With global temperatures rising and a heightened demand for effective climate policies, the 2024 EUI Climate Week aims to track global climate action and advance actionable solutions.
This year’s edition of the conference will place a strong emphasis on addressing critical implementation challenges within the framework of the EU Green Deal, particularly amidst the ever-evolving geopolitical landscape. The event will touch on the pressing need for substantial investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, storage, grid infrastructure, clean technology and mobilising public and private finance. Discussions will also tackle the complexities surrounding the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), which has undergone consolidation and expansion but still retains implementation issues.
Organised by the Florence STG Climate, this annual conference brings together a diverse array of experts—from policymakers and academics to regulators and industry leaders—to confront the challenges posed by climate change.
Some of the conference's most high-profile speakers include: Shiva Dustdar (Director & Head, EIB Institute), Benoit Leguet (Managing Director, I4CE), Silvia Madeddu (Senior Sustainability Consultant, Schneider Electric), Simone Tagliapietra (Senior Fellow, Bruegel), Frauke Thies (Executive Director, Agora Think Tanks), Marco Mensink (Director General, CEFIC), Daniele Agostini (Head of Energy and Climate Policies, ENEL), and Susanne Dröge (Head of Department Climate Protection and Energy, German Environment Agency).
This year's edition promises to be a momentous occasion, featuring a mix of events, discussions, and initiatives. Some of the key appointments from the conference:
Documentary Screening: "Mammung"
As part of EUI Climate Week, attendees will have the opportunity to attend the Florence premiere of the documentary "Mammung." The film explores the struggle for adaptation of the indigenous Noongar people to rapid sea-level rise in Western Australia around 10,000 years ago. The film captures the living memory that the Noongar people hold of this event, recounting their experiences and the significance of now-submerged places. Lillian Robb, co-creator of "Mammung" and a PhD candidate at the Geneva Graduate Institute, will speak at the event, discussing how the Noongar people's living memory of significant climatic change can provide valuable insights into our current climate challenges. Further details and registrations can be found here.
Open sessions
The EUI Climate Week 2024 will feature several open sessions, offering valuable insights and opportunities for engagement with the wider public. On 21 May, from 15:00 to 16:00 CEST, the session titled "Launch of the 2024 State and Trends of Carbon Pricing Report" will present an overview of significant developments over the past year related to emissions trading systems, carbon taxes, and carbon crediting. Additionally, it will showcase the updated Carbon Pricing Dashboard, which provides access to the data underpinning the report. More information and registrations are available here. Co-organised with the World Bank, this event will take place at Palazzo Buontalenti and online.
On 22 May, from 16:30 to 18:30 CEST, another open session titled "International Outlook for New EU Policy Cycle" will take place at Palazzo Buontalenti and online. This discussion will focus on shaping the new EU policy cycle amidst major geopolitical changes, such as the impact of two wars on Europe's doorstep, global elections, and the retreat of globalisation. The session will also address the rise of extreme right political parties questioning climate policies and the financial requirements for the climate and energy transition, particularly after the phasing out of the Recovery and Resilience Facility in 2026. Moderated by Jos Delbeke, the session aims to provide clear direction for upcoming UNFCCC negotiations and the future of EU policies. More information and registrations are available here.
Book Presentation: "Delivering a Climate Neutral Europe"
On the occasion of the EUI Climate Week, Jos Delbeke, former Director-General of the European Commission’s DG for Climate Action and Professor at the Florence School of Transnational Governance (STG), will present his forthcoming book, "Delivering a Climate Neutral Europe". The work reflects on 25 years of EU climate policy and offers insights into the achievements of the European Green Deal. With a focus on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, Delbeke's book provides a roadmap for policymakers in the next European policy cycle from 2024 to 2029.
Read and watch more
- How the EU Can Support Carbon Pricing at the Global Level," Policy Paper by Jos Delbeke. Leveraging mechanisms such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), Delbeke outlines a roadmap for international cooperation and emissions reduction on a global scale. Read the full paper here.
- What is the current top priority in energy for the European Commission? Watch our interview with Christian Egenhofer Senior Research, Fellow at CEPS and Senior Research Associate at the Florence STG.