Destination Zero Waste Europe: Meeting Tomorrow’s Challenges Today

Key Speakers

	Mr. Jean-Pierre Hannequart, President, Association of Cities and Regions for Recycling and Sustainable Resource Management
	Mr. Lars Raahauge, Director of Business Development, Genan A/S, Denmark
	Dr. Ella Stengler, Managing Director, Confederation of European Waste-to-Energy Plants
	Prof. Carlo Vandecasteele, Professor of Environmental Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Catholic University of Leuven

With latest statistics indicating that a staggering 524kg of municipal waste was generated per person in 2008, the need for a more proactive and efficient waste strategy across the EU has never been more critical. Furthermore, with climate change rising to the top of the political agenda, EU policymakers have sought to strengthen and revitalise the drive towards a greener and more sustainable future through a universal waste prevention strategy, based on the principles of waste reduction, re-use and recycling.

Since the Waste Framework Directive was announced in 2008, efforts have been made to rethink the way in which we deal with the issue. With the concepts of waste management and waste prevention being mutually intertwined, the need for a holistic and integrated approach to waste streams is crucial at EU, national and local levels. In addition, Europe must harness innovation through the formulation of resource-efficient eco-design policies and the adoption of greener technologies in order to find solutions for more durable, re-usable and recyclable products.

This special International Symposium explores the steps needed to develop a more robust waste prevention strategy across Europe. The Symposium will consider the practices and lessons learned from existing waste schemes and will trigger debates for innovative solutions, more effective coordination and better legislation and action plans at European and national levels. As the European Commission sets out its wider vision on sustainable lifestyles, practitioners and policymakers have the opportunity now to address the gaps, build capacity and explore solutions in order to meet tomorrow's challenges today.

Seeking to encourage greater political will and facilitate policy discussion The Centre for Parliamentary Studies welcomes the participation of all key partners, responsible authorities and stakeholders. The Symposium will support the exchange of ideas and encourage delegates to engage in thought-provoking topical debate.

Programme