Join us for a pivotal moment in Europe’s climate journey...
On 30 September 2025, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Climate Action (DG CLIMA) invites stakeholders from across sectors to a high-level hybrid event, with the participation of Wopke Hoekstra, European Commissioner for Climate, Net-Zero and Clean Growth.
This event will be held in Brussels and livestreamed online. Registration for in-person participation is now closed, but a livestream will be available – make sure to register to find out how to join us online.
Documents
Watch the recording
- De Gasperi room (plenary sessions and workshop ‘Accelerating the clean transition through innovation’)
- Jenkins room (workshop ‘Climate policy in action- reporting on progress’)
- Mansholt room (workshop ‘EU’s climate diplomacy and international climate cooperation’)
Why attend?
In a time of geopolitical uncertainty, the EU remains firmly committed to its climate goals. This event will:
- Reaffirm the EU’s course toward climate neutrality by 2050
- Highlight the economic and social benefits of climate action – not just for the planet, but for people, prosperity, and business
- Showcase success stories and inspire further action through real-world examples and visionary thinking
- Provide a platform for dialogue between stakeholders and decision-makers to strengthen collaboration and impact
Who should attend?
This event is open to the public and stakeholder representatives, including:
- Industry and business leaders
- EU and national policymakers
- Social partners and civil society organisations
- Academia and think tanks
- Media representatives
Contact
For questions or more information, please contact: EU-climate-stakeholder-event
spectraconsortium [dot] eu (EU-climate-stakeholder-event[at]spectraconsortium[dot]eu)
- climate change
- Tuesday 30 September 2025, 08:30 - 19:00 (CEST)
- Brussels, Belgium
- Live streaming available
Media
DSC02454Commission President Ursula von der Leyen opened the event in a video message where she called on the help of all participants to achieve Europe’s climate ambitions 
DSC02455Over 400 policymakers and business and community leaders gathered in Brussels to highlight the economic and social benefits of climate action 
DSC02456Speakers underlined that the net zero transition and climate action in today’s challenging geopolitical context can be a lever for competitiveness, resilience, energy independence and sovereignty 
DSC02479As participants listened to expert perspectives, they gained a deeper understanding of the intricate relationships between climate action, global stability, and geopolitical uncertainty 
DSC02489Expert panels brought together diverse perspectives, including that of MEP Danuše Nerudová, to discuss the unfolding challenges and opportunities of the net-zero economy 
DSC02492As the panellists shared their insights, the audience participated actively, both in person and remotely, asking questions, sharing thoughts, and engaging in a lively exchange of ideas 
DSC02498With skilled moderation, the panel discussion was able to tackle complex topics and provide valuable insights and perspectives to the audience 
DSC02544The event was a hub of activity, with participants eager to learn about and get involved with the various projects and initiatives on display 
DSC02546The event brought together a vibrant community of stakeholders committed to addressing the climate crisis, and eager to learn from each other 
DSC02565The Mayor of Braga, Ricardo Rio, provided valuable insights into the role of local governments in driving climate action 
DSC02597Representatives from cities, businesses and communities shared their success stories and lessons learned in the pursuit of a more sustainable future 
DSC02610The workshop sessions were designed to facilitate in-depth discussions, with participants able to choose from three thematic areas: accelerating the clean transition through innovation, tracking the transition, and EU climate diplomacy 
DSC02626The panel explored the complexities of the net-zero economy, discussing the latest developments and innovations in clean energy, sustainable practices, and climate policy 
DSC02665Through the workshops, participants were able to examine the topic of EU climate diplomacy and international cooperation in greater detail 
DSC02708. Experts from across the insurance sector discussed complex issues surrounding climate risk insurance 
DSC02709The panellists made several interesting points about the current state of climate risk insurance, including the lack of available data 
DSC02831The European Climate Pact Ambassadors shared their stories and expertise, highlighting the importance of climate action and the role that individuals and communities can play 
DSC02874Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra shared his perspective on the EU's climate agenda, discussing the challenges and opportunities ahead and the role that stakeholders can play in supporting the EU's climate goals
Programme
- 30 Sep 2025, 08:30 - 09:00 (CEST)Welcome coffee and registration
De Gasperi foyer
Start the day with coffee and a chance to meet fellow participants. Explore the fair featuring EU initiatives such as the Innovation Fund, the Social Climate Fund and the European Climate Pact, as well as stands showcasing international, regional and local climate action.
- 09:00 - 09:30 (CEST)Opening session: From goals to gains – the EU’s transition journey
De Gasperi room
Ten years after the Paris Agreement, six years into the European Green Deal, and nearly one year into the new European Commission mandate, this session offers an opportunity to take stock and reflect on a vision for the future.
Master of Ceremony: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, Spokesperson, European Commission
Speakers:
- Video message from Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
- Welcome remarks by Kurt Vandenberghe, Director-General for Climate Action, European Commission
- Scene-setter by François Gemenne, Professor, École des Hautes Études Commerciales de Paris & Director, The Hugo Observatory
- 09:30 - 10:30 (CEST)Roundtable: The net-zero economy is taking shape – are we ready?
De Gasperi room
The science is clear and the impacts are here but are we fully grasping the economic reality of climate change and harnessing the possibilities of the clean economy? Panellists will share insights and experiences, from navigating the transition to net-zero to making sense of climate risks and developing innovative solutions.
