Happening right after the European Elections, this year’s edition of Water Innovation Europe 2024 is all about recognising the crucial role of water for bolstering the European economic competitiveness, and the urgent need for investments to prevent economic downturns due to water crises.
For the first time, the European Environment Agency recognises water as a cross-sectoral challenge in the first Climate Risk Assessment Report calling upon a comprehensive approach towards water-smart management, while the Letta report emphasises that utilities need investment to ensure water services. Similarly, nearly 70% of companies responding to a CDP survey acknowledged the business risks associated with water challenges.
In partnership with the EU Green Week, Water Europe kicks off its landmark event by addressing the socio-economic value of water with the publication of the new Water Europe’s report. Following the joint letter of 30 organisations calling for the release of the Water Resilience Initiative and the EU Blue Deal of the European Economic and social Committee, we will also discuss the related risks and opportunities for the different economic actors.
The discussion will continue into the Gala Dinner, where innovative solutions will take centre stage with the presentation of five annual awards, offering a perfect opportunity for casual networking. The second day focuses on the implementation of circular water solutions and unveils the second edition of the Living Labs atlas of Water Europe. The EU’s approach must embody the principle of “more for less”, as reiterated this month by the United Nations World Water Development Report 2024. It is time to unlock water reuse!
Research and Innovation play a key role in the European competitiveness and strategic autonomy, requiring collaborative instruments such as the Water-oriented living labs as well as circular processes to build a water-smart economy!
Lastly, you will have the opportunity to attend one of the three parallel sessions about the skills agenda in the water sector, nature-based solutions, and international water dialogue.
The ZeroPollution4Water Cluster Workshop aims at connecting policymakers and project stakeholders for collaborative dialogue and knowledge sharing. The workshop explores the intersection of policy development and project practises from the experience of the case studies of the ZP4Water Cluster sister projects. The event features the Inventory of the case studies from ZP4Water Cluster sister projects, offering insights into effective strategies and the first Policy Brief of the Cluster on “Preventing groundwater contamination and securing drinking water quality”.
Agenda
Opening & Welcome (5min)
Key-note speech (10 min)
- Arnoldas Milukas, Head of Unit
ZP4Water Cluster first Policy Brief presentation (15 min)
- Loïc Charpentier, Water Innovation Policy Manager, Water Europe & co-leader of the Policy WG of the ZP4W Cluster
Followed by Q&A.
ZP4Water Cluster Case Studies Inventory presentation (20 min)
- Margarete Remmert-Rieper, Deputy Head of Department Consultancy and Competence Development, TUTECH Innovation GMBH
Followed by Q&A.
Presentation of key findings from sister projects selected case studies (25 min)
Moderator to be confirmed.
Followed by Q&A.
Coffee Break (25 min)
Cross-interviews: Connecting policy insights with case studies experiences (40 min)
Moderator to be confirmed.
Followed by Q&A.
Closing Remarks and Next Steps (10 min)
- REA representative
- Andrea Rubini, Director of Operations, Water Europe
Welcome speech - Hans Goossens, President of Water Europe.
This session will demonstrate the socio-economic value of water to society and its contribution to achieving other strategic EU objectives including energy transition, circular economy, EU strategic autonomy. It will be also the opportunity to discuss its financial perspective and required investments to bolster the EU competitiveness, the single market, and Research & Innovation.
Agenda:
Introduction (5min)
– Durk Krol, Executive Director, Water Europe
Presentation of the new Study on the Socio-Economic Value of Water (20 min)
– Ilona Kirhensteine, Associate Director, Policy and Economics, WSP
Panel Discussion (40 min)
Moderator
– Magdalena Rzeczkowska, Director, Federacja Przedsiębiorców Polskich Brussels office
Panelists:
Mirjam Wolfrum, Head of Multilevel Governance, CDP
Jaap Feil, Managing Partner, Water footprint
Ilja Rudyk, Senior Economist, Chief Economist Unit, European Patent Office
Followed by Q&A.
Calling for a new EU water framework, Letta’s report opened the regulatory box of the water policy. With representatives of different economic sectors, the panel discussion will discuss the regulatory achievement of the last five years and explore the new regulatory challenges that the Commission will have to tackle in the next five years to achieve a water-smart economy.
Agenda:
Introduction (5min)
– Durk Krol, Executive Director, Water Europe
Keynote: the new EESC opinion on the best practices from the industrial sector (20 min)
– Pietro de Lotto, Chairman of the CCMI, EU Economic and Social Committee
Panel Discussion (40 min)
Moderator
– Nicole Couder, Vice-president Public Affairs, Suez
Panelists:
Nathalie Hemeleers, Director, Solar Impulse Foundation
Arthur Guischet, Deputy Secretary General, EU Water Association
Patrick Pagani, Deupty Secretary General, Copa-Cogeca
Followed by Q&A.
Moderator
– Durk Krol, Executive Director, Water Europe
Panelists:
– Marco, Indigne, CEO, Hydroko
– Vangelis Balokas, Vice President, IANIC
– Biniyam Sishah, Scouting Water R&D Opportunities Senior Consultant, RINA
Followed by Q&A.
During the Garden Party, innovative solutions will take centre stage with the presentation of five annual awards, offering a perfect opportunity for casual networking.
Keynote speaker
Announcement of the Water Innovation Europe Awards 2024
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