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SUSCO Budapest 2016 – Water and the City

The aim of SUSCO Budapest 2016 – Water and the City, the continuation of AJKC’s conference series on sustainable development, is to establish a regional multi-stakeholder forum and network on sustainable development from a Central and Eastern European perspective which provides the opportunity to discuss the challenges and best practices in the region, exchange experiences, and seek common solutions. SUSCO Budapest fosters dialogue between the governmental, private, and scientific sectors, as well as the civil society of the region.

This year’s conference is focusing on sustainable urban water management, reflecting upon the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in September 2015. The SDGs among others set milestones and calls for action in relation to water management in cities via ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all (SDG 6), as well as making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable (SDG 11).

Urban areas currently give home to approximately 50% of the global population, projected to reach over 60% by 2050. In this period, water demand will increase globally by 55% and around 4 billion people will live in water-stressed areas. This means that fierce competition is unavoidable among different water users – particularly agriculture, energy, and urban dwellers. If current tendencies are not changed, water security will be increasingly jeopardised.

Due to rapid urbanisation, water scarcity and poor water quality in heavily overcrowded cities, as well as the lack of extensive and sustainable urban water management systems are problems affecting not only the poorest but the developed countries of the world. Cities are facing significant challenges such as mitigating water risk and securing financially sustainable water and sanitation services to urban population. A concerted effort is required in putting water supply and sanitation policies in the wider context of institutional arrangements and water resources management. We must think carefully about how to manage urban water costs effectively and learn from the experience of others in addressing the demand and supply sides of the urban water management challenge. SUSCO Budapest 2016 therefore intends to bring together key stakeholders, facilitate the outlining of proper strategies conforming to national and regional circumstances, and put the theory of sustainable urban water management into practice.

Date: 9.15am, 16 November 2016

Venue: Akvárium Klub, Budapest

Resgistration: https://goo.gl/forms/4u3XpGoJVdA2xA2s2 (till 13 November 2016)

Draft Programme:

8.30am – 9.15am Registration

9.15am – 9.30am Opening Remarks

Péter Antall, Director of Antall József Knowledge Centre
Frank Spengler, Resident Representative, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung

9.30am – 9.40am Keynote Speech

Dr Gábor Náray-Szabó, Academic, Co-president of the National Council for Sustainable Development

9.40am – 10.40am Panel I—Water and Urbanisation

Faraj El-Awar, Programme Manager, Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance/UN-Habitat
Oriana Romano, Policy Analyst / Lead Author of Water Governance in Cities report, OECD Water Governance Programme
Martina Zupan, Regional Chair, Global Water Partnership CEE

Moderator: János Zlinszky, Director of the Sustainable Development Academy, The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC)

10.40am – 11.00am Coffee Break

11.00am – 12.15pm Panel II — Water in the City of Tomorrow

Tom Vereijken, Director, European Water Stewardship & Petra Eszter Katona, Researcher, KWR Watercycle Research Institute, Urban Water Agenda 2030 – The Leeuwarden Process
Dr Štefan Stanko, Vice-rector for Education, Head of Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava Urban Water Management and Planning in BRATISLAVA
Asier Abaunza, Councillor for Urban Planning at Bilbao City hall Urban Water Management and Planning in BILBAO
Szabolcs Sidó, Head of Unit, City Management Department, Municipality of Budapest, Urban Water Management and Planning in BUDAPEST
Moderator: Gábor Ungvári, Senior Research Associate at the Regional Centre for Energy Policy Research (REKK)

12.15pm – 1.30pm Lunch Break

1.30pm – 2.30pm Panel III — Innovative and Smart Urban Water Solutions

Péter Kereszturi, Representative of Budapest Sewage Works Ltd.
Dr. Zsolt Edgár Rasztovits, Treatment Growth Center Manager, EEE at Xylem Inc.
Richard Elelman, Head of Public Administrations of Eurecat-CTM
János Prikk, S&D Energy and Utility Sector Sales Leader at IBM

Moderator: Károly Kovács, President, European Water Association, Hungarian Water Cluster, EIP Water Steering Group

2.30pm – 2.45pm Key Outcomes / Closing Remarks

Dr Gábor Baranyai, Ministerial Commissioner for the Sustainable Management of Transboundary Natural Resources, Ministry of Justice

3.00pm – 5.20pm Side Event: SUSCO YOUTH Forum

The Knowledge Centre reserves the right to change the programme.