Moderator: Yvon Slingenberg, Director for Strategy, Analysis & Planning, Directorate-General for Climate Action, European Commission
Speakers:
- Danuše Nerudová, Member of the European Parliament, European People's Party (EPP)
- David Ducarme, Group Chief Operating Officer, Knauf Insulation
- Luisa Orre, Chief Business Development Officer, Stegra
- Erika Blanckaert, Senior Public Affairs Manager – Head of Sustainability, Invest Europe
- 10:30 - 11:00 (CEST)Coffee break
De Gasperi foyer
- 11:00 - 12:00 (CEST)Shaping the future: Testimonials from the field
De Gasperi room
From city halls to our homes, the transition to a climate-neutral and resilient EU is underway. Changemakers from different sectors share their stories on making communities and businesses stronger and future-ready through climate action. What does it take and what have they gained?
Moderator: Beatriz Yordi, Director for Carbon Markets and Clean Mobility, Directorate-General for Climate Action, European Commission
Speakers:
- David Agudelo-Romero, External Relations & Business Intelligence Officer, Waga Energy
- Nađa Dizdarević, CEO and Co-Founder, Coolect
- Ricardo Rio, Mayor of Braga, Portugal, and European Climate Pact Ambassador
- Sofie Winge-Petersen, Co-Founder, Paint 'R and European Climate Pact Ambassador
- Baptist Vlaeminck, Life PACT project coordinator, city of Leuven, Belgium
- 12:00 - 13:30 (CEST)Buffet luncheon
De Gasperi Foyer
- 13:30 - 14:45 (CEST)Parallel workshops
Jenkins, Mansholt and De Gasperi rooms
Building on the high-level session, the workshops offer an opportunity to reflect more profoundly into some key challenges and opportunities.
Three parallel workshops will be taking place:
- Accelerating the clean transition through innovation
This workshop will explore how the EU can enable the right conditions to support the business case for deploying breakthrough decarbonisation technologies for industry and energy.
Moderator: Alexandre Paquot, Director for Innovation for clean growth and low carbon economy, DG CLIMA, European Commission
Speakers:- Sara Matthieu, Member of the European Parliament, Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance
- Sarah Neumann, Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action and Energy, Policy Advisor, Energy, Hydrogen
- Martin Pei, Senior Advisor, SSAB (Innovation Fund project)
- Nerijus Virbickas, Innovation Manager, GREEN GENIUS (Innovation Fund project)
- EU’s climate diplomacy and international climate cooperation
This workshop will dive into the challenges and opportunities of climate diplomacy, with a focus on strengthening cooperation, sharing best practices with global partners, and exploring how political ambition can translate into concrete examples of climate action.
Moderator: Diana Acconcia, Director for International affairs and climate finance, DG CLIMA, European Commission
Speakers:- Canada – Methane Emission Reduction - Olivier Ascoët, Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors
- South Korea – Offshore Wind Development - Cato van de Meeberg, Haskoning
- India – Industry Decarbonisation - Per Andersson, Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT)
- Climate policy in action- reporting on progress
Experts on reporting on the transition will engage in a conversation on the role that information and indicators play in achieving the EU’s climate targets, through tracking progress to a sustainable and competitive economy. Following this, we will tune in to the livestream of the high-level event ‘EU’s Environment for Prosperity and Resilience’, organised by the Danish EU Presidency, which will inter alia present the EEA’s flagship 2025 report on the state of Europe’s environment.
Speakers:- Vicky Pollard, Head of Foresight, Economic Analysis & Modelling Unit, Directorate-General for Climate Action, European Commission
- Liza Leimane, Policy Officer, European Environment Agency
- Mia Moisio, Climate Policy Analyst, NewClimate Institute
- Clara Calipel, Researcher, Institute for Climate Economics (I4CE)
- Accelerating the clean transition through innovation
- 14:45 - 15:00 (CEST)Break (coffee available)
De Gasperi foyer
- 15:00 - 16:00 (CEST)Panel discussion: Tackling the finance challenge of new climate realities
De Gasperi room
Mobilising finance is essential to accelerating climate action. This panel discussion will explore how financial institutions, banks and insurers are navigating climate risks and resilience, and what it takes to unlock private investment at scale. Speakers will discuss regulatory developments, the insurance dimension of climate adaptation and the broader financing landscape.
Moderator: Elina Bardram, Director for Climate Resilience and Information Management, Directorate-General for Climate Action, European Commission
Speakers:
- Frank Elderson, Vice-Chair of the Supervisory Board and Member of the Executive Board, European Central Bank
- Alison Martin, CEO EMEA and Bank Distribution, Zurich Insurance
- Sebastian Buckup, Managing Director, World Economic Forum
- Paola Angeletti, Chief Sustainability Officer, Intesa Sanpaolo
- 16:00 - 17:00 (CEST)Engaging communities in the clean transition: Local and regional ImPact stories
De Gasperi room
Beyond regulations, technology and finance, the human element and the social aspects of the just clean transition are essential considerations. This session will explore examples of collective climate action and community engagement from the Climate Pact Community and beyond.
Moderator: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, European Commission spokesperson
Speakers:
- Joost Brinkman, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Cycling4Climate
- Mariya Hristova, Founder, Agriventures
- Luciana Favaro, President, EuCliPa
- Ulrike Feichtinger, Vice-Mayor of Gmunden, Austria
- 17:00 - 17:45 (CEST)Conversation with Commissioner Hoekstra
De Gasperi room
Alice Hancock interviews Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra to explore his perspectives on the future of EU and global climate policy. This discussion aims to provide an overview of key priorities and the strategic direction of climate policy under the current Commission mandate and his vision for the path forward.
Interviewer:
- Alice Hancock, EU correspondent, Financial Times
Featuring:
- Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, European Commission
- 17:45 - 19:00 (CEST)Networking Cocktail
De Gasperi foyer
Practical information
- When
- Tuesday 30 September 2025, 08:30 - 19:00 (CEST)
- Where
- Charlemagne buildingBrussels, Belgium
- Languages
- English