UNEP/GRID-Warsaw

Agenda

27.02.2025
Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw
9:30

Conference Opening

10:00

Harnessing Digital Innovation to Tackle the Triple Planetary Crisis

  • Magda Biesiada, UNEP Global Sub-programme Coordinator for Digital Transformations
10:10

Key-Note EU level

EU Competitiveness Compass and Clean Industrial Deal for Future Prosperity and Sustainable Competitiveness. 

  • Marzena Rogalska, Principal Advisor - Industrial Decarbonisation; Directorate General for Climate Action (DG CLIMA), European Commission
10:25

Plenary Session: Green and Safe Energy for Cities and Industry 4.0

Digital technologies are key to the development of green energy, supporting the efficient management of renewable energy production, storage, and distribution. In Poland, where the capacity of renewable energy sources (RES) is growing, digitization enables better production forecasting, optimization of storage and distribution, and effective management of supply variability. Solutions such as AI, IoT, and smart energy grids facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources, prevent their disconnection from the grid, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Digital data analytics platforms support flexible models of energy production and consumption, contributing to the energy transition and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Discussion Panel

Moderator: Marcin Piasecki, Managing Editor, Rzeczpospolita

Participants:

  • Marzena Rogalska, Principal Advisor - Industrial Decarbonisation Directorate General for Climate Action (DG CLIMA), European Commission
  • Leszek Drogosz, Deputy Director of the Infrastructure Department at the Warsaw City Office
  • Adam Dominiak, President of the Management Board, Enea Eko
  • Małgorzata Mroczkowska-Horne, Director General of the Confederation Lewiatan
  • Tomasz Laudy, Business Angel Invento Capital & CEO, Omniscopy
11:10

Key-note - Artificial Intelligence, Real Emissions: AI and the Climate

  • Pamela Krzypkowska, Director of the Department of Research and Innovation, Ministry of Digital Affairs
11:25

Plenary Session: Digital technologies as a catalyst for circularity

The shift towards a circular economy (CE) requires the support of digital technologies that enable efficient resource utilization, waste minimization, and reduced environmental impact. Key solutions, such as IoT, allow for real-time monitoring of product life cycles and process optimization through real-time data. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence aids in demand forecasting, logistics, and recycling processes. Blockchain ensures supply chain transparency, while automation and algorithms streamline recycling and waste management. These technologies also facilitate the development of business models based on sharing, repair, and rental, thereby extending product lifespans.

Discussion panel

Moderator: Tomasz Barańczyk, ESG Initiatives Leader, PwC

Participants:

12:10

Conversation – Live Connection (USA)

  • Ian Booth, Buro Happold: "Data in the Modernization of the Empire State Building"

Moderator: Katarzyna Chwalbińska-Kusek, Partner, Head of ESG Advisory Baker Tilly TPA>

12:30

Lunch

Thematic Labs

LAB A. Technological Revolution – Water, Energy, Heat

13:30

Introduction

A1. Digital Twins – managing energy and water in buildings and industry

Digital twins are virtual representations of real-world systems that enable efficient monitoring and optimization of energy and water usage. Through integration with sensors and IoT systems, digital twins allow for real-time modeling and tracking of resource consumption, identification of areas of excessive usage, and process optimization.

13:40

Presentation of best practices, speeches

14:10

Discussion panel

Moderator: Dorota Bartosz, Director for Sustainable Buildings, PLGBC

Participants:

A2. Heat recovery in the digital era – smart energy management

Digital technologies play a key role in improving the efficiency of heat recovery by enabling more precise monitoring, optimization, and management of this process. With artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and data analytics, it becomes possible to better manage heat recovery systems, identify areas where heat can be efficiently captured and reused, and forecast optimal operating conditions for installations.

14:50

Presentation of best practices, speeches:

  • Leszek Drogosz, Deputy Director of the Infrastructure Department at the Warsaw City Office
  • Marta Krawczyk, Environmental Products Development Manager, SGS Polska & Małgorzata Góra, QSE Governance Manager, Coca-Cola HBC
15:20

Discussion panel

Moderator: Elżbieta Rotblum, CEO, ESGRE

Participants:

  • Piotr Gęśla,Deputy Division Manager Mitsubishi Electric (Dywizja Klimatyzacji, Wentylacji i Ogrzewnictwa)
  • Marta Krawczyk, Environmental Products Development Manager, SGS Polska
  • Jakub Kojat, Environment Manager, Coca-Cola HBC
  • Leszek Drogosz, Deputy Director of the Infrastructure Department at the Warsaw City Office
  • Krzysztof Rdest, Chairman of the Board, EMKA SA
  • Małgorzata Góra, QSE Governance Manager, Coca-Cola HBC

LAB B. Data and its use in sustainable management processes / ESG

13:30

Introduction

B1. How technologies support ESG reporting

Digital technologies play a crucial role in leveraging data to support business development, including contributing to reporting requirements under the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive). Analytical platforms and big data tools enable the collection, storage, and analysis of large datasets related to a company’s ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) activities.

