Programme

The energy transition has entered the stage of economic and political verification. Simultaneously, Europe is facing a rising regulatory burden, stiff competition from the US and China, and the urgent need to safeguard its economic security. How can it reconcile its environmental goals with the protection of industry and investments? How has the approach of business to the Green New Deal changed? The opening session will be devoted to a new model of transition – a more pragmatic one, based on economic resilience, safety, and current possibilities of introducing changes.

Energy has become one of the key factors in industry and business competitiveness. The energy transition is one of the most critical mega trends influencing business. Businesses are increasing their investments in energy efficiency, on-site generation and resilient infrastructure. The increasing costs of energy require businesses and local government to modernize their energy and district heating systems. How is the approach of businesses to energy security changing? What technologies and energy management models will prove crucial for the economy in the foreseeable future? A debate on the energy sector as an element of business transition and modern economy.

Floods, droughts, and extreme weather events generate ever-increasing costs for the economy, infrastructure, and local governments. This year, the effects of global extreme weather events driven partly by super El Niño have once again demonstrated how deeply weather disruption affects food security, water access, urban functioning, and supply chain stability. Is Poland ready for a new climate reality? What sectors of the economy are most vulnerable to climate change? How to finance adaptation efforts and the development of resilient infrastructure? A debate about the economy of adaptation, business risk, and the price of inactivity.

Since COP26 in Glasgow, sustainable finance has been one of the key tools in pursuing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. At the same time, the world is not on track to reach the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 – the financial gap is estimated at around 4 trillion dollars each year, while curtailing global developmental aid has added pressure on private and institutional funding. Who is financing the green transition today? What is the role of development banks and international financing institutions? How has the global balance of power changed, given that China accounts for 40% of investments in the energy transition? Will Europe remain the leader of legislation and investment? A debate on the future of sustainable finance, transitional capital, and new investment priorities in the economy.

In 2015, the signatories to the Paris Agreement undertook to implement ambitious emission reduction policies in Europe. It means developing the ETS and the CBAM, as well as enacting additional legislation supporting the decarbonisation of the economy. At the same time, similar market mechanisms are being developed by other of the world's leading economies, including China, which is consistently developing its own emissions trading system. European climate legislation is increasing the costs incurred by industry and limiting the competitiveness of the continent's economy. How are businesses preparing for the new requirements? Can Europe marry its climate goals with protecting its own economy and jobs? Is legislation the problem, or is it the pace of its adoption and the lack of a level playing field on the global market? A debate on the competitiveness of Europe's industry and the boundaries of legislation in a world of accelerating transition.

At an increasing number of companies, the environmental footprint is generated outside of the organisation – across their suppliers, partners, and clients. New legislation, investor expectations, and the requirements of large buyers are changing the way supply chains are managed. How can a company limit its own emissions? How to marry the environmental goals with cost-cutting efforts and competitiveness? A debate on how the climate transition transforms relationships within entire economic ecosystems.

According to IPBES reports, the loss of biodiversity and degradation of ecosystems have become one of the primary threats to economic growth. Poland, as a country involved in IPBES and committed to developing solutions that benefit the environment, participates in implementing recommendations that exert an increasing influence on public policies and investors' decisions. More than ever, concern for biodiversity impacts the decisions made by investors and legislators. Businesses will have to account for the impact of their activity on the environment and the risks related to resource depletion. How to price natural capital? Can environmental protection become an element of business strategy? A debate on the new meaning of nature to the financial market and the economy.

Water scarcity has become one of the key economic challenges of the 21st century, while water security is one of the major priorities on the UN agenda. As UN-Water claims, access to water has become an important factor determining regional investment attractiveness, economic competitiveness, and corporate resilience to the effects of climate change. The combination of growing water consumption, droughts, and climate change is increasing the pressure exerted on cities, industry, and municipal infrastructure. How to prepare the economy for water scarcity? What investments will prove necessary in the foreseeable future? A conversation about water security, water retention, and the cost of inactivity.

Which of the two – modern technologies or investments based on nature-friendly solutions – will provide resilience to the effects of climate change? More costly and urgent than ever, cities and companies are developing blue and green infrastructure and embracing nature-based solutions. How can digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, support them in climate change adaptation, resource management, and infrastructure development? Which applications of artificial intelligence hold the largest potential to benefit the economy and the environment, while also limiting the environmental footprint of technologies? How can we use the expertise of Polish engineers in gaining competitive advantage in the field of clean tech and climate tech? A debate on the future of infrastructure and climate resilience.

