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Monday, June 2, 2003

Opening Greenweek

Changing our behaviour and choosing a more environmentally sustainable lifestyle are the key messages of Green Week 2003, which takes place in Brussels from 2-5 June. With 26 conference sessions and workshops, press conferences and events for young citizens, Green Week has become the largest forum for debate of its kind on the international calendar a unique interactive exchange of views between a diverse range of stakeholders. The Green Week Exhibition, which features 62 stands from 14 countries, is a showpiece for the presentation of the latest innovative projects that apply cutting-edge technology to solving environmental problems. Green Week takes place in the conference centre of the Charlemagne building of the Commission.

Three thousand delegates from across the world, representing industry, NGOs, public authorities, national governments and the media, will focus on three major policy areas , all of which featured high on the World Summit agenda in Johannesburg: sustainable production and consumption, renewable energy and water.

On Days 1 and 2, the conference concentrates, among other things, on sustainable production and consumption initiatives involving industry and NGOs, on optimal resource management and on REACH the registration, evaluation and authorisation system that underpins the EU's upcoming new chemicals strategy.

Day three is devoted to the subject of renewable energy. The Johannesburg Renewable Energy Coalition (JREC), which emerged from the Johannesburg Summit, provides the backdrop for the "1st International JREC Ministerial Conference" on the subject of renewable energy. Sessions will examine how increasing the share of renewable energy in the overall energy mix can provide a sustainable contribution to reducing the effects of climate change.

On day four, World Environment Day (5 June), the Green Week debating focus switches to water. Discussion will concentrate, for example, on the EU Water Initiative and on how to combat the growing problem of floods. Delegates will also be able to participate in a tasting session involving drinking water samples taken from cities across Europe.

Commissioner Wallström will bring the curtain down on Green Week 2003 with a gala evening and awards ceremony at Brussels' Résidence Palace. The Environment Awards will be presented in recognition of the achievements of local authorities and urban networks in promoting urban sustainability and mobility, environmentally friendly public transport services and public "greenways." The winners of the Green Week 2003 Children's Competitions will also receive a prize for the best painting and for the most original sculpture using recycled material.

Throughout Green Week 2003 the emphasis is on stakeholder involvement in changing current unsustainable patterns of behaviour and on bringing about lasting and sustainable change for the benefit of the environment and of all citizens.

Source  Green Week 2003 web-site on:

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