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4th Discussion Climate Risk & Finance – EU Chapter

Climate Risk Management & Climate Finance ICWS European Chapter

September 4th, 2025 At 2:30 PM CET

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4th DISCUSSion of the series

Climate change threatens European energy and water infrastructure, demanding innovative adaptation strategies to secure a low-carbon transition. These strategies include diversifying renewables, grid modernization, and climate-proofing energy production.
However, climate solutions face resistance, especially without consensus among impacted communities.
A tailored, multimodal approach to regional transition is crucial for successful advancement.
Infrastructure resilience to climate impacts on communities must be prioritized. While aiming for a green economy, human well-being must be prioritized above purely economic gains.

Segment One: Climate-resilient infrastructure, projects in Europe & Mediterranean.

Climate change threatens European energy and water infrastructure. Adapting requires diversifying renewables (solar, wind, geothermal), modernizing the grid with smart technologies, and climate-proofing energy facilities. Sustainable water management is essential. Investing in climate-resilient infrastructure is vital across Europe and the Mediterranean. Leveraging renewable energy storage ensures a stable energy supply. Empowering local governments and enhancing the market for clean technologies are crucial for successful adaptation.
Euro coin on stock chart. Financial investment concept. Close up.

Segment Two: Climate resilience finance, challenges and opportunities.

Financing Europe's Green Future requires a multi-pronged approach. Green bonds leverage debt markets to fund green projects, while sustainable banking integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into lending and investment decisions. Innovative financing mechanisms are crucial to mobilize private capital for climate solutions. Furthermore, robust risk assessment and insurance frameworks are essential to address climate-related risks and build resilience. These strategies collectively unlock private capital, foster a sustainable financial system, and accelerate Europe's transition to a greener future.

Stay tuned! Coming soon: This 7th interview in this series will be aired at the ICWS 4th Leaders discussion, which will open on September 4th at 2:30 PM CET.

ICWS Industry Blitz with Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO – Hydrogen Europe

10-minute Expert Q&A.

Jorgo Chatzimarkakis is a German politician of Greek descent who is deeply committed to sustainable energy. He earned his M.A. in political science. From 2004 to 2014, he served as a Member of the European Parliament, where he played a key role in establishing the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking. Today, as the Chief Executive Officer of Hydrogen Europe, he works passionately toward the energy transition, believing hydrogen technologies are the crucial “game-changer” for a sustainable future.

FEATURED SPEAKERS EUROPE

Giles Dickson is the Chief Executive Officer of WindEurope. WindEurope is the voice of the European wind industry with over 600 members across the wind value chain including wind farm developers, owners and operators and the wind turbine manufacturers and component suppliers. WindEurope engages Governments on policy and regulation that affect wind power and its integration in the energy system. It coordinates the wind industry’s activity on technology development, standards and sustainability. And it organise trade fairs, conferences and other events. Prior to joining WindEurope, Dickson was a civil servant in the UK Government then worked for Alstom.

Giles Dickson

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER at WINDEUROPE

Giles Dickson is the Chief Executive Officer of WindEurope. WindEurope is the voice of the European wind industry with over 600 members across the wind value chain including wind farm developers, owners and operators and the wind turbine manufacturers and component suppliers. WindEurope engages Governments on policy and regulation that affect wind power and its integration in the energy system. It coordinates the wind industry’s activity on technology development, standards and sustainability. And it organise trade fairs, conferences and other events. Prior to joining WindEurope, Dickson was a civil servant in the UK Government then worked for Alstom.

Maya is the Director for Green Financial Systems at the EBRD, leading their sustainable finance methodologies, climate lending to financial institutions, green capital markets work, and green policy support. She also represents the EBRD in international forums and previously led their ESG risk management for financial institutions. With nearly 20 years of experience in sustainable finance and ESG, including roles at the Inter-American Development Bank and Bloomberg, Maya champions the integration of climate, environmental, and social factors in investment decisions.

Maya Hennerkes

Director, Green Financial Systems, Climate Strategy and Delivery at EBRD

Maya is the Director for Green Financial Systems at the EBRD, leading their sustainable finance methodologies, climate lending to financial institutions, green capital markets work, and green policy support. She also represents the EBRD in international forums and previously led their ESG risk management for financial institutions. With nearly 20 years of experience in sustainable finance and ESG, including roles at the Inter-American Development Bank and Bloomberg, Maya champions the integration of climate, environmental, and social factors in investment decisions.

Tomas Olejniczak is a Senior Energy Consultant and International Cooperation & Development Program Officer at the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). Before this role, he was the Chair of the International Energy Agency Solar Heating and Cooling Program (IEA SHC). Olejniczak's work centers on advancing energy diplomacy, capacity building, and international cooperation. He is also deeply involved in developing international hydrogen initiatives and shaping energy policy, regulation, and strategic frameworks.

Tomas Olejniczak

Senior Energy Consultant - Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)

Tomas Olejniczak is a Senior Energy Consultant and International Cooperation & Development Program Officer at the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). Before this role, he was the Chair of the International Energy Agency Solar Heating and Cooling Program (IEA SHC). Olejniczak's work centers on advancing energy diplomacy, capacity building, and international cooperation. He is also deeply involved in developing international hydrogen initiatives and shaping energy policy, regulation, and strategic frameworks.

Hirander has 25 years of experience in electronic trading and FinTech, achieving successful investor syndications and notable exits. He serves as Chairman & CEO of GMEX Group and its climate fintech platform ZERO13, which won the COP 28 UAE TechSprint for using blockchain to enhance climate finance. He is recognized as one of the Top 10 influential business leaders in blockchain by the UK All Party Parliamentary Group and featured in LATTICE80’s Top 100 influencers for the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Hirander Misra

Chairman & CEO at ZERO13 (A GMEX Group Company)

Hirander has 25 years of experience in electronic trading and FinTech, achieving successful investor syndications and notable exits. He serves as Chairman & CEO of GMEX Group and its climate fintech platform ZERO13, which won the COP 28 UAE TechSprint for using blockchain to enhance climate finance. He is recognized as one of the Top 10 influential business leaders in blockchain by the UK All Party Parliamentary Group and featured in LATTICE80’s Top 100 influencers for the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

ICWS Series Host

Salima H. Steven holds an agronomy and crop science diploma and is a trilingual event producer, marketer, and communicator with twenty years of experience. Over 50 global events focusing on energy, environment, water, smart cities, and climate change have been organized and produced from small to large in North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Additionally, Salima has over seven years of experience managing communication for a non-profit association of very large power grid operators (GO15).

Salima Hebbache Steven

EventOne Founder & ICWS Commissioner

Salima H. Steven holds an agronomy and crop science diploma and is a trilingual event producer, marketer, and communicator with twenty years of experience. Over 50 global events focusing on energy, environment, water, smart cities, and climate change have been organized and produced from small to large in North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Additionally, Salima has over seven years of experience managing communication for a non-profit association of very large power grid operators (GO15).

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