26 Mar 2024

As we gear up for the upcoming European elections, it's crucial to actively participate in shaping the democratic landscape of our continent. To raise awareness and encourage engagement, we are launching the "Run for European Elections" campaign. This six-week campaign, running from now to April 12th, aims to combine physical activity with environmental sustainability and political advocacy. By participating, you'll not only contribute to a democratic Europe but also help plant trees for a more sustainable future using the Summitree app.

Joining the campaign is simple:

• Download the Summitree app (Apple Store or GooglePlay).

• Follow the steps outlined in the attached flyer.

• Run as an individual or create a team.

• For questions, refer to the FAQ flyer here: https://rb.gy/91ayqr

By uniting with more than 15 organisations across Europe, including ALDE, ELF, Europe without Borders, Party Party and others, you'll be part of a Europe-wide movement dedicated to reshaping our continent for the better.

FNF Europe will also be coordinating a joint walk through Cinquantenaire Park in Brussels on Tuesday, March 26th. Participants are encouraged to collect their T-shirts from the FNF Europe office. The assembly point will be at the office, from where we will proceed as a group to the park, conveniently located just a five-minute walk away.

PROGRAMME

11.45-12:00 Registration and Pick-up “Run for European Elections” T-Shirt at FNF Europe, Av. De Cortenbergh 71, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

12.00-13:00 Lunchtime Walk to the Cinquantenaire Parc and Photo Time

REGISTER NOW

Kindly register for this event at https://forms.gle/FqRdLnd6QgdaWnpk7 *

BrusselsInfoSocietyMore information here

25 Jun 2024 to 27 Jun 2024

In June 2024, the International Flow Battery Forum (IFBF) will hold its thirteenth in-person conference in Glasgow, supported by Invinity Energy Systems and Flow Batteries Europe. A must-attend event discussing the latest innovations, policy updates and market challenges for the development of the flow battery sector. 

In the face of the escalating demand for renewable energy sources while keeping grid stability, flow batteries stand out as a helpful solution as they are a reliable, low cost and an environmentally benign method for energy storage. To foster knowledge on this topic, the International Flow Batteries Forum (IFBF) gathers together for three days the most important profiles in the flow battery sector, presenting the latest updates on research, policy and market. 

Over the years, the Forum has become an appointment not to be missed for those involved in the flow battery sector, thanks to its mix of scientific presentations, policy panel discussions, networking breaks, poster sessions, exhibition area and site visit. In 2023, more than 350 delegates from all over the world attended the conference in Prague. 

In 2024 the IFBF is taking place in Glasgow, UK at the Hilton Hotel from Tuesday 25 to Thursday 27 June. The conference will feature a social dinner at the Glasgow Science Centre and a site visit at a manufacturing facility owned by Invinity Energy Systems. For those that cannot make it to Glasgow, but are still interested in the topic, the event will be live streamed, and recordings and presentations will be available online afterwards.

“Business leaders, policymakers, developers and researchers from all over the world. The IFBF is unique in how it brings all players in the flow battery sector together.’’ said Anthony Price, IFBF President. “We are enthusiastic that the call for proposals launched in January has received more than 100 presentations, resulting in a high-level programme and a large number of posters showcased”. 

To encourage students the posters displayed will be judged and awards given to the best presenters. This year’s edition will also feature a new award: a photo competition on the subject of flow batteries, showing the artistry and power behind this sustainable industry, from large-scale installations to technical details and unusual scenes of work in laboratories.  

Demonstrating the great interest in the conference, the exhibition area is already almost full and several leaders in the sector have chosen to sponsor including Invinity Energy System, Quino Energy, US Vanadium, Jena Flow Batteries, Oxkem, Sumitomo Electric, H2, Redox One, Shunk, and Pinflow. 

Tickets for the IFBF are currently on sale with the Early Bird reduction of 170 pounds on the regular price. This offer is valid until the 31st of March. Tickets are available for three categories of public: standard, academic and students. Virtual tickets are available as well. For further information, please visit the ticketing platform: www.accelevents.com/e/international-flow-battery-forum-2024

 

Media contacts 

Paolo Nouvion – CLERENS Senior Communications Consultant

p.nouvion@clerens.eu

+32 465771743

 

 

EnergyMore information here

11 Apr 2024 12:00

Our modern connectivity ecosystem is critical to preserving EU fundamental values, fostering greater resilience among Member States, and advancing European interests.

