How can a zero-waste, carbon-neutral city district look like? How might relevant actors come together and create positive impact? At the Urban Zero-Festival, the municipal enterprise Duisburg will showcase ideas connected to zero-waste and discuss them with the participants. Don’t miss the festival on 13 May 2023!
The festival is the starting point of the Urban Zero Initiative, which aims to make Ruhrort the world’s first carbon-neutral neighbourhood by 2029. Through more green spaces, sustainable offers, energy solutions, and mobility concepts, the initiative will benefit the environment and local residents alike.
During the festival, the participants can experience, discover, and learn how this ambitious goal can be achieved together!
Do you live in or near Duisburg? Join the festival and become part of this unique journey toward a carbon-neutral future and help make Ruhrort an inspiration and best-case example.
At the festival, you can:
Event: “Urban Zero Festival” Date: 13 May 2023 Time: 11-17:00 Place: Ruhrort, Duisburg, Germany Language: German Cost: Free of charge
For additional information on the Urban Zero Initiative and festival, please go here.
For additional questions, please contact Hanna Perrin.
Global demand for embedded carbon (the carbon in molecules) is expected to increase significantly by 2050. Today, the vast majority of embedded carbon comes from fossil feedstocks, including oil, natural gas and coal. To achieve a fully de-fossilised economy, this demand must be met exclusively by renewable carbon sources, such as biomass.
The Renewable Materials Conference, taking place on 23-25 May 2023 in Siegburg/Cologne (Germany), is a platform for showcasing achievements in the field of renewable materials. The conference brings together experts, stakeholders, and industry leaders to discuss latest developments and share their visions and strategies for the future.
With a focus on collaborative efforts and knowledge sharing, the conference will offer over 500 attendees the opportunity to create a better understanding of the current state of renewable materials and the possibilities that lie ahead.
The conference puts the focus on new materials as a key enabler for sustainable products in areas such as textiles, cosmetics, packaging as well as on elastic and biodegradable materials for a variety of applications.
With the innovation award “Renewable Material of the Year 2023”, nova-Institute, as organiser, and Covestro, as sponsor, aim to recognise particularly exciting and promising solutions that contribute to replacing fossil carbon from the ground. The call for submissions was answered by 30 companies. An advisory board and field experts have selected the six most promising materials and nominated them for the award. The conference participants will decide on the winners.
As in the past years, the CSCP is a partner of the Renewable Materials Conference 2023.
For further information, please contact Carina Diedrich.
As of January 2023, the German Supply Chain Act aims at creating a more level playing field for German companies based on due diligence and in favour of human rights and environmental protection. In a joint position paper, the CSCP, the Wuppertal Institute, and Sustainabill elaborate on the limitations of the supply chain act and give recommendations about what should be included in a future European legislation in order to be more effective.
Controversies related to difficult working conditions and environmental pollution (especially in the early phases of the supply chains) and the difficulties to effectively monitor all links of the chain show that the aspirations of companies are often not met in reality. Following up on the prior publication “Sustainable Supply Chains: Global Cooperative Regional Economies for Prosperity and Resilience”, this position paper links the Supply Chain Act to the practice-oriented perspective of companies and explicates what it means to them.
The paper puts the ambition for more sustainable supply chains into the broader picture of sustainable development and builds on four starting points for companies:
The position paper takes up the missing pieces of the current regulation and discusses ways for companies to proactively initiate win-win processes for all stakeholders along the value chain. It stresses the role of internal process adjustments in sourcing and procurement, reformulating the sustainability strategy, and chances of cooperation in industry sectors. The paper also highlights the importance of capacity building internally within companies but also within the entire supply chain network.
The position paper “The German Supply Chain Act is Here: How can it have an impact and how should companies react” is available in English and German.
For further questions, please contact Cristina Fedato.
Bio-based, carbon dioxide-based or recycled, renewable material solutions are an important ingredient for the sustainable future that we aspire. The innovation award “Renewable Material of the Year” that will be granted to trend-setting products and technologies aims to promote renewable materials and encourage pioneers from all industries. This year, three advanced recycling technologies, a CO2-based cleaner, plant leather and a hemp chair are nominated for the award.
The award will be accorded during the Renewable Materials Conference: Chemicals and Materials for the Future, 18 – 20 May 2021. The online conference builds upon growing market demands for advanced and ready-to-use material solutions with a low carbon footprint and fossil-free. To respond to the challenges stemming from these demands, the conference gathers all relevant industries to discuss a wide range of topics, such as: building blocks and chemicals, polymers and plastics, and composite materials.
You can find more information about the conference here.
The CSCP is a partner of the Renewable Materials Conference.
For further questions, please contact Marius Mertens.
About 11 million tonnes of food are lost in Germany annually, meaning that the average German wastes around 55 kilos of food per year. This points to flaws throughout the entire supply chain: from producing and processing through to household consumption practices. Innovative tools and approaches as well joint commitment from all hallmarks of the society are needed to reduce food waste and preserve valuable resources. Join the action week “Germany Saves Food”, 22-29 September 2020, to make your own contribution!
