The Climate Event 2025 takes place on Wednesday 5 November 2024 from 09:00 to 18:00. The programme consists of inspiring keynotes, thematic parallel sessions and a poster market, with ample opportunities for networking with researchers, industry professionals, policy makers and students.
Full programme
- Click to see the full programme
09:00 - 09:30 Walk-in with coffee
09:30 - 09:45 Welcome adress by Cheryl de Boer
09:45 - 10:30 Keynote adress by Reint-Jan Reines
10:30 - 10:45 Break
10:45 - 12:15 Morning parallel sessions
12:15 - 14:00 Lunch and poster session
14:00 - 14:45 Keynote adress by Bart van den Hurk
14:45 - 15:00 Break
15:00 - 16:30 Afternoon parallel sessions
16:30 - 16:45 Closing by Cheryl de Boer
16:45 - 18:00 Drinks and networking
The programme is subject to change
Keynotes
We are proud to present our Keynote speakers at the Climate Event 2025: Reint Jan Renes, Professor of Psychology for Sustainable Cities at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS), and Bart van den Hurk, scientific director of Deltares and Professor in the field of Interaction between Climate and the Socio-ecological system at VU University Amsterdam.
Behavorial scientist Reint Jan Renes is Professor of Psychology for Sustainable Cities at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS). In addition, Reint Jan is Chair of the NWO Review Committee on Climate and Nature, a member of the NWO Advisory Board, and part of the scientific working group supporting the Dutch National Climate Citizens’ Assembly. In 2023, Reint Jan was awarded the Deltapremie, a prestigious national research prize, recognizing the societal impact of leading professors at universities of applied sciences.
Prof Bart van den Hurk is an expert in the field of weather and climate information and scientific director of Deltares. Prior to his affiliation to Deltares he spent ~23 years at the Dutch Meteorological Institute. He is Professor in the field of Interaction between Climate and the Socio-ecological system at VU University Amsterdam, and Lead Author of the 6th Assessment report of IPCC. For the next (7th) report he has been elected co-chair of Working Group II, which focuses on the impact of climate change, adaptation, and vulnerability.
Keynote summaries
- Keynote Reint Jan Renes – Let’s talk about climate: Why collaboration starts with conversation
Why does meaningful collective climate action remain so elusive—even though most of us say it matters deeply? In this keynote, behavioral scientist Reint Jan Renes explores the striking disconnect between the values we share—care for others, for nature, for the future—and the limited action we often take to protect them. Why does this gap persist? And more importantly: what can we do to bridge it?
Drawing on recent insights from behavioral psychology and everyday examples, Reint Jan reveals how social barriers, silence, and misconceptions keep us stuck in a “steady state.” Yet he also shows how collaboration, visibility, and value-driven conversations can help us move forward—together.
- Keynote Bart van den Hurk
While climate change impacts are increasingly visible and projected to remain affecting society for the decades to come, anticipating these impacts will remain necessary. In its current assessment cycle IPCC will cover the topic of adaptation and responses to losses and damages prominently, paying explicit attention to implementation of actions. In a revised Technical Guidelines for climate impacts and adaptation assessment, this implementation aspect drives the steps to be considered while preparing a strategy for climate impact management. This can only be achieved in a collaborative spirit, as the required actions not only depend on the (changing) profile of climate hazards, but also on risk tolerance, societal goals, historical legacies and capacity to respond. Many of these design criteria cannot be established by a scientific assessment alone: a societal debate is required to create support and mobilize resources for climate impact actions.
Parallel sessions
In both the morning and the afternoon, there will be several parallel session tracks. When you sign up for the Climate Event you can indicate your preference.
Morning sessions
- Energy Innovation and Sustainable Industry
Content
Energy use remains the largest contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, especially across industry, transport, and buildings. This session explores how innovation in energy systems and industrial processes can accelerate the transition.
In the morning, we spotlight advancement in energy innovation, with presentations from SolarNL, HyUT / Groenvermogen , HeatCraftHP and Alliander, covering progress in solar deployment, hydrogen technologies, mapping skill gaps to accelerate heat pump adoption and smart grid infrastructure.