Essential digital applications, many of which we use daily, are quickly evolving and advancing in their capabilities. Telecommunications operators are investing and innovating to ensure that Europe’s digital network infrastructure keeps pace.

As Member States, cities, companies, communities, and all of us as individuals undergo digital transitions, it is essential that we have the right regulatory, political, and social frameworks to ensure success.

Join us on 11 April (12:00 - 14:00) at The Nine private social club in Brussels for a fireside discussion with leaders in the digital and connectivity sector. Participants will examine the type of paradigm shifts required to move Europe towards the next digital frontier and foster competitiveness.

The discussion will focus on how to:

• Ensure that Europe truly benefits from transformative digital technologies
• Support private investment and innovation in digital network infrastructure
• Tackle the alarmingly low level of digital skills in Europe and encourage a digital mindset

Panellists:

Kamila Kloc – Director, Directorate B, Digital Decade and Connectivity, DG CONNECT European Commission

Ann Caluwaerts – Chief Corporate Development Officer, Telenet  and Non-Executive Board member Imec & Bpost

Eke Vermeer – Vice President Public Affairs, Liberty Global

Moderated by Irina Varlan – Managing Director, GIGAEurope

 

BrusselsInfoSocietyThe Nine69 Rue Archimède1000  BrusselsBelgiumMore information here

21 Mar 2024 09:30 to 16:00

EPSA – the European Public Sector Award – is a Europe-wide award scheme for public administrations at all levels of government which has been organised since 2009 by the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA). Under the overarching theme “Boosting Innovation Through Learning”,  the EPSA 2023-24 edition aims to showcase and reward the most innovative projects submitted by public sector bodies across Europe.

Discover the most innovative projects  of the EPSA 2023-24 edition in three award categories: Innovation in Public Administration, Green Transition and Sustainability, Digital Transformation.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Maastricht (NL), the Award Ceremony will be live-streamed on 21 March from the Provincial Government House, where the Maastricht Treaty was signed in 1992.

Join us in the debate on public sector reform and innovation in Europe and celebrate the achievements of the winners of EPSA 2023-24.

 

Check out the Programme, and Register for free: EPSA 2023-24 Award Ceremony -– Eipa

 

  OnlinePublic AffairsProgram and Registration here

21 Mar 2024 10:00

The workshop aims to discuss preventive measures and practices to secure drinking water quality and mitigate drinking water challenges - such as the spread of DBPs - along the whole drinking water chain.

Please note that your application for the workshop needs to be confirmed by the organiser.

The participation link will be sent prior to the meeting.

Register here

 

Innovation & Enterprise  OnlineBelgiumMore information here

26 Mar 2024 08:00 to 27 Mar 2024 17:00

 

Water Market Europe is the event cycle that Water Europe (WE) has set up to create a unique innovation and business environment, where state of the art water knowledge and research results can meet with market actors within and outside the water sector to create value and new business opportunities.

 

With a new theme every year, Water Market Europe’s main edition is hosted in spring, but smaller editions of WME  called Water Market Europe Roadshow are being organized during the whole year, back to back to water-related conferences, trade fairs and conventions.

BrusselsInnovation & EnterpriseMore information here

17 Jun 2024 08:00 to 19 Jun 2024 17:00

Water Innovation Europe aims at shaping the European water-related future by offering new perspectives and insights from high-level EU decision-makers and experts of the water sector and bringing forward the latest updates and trends on new water technologies and innovations.

More information soon

BrusselsInnovation & Enterprise  BrusselsBelgiumMore information here

28 Mar 2024 15:00

Join IREI and EPRA for a comprehensive analysis of key aspects shaping the European Listed Real Estate sector.

Discussion includes:

• An examination of the recent performance of the European Listed Real Estate indexes, offering insights into their trends and fluctuations. A detailed exploration will follow, focusing on the differences across various sectors and geographies within the European real estate market. • Current market trends and the prevailing economic environment, shedding light on factors influencing the sector's trajectory.

• Debt profile and capital structure within this domain, addressing financial dynamics and implications.

