Without doubt, energy security and climate change are major economic and political issues of the 21st century and thus, they can be found at the very top of the transatlantic cooperation agenda among other topics of great concern such as global health and the fight against terrorism. Taking into consideration that a global challenge like climate change is in need of a global, coordinated response that can be further translated into a joint responsibility of all countries to implement adequate policies and instruments in order to prevent further damage to the natural environment and societies, the main objective of this event is, first and foremost, to raise awareness towards the need for immediate action to combat climate change, and secondly, to bring to the public’s attention the importance and implications of waste management, as a key-component to achieving climate goals.
In connection to the outlined objective, the agenda of the event will address topics of discussion such as the role of waste management in achieving climate ambitions, the reality of waste management in Romania with its advantages, drawbacks and opportunities for improvement, the role of companies in waste management on the local market and last, but not the least, the concept of “reduce-reuse-recycle”: moving towards a circular model. While the first topic on the agenda has an introductory purpose that will stress the key-role of waste management in combating climate change, the following two parts will focus more on the current conditions and opportunities in Romania in regards to waste management, including practices at business level. Finally, the last part will shed light onto the necessary steps in the direction of a circular economy with waste as a means of input. The event will conclude with a Q&A session for further insightful comments from the audience.
The webinar will last one hour, it will be recorded on Zoom and live streamed on the BRCC’s official Facebook page.
Agenda of the event
11:00-11:05 – Opening remarks by the BRCC
11:05-11:10 – Introduction by moderator Catalin Gugiu
11:10-11:20 – Cleopatra Leahu, Partner, Suciu Popa & Asociatii