Sustainable use of raw materials for a future-proof Belgian industry
Brussel , Belgium
How to create sustainable future prospects for industry, with a focus on resilience and employment? This conference of the Federal Council for Sustainable Development focuses on how industry can transition to resource use in balance with planetary boundaries and continue to offer locally embedded products and services.
Competitiveness and access to raw materials are at the top of the political agenda for European industry. The conference offers an analysis and discussion of the European Commission's new strategy for industry. We will also look at how Belgian industry stands in the transition to sustainable resource use. The session on Belgian industry will look at the state of play, desired pathways and challenges and some inspiring Belgian projects. This will undoubtedly be discussed further over lunch.
In the afternoon, strategies to manage raw material demand through influencing behaviour will be discussed: what opportunities are there to reduce material consumption in products and services to the end consumer? The day will end with a panel of different actors (industry, policy, civil society, etc.) and a reception.
THE PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME
I. What are the focal points of European industrial policy and how does it align with a sustainable, resilient, local industry?
Explaining European industrial policy - Aleksandra Kordecka, adviser to EPP Stéphane Séjourné, European Commission
Challenges, assets and possible obstacles in European industrial policy - Ferdi De Ville, Ugent
II. Belgian industry in a changing world
(In)sustainability of raw material use - Hans Bruyninckx, coordinating lead author Global Resource Outlook 2024
Sustainable use of raw materials and transition paths: ambitions, challenges and needs for the transition of Belgian industry - Patrick Van den Bossche, Agoria.
Inspiring examples of Belgian projects, such as in circular economy and ecodesign - Jolien Paeleman, Pixii; TBD, möbius
NETWORK LUNCH
III. Steering reduced resource use
A new story for future-proof business - Kees Klomp, Thrive Institute (NL)
What does sufficiency mean and how can it help society become more sustainable? Thomas Craenen, Brotherly sharing
How can we manage demand for resources through behaviour? - Stéphane Giraud, Direction interministérielle de la transformation publique (FR)
FINAL WORD
RECEPTION
PRACTICAL
Thursday 5 June 2025
From 9.20 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pacheco Hall, avenue Pacheco 13, 1000 Brussels
Languages: French and Dutch, with simultaneous translation