• Highlight the mismatch between listed and private real estate, exploring challenges and potential solutions.

• The role of institutional investors and their portfolio allocation strategies will be analysed in the context of European Listed Real Estate.

• Finally, the webinar will situate European Listed RE within a global framework, offering perspectives on its interconnectedness and significance in the broader market landscape.

Register here

InfoSociety  OnlineBelgiumMore information here

21 Mar 2024 15:00

The growth of clean hydrogen projects is advancing rapidly, yet only 4% of the total potential output has progressed to the stage of securing a final investment decision. In order to achieve the European Union's ambitious goals, USD 1.2* to 2.6** trillion investment in the global clean hydrogen economy will be needed by 2050.

To fully unlock the sector's potential, public support and the timely implementation of innovative funding instruments are imperative to mitigate risk and attract the entire private finance value chain. Concurrently, the EU budget allocated for supporting the climate transition will not be sufficient to meet investment needs.

On 20 December 2023 the EU Green Bond Regulation entered into force, setting out requirements for issuers of environmentally sustainable bonds to label them as ‘European Green Bonds’ or ‘EuGB’, in order to foster consistency and comparability in the market. This will require corporate and sovereign issuers to demonstrate that they are funding legitimate green projects mostly aligned with the EU taxonomy.

For clean hydrogen projects, this new framework has the capacity to unlock access to significant long-term capital. EU Member States will have the opportunity to leverage the attractivity of European Green Bonds to raise the necessary funding to implement their national hydrogen strategies. Additionally,  due to their low-risk nature and extended maturities, EuGBs can help institutional investors such as pension, sovereign wealth funds and asset managers to seize opportunities in the clean hydrogen sector and bridge the financing gap. Lastly, the EuGB standards could further push the issuance of green bonds by companies developing clean hydrogen projects, building on the existing active demand from energy utilities.

The question arises: how could green bonds be a game-changer for access to finance in clean hydrogen? Is the EuGB framework aligned with the expectations of governments, companies, and investors regarding transaction costs and reporting requirements? Are leading stakeholders confident about the expected growth of the green bonds market and its impact on the sector?

Click here to register

Confirmed speakers:

• Eila Kreivi, Member of the Platform of Sustainable Finance and Independent Advisor
• Paul O'Connor, Executive Director, Head of EMEA Sustainable Finance -  Debt Capital Markets, J.P. Morgan 
• Anna-Maria Spyriouni, Head of EU Affairs, Climate Bonds Initiative

Moderated by Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO, Hydrogen Europe

 

Energy  OnlineBelgiumMore information here

20 Mar 2024 17:30

The beer industry plays a pivotal role in bolstering local European economies by driving economic growth and community development, with the longest production chain operating in the food and beverage industry.

The beer industry generates employment opportunities all along its production chain, from brewery workers to distributors, retailers, and hospitality staff. Producers often keep things local- opting to work with locally sourced ingredients and agriculture suppliers while finding new ways to collaborate on sustainable solutions for the future. Local breweries also heavily contribute to tourism, drawing visitors from afar to experience unique flavors and brewing traditions. This vibrant industry is often the focal point of events and festivals which draw locals and tourists together to foster lively cultural experiences and strong regional identities.

One of the strongest examples of how the beer industry positively impacts local communities is a local brew from the Gran Canaria, La Tropical. For 100 years, La Tropical has played a key role in building the Canarian economy and defining its beer culture.

Brewing beer isn't just about crafting delicious and refreshing beverages- it's about building thriving communities, providing jobs, stimulating agriculture, promoting tourism, and enriching local culture.

Join us for a conversation on 20 March from 17.30-18.30 in the European Parliament followed by reception in the Culina Mundi Event Space, with the unique chance of tasting the iconic Canarian beer La Tropical and Dorada!

Please contact GiovanniGuido.Rossi@ab-inbev.com for questions related to registration. 