The afternoon shifts focus to sustainable industry, featuring insights from TKI Energy & Industry, the Port of Rotterdam, UT’s Green Steel initiative (Growth Fund project), and Michael Barnard, founder of The Future is Electric, who will reflect on aligning industrial innovation with climate ambitions.
This session connects research, policy, and real-world applications, critical components for a just and effective energy transition.
Moderator
S.S.T. Husein PhD (Sebastian)Impact Development Manager, Battery Centre Twente - Climate adaptation: A climate-proof regional food system in Twente
Content
This session explores how the Twente region can become more self-sufficient and sustainable in food production. We will discuss key barriers and opportunities across themes such as soil health, water, biodiversity, food production, governance, and urban planning, aiming to shape a shared vision and outline priorities for a future research agenda to support the development of a climate-resilient regional food system.
dr. M. Belgiu (Mariana)Associate Professor in GeoAI & multi-temporal remote sensing in agri-environmental studies - Drought and water scarcity: challenges and solutions
Content
Building on the symposium on drought and water scarcity we organized in June, this session aims to connect science and practice on this key challenge for drought-prone regions. Join us to discover how scientists and practitioners take steps to realize the transition to drought-resilience - and connect with experts from Twente and beyond.
dr.ir. J. Vinke - de Kruijf (Joanne)Adjunct Professor
Afternoon sessions
- Energy Innovation and Sustainable Industry
Content
Energy use remains the largest contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, especially across industry, transport, and buildings. This session explores how innovation in energy systems and industrial processes can accelerate the transition.
In the morning, we spotlight advancement in energy innovation, with presentations from SolarNL, HyUT / Groenvermogen , HeatCraftHP and Alliander, covering progress in solar deployment, hydrogen technologies, mapping skill gaps to accelerate heat pump adoption and smart grid infrastructure.
The afternoon shifts focus to sustainable industry, featuring insights from TKI Energy & Industry, the Port of Rotterdam, UT’s Green Steel initiative (Growth Fund project), and Michael Barnard, founder of The Future is Electric, who will reflect on aligning industrial innovation with climate ambitions.
This session connects research, policy, and real-world applications, critical components for a just and effective energy transition.
Moderator
S.S.T. Husein PhD (Sebastian)Impact Development Manager, Battery Centre Twente - Resilience to weather extremes: Inclusive Innovations - how digitalisation can support just climate adaptation in cities
Content
As cities confront the accelerating impacts of climate change, digital tools, such as climate data platforms, AI-supported modeling and participatory planning apps, are playing an increasingly pivotal role in shaping adaptive responses. However, without intentional design and targeted exploration, these digital innovations can reinforce existing social vulnerabilities and inequalities. This session focuses on digital tools that can be harnessed to support just climate adaptation in urban settings.
Through an engaging mix of expert insights, practical case studies, and audience interaction, this session will examine the intersection of urban climate adaptation, digitalization, and social justice. Particular attention will be given to the capabilities of local governments and citizens as well as the design and implementation of digital innovations through an inclusive process, rather than the features of digital tools. We will explore the following questions:
- How can digital tools empower marginalized communities in climate decision-making?
- What safeguards are needed to ensure that data-driven adaptation does not exacerbate existing vulnerabilities?
- Which city-led or grassroots innovations are already experimenting with or demonstrating inclusive digital climate solutions?
Participants will leave with ideas and new partnerships to advance inclusive digital innovations that contribute to just climate adaptation in their cities.
This session will consist of presentations by researchers and practicioners from (Dutch) cities, followed by a moderated discussion and group dialogues.
Dr. rer. nat. D. Reckien (Diana)Associate Professor - Disaster Resilience: Prevention, Response and Recovery
Content
TBA
dr.ir. I. Manzella (Irene)Head of the Centre for Disaster Resilience and Associate Professor in Geotechnical Engineering for natural hazard risk managementdr. A. Martinetti MSc (Alberto)Associate Professor in Maintenance Engineering || Humanitarian Engineering
Poster market
While or after enjoying your lunch, you can take a look at the poster market, highlighting all the cutting-edge climate related research being undertaken by UT students and researchers. Meet the people who are working to find solutions to the challenges climate change poses - and build relationships for future collaboration.