Pietikäinen MEP
Olivier Guersent (DG FISMA)
Hans Bruyninckx (EEA)
Lisa Beauvilain (Impax)
FLTR: Andreas Utermann (Allianz Global Investors) and Sirpa Pietikäinen
Andreas Utermann
Stan Dupré
Neena Gill MEP
Nathan Fabian (PRI)
Gianluca Manca (Eurizon Capital)
Paul Druckman (A4S)
Rhian-Mari Thomas (Barclays)
Martin Spolc (DG FISMA)
Flavia Micilotta (Eurosif)
Joanna Cound (BlackRock)
Aila Aho (Nordea)
Bas Eickhout MEP
FLTR: Commissioner Karmenu Vella and Sirpa Pietikäinen MEP
FLTR: Commission Karmenu Vella and Bas Eickhout MEP
Earth Overshoot Day 2018: “The Future of Water”
MEPs Benedek Javór and José Inácio Faria hosted GLOBE EU’s Earth Overshoot Day 2018 conference on “The Future of Water” on September 25. With the risk of Europe depleting its supply of fresh water by 2030 remaining serious, panelists during their introductions focused on raising awareness and presented solutions to help lower consumption.
Please find GLOBE EU’s recommendations and presentations by the speakers further below.
GLOBE EU recommendations (infographic)