11.11.2016

The world-famous French climate veteran did not travel, but still visited Hungary

News

Paul Watkinson, a world-famous climate change negotiator, held an unconventional and carbon-neutral live Skype presentation at the BCSDH Business Breakfast about the tasks and business opportunities which have emerged following the entry into force of the Paris Climate Agreement.

Paul Watkinson, Head of the Climate Negotiation team at the French Ministry of Environment, Energy and the Sea and the French Chief Climate Negotiator held a successful video presentation at the Business Breakfast organised for CEOs by the Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary. The BCSDH currently has more than 70 corporate members that contribute 30% of Hungary’s GDP, and this year ‘Climate Change’ is the main topic of the BCSDH Action 2020 Hungary program. On this occasion the climate negotiator was invited by the BCSDH and the Embassy of France.

Followed by the opening speech of Mr. Eric Fournier, French Ambassador to Hungary, Paul Watkinson talked about the ratification of the Climate Agreement which has occurred at a faster pace than predicted, thereby influencing the current agenda. As early as in Marrakesh at the COP22 negotiations in November, the topic of how the agreement will be reflected in the concrete measures of certain countries, including EU member states, should be discussed: “Ambitious goals require decisive steps that have real impacts” – is how the most important goal for the upcoming period was summarised by the climate negotiator.

Paul Watkinson warned participants of the meeting that by the second half of the century we must become carbon neutral. This will not be an easy task, and everyone will play a significant role in it. One of the most important tools for making this change may be the introduction of carbon pricing. Even though a unified system is still under development, there are countries in which the implementation of carbon pricing is officially ongoing. In November, France might adopt a law aimed at defining a minimum price for carbon emissions at the rate of 30 Euro/tonne. The widespread introduction of this system could extensively impact the economic balance of power.

“One of the outcomes of the Paris Climate Agreement is that national action plans will become visible and transparent, which will accelerate processes” –Watkinson highlighted. However, he added that close cooperation between governments and actors from the business sector will be crucially important in this development.

The business sector’s biggest challenge is to integrate medium and long-term considerations into businesses that operate in an ever-changing market environment and which are currently driven by strategies and decisions based on short-term market interests.

This will be achieved only if companies perceive these changes as advantages, and they are willing to transform their existing practices to meet these requirements.

Paul Watkinson closed his unconventional presentation by stating that “Defining the flow of investments and finances in accordance with their effects on climate change should be a major consideration”.

“The Paris Climate Agreement will come into force soon. BCSDH has an important mission supporting its members to become not only followers but also active leaders of future changes and global trends. Today’s event is designed to help us in this goal.” – explained Attila Chikán Jr., President of the BCSDH.

The BCSDH’s Action 2020 Hungary program is a tool for this purpose: to help with the discovery and promotion of good business solutions that go beyond business-as-usual and which can be disseminated amongst a wide range of business actors. Close to 50 companies have already joined the program.

The gallery of the event you can find here.

14.10.2016

Ministers approve EU ratification of Paris Agreement

News

In a historic move, EU ministers approved the ratification of the Paris Agreement by the European Union. The decision was reached at an extraordinary meeting of the Environment Council in Brussels. This decision brings the Paris Agreement very close to entering into force.

