Reimagining Europe’s industrial future: Global structural change for a climate-neutral and competitive economy

Industrial decarbonisation strategies in the Netherlands and Europe often rely on a substantial amount of green hydrogen being imported from developing countries with higher availability of renewable energy, while assuming that existing industrial production locations and trade patterns would remain largely unchanged. 

However, the higher costs and emissions associated with the long-distance transport of electricity and green hydrogen may incentivize the relocation of energy-intensive industries closer to renewable energy sources. This “green relocation” can offer a more cost-effective solution for global decarbonization but would affect regional economic structures and global trade patterns.

Strategic approaches may be needed in the Netherlands and Europe to achieve long-term resilience and competitiveness in a climate-neutral world

Program (provisional)

13h30-14h00Walk-in and coffee
14h00-14h10Opening remarks by the chair Heleen de Coninck, TU/e
14h10-14h50

Policy approaches for dealing with industrial competitiveness in a climate-neutral world (1)

  • Mohammed Chahim, European Parliament
  • TBC, The Netherlands Scientific Climate Council. Presentation of the forthcoming advice on industry (to be launched in January)
14h50-15h05Coffee break
15h05-15h45

Policy approaches for dealing with industrial competitiveness in a climate-neutral world (2)

  • Clara Rabelo Caiafa (TU/e): Relocation or green hydrogen imports: which option increases synergies between climate action and development goals?
  • RenĂ© Slaghek, Project Manager Chemelot Sustainability Team. How an industrial cluster in the Netherlands transforms
15h45h-16h45Panel discussion led by Heleen de Coninck, TU/e
16h45-17h30Closing & networking

Moderator

Heleen de Coninck | TU/e

Heleen de Coninck is a full Professor of Socio-Technical Innovation and Climate Change at Eindhoven University of Technology since 2020, and a Professor in Climate change and system transitions at the Raboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences at Radboud University Nijmegen's Faculty of Science.

As a researcher, Heleen’s main research focus is on the role of innovation and technology in the international climate negotiations, on policy for making energy-intensive industry climate-neutral, and on the viability and societal dynamics of new technologies for 1.5C-mitigation pathways.

Speakers

Clara Rabelo Caiafa | TU/e

Clara is a Postdoctoral researcher at TU/e working in the HySUCCESS project and a Lead Author for the chapter on industrial decarbonization of the Seventh Assessment Report (AR7, WGIII) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), expected to be published in 2028-2029. Her research focuses on the socioeconomic and climate change implications of industrial decarbonisation via green hydrogen.

René Slaghek | Chemelot Sustainability Team

Forty years experience in the chemical industry in technical and managerial positions.  Since 2018 focusing on how to transition Chemelot to a climate neutral site by 2050.

About EnergyDays 

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