The circular economy is no longer a mere PR stunt but an important model of building corporate resilience. Effective resource consumption – from timber to water – reduces costs, increases corporate resilience, and decreases dependence on imports. Despite the increasing significance of the circular economy, the global economy has remained predominantly linear: the use of recycled materials is still low, while the progress in shifting the paradigm from linearity to circularity fails to keep pace with the increasing resource consumption. Rising raw material prices and new legislation are changing how products are designed and supply chains are managed. How do companies actually profit from circularity? A debate on the economics of the circular economy and new business models.

The deposit-refund system has been one of the major changes in the market of packaging and waste management in recent years. Its successful implementation will be critical to achieving the recycling and collection targets set by the European Union and alleviating the growing challenges of packaging waste. Finding a model that would be environmentally efficient, economically viable, and effective in terms of organisation, remains a key challenge. Trade, manufacturers, and operators are awaiting a new model of resource collection. What is the current condition of the packaging market, a year since the launch of the deposit-refund system? What costs and challenges has it brought with it? A debate on the practice of the deposit-refund system implementation and the impact of legislation on the market.

For over four decades, as a signatory to the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (1982), Poland has contributed to international efforts aimed at improving air quality. At the same time, the World Health Organization has tightened its recommended air quality guidelines, highlighting an increasing significance of public health. Air pollution remains one of the greatest environmental and health challenges faced by Poland. The social and economic costs of smog and industrial emissions have become a burden for the economy and the healthcare system. How to effectively reduce the emissions? What is the significance of environmental investments and modern technologies? A debate on the quality of life, public health, and environmental costs.

The garment industry is entering a period of change unprecedented in recent history. The new legislation concerning producer responsibility, textile waste and eco-design will affect the entire chain of value – from manufacturers and importers, to trade and recycling. How can companies prepare for what is coming? What business models will gain in prominence? A debate on the future of the textile industry in the circular economy.

By permanently reshaping business models, global economic competition, and public perceptions of worthwhile investments, the climate transition has become one of the defining megatrends of the 21st century. However, the European green transition has entered a stage of economic review. Over is the time for simple declarations, as questions about cost, competitiveness, and the pace of the transition are mounting. Does business still perceive the transition to be a strategic direction for achieving growth? Which areas of the green transition are developing fastest and which are showing signs of slowing down? A debate on how companies, investors and states define the future of Europe's climate and economic transition.

Today, cities, local governments and regions are, more often than ever, the arena for environmental and economic transition. Heatwaves, droughts, and extreme weather events are increasingly frequent, highlighting the fact that adaptation to climate change is not only an environmental challenge but a matter of public health, public safety, and local economic competitiveness. Managing transport, water resources, waste, air quality, and spatial planning have become an everyday struggle for local authorities. At the same time, local governments are grappling with increasing costs of infrastructure maintenance as well as financial and social limitations. How to finance the green transition of cities? How to build resilience to climate and economic crises? What solutions and investments do actually increase the residents' quality of life? A debate on the role of local governments, businesses, and local communities in creating modern, resilient, and sustainable cities and regions.

Blue and green infrastructure is no longer a mere addition to an urban policy, but it has become one of the key tools in adaptation to climate change. Water retention, urban greenery, heat mitigation, and flood protection require new models of investment and cooperation between local governments, businesses, and urban planners. How to design cities that are more resilient and friendly to residents? How to finance green infrastructure? A debate on a modern approach to urban development.

Transport remains one of the key environmental and social challenges faced by contemporary cities. At the same time, these are the challenges that prompt fastest innovation. The world is already testing solutions that until recently seemed far too futuristic, such as autonomous air taxis, which have already been announced by cities like Dubai. How to develop urban mobility to make it more sustainable and accessible? What will be the significance of public transport, electric mobility, bikes, alternative fuels, and spatial planning? As the Polish Hydrogen Strategy is being revised, there are many questions about the role of hydrogen in the decarbonisation of heavy goods transport, logistics, public transport, and the development of modern industry. What technologies will determine future mobility and where is the boundary between ambitions and economic viability? A conversation about the future of urban mobility, new technologies in transport, the cost of the transition, and the future direction of Polish and European transport policy.

Rising energy prices, climate pressure, and the need to enhance infrastructure security are changing the way local governments approach local energy. Increasingly, cities are investing in energy efficiency, local energy sources, building retrofits, and smart infrastructure management. The adoption of new European legislation has become especially important. Nuclear power – including SMRs, which are moving from the pilot phase to commercial deployment – is increasingly central to debates on energy security. Can they complement local energy systems and become a source of stable, low-emission energy for industry and district heating networks? What will district heating look like a few years from now? What solutions best address the needs of residents and local governments? A debate on the role energy plays in the resilience and development of modern cities.