Once approved by the European Parliament next week, the EU will be able to deposit its ratification instrument before national ratification processes are completed in each Member State.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said: “Today’s decision shows that the European Union delivers on promises made. It demonstrates that the Member States can find common ground when it is clear that acting together, as part of the European Union, their impact is bigger than the mere sum of its parts. I am happy to see that today the Member States decided to make history together and bring closer the entry into force of the first ever universally binding climate change agreement. We must and we can hand over to future generations a world that is more stable, a healthier planet, fairer societies and more prosperous economies. This is not a dream. This is a reality and it is within our reach. Today we are closer to it.”

EU Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete said: “They said Europe is too complicated to agree quickly. They said we had too many hoops to jump through. They said we were all talk. Today’s decision shows what Europe is all about: unity and solidarity as Member States take a European approach, just as we did in Paris. We are reaching a critical period for decisive climate action. And when the going gets tough, Europe gets going.”

So far, 61 countries, accounting for almost 48% of global emissions have ratified the deal. The Agreement will enter into force 30 days after at least 55 countries, representing at least 55% of global emissions have ratified.

The EU, which played a decisive role in the adoption of the Paris Agreement last December, is a global leader on climate action. The European Commission has already brought forward the main legislative proposals to deliver on the EU’s commitment to reduce emissions in the European Union by at least 40% by 2030.

Next steps

Today’s approval will be forwarded to the European Parliament for its formal consent next week. Once Parliament has consented, the Council can formally adopt the Decision.

10.10.2016

India ratifies Paris climate agreement

News

India, one of the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters, has ratified the Paris global climate agreement.

Under the deal, India has committed to ensuring that at least 40% of its electricity will be generated from non-fossil sources by 2030.

CO2 emissions are believed to be the driving force behind climate change.

Last December in Paris, countries agreed to cut emissions in a bid to keep the global average rise in temperatures below 2C.

The Paris deal is the world’s first comprehensive climate agreement.

It will only come into force legally after it is ratified by at least 55 countries which between them produce at least 55% of global carbon emissions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced last month that India would ratify the agreement on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the struggle for independence from Britain.

“India has deposited its instrument of ratification of the Paris Agreement with the United Nations,” the UN said in a statement on Sunday.

The US and China – together responsible for 40% of the world’s carbon emissions – both formally joined the Paris global climate agreement earlier this month.

India accounts for about 4.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and became the 62nd country to ratify the agreement.

The European Union is expected to do so in the near future, taking approvals past the 55% of emissions threshold.

Paris agreement: Key points

To keep global temperature increase “well below” 2C and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5C
To peak greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible and achieve a balance between sources and sinks of greenhouse gases in the second half of this century
To review progress every five years
$100bn a year in climate finance for developing countries by 2020, with a commitment to further finance in the future
Once the deal comes into force, countries that have ratified it have to wait for a minimum of three years before they exit

Source: BBC News

10.10.2016

Regardless of size and industry, climate change poses a risk to all businesses

News

Regardless of size and industry, climate change poses a risk to all businesses- business leaders agreed on this statement at BCSDH’s CEO roundtable conversation in September 2016. Within the framework of the three-year-old Action2020 Hungary program, this year’s focal topic is Climate Change.

During the first week of September, CEO roundtable conversations took place on 3 different occasions with the participation of 34 CEOs from more than 10 industries. The aim of these conversations was to identify answers to the challenges posed by climate change, and to define the focal areas where BCSDH can formulate recommendations for the business sector. The roundtable conversations were hosted by three BCSDH members: Unilever, MagNet Bank and Henkel.

Participants agreed that companies, regardless of their size and industry, have an impact on climate change and should bear the business risks associated with it. However, the same businesses also all have the chance to create business opportunities from it by reducing risks or investing in adaptation and innovation (which are more difficult to achieve but may provide greater benefits).

During the business dinner on the 17^th November, and in our annual publication, BCSDH will identify the climate change-related areas in which most companies can apply easily adoptable business solutions and define recommendation for the business sector which will have a real impact on these areas.

Photos of the event you can find here.

20.09.2016

Budapest Energy Summit, 5-6 December 2016

News

Budapest Energy Summit will be organized on the 5-6^th of December 2016 at Budapest, Hungary.

