Why CNE Climate Summit?
This gathering will build on the success of the Green Deal to boost local and regional climate strategies and business action. In several plenary sessions you'll hear best practices from influential guest speakers on how to deliver climate action, as soon as possible.
​
Northern Europe is well known for its best practices in sustainable development. Since there are some common conditions for Central and Northern Europe, such as the weather and natural landscape and sharing the Baltic Sea, the climate needs can be comparable. Also this region is the wall between Europe and Russia (Russian influence). This as well brings common issues according to safety and the urgent need for the twin transition (energy + digital).
Main topics
Delivering the clean energy economy: how combining European commitments, local net zero strategies and private sector investment and innovation can deliver the clean energy economy;
Climate challenges, mitigation and adaptation;
Circular economy, resources and reuse;
Innovations for climate safe developments;
Smart cities of the future;
Climate-proofing of infrastructures and investments.
About
This year's Climate Congress of Poland will be held on 25-26 March in Warsaw, Poland. Thematic sessions, meetings, panels, speeches and business match-making, along with other side events, will be held in three buildings in Warsaw's PowiÅ›le district – in the Copernicus Science Centre, the Copernican Revolution Lab and the Barcelo Hotel.
​
The Congress will be discussing current investment trends concerning the European climate strategy, with one of the side events being the Gala for the Energy Transformation Leaders.
The organisers have highlighted that the structure of the event is based on the UN's best practice in organising global events, where economies of scale are created through multiple interlinked discussion forums.
​
The climate and energy transition is the largest and most costly global economic undertaking. The effective implementation of the necessary changes requires cooperation between stakeholders representing businesses, local governments and non-governmental organisations. The Climate Congress of Poland is distinguished from other events by its business-oriented nature, where the overriding objective is a practical and operational approach to these issues.
“Those invited to participate at the event are mainly practitioners who implement the most important investment projects in Poland and Europe. The panel events focus on case studies that can at least be an inspiration for other entities, and should preferably lead to business opportunities,” said Kamila Król from the organiser's office. “That is why there is no place for politics or theoretical and strategic speeches at our event. Here, we only talk about specifics and business in the context of climate change and environmental protection. There is no other business event in Poland specialising in climate change and energy transformation that so broadly covers stakeholder groups with an emphasis on investment. The theme paths developed by the Programme Board are aimed at industry, including, in particular, the energy, heavy industry, construction and chemical industries. Here we are dealing with issues related to decarbonisation, energy efficiency and responsibility, as well as investment financing, ESG and the circular economy. It is a similar story with regard to the thematic path of local government, finance and science & technology. The thematic scope is based on European Union guidelines, which is why the discussion has such a broad thematic horizon. It is important to remember that only a systemic approach to transformation can be effective, which is why so many sectors are invited to the discussion.”
​
International cooperation can be important as a source of innovation and new knowledge, often based on many years of practical experience. It was the exchange of knowledge and experience and the identification of best practices that inspired the invitation of foreign experts and the creation of an international track called the CNE Climate Summit (the Central and Northern European Climate Summit). The integration of Polish business with the Nordic countries has great potential, as their proximity and location in the temperate zone means they face similar climatic challenges and have similar landscapes. In addition, they have shared environmental resources and, above all, are all facing the same challenges related to Russian aggression against Ukraine. The Nordic countries have achieved top rankings in the “race to zero”, primarily due to their numerous investments in renewable energy, recycling and segregation, but also due to public awareness of the need to take care of common spaces and the natural landscape, promoting environmental sustainability and best practices in creating a green economy.
“Our closest neighbours, just across the Baltic, know how to achieve climate goals effectively and quickly, so this should be the most intuitive direction for us to draw inspiration and establish relationships. Given the geopolitical situation, shared resources and environmental conditions, this direction seems the most natural. International rankings consider us a developed country, so we need a benchmark with other developed countries, and not with Eastern Europe,” emphasised Kamila Król. “The Climate Congress of Poland is a meeting of experts aimed at implementing proper, effective practical solutions for businesses and local governments to achieve climate goals.”
​
Participation at the event offers an opportunity to gain new knowledge and contacts. The agenda of the Climate Congress of Poland covers two days of discussions on the most topical issues related to the operational management of the green transition, new energy, investment financing, the offer of science for business, the role of business in achieving climate goals, digitalisation in accelerating the climate-energy transition and other issues related to climate and environmental protection, with the participation of practitioners.
The aim of organising the Climate Congress of Poland is to create a platform for the exchange of experiences integrating public interest and business, in a substantive space indicated by the scientific community.
​
The Climate Congress of Poland is aimed at businesses, the public sector, local government units, financing institutions, representatives of municipal enterprises, state-owned companies, representatives of companies offering technological solutions, investment insurers, experts, academics and innovators, investors, journalists, and anyone else interested in the subject. Participation in the event is free of charge.
Agenda
10:00 Plenary session: Central-North Europe connectivity for knowledge flows to reach the Green Deal. The best local practices from sustainably developed countries to Fit for 55
​
European Commission introduced the European Green Deal at the end of 2019, clearly setting out increased levels of ambition for the EU as a whole and aims to deliver net- zero greenhouse gas emissions at EU level by 2050 and to increase the EU-wide greenhouse gas emissions reduction target from 40% to up to 55% by 2030. Delivering the Green Deal will require a transformation of the EU and national economies with sectors such as transport, the built environment, agriculture, industry, and energy all having to become more environmentally sustainable if the goal of decoupling economic growth from resource use is to be achieved.
​
12:00 Discussion panel 1. Local circular economy - best practices from the CNE region
​
13:40 Discussion panel 2. Cities or districts that are energy self-sufficient. Regional energy security, how to finance local investments in low- and zero-emission energy. Combating energy poverty.
​
14:50 Discussion 3. Diversification of energy sources and savings as a way to fight inflation. Reduction of energy consumption - best practices from Northern Europe. Cross- border Energy projects.
​
16:00 Discussion 4. Evaluation of investment effectiveness by financing institutions and future-proofing. Streamlining processes in investment projects
​
17:00 Discussion 5. The impact of green investments on the economic development of the region
​
17:30 Discussion 6. Recycling; including plastic waste; water purification and desalination stations. How to reduce plastic consumption?
​