With various on-site activities and digital formats, the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and the action week partners are working together with all participants to promote greater food value appreciation. Individuals, companies as well as initiatives and associations from all over Germany are invited to be part of the action week, which marks the first such nationwide activity. Participants can come forward with their original ideas or join existing campaigns. Every idea that leads to less food waste counts!
To help channel your ideas and get inspired, here are some valuable suggestions:
The action week “Germany Saves Food” is a joint initiative of “Zu gut für die Tonne!” (Too Good to Throw Away) of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and the respective ministries of the German federal states. The action week is part of the implementation of BMEL’s National Strategy to Reduce Food Waste.
More information about the action week can be found here.
The National Dialogue Forum for Reduction of Food Waste in Wholesale and Retail Industry, carried out by the CSCP in collaboration with the Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, is a partner of the action week.
For further information please contact Nora Brüggemann.
The innovation award “Bio-based Material of the Year” will be granted to the bio-based chemicals and materials industry to honour the most distinctive new materials and products in the field. This year, six contenders out of seventeen applications have made it to the short-list.
The three winners will be selected by the participants of the “13th International Conference on Bio-based Materials”, which will be held online during 12-14 May 2020. The list of the six finalists includes:
The key topics of the “13th International Conference on Bio-based Materials” are circular economy, renewable carbon, chemical recycling, and the latest investments in biorefineries. Information on technologies, markets, and policy will be provided for bio-based building blocks and polymers. Other relevant topics of this year‘s online conference include: utilisation, fine chemicals for pharma, cosmetics, and body care.
The CSCP is a media partner of the Conference on Bio-based Materials.
For further questions, please contact Carina Diedrich.
Application to the Procura+ Awards for Innovative and Sustainable Procurements is Open – Submit Yours Until 31 March!
Are you a public authority? Have you implemented any procurements and/or related initiatives with remarkable innovation elements or significant economic, environmental and social impact? Then, submit your application for the 2020 edition of the Procura+ Awards – a major and prestigious recognition of sustainable and innovative procurements and related initiatives.
The Procura+ Award is an initiative of ICLEI in co-operation with the EU-funded Procure2Innovate project and in strategic partnership with the CSCP. The application period is open until 31 March 2020. The awards are divided into four categories: Innovation Procurement of the Year, Outstanding Innovation Procurement in ICT, Sustainable Procurement of the Year, and Procurement Initiative of the Year. The awarded public authorities will receive a unique trophy and have the right to promote themselves with the award title. Furthermore, the rewarded procurement activities will be widely disseminated using a variety of ICLEI publications and channels, as well as other channels, platforms and media outlets. Winning a Procura+ Award can thus be an excellent way to prove your commitment to innovation and sustainability, and let others know about it. Participants in previous editions highlighted that taking part in the Procura+ Awards helped them to benchmark themselves, get recognition, and advocate in favor of more sustainability and innovation criteria in tenders.
For more information on the Procura+ Awards 2020, and to download the application form, visit the Procura+ Website.
For further questions, please contact Ahmad Hafiz.
Prime Minister Armin Laschet awarded the State Prize of North Rhine-Westphalia to Prof. Dr. Klaus Töpfer on 16 September for his decades of outstanding commitment to international service in environmental protection, nature conservation and global sustainable development, as well as for his service to his home state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
The award ceremony took place in the former plenary hall of the German Bundestag in Bonn, and the encomium of the event was held by Federal Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel, who was the successor to Prof. Klaus Töpfer in 1994 as Federal Environment Minister of Germany.
Executive Director of the CSCP, Micheal Kuhndt and Cristina Fedato, leader of the SIPS team were honoured to be invited to the ceremony. Congratulating Prof. Töpfer on the state award, Mr Kuhndt said “Prof. Töpfer’s legacy and work is an inspiration for all of us at the CSCP, where we continue to take his vision forward with our work in sustainable development and consumption. This award rightly recognises the tireless work he has done for the environment while in public service.’’ Prof. Töpfer along with Prof. Peter Hennicke from the Wuppertal Institute founded the CSCP in 2005.
Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Armin Laschet said, “Climate change presents us with unprecedented challenges – global challenges that can only be met if we pull together internationally. Foreign policy is therefore today more than ever climate foreign policy. Prof. Klaus Töpfer was one of the first to recognise the global significance of climate protection and was a strong and successful advocate for solutions at the highest level – regionally, nationally and globally. He is a true pioneer of climate foreign policy, which has promoted worldwide environmental protection, growth, social balance and the preservation of creation in dialogue with the international community. Like no other, he stands as a champion and early admonisher for global environmental protection”.
Eckart von Hirschhausen, the State Police Orchestra and the choir designed the supporting programme for this State Award Ceremony. The choir group, BonnVoice sang the song “Africa” by Toto, in response to the great African commitment of Prof. Klaus Töpfer.