The Main Patron of the conference is Mr. János Áder, President of Hungary.

The conference is a newly launched, biennial exclusive forum of the top energy leaders and EU leaders, representing businesses, authorities, and international organizations from 18 countries. The aim of the summit is to share insights and perspectives of the sector and to discuss the key energy issues of the broadly defined region.

They will surely be there:

Some further speakers of the Summit are:

Marie-Theres Thiell (RWE); Alexander Alting von Geusau (ING); Kirill Komarov (Rosatom); Gergely Szabó (MET); Dan Byles (SmarterUK); Jan Springl (EP Energy); Andrew Walker (Cheniere).

All speakers are available on the continually updated website of the conference: www.budapestenergysummit.hu

Book your seat now!

The World Energy Outlook 2016 will be presented on the conference by the Chief Economist of IEA, László Varró.

Awards have been established to honor the outstanding achievements of energy executives and projects. You can nominate for „Energy Executive of the Year”, „Young Energy Executive of the Year”, „Woman Energy Executive of the Year”, „Energy Innovation Project of the Year” and „ Energy CSR project of the Year”. The winners will be selected by a professional, international jury. The awarding ceremony will be held on the gala dinner on the 5th of December (first day of the conference).

Details of the summit:

Date: 5-6th of December 2016

Venue: Hungary, Budapest, Hotel Marriott

Early bird tickets with 20% discount are available until September for 960 EUR!

Please note that the number of seats available are limited.

For further information, please contact Henrietta Benkő at henrietta.benko@budapestenergysummit.hu.

The Main Sponsor of the event:

09.09.2016

Which is the greenest, happiest country in the world?

News

Is life on this planet getting better? When it comes to the progress of nations, how do you measure what matters most? There’s wealth, there’s health, there’s basic human freedoms. These criteria, and others, make regular appearances in a variety of international rankings, from the Better Life Index to the Sustainable Economic Development Assessment and the World Happiness Report.

But a new study takes a different approach. The Happy Planet Index, which has just published its 2016 edition, measures health and happiness not in isolation but against a crucial new gold standard for success: sustainability.

The formula goes something like this: take the well-being and longevity of a population, measure how equally both are distributed, then set the result against each country’s ecological footprint.

In this calculation, the most successful countries are those where people live long and happy lives at little cost to the environment.

So which countries are they?

They’re not the wealthy Western countries you’d expect to see, or even the progressive Nordic ones that normally bag the lifestyle laurels. Instead, a list of the top 10 (the index ranks 140 countries overall) shows that when it comes to people’s ability to live good lives within sustainable limits, Latin American and Asia Pacific countries are ahead of the crowd.

Green and pleasant land

There’s one country that stands out: Costa Rica, which tops the ranking for the third time. It is the happiest and most sustainable country on Earth, according to the Happy Planet Index.

So, what is it doing right?

A recent Gallup poll found the Central American nation to have the highest level of well-being in the world. It also has some of the longest-lived people: life expectancy there is 78.5 years – older than in the US. But what places the country time and again at the top of the index is that it delivers all this health and happiness while using a mere quarter of the resources that are typically used in the Western world.

How does it do that? Chiefly through a strong commitment to the environment: 99% of the country’s electricity supply is said to come from renewable sources, and the government has pledged to make the country carbon neutral by 2021. Other factors include robust investing in social programmes such as health and education, with public money that has been all the more plentiful since the abolition of the national army in 1949.

Wealthier Western countries tend to score highly when it comes to life expectancy and well-being, but the high environmental cost of their way of life sees their ratings plummet. The US, for instance, has one of the largest ecological footprints in the world. Of the Scandinavian nations, meanwhile, only Norway appears in the index’s top 20.

Source: www.weforum.org

17.08.2016

GRI certified Sustainability reporting – GRI G4 training

News

Sustainability reporting helps organizations to become more responsible, accountable and contribute effectively to sustainable development; to engage with stakeholders and build corporate reputation. To prepare and publish a report needs more than data, wording and editing.

