The European Tech for Climate Action Conference serves as a platform to position Europe as a leader in climate tech and sustainable growth by convening key stakeholders from across the ecosystem to discuss the latest EU policies and innovations.

• Ralph Cochrane, Editor and Host, Tech for Climate Action TV

9:30am – 9:40am        Keynote Speech: View from the European Parliament

• MEP Anna Cavazzini, Group of the Greens, Chair of the IMCO Committee, European Parliament

9:40am – 9:50am        Keynote Speech: International perspective

• His Excellency Pedro Miguel da Costa e Silva, Brazilian Ambassador to the EU 

• Kata Tüttő, President, European Committee of the Regions

In February, the European Commission unveiled the Clean Industrial Deal, a plan designed to turn decarbonisation into a driver for European industrial competitiveness. This session will explore the role of technology in supporting industrial decarbonisation and the progress made to date across key EU industries.

• What progress has been made to date across different industries?
• How are policymakers supporting businesses scale-up clean industrial manufacturing?
• What is planned to reduce any regulatory burdens on European industries?
• What technologies are helping businesses to cut emissions and boost industrial leadership?
• What support is available to European SMEs to ensure they can compete in the global market?

Speakers:

• Alexandre Paquot, Director – Innovation for Clean Growth and Low Carbon Economy, DG CLIMA, European Commission
• Faiza Oulahsen, Associate Director Sustainability, KPMG Netherlands
• Susan McGarry, Director of Public Affairs and Sustainability, Ecocem
• Cliona Cunningham, Public Affairs and Communications Director, CEMBUREAU – The European Cement Association

• Moderator to be confirmed

If you are interested in attending this Policy Lab, please reach out to tom.chinnock@techforclimateaction.com

Critical Raw Materials (CRM) are the building blocks of Europe’s sustainable and digital future. They are key components in technologies vital for decarbonization and clean energy, and help to strengthen economic security and competitiveness. Certain technologies and solutions play a strategic and enabling role in supporting the extraction of CRMs more responsibly and sustainably. By providing the tools, platforms and innovations, companies can support faster, cleaner and smarter extraction of domestic CRMs in Europe.

• What metals and materials are helping the EU meet its net zero targets?
• How are policymakers helping to unlock the potential of Critical Raw Materials?
• How are companies driving the shift to smart, connected and automated mining?
• What role can robotics and autonomous vehicles play in helping to reduce the environmental footprint of CRM extraction?
• To what extent can AI and predictive analytics play in supporting CRM extraction?
• What support do companies need to deliver the solutions to make the CRM value chain competitive and sustainable?

Speakers:

• Joaquim Nunes De Almeida, Director, Decarbonisation, Mobility, Raw Materials, DG GROW, European Commission
• MEP Hildegard Bentele, Group EPP, Member of the ITRE Committee, European Parliament
• Dinah McLeod, Director General, Cobalt Institute
• Michael Pinto, Managing Director – Corporate Development, Circular Materials
• Wiktor Kowalczyk, Director, Department of Management of Programs and Funded Projects, KGHM Polska Miedź S.A.

• Peter Handley, Critical Raw Materials Expert and Founder, Phase32 (moderator)

• Dr Florian Anderhuber, Deputy Director General, Director Energy, Climate & Sustainability, Euromines 

Another prominent feature of the Clean Industrial Deal has been Circularity. Powered by cutting-edge technologies and strong policy frameworks, the EU aims to maximise its limited resources, reduce waste and become a global frontrunner in the circular economy by 2030, outpacing superpowers like the United States and China. The EU’s Circular Economy Act, expected to be published in 2026, is set to reshape how businesses use resources and compete in the global marketplace.

• What are the flagship technologies of the EU’s Circular Economy Plan?
• How will the upcoming Circular Economy Act drive simultaneous economic growth and global environmental leadership?
• To what extent will material savings boost competitiveness?
• What support is available to businesses to help them prepare for the introduction of the Circular Economy Act?

Speakers:

• Aurel Ciobanu Dordea, Director, Competitive Circular Economy & Clean Industrial Policy, DG ENV, European Commission
• Daniel Montalvo, Head of Unit, Circular Economy, European Environment Agency
• George Karkampasis, Director – Circular Economy & Raw Materials, European Aluminium
• Simon Gresset, Senior Expert, Circular Economy, ICLEI Europe

• David Fitzsimons, Director, European Remanufacturing Council and Member, European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (moderator)

Finance plays a pivotal role in advancing the EU’s climate objectives and boosting its global competitiveness and policymakers and financial institutions can both play an important role. By strategically mobilising financial resources and investing in both green and digital initiatives, the EU can create new industries and business models that will be central to Europe’s competitiveness and economy of the future.

• What are the economic benefits of investing in joint green and digital initiatives?
• What key financial mechanisms are supporting the green digital transition and how successful have they been to date?
• How can private capital support the EU’s plans?
• What role can public finance play in supporting Europe’s industrial decarbonisation and wider competitive plans?
• To what extent will integrating green and digital goals maximise financial returns for Europe and support financial institutions to lead the charge in building a future-proof, competitive economy?

Video speech:

• MEP Thomas Pellerin-Carlin, Group S&D, Member of the ITRE Committee and Co-chair of the Intergroup on Attracting Investment to Ensure a Competitive and Sustainable European Union, European Parliament

Speakers:

• Marie Donnay, Director, Recovery & Resilience I (RRF I), Secretariat-General, European Commission
• Giorgio Chiarion Casoni, Director, Investment & InvestEU, DG GROW, European Commission
• Hélène Bussières, Head of Unit, Asset Management, DG FISMA, European Commission
• Rowan Douglas, CEO Climate Rick & Resilience, Howden Group Holdings

• Istvan Ujhelyi, President, Capital European Affairs (moderator)