Photo by Land NRW / Ralph Sondermann Galerie
#FridaysforFuture movements all over the world have managed to bring up the climate crisis on the societal and political agenda. Having worked on new policy interventions, different business models and more sustainable lifestyles for almost 15 years, the CSCP is eager to join forces with the young generation. Our team joined the Global Climate Strike demonstrations in the cities of Wuppertal, Cologne, Berlin, Essen, Düsseldorf and Heidelberg to demonstrate for climate action and support the Fridays for Future movement.
Over the course of a year, Greta Thunberg’s #FridaysforFuture has slowly become a global movement with the youth stepping in to demonstrate and raise awareness on the topic of climate change. This is at the heart of our work at the CSCP, as it aligns with our vision of a good life for all and our work towards mainstreaming sustainable consumption and production.
Some with colourful handmade banners, the team members of the CSCP along with their colleagues, children, spouses, and friends joined the demonstrations in different German cities. This is a cause that is not only important for us as an organisation but essential for the future of our lives and the lives of the next generations.
”5000 people in the street in Wuppertal! I cannot recall any previous protest of this size. However, positive mood and good weather did not hide the concern and seriousness of many, especially young, participants.’’ Stephan Schallar, Senior Consultant shared from Wuppertal where other colleagues were gathered as well, like Mariana Nicolau, Project Manager “The atmosphere in streets of Wuppertal was amazing! Full of people from different backgrounds and ages gathered around a common purpose.”
Andreas Mucke, Mayor of Wuppertal also shared, ‘’It’s great to see young people take to the streets and take a stand for their future as they have another 80-90 years to live in this world. (….) If we don’t protect the climate and the planet from heating further, we won’t be able to do anything as there won’t be a planet anymore. That’s why I support this movement as we’re all in the same boat no matter how old we are, there is just one world for all of us.’’
Michael Kuhndt, Executive Director of the CSCP was busy supporting the path of the demonstration over the B7 in Wuppertal as well as meeting up with our local community of partners and friends. ’The CSCP team joined the climate strike in different cities — and the fight for climate and environmental justice — for a better future for the generations to come. I am looking forward to collaborating with others on the front line fighting against climate change. We need to engage policy makers, business and communities further in order to accelerate the required changes in consumption and production patterns.’’
Marius Mertens, Consultant reported from Cologne: ‘’The Global Climate Strike organised by #FridaysforFuture created a wonderful atmosphere in the streets of Cologne. There were about 70.000 people from all generations. The strike showed climate change has already arrived and is in the center of the German society. It was beautiful to see, what this young generation is capable of. Eva Rudolf, Creative Designer also joined in Cologne: ‘’I went with my son’s elementary school to the strike in Cologne with about 150 kids plus teachers and parents. I think it was a very valuable experience for everyone – to learn that everyone can stand up for a good future for all of us.’’
Nikola Berger, Head of Creative & Communication at the CSCP went to the strike in Berlin on her day off with her daughter’s Kindergarten. ‘The atmosphere in Berlin was peaceful and positive. It was a great day for us to take the chance to speak to our small children about the reasons for the strike. We also met a lot of teenagers who were thrilled that the next generation is joining in the movement that they have started.”
While the images display the joy we all felt to come together for a common purpose, we want to actively shape the conversation so many people have started on that day with their banners and posters, conveying wishes, demands, fears and hopes and ensure the conversation is followed by action.. To add to Michael’s statement above — our team is looking forward to collaborating with you on all we can do to fight climate change and support a good life for all!
Under the hashtag AlleFürsKlima (all for climate) the youth-led global #FridaysforFuture movement is asking all members of society to show their support and join the upcoming Global Climate Strike Day on 20 September 2019. We are excited about the response by civil society, companies, NGOs, as well as many other organisations who are supporting this day. The CSCP joins the Global Climate Strike Day in support of the movement’s goals that are deeply linked to our mission: working towards mainstreaming sustainable consumption and production.
When Greta Thunberg started skipping school and protesting outside the Swedish Parliament demanding action for the climate crisis, little did anyone expect this small act of courage and determination to turn into a global movement. Through her activism, Greta urged school students to strike every Friday by walking out of their classrooms, giving birth to #FridaysforFuture, one of the fastest-growing global movements against the climate crisis.
At the CSCP, we believe that change can be achieved when people and all actors of society collaborate for sustainable solutions. The Global Climate Strike Day is important to us as an organisation as it resonates with our work towards investing in a good life now and for future generations.
The CSCP is supporting two campaigns Entrepreneurs for Future and Unternehmen für Fridays for Future (organisations for Fridays for Future).
Here are a few ideas for you and your organisation to support this movement:
The CSCP Team members will show their support by joining the strikes in Wuppertal, Cologne, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Aachen, Vienna and Bra in Italy.
For further information, please contact Marius Mertens.
Photo by Jasmin Sessler on Unsplash