Date: 29-30. September 2016 + on-line exercise

Location: Hungary, Budapest (1133 Budapest, Váci út 92. Kinnarps House)

Language: English

Participation fee: 750 EURO + VAT (27%), which includes printed training material, coffee breaks, lunch, exam fee, licence fee, but does not include travelling, parking or accommodation fee.

Discounts:

550 EURO + VAT (27%) For NGOs, teachers, students, SMEs (<50 employees) and for companies that delegate more participants than 1 person
10% Early bird discount if registering until 5th September
10% for companies who are members of our partner organizations e.g. BCSDH member (full partner list available on sd-reporting-training.webnode.hu)

Capturing key topics and developments, the 16-hour training provides a holistic overview of sustainability reporting, from G4 requirements and developments to practical information and conclusions.

The training provides a general overview on the reporting process and areas:

starting with basic definitions (what is sustainability),
the reporting process (what is reporting, how to measure sustainability, GRI principles and indicators), also
concrete reporting dilemmas (printed or online, which target group, how to communicate it effectively, how to prioritize issues etc.).

Former training participants evaluated the training as practical, professional, creative and open minded event, which gave them every day help although to prepare their first report or develop already existing reporting practices.

Sustainability reporting is a continually evolving practice that interacts with local and global developments. Thousands of organizations worldwide produce sustainability reports, and more and more develop their reporting process to gain benefits. Assurance and integrated reports are among key challenges on a global level, stakeholder engagement, materiality and successful publishing and dissemination on national levels.

Reporting is an internal learning process contributing the sustainable and organizational development, and a communication tool to build and strengthen reputation and stakeholder relationships. The relationship between data, an organization’s sustainability, performance and its ability to communicate material information to stakeholders is among key challenges – and this training will give useful insights and day to day recommendations to tackle them.

More information you can find here: http://sd-reporting-training.webnode.hu/

The registration sheet you can find here: Registration_G4_September2016

21.07.2016

Every business depends on nature for success

News

Under the banner of the Natural Capital Coalition, around 240 cross sectoral leaders gathered in London to launch the Natural Capital Protocol – the first ever standardized framework for business to measure and value its impacts and dependencies on natural capital. This is a huge leap forward.

All businesses now have access to cutting edge information that will improve decision-making with respect to nature, and allow evidence-based conversations about sustainability.

WBCSD is proud to have led development of the Protocol on behalf of the Natural Capital Coalition, through a consortium of nearly 30 businesses, service providers, NGOs, academics and individual experts to work towards this key sustainability milestone.

As business navigates an economy increasingly defined by the boundaries of our planet, it’s critical for us to begin seriously considering natural capital in every-day business decision-making, so that we truly can do more with less. The companies who do this will be better positioned to succeed as regulations change and natural resources diminish.

A smart business person will make efforts to live off the interest earned by corporate capital reserves, rather than devouring foundational capital – the time has come to do the same for nature. The Natural Capital Protocol does just that: it opens the pathway for us to treat our relationship with nature with the same careful consideration that we treat our finances.

Business leaders at the highest level now have the opportunity to truly improve their relationship with nature in a way that’s useful, reliable and accessible. Read more here.

19.07.2016

World Water Week in Stockholm, 28 August – 2 September, 2016

News

World Water Week in Stockholm is the annual focal point for the globe’s water issues. It is organized by SIWI. This year, the theme is Water for Sustainable Growth. It is also the 20th jubilee of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize. In 2015, over 3,000 individuals and close to 300 convening organizations from 130 countries participated in the Week.

Experts, practitioners, decision-makers, business innovators and young professionals from a range of sectors and countries come to Stockholm to network, exchange ideas, foster new thinking and develop solutions to the most pressing water-related challenges of today. We believe water is key to our future prosperity, and that together, we can achieve a water wise world.

20.06.2016