13:40

Presentation of best practices, speeches

14:20

Discussion panel

Moderator: Katarzyna Chwalbińska-KusekPartner, Head of ESG Advisory Baker Tilly TPA

Participants:

B2. From reporting to innovation – Digital Passport

Data management systems (DMS) and integrated ESG platforms enable centralized data storage and facilitate easy access, supporting managerial decisions and the implementation of innovative solutions. Cloud technologies allow companies to store and exchange data in real time, contributing to better collaboration with stakeholders.

15:00

Introduction

15:10

Presentation

15:20

Discussion panel

Moderator: dr Agnieszka Oleksyn-Wajda, Institute of Sustainable Development and Environment Director, Lazarski University

Participants:

LAB C. Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development

13:30

Introduction 

C1. AI as support for key environmental challenges

A well-thought-out application of artificial intelligence can effectively support environmental protection. Modern AI-based tools enable, among other things, energy consumption optimisation, ecosystem monitoring, and assistance in decarbonisation efforts. Algorithms can analyse data in real time and identify areas of excessive use of resources.

13:45

Presentation of best practices, speeches 

14:05

Discussion panel

Moderator: Mariusz Chudy, Partner & CEE Cloud & Digital Leader PwC Polska

Participants:

  • Piotr Kowalski, Head of Innovation, Beyond.pl
  • Przemysław Kulik, Director of the CSR and Sustainability Reporting Office, BGK
  • Prof. Joanna Jaworek-Korjakowska, Director of the AGH Center of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, Coordinator of AGH Poland in Silicon Valley Center, President of the Scientific Council of NASK-PIBAGH
  • Beata Tylman-Nowakowska, Director, Strategic Partnerships and Innovation Department, GPW
  • dr Maksymilian Bielecki, Psychologist, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Open Artificial Intelligence Lab, SWPS

C2. AI – Scientific Research and Innovation for Industry

As noted in the Cisco AI Readiness Index 2024, Poland has seen a decline in the readiness to implement artificial intelligence in companies, dropping from 6% last year to 2%. At the same time, AI is increasingly being incorporated into business strategies by management teams. How are companies currently using AI for sustainable development, and what best practices can be identified in the market?

14:45

Introduction 

  • Prof. Joanna Jaworek-Korjakowska, Director of the AGH Center of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, Coordinator of AGH Poland in Silicon Valley Center, President of the Scientific Council of NASK-PIBAGH
15:00

Presentations of best practices

  • Maciej Nawrocki, Head of Facility Management Team, Orifarm
  • Rafał Witkowski, PLM Practice Director, Industrial Sustainability Transition Technologies PSC
15:20

Discussion panel 

Moderator: Prof. Joanna Jaworek-Korjakowska, Dyrektor Centrum Doskonałości Sztucznej Inteligencji AGH, Koordynator AGH Poland in Silicon Valley Center, Przewodnicząca Rady Naukowej NASK-PIBAGH

Participants:

  • Maciej Nawrocki, Head of Facility Management Team, Orifarm
  • Rafał Witkowski, PLM Practice Director, Industrial Sustainability Transition Technologies PSC
  • Tomasz Jaworski, Director of the Commercial Project Management Department, Medical Research Agency
  • prof. Joanna Kulczycka, Vice Dean for Cooperation and Development, Faculty of Management, AGH University & Head of Circular Economy Department, IGSMiE PAN

LAB D. ClimateTech, Green tech – Innovations for the Green Transformation

13:30

Introduction 

13:40

Speech 

Organizacje i programy wspierające start-upy

13:55
14:05
14:20

The Heart 

14:40

ING Grant Program 

15:05

GreenEvo Green Technology Accelerator – a program by the Ministry of Climate and Environment 

15:25

Discussion

LAB E. Digital4Green Roundtable - Closed meeting

14:00

Moderator: Tomasz Laudy, Business Angel Invento Capital & CEO, Omniscopy

Main hall

16:00

Financing digital and environmental transformation 

16:30

What innovations do we need? 

16:40

Conference summary

Discussion panel

Moderator: prof. Bolesław Rok, Kozminski University & Maria Andrzejewska, Director General, UNEP/GRID-Warsaw

Participants:

Networking

Conference editions

Organizer

UNEP/GRID-Warsaw is an organisation established in Poland by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in 1991, under an agreement with the Government of the Republic of Poland. Implements the mission of UNEP by initiating partnerships and supporting Polish and international partners in sustainable development and climate protection.

About the conference

Sustanability Industry Lab (SILab) is a project integrating science, business and administration to scale up innovative solutions for sustainable and equitable development, which occurs in harmony with the capabilities of the natural world. SILab events are consistent with the program assumptions of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

Contact

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