Register here

BrusselsAgriculture & FoodEuropean Parliament, József Antall (JAN) 6Q1  BrusselsBelgiumMore information here

27 Mar 2024 10:00 We would like to invite you to join the next European Biogas Association Dig Deep! Webinar “Understanding Digestate: Nutrient Cycle, Soil Quality, Energy Resilience” on Wednesday 27 March from 10h to 11h30 CET, to explore the benefits of biogas digestate and the necessary steps to unleash its potential.   The use of digestate as organic fertiliser facilitates nutrient recycling and preserves soil health. Indeed, it contains nutrients, organic matter, and provides many benefits to crops and soil that could be further valorised.   Additionally, the development of a supply of alternative fertilisers reduces dependency on fossil fertilisers and their volatile prices, as well as impact on our food security.    However, the regulatory framework to facilitate digestate uptake differs between EU Member States. EBA will present during the webinar the results of an assessment to find common policy recommendations and regulatory incentives to ensure market access for a product that is sustainably and locally produced from waste valorisation.   Register here   Programme

• 10.00 – 10.05 Welcome

Giulia Cancian, Secretary General, EBA

• 10h05 – 10h20 Fertilising Products Regulation

Tbc, DG GROW, European Commission

• 10h20 – 10h35 Nitrates Directive

Jeanne de Jaegher, Policy Officer, DG ENVI, European Commission*

• 10h35 – 10h45 Exploring Digestate’s contribution to healthy soils

Mieke Decorte, Technical Director, EBA

• 10h45 – 10h55 From Digestate to clean water: the Guilliams Green Power Biogas plant

Rob Van den Broeck, CEO, AAQUA NV

• 10h55– 11h05 Mapping Digestate policy: Challenges and opportunities

Lucile Sever, Policy Officer, EBA

• 11h05 – 11h30 Q&A session and wrap up

Giulia Cancian, Secretary General, EBA

Energy  OnlineBelgiumMore information here

21 Mar 2024 09:30

AEGIS Europe, an organisation representing the interests of the manufacturing industries in the European Union, and IndustriAll Europe, the European trade union federation for manufacturing, mining and energy workers, are honoured to invite you to attend our upcoming event Manufacturing Europe’s Future: How to combat growing deindustrialisation and ensure good industrial jobs?  taking place in Brussels on Thursday, 21 March 2024 starting at 09:30 CET.

On the occasion of the event, we will present our organisations’ manifestos ahead of the 2024 elections and host a debate about establishing the essential conditions for the EU manufacturing to remain competitive in the upcoming 2024-2029 political cycle, with a specific focus on industrial and trade policy and having at the core the interest and rights of workers.

Please find the agenda and registration form here.

BrusselsInfoSocietyBluePoint Brussels - meetings, events & office space80 Boulevard Auguste Reyers1030  BrusselsBelgiumMore information here

28 Feb 2024 15:00

In the context of decarbonising the economy through the accelerated deployment of Variable Renewable Energy Sources (VRES), hydrogen storage will play a critical role in integrating them, as well as contributing to the process of progressive sector integration. Sectoral integration or sector coupling refers to linking energy (electricity, gas and heat), transport and industrial infrastructures with a view to increase the penetration of renewable energy sources and decarbonise the economy. Hydrogen and its storage have the potential to make the energy transition faster and more cost-effective through fostering precisely the process of sector integration.  

Both hydrogen and electricity grid infrastructures together with large scale seasonal hydrogen storage and small-scale day night electricity storage, in mutual co-existence, will be essential to realize a sustainable, reliable, zero-emission and cost-effective energy system. Indeed, energy sector integration will improve the overall efficiency of the system and lead to cost.  

Hydrogen is a versatile, clean and flexible energy vector that will play a crucial role in this process. It can be used as a feedstock for industry and as a carbon-neutral fuel for transport (land-use, maritime and aviation), an energy carrier in the power sector as well as for heating in buildings and heavy industry reductions in the energy sector and across the economy (its role in sector integration is detailed here). These different applications would need to be further reflected in the regulatory and market framework not only for energy, but also for other economic sectors.

The upcoming H2 Talk webinar will delve into these aspects of the transformation of our economic landscape. What does it mean to tend toward an integrated sectoral approach through hydrogen and hydrogen storage? How, in concrete terms, does H2 storage make sector integration come true? What are the palpable examples and illustrations of its role? What are the drivers and brakes for it to be fully deployed? What dynamics in terms of regulation and finances need to be unleashed to fulfill the potential of H2 storage? And finally, what next after the Fit for 55 package?

