European Investment Fund (EIF)’s Post

📣 On November 15th, our partner, alchemia-nova participated in the 1st Circular Carbon Economy Summit in Vienna, hosted by BioBASE_GmbH! The Summit was focused on the transition from fossil based to bio-based or renewable #carbon utilization. 💡 In this light, a broad panel of experts presented and discussed the latest research and business innovations in carbon capture as well as the role of circular bio-based economy solutions to reduce and mitigate carbon emissions. 🎯🌍 💭 During the event, οur partner presented the #FUTURAL project, and how to bring the relevant innovations to implementation in vulnerable, rural areas. #HorizonEurope #ResearchImpactEU #RuralDevelopment #CircularBioeconomy

💡 Cleantech for Europe Scaleup Coalition Joins Innovation Fund Conference on Driving Sustainable Innovation 💡 Packed day at CINEA - European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency's #IFCleantech conference, with speeches from European Commission EVP Maroš Šefčovič, EU Environment and Climate Director General Kurt Vandenberghe, and the leaders of cleantech scale-ups from across Europe. The need to scale up cleantech emerged as key to Europe’s economic competitiveness, energy resilience and security. In a keynote address on the topic of deployment and scaling up cleantech manufacturing, Vaitea Cowan, co-founder of Enapter, made the case for simpler and better public funding for cleantech manufacturing, in particular by focusing urgently on de-risking instruments which can help European innovators to compete on a level playing field by freeing up precious working capital. One clear theme from the day: the role of ambitious policymaking to massively increase funding for the most promising clean technologies in Europe. In the words of Kurt Vandenberghe, “We have made the regulatory case. Now, we need to make the business case." Ruben Davis Sofia Karagianni Per Sonesson Ola Hansén Christopher Frey Sunfire Ecocem Global H2 Green Steel

Left this impressive conference uplifted by the broad consensus around the need for speed, scale, and simplicity for the competitive sustainability and resilience of Europe’s manufacturing base. The ramp up of capital-intensive cleantech manufacturing is tricky, and the government has an important role in enabling the long-term framework conditions that catalyze the needed private investment. It is cheaper to keep an industry in Europe in the first place than to attempt to reshore it once it has been lost, so the implementation of non-price criteria in auctions and public procurement calls will be key, among other things - we need to find the right balance between cheap, good, and fair. The EU is getting serious about how to decarbonize each sector and what it will take to get there - exploring avenues to support projects, such as the Sovereignty Seal, Auctions-as-a-Service, and new blended finance products such as public counter-guarantees to address working capital needs of cleantech manufacturing scale up. You miss 100% of the shots you don't take, and I really appreciated DG CLIMA’s Kurt Vandenberghe closing on a Seneca quote to much the same effect: “It’s not because things are difficult that we don’t dare, it’s because we don’t dare that things are difficult.” Huge thanks to policymakers leading the way on this topic Paloma Aba Garrote Maroš Šefčovič Roman Doubrava Kerstin Jorna Alex Paquot Jacek Truszczynski Katrien De Marez Ruben Devogelaer Also fantastic to link up with the cleantech community in person Vaitea Cowan Christopher Frey Per Sonesson Ola Hansén Julia Altenhofer Pierre-Louis Delon #EU #Cleantech #IFCleantech

