Summary
Discussions on the final day of G-STIC 2017 focused on the draft Chairpersons’ summary and key findings from the conference. Possible themes for future iterations of the G-STIC were also considered.
Robby Berloznik, VITO, presented the draft Chairpersons’ summary. On agroecology for sustainable food systems, he indicated that agricultural systems need to be integrated, affordable, socially acceptable, environmentally sound and gender sensitive. On circular economy, he noted the need for both political will and finance, and highlighted the importance of ICT in many applications.
On energy positive communities, Berloznik highlighted decentralized systems that are affordable, appropriate, and allow for bottom-up distribution. On urban electric mobility, he noted that a technological shift without changes in behavior is not sufficient, and emphasized urban planning. On smart water, Berloznik highlighted the need for integration of ICTs into existing water-related technologies.
On urban design and sustainable building, he stressed the importance of an integrated approach in which design, construction, operation and use all need to change, with ICT and the internet of things as important enablers. On waste water as a resource, Berloznik noted the need to think of wastewater not as a burden, but rather a potential provider of energy, nutrients and clean water for irrigation and human use.
Veerle Vandeweerd, Director of Policy, G-STIC, summarized progress made at the event. She highlighted the creation of communities of practice and consensus on the need for a paradigm change. She identified four key findings, namely that: many of the needed technologies already exist; technology needs to be widely distributed and bottom-up; the circular economy is a key concept, with industry 4.0 as a driver; and ICT is a key enabling tool. She emphasized that the G-STIC “is more than a conference; it is a process aimed at putting technology into practice in ways that contribute significantly to achieving the SDGs.”
In closing, Dirk Fransaer, VITO, thanked the participants and partners, and invited them to gather once again at G-STIC 2018 in Brussels in November.
IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, has provided daily web coverage and a summary report from G-STIC 2017, which is now available in HTML and PDF.
Photos by IISD/ENB+ | Herman Njoroge Chege
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