Click here to Register 

* Registration is free, but mandatory. 

Confirmed speakers:

• Charlotte Roule, CEO, Storengy
• Alexandre Lücke, Deputy Director-General for Energy security, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action
• Philipp Offenberg, Director, Europe, Breakthrough Energy
• Georg Dorfleutner, GIE Board member and Managing Director of RAG Energy Storage

Moderated by Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO, Hydrogen Europe   We are looking forward to your participation!

 

  OnlineBelgiumMore information here

20 Mar 2024 09:30 to 22 Mar 2024 09:30    Here's what you can expect at the WindEurope Annual Event in Bilbao next month...
 

• 12,000+ people;
• Over 500 exhibitors;
• A three-day conference, with 12 Ministers from around Europe and industry leaders;
• Dedicated markets and technology stages in the exhibition; and
• Lots of social events.

The theme is “Our wind, our value”, how wind creates value for the people of Europe. Conference highlights include:

• Ministerial Session, Day 1 - Unlocking the value of wind, Wednesday 20 March, 09:00 - 10:30
• The European Parliament candidates debate: which energy future for Europe? Wednesday 20 March, 11:00 - 12:15
• A resilient supply chain for a transition made in Europe, Wednesday 20 March, 14:00 - 15:15
• Ministerial Session, Day 2 - Delivering the energy transition, Thursday 21 March, 09:15 - 10:45
• Non-price auction criteria: prequalification and award, Thursday 21 March, 16:00 - 17:00
• Ministerial Session, Day 3 - Offshore wind, Friday 22 March, 09:30 - 11:00
• Biodiversity offshore, Friday 22 March, 11:00 - 12:30

We’ll also have roundtables on defence and security issues, inspirational women in wind, permitting, airborne wind energy and other topics - plus a Powering the Future Stage and Markets Theatre. Check out the full programme for more info.

The wind industry can only deliver its true value if everyone inputs. So come to Bilbao, make yourself heard and share your value. We look forward to seeing you.

SpainEnergyMore information here

12 Mar 2024 14:30

 

We are delighted to announce the launch of our new webinar series on Methane emissions.

Register here
First webinar on 12 March, 14:30 – 16:30 Brussels time

Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR)
 

Context
The EU Methane Regulation for the energy sector was proposed in December 2021 as part of the proposals to deliver the European Green Deal. This is the EU's first-ever legislation to curb methane emissions in the energy sector. The legislative proposal followed the EU Methane Strategy adopted in 2020 and is now in the process of being implemented at EU Member States level.

360° approach
Together with international experts from the European Commission, regulators, the industry and service providers, the webinar series will dive into the details of solutions to ensure an efficient implementation of the EU Methane Regulation by the operators and stakeholders along the value chain. 

Agenda

14:30 | Welcome by James Watson, Secretary General, Eurogas

Part 1: Operators across the value chain

14:35 | Introduction speech by Malcolm McDowell, Team Leader responsible for the methane strategy, DG ENER, European Commission

14:45 | Presentations by:
- Trond Erlend Bustnes, Lead Researcher, Equinor
- Bastian Lang, Asset Management Specialist, Gascade
- Eva Hennig, Head of Department for EU Energy Policy, Thüga
Including Q&A following each presentation
Moderation by James Watson, Secretary General, Eurogas

15:20 | Part 1 Concluding remarks by James Watson, Secretary General, Eurogas

Part 2: Technology and Service Providers

15:25 | Introduction and moderation by François-Régis Mouton, Regional Director – Europe, International Association of Oil & Gas Producers

15:30 | Presentations by: 
- Indy Vatteroth, International Sales Manager, Intero – The Sniffers
- Oliver Martin, Product Manager, Sensirion Connected Solutions
- Will Foiles, Co-CEO & Co-Founder, Project Canary
- Renato Winkler, Director of Business Development, Picarro
Including Q&A

16:20 | Part 2 concluding remarks by François-Régis Mouton, Regional Director – Europe, International Association of Oil & Gas Producers

Closing workshop remarks by Boyana Achovski, Secretary General, Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE)

16:30 | End

 

Energy  OnlineBelgiumMore information here

05 Mar 2024 19:00

Pegasus, a spyware developed by NSO Group, is known for its capability to hijack a smartphone's microphone and camera, as well as access a wide array of personal data including emails, text messages, and documents. It gained significant attention following a 2021 disclosure indicating that around 50,000 individuals globally could have been targeted by this malware.

