EU Green Week 2023 is taking place from 3 to 11 June under the theme: Delivering a net-zero world. Europe’s biggest annual event on environmental policy makes the case for persistent ambition in environmental policies, whatever the economic and political weather. Over 250 partner events focusing on skills for sustainable, resilient and socially fair communities are organised across Europe and beyond, allowing everyone to be part of the celebrations and debates. The main conference takes place in Brussels on 6-7 June and can be followed on-line.
Virginijus Sinkevičius, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries said ahead of the event:
Green Week is about how to make the Green Deal happen for people, for businesses and for future generations of Europeans. Since the Green Deal was announced the Commission has proposed an impressive number of legislative proposals to safeguard biodiversity, advance the circular economy, and strive for zero pollution. This is the moment to push through and finish up what we have started. This is not a sprint but a marathon. We cannot win a medal for running 10 kilometres, but we certainly can if we run the full 42.
The EU Green Week 2023 conference will open with a high-level discussion including Commissioner Sinkevičius, setting the tone for the 1.5 day of the conference sessions, with the message: For the EU to succeed in delivering a clean tech revolution, it must ensure that the net-zero ambition is sustained by a wider ecological transition, restoring nature as our primary ally, and bringing an end to pollution. It will be followed by a session dedicated to the impact of the war in Ukraine on the environment and plans for restoration. A subsequent panel dedicated to biodiversity will discuss how societies and ecosystems can live in a healthy relationship, following up to the successful UN biodiversity conference in 2022 (COP15). Circular economy experts will dive into product efficiency, performance and durability, and ways of generating benefits and cost savings for all, irrespective of their place on the earnings ladder. The zero pollution session will focus on benefits, challenges and the enablers for achieving zero pollution as an indispensable part of delivering a net zero world.
Expert sessions on 7 June will offer in-depth discussion on financing green projects, fighting environmental crime, environmental fairness and finally the skills and mindset needed for the sustainability transition. On 6 June in the evening, the annual Life Awards will be handed out at a ceremony.
Citizens across the EU can participate to the over 250 partner events, which can be found through the interactive map. This year, in line with the Year of Skills, partner events organised by schools, universities, business associations, environmental organisations, civil society, and government agencies will raise awareness and educate people about the importance of protecting the environment and promoting sustainable living practices. They will include a variety of activities such as workshops, seminars, and eco-friendly projects highlighting the importance of “green” skills – skills which will empower people to join and contribute to the green transition.
Background
Organised by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment for over 20 years now, EU Green Week is Europe’s biggest annual event on environmental policy. Europeans can debate, become familiar with, or celebrate European environmental policy and actions with policymakers, leading environmentalists and experts from Europe and beyond.
For More Information
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Get inspired with a selection of the EU Partner Events here
Get involved
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Join the conversation on Twitter using #EUGreenWeek
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Subscribe to the EU Environment monthly newsletter to also receive a Special Issue on the highlights of EU Green Week
Details
- Publication date
- 5 June 2023
- Author
- Directorate-General for Environment
