How green can Europe become through creativity and innovation?

The role of eco-innovation and creativity in sustainable development will be discussed on Wednesday, 10 June, in the fourth Brussels Debate organised in the framework of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009. The debate entitled “Greener, better and cheaper: Innovation and creativity as key drivers for sustainable development” is organised by the European Commission together with the European Policy Centre (EPC). It will take place at 17:00 at the Residence Palace, Brussels.

The focus will be on the role of creativity and innovation in Europe’s response to one of the biggest global challenges: sustainable development in the context of the climate change. In the light of the current economic crisis it is becoming more obvious that innovation, including eco-innovation, offers a perspective towards future growth and jobs for Europeans.

The “greening” of the economy offers a huge potential – already today about 21 million jobs in Europe are linked to the environment and there are many emerging opportunities for further growth in this sector. But to achieve a steep drop in our carbon emissions and to be at the cutting edge of the production and trade of green products and services, eco-innovation and creativity are essential.

A panel of experts will debate these issues, followed by an open discussion. The keynote speech will be delivered by Karl Falkenberg, Director General for Environment, European Commission. In the panel will take part: Dörte Fouquet, Director of the European Renewable Energies Federation, Thomas Nagy, Executive Vice-President of Novozymes, Duncan Botting, CEO, Scottish European Green Energy Centre , Stephen Boucher, Programme Director - EU Climate Policies, European Climate Foundation and Astrid Severin , Executive Manager, Greenovate! Europe. The debate will be moderated by Hans Martens, Chief Executive, European Policy Centre.

The aim of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation is to promote creative and innovative approaches in different sectors of human activity and contribute to better equip the European Union for the challenges ahead in a globalised world. During this Year, a series of seven Brussels debates are jointly organised by the European Commission and the EPC in Brussels. The first three debates tackled the knowledge society , education and the public sector . The cycle of debates is aimed to provide a platform for reflection and exchange of ideas which can contribute to policy discussion on creativity and innovation.

The subsequent Brussels Debates will shift the spotlight towards business and entrepreneurship, cultural diversity and arts and creative industries.