Last week, our team had the privilege to attend the World Water-Tech Innovation Summit, a truly eye-opening event that brought together more than 500 senior international stakeholders from the #watersector. The summit provided an invaluable platform for networking, and we had the opportunity to engage with #waterutilities, other #innovators and #investors.🚰💵 There were thought-provoking panellists, insightful case studies, and controversial opinions (like the investment momentum in the water sector innovation landscape) which sparked positive debates.  Among the panel sessions, two key takeaways stood out: 1️⃣👉Acceleration is needed to achieve the water sector's #netzeroemissions goals: The attendees were quite pessimistic (about 95%) that the sector would achieve net-zero targets (against Tom Freyberg's prediction). Panellists presented initiatives such as carbon credits, voluntary emissions reduction schemes, and regulatory requirements for measuring emissions that underscored the sector's commitment to achieving net zero emissions. However, collaboration, innovation, and investment are crucial for accelerating progress towards carbon neutrality. 2️⃣👉 Enhanced focus on water quality and micro-pollutants:  The panel emphasized the importance of safeguarding freshwater health and protecting waterways from contaminants. In particular, the focus was on strategies to address emerging contaminants like PFAS (Ronit Erlitzki, PhD.) Regulatory measures, stakeholder engagement, and technological advancements are key drivers for this. 🥇The organization of the event was top-notch, thanks to the superb efforts of Rethink Events and the key partner, UK government, which facilitated numerous networking opportunities and fostered both formal and informal conversations. 🤝It was good to see familiar faces like Bluemethane, Aganova, Imagine H2O, as well as forge new inspiring connections such as Permalution, Water Warriors Inc. and many more who are driving innovation and change in the sector. #watertech #innovationsummit #netzero

Physics has a key role to play in creating a thriving green economy as this report sets out #IOPGreenEconomy.

We’ve launched our new report 'Physics Powering the Green Economy' today with exciting and concerning finds. The report identifies pivotal technologies and emphasises the need for a strategic plan and increased investment in R&D. Download and read it here: iop.org/GreenEconomy #IOPGreenEconomy 🍃 #PhysicsInnovation #NetZero2050 

Linked to our launch, I’ve been thinking on how to best support the Wales Green Economy Plan in schools here in Wales. It’s going to involve incorporating sustainability practices into the education process, its operations, and a wider community engagement. Here are some ways I think schools in Wales can contribute: ·        Curriculum Integration ·        Hands-On Learning ·        Teacher Training ·        Energy Efficiency ·        Waste Reduction and Recycling ·        Partnerships with Local Businesses ·        Green Infrastructure ·        Community Engagement ·        Student-Led Initiatives ·        Monitoring and Reporting These bullet points need fleshing out, obviously, but by integrating these practices, schools can play a significant role in fostering a green economy and will educate the next generation about the importance of sustainability.

📆📣❗ Join us today for our latest webinar on #carbonoffsetting! Join experts from IETA, Verra, VCMI and EcoAct to learn about: ✔️The role of carbon removals and avoidance projects ✔️How to communicate the impact of carbon offsetting projects rigorously ✔️How these elements fit within an organisation’s carbon offsetting strategy Register using the following link: https://hubs.li/Q023wnWb0 3PM BST/ 4PM CET 📆 #carbonremovals #offsettingstrategy

🌍 Cleantech Conference 2024: Driving Sustainable Innovation The conference has officially begun! Join us today to explore the pivotal role of cleantech manufacturing in Europe's green transition. We kick off with an insightful opening speech on why cleantech is crucial for Europe. 🔗💡 Stay Engaged: Join us for networking opportunities and share your thoughts on how we can boost cleantech manufacturing to achieve a sustainable European economy. #IFCleantech #Cleantech #GreenTechnology #SustainableInnovation #GreenDeal

🏆 WEX Global 2024 Awards Nominee 🏆 H2O Innovation for Innovation in Decarbonising We look forward to celebrating the winners at the WEX Global 2024 Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner to be held at the Real Casino de Madrid on the 5th March. ✨ . The WEX Global Awards showcase the best examples of circular economy strategies in the water sector. The Awards are open to all companies or organisations that have made a significant contribution to the water and wastewater sector, with special emphasis on innovative energy reduction and environmental considerations; the sustainable future; financial resilience, and innovation. The winners of the nine categories are chosen by an international, cross-sector panel of judges. To find out more about the awards visit https://lnkd.in/dSSPXjfW #wexglobal2024awards #awardrecognition #waterconference #digitaltransformation #smartcirculareconomy #futureofwater #ClimateAdaptation #climatepositivesolutions #waterpositivefuture #netzero #meetforbusiness #industryleaders #BusinessInnovation #GlobalImpact