Buildings and urban spaces are feeling the increasing impact of climate change, alongside the rising costs of energy, materials, and infrastructure maintenance. Architecture and urban planning are no longer just about aesthetics — they have become critical components of environmental resilience and residents' quality of life. How can we design buildings that are more energy-efficient, heat-resilient, and user-friendly? What role will low-emission materials, water retention, greenery, and circular design play in this transition? Furthermore, the environmental footprint of buildings across their entire life cycle – from material extraction, construction, and operation, to demolition and material recycling – is becoming increasingly important. Should buildings with a low, and ultimately near-zero, environmental footprint become the new real estate market standard? Can the ESCO model accelerate the energy retrofit of schools and universities by reducing investment barriers for local governments and public institutions? And how can we effectively align climate goals with improved user comfort and the economic viability of investments? A debate on the future of architecture, urban planning, and responsible city design.

The real estate and construction sector now faces the necessity of a profound technological and environmental transformation. Rising energy costs, new regulations, and the expectations of investors and users are transforming the way buildings are designed and managed. Increasing importance is being placed not only on energy efficiency but also on a building's environmental footprint across its entire life cycle – from material production, construction, and operation, to material reuse in line with circular design principles. How is the market for smart, energy-efficient, and low-emission real estate evolving? What technologies and materials will shape construction in the coming years? A debate on innovation, the real estate market, and technologies of the future.

ESG is undergoing a stage of redefinition. Companies are increasingly focusing not on mere declarations, but on the tangible management of environmental and social risks, as well as integrated reporting based on key indicators and hard data. How are the expectations of investors, regulators, and clients shifting? How can environmental initiatives be communicated responsibly while avoiding greenwashing? The discussion will also cover an update on the proceedings of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection and the Polish implementation of the legislation enacting the EmpCo directive. A debate on the new approach to ESG, transparency, and corporate responsibility.

The environmental transition poses immense challenges for industrial regions and communities dependent on traditional sectors of the economy. How can we build new models of local development? How can we effectively utilise transition funds? A debate on the labour market, regional policy, and the social costs of the transition.

The environmental transition requires new competences, occupations, and models of cooperation between business, education, and academia. How can we prepare the labour market for economic and technological shifts? Which skills will be crucial for the future of businesses and local governments? A debate on climate education, developing a new workforce for the transition, and cooperation between science and business.

Agriculture and the food sector are increasingly feeling the impact of climate change, regulatory pressure, and consumer expectations. One of the critical challenges is the progressive loss of biodiversity – including the decline in pollinator populations – which directly affects agricultural productivity and the stability of food supply chains. Drought, food security, emissions reduction, and new environmental requirements are transforming production methods and the way supply chains operate. How can we reconcile food security with climate ambitions? Which technologies and production models will develop the fastest? A debate on the future of agriculture, food, and the transformation of the agro-food sector.

Poland continues to face an unstable recyclables market and limited capacities for processing certain types of waste. Why do secondary raw materials often end up being exported? What barriers are holding back the development of modern recycling? A conversation on the benefits of recycling that remain invisible in classic climate accounting, including the concept of Avoided Emissions as a tool to reveal the environmental advantage of a local recovery economy over importing secondary and primary raw materials. A debate on the economics of recovery and the future of the recycling market in Poland.

Climate change, the increasing frequency of droughts, and industrial pressure are elevating the risk of degradation to rivers and aquatic systems, making water security one of the pivotal challenges of the modern economy. The link between water security and energy security is also becoming increasingly evident – water deficits directly affect energy generation, the cooling of industrial facilities, and the stability of local energy systems. How can we reconcile economic growth with the protection of water resources? What challenges do industry and local governments face under mounting climate and resource pressures? A conversation on environmental responsibility, infrastructure resilience, and the future of water management in the context of rising drought risks and the energy transition.

Extended Producer Responsibility and new European legislation are transforming the operation of the packaging market and waste management. Effectively curbing the grey market within the waste management system remains a growing challenge, as it directly impacts recycling efficiency, material recovery rates, and fair competition among market players. What consequences will the new regulations bring for manufacturers, retail, and the recycling industry? Will these regulations trigger a stable investment impulse for the circular economy? A debate on the future of the packaging market and producer responsibility.