The global push towards sustainability took center stage at the prestigious World Sustainable Energy Days 2024 (WSED) conference.
The global push towards sustainability took center stage at the prestigious World Sustainable Energy Days 2024 (WSED) conference. With a focus on retrofitting, energy communities, renewables, and energy efficiency, the four-day event attracted over 650 specialists and representatives from more than 60 countries.
Hosted by the ManagEnergy Initiative and funded by the LIFE Programme, the conference featured workshops and sessions that delved into various facets of sustainability. Notably, the Horizon 2020 PROSPECT+ project collaborated with the ManagEnergy Initiative to shed light on crucial topics such as retrofitting, energy communities, renewable energies, and energy efficiency.
Anette Jahn, Head of Sector at LIFE Climate and Energy Unit at CINEA, took the stage to emphasize the pivotal role of transformative projects in achieving an energy-efficient, renewable energy-based, and climate-neutral Europe. She highlighted the importance of cities, regions, and energy agencies in driving tangible progress towards EU energy policies.
The event also provided a platform for showcasing the latest innovations and projects in the sustainability sector. A trade show on-site featured insights from a wide range of Austrian and international companies, offering attendees a glimpse into cutting-edge technologies and solutions.
Among the projects highlighted at the conference were LIFE projects DEESME 2050 and EENOVA. LIFE DEESME 2050 focuses on enhancing the energy efficiency of the global furniture industry, aiming to support companies in implementing energy-efficient measures and training employees in sustainable practices. Similarly, LIFE EENOVA aims to guide food processing businesses towards tailored energy-related improvements, promoting energy-smart solutions and increasing renewable energy use.
LIFE EENOVA’s showcase at WSED garnered significant attention from delegates interested in the food sector. Anna Comacchio, communications specialist at Energy Efficiency in Industrial Processes, expressed enthusiasm about the conference, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and innovation in driving industrial decarbonization and job creation.
Reflecting on the conference, Anette Jahn underscored the significance of European businesses in the energy transition, emphasizing the need for support to enable them to navigate the complexities of the transition. She highlighted the role of the LIFE Clean Energy Transition program in underpinning European policy objectives and supporting projects actively working to transform their markets.
In conclusion, the World Sustainable Energy Days 2024 served as a testament to the collective efforts and commitments of global leaders towards a sustainable future. With discussions centered on key themes such as retrofitting, energy communities, renewables, and energy efficiency, the conference provided a platform for exchanging ideas, fostering collaboration, and driving meaningful action towards a greener, more sustainable world.