Next Webinar EU Chapter 2024

ICWS European Chapter Webinar - September 12th, 2024 At 2:00 PM CET

2nd DISCUSSion of the serie

Climate change poses risks to energy and water infrastructure in Europe, highlighting the need for innovative adaptation strategies to support the transition to a low-carbon economy. These strategies include diversifying renewable energy sources, modernizing the grid, and climate-proofing energy production to ensure energy security.

Panel One: Climate Risk Management & Innovative Recovery Strategies.

Climate change poses significant risks to European energy and water infrastructure, including floods, droughts, heat waves, and rising sea levels. It is important to diversify renewable energy sources in order to reduce dependence on vulnerable systems. Modernizing the electricity grid will improve its ability to withstand extreme weather events. Energy production facilities should be climate-proofed to protect them from climate impacts. Additionally, sustainable water management practices, such as rainwater harvesting and promoting drought-resistant agriculture, should be implemented.

Euro coin on stock chart. Financial investment concept. Close up.

Segment 2: Financing the Future: Green Bonds, Sustainable Banking, and Next-Generation Investment.

Financing the Future in Europe: Green Bonds, Sustainable Banking, and Next-Generation Investment. Important strategies for channeling capital towards environmental goals in Europe include green bonds, green taxonomies, innovative financing, and the role of banks in promoting climate action. These strategies can contribute to the establishment of a more sustainable financial system and expedite progress towards a greener future.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Dr. Laurent Antoni is Public Affairs manager and Senior Fellow for hydrogen at CEA, the French research and technology organization developing alternative energies. Laurent Antoni is since 2016 President of Hydrogen Europe Research, the European research association on hydrogen and fuel cells gathering more than 120 universities and research institutes, member of the Governing Board of the European Clan Hydrogen Joint Undertaking. He is also President of the Technical Committee of Fuel Cells at the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC/TC105) and a national representative in different working groups of international organizations (IEA Advanced Fuel Cells, IEA Hydrogen TCP, International Partnership for Hydrogen and fuels cells in the Economy – IPHE). At the IPHE, Laurent Antoni is co-leader of the task force on the development of a methodology for determining the GHG emissions for hydrogen.

Dr. Laurent Antoni

Vice-Chair International Partnership for Hydrogen & Fuel Cells in the Economy – IPHE

Almotaz Abadi, is the UfM Deputy Secretary General in charge of Water, Environment and Blue Economy since September 2022. He is an international and regional cooperation expert with over 20 years of experience working with international donor agencies, and international and regional organizations, as well as policy advisers to governments in the region. Abadi holds a master’s degree in Water Resources Management and one in Governance, as well as a postgraduate in leadership and multilateral cooperation. He was previously the Acting Deputy Secretary General for the same division between September 2015 and August 2016 and Water Managing Director at the UfM, leading initiatives on the water political process in the Mediterranean.

Almotaz Abadi

Deputy Secretary General for Water, Environment and Blue Economy - Union For the Mediterranean

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 Renewable Energy Consultant - Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)

Magali Van Coppenolle is the Global Head of Policy at the Climate Bonds Initiative, an investors-focused international organisation working to mobilise global capital for climate action. She has a background in financial regulation and international economic policy. Magali previously worked for the Bank of England, where she, among others, led the Bank’s work on the climate negotiations for the UK 2021 Presidency of the G7. She also worked as an advisor to the Central Bank of Somalia, and the Ministry of Finance, for several years, on projects financed by the Norwegian Government, the World Bank and DfID. Magali is an economist by training and holds a dual MPP/ MPA from the London School of Economics and Political Sciences and the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin. She is a Board Member of the Belgian Royal Society of Political Economy.

Magali Van Coppenolle

Global Head of Policy - Climate Bonds Initiative

Salima H. Steven is a professional with twenty years of experience in marketing and communication. She holds a diploma in agronomy and crop science and is fluent in three languages. Salima is an expert in international climate networking and has created platforms to connect global sustainability advocates. She is also the founder of EventOne and the International Climate Webinar Series. Throughout her career, Salima has organized and produced over fifty global events on energy, environment, water, smart cities, and climate change, ranging from small to large scale, across North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. In addition, she has over seven years of experience managing communication for GO15, a non-profit association of very large power grid operators.