As a result of the scandal, the European Parliament agreed to establish a Committee of Inquiry to investigate the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware (PEGA Committee) to look into supposed violations or mismanagement in the enforcement of EU law regarding the use of Pegasus and similar surveillance spyware. On 8 May 2023, after 14 months of comprehensive hearings, research, and investigative missions, PEGA concluded its report and recommendations by proposing a conditional moratorium and a European regulatory framework. However, some countries like Greece and Poland, don't follow these guidelines, which has led to recent controversies. With the upcoming European elections, this issue is essential as it may impact democracy by muting essential voices as manipulating public opinions.

As discussions around digital sovereignty and cybersecurity become more urgent, we invite you to spend an evening with us to discuss how Pegasus affects online privacy and freedoms. Join us for a deep dive into surveillance software investigations and the EU's efforts to ensure a balanced approach to privacy and security regulation in the digital sphere.

REGISTER NOW

Kindly register for this event at*: https://forms.gle/CkKjhrVhdqxDbtZo8

We look forward to welcoming you!

BrusselsInfoSocietyFNF Europe Office, Avenue de Cortenbergh 711000  BrusselsBelgiumMore information here

Health & Consumers

Brussels, 19 February 2024

Reform of the procurement policies applied to generic medicines is needed to ensure greater security of supply for patients and health systems.   

Medicines for Europe’s newly published position paper explores how the current design of procurement rules in EU Member States, often aimed exclusively at reducing costs, has led to the consolidation of supply and increased risks for supply security. To address this issue, the paper recommends incorporating security of supply as an objective in tender design and introducing pro-competitive Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) criteria to incentivise manufacturers to invest in more robust supply chains. 

“We strongly support the ambition of the European Commission to issue EU guidance on procurement, which we consider one of the key actions that would contribute to mitigating shortages, by reducing the counterproductive economic incentives that are largely responsible for them. With 9 out of 10 medicines placed on the first Union list of Critical medicines being generic medicines, we need to act now. Our position paper outlines key recommendations for future reform, both in the way we design tenders and select the best bidders. We need to maintain multiple suppliers in tenders, improve demand predictability, avoid disproportionate penalties. We advocate for award criteria that look beyond the lowest price, recognising the significance of investments in robust supply chains and environmental sustainability.” said Arnaud Mahéas, Chair of the Generic Market Access Committee at Medicines for Europe. 

The paper offers concrete proposals on how to better design tenders, including: 

• Securing diversity of suppliers by designing multiple winners in tenders or ensuring several suppliers are active on the market, 
• Increasing demand predictability with sufficient lead-time and realistic volume estimates, 
• Preventing disproportionate penalties for suppliers and introducing the possibility of adjusting pricing in justified cases, 
• Introducing MEAT criteria based on EU priorities to incorporate environmental sustainability and supply chain reliability in procurement. 

Resource hub

For more information and to access the full position paper, please visit https://www.medicinesforeurope.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Position-paper-proposal-for-EU-procurement-guidelines-Final.pdf

Medicines for Europe

Medicines for Europe represents the generic, biosimilar and value-added medicines industries across Europe. Its vision is to provide sustainable access to high quality medicines, based on 5 important pillars: patients, quality, value, sustainability and partnership. Its members directly employ 190,000 people at over 400 manufacturing and 126 R&D sites in Europe and invest up to 17% of their turnover in R&D investment. Medicines for Europe member companies across Europe are both increasing access to medicines and driving improved health outcomes. They play a key role in creating sustainable European healthcare systems by continuing to provide high quality, effective generic medicines, whilst also innovating to create new biosimilar medicines and bringing to market value added medicines, which deliver better health outcomes, greater efficiency and/or improved safety in the hospital setting for patients. For more information please follow us at www.medicinesforeurope.com and on Twitter @medicinesforEU. 

 

Medicines for Europe press contact:

Kate O Regan koregan@medicinesforeurope.com

 

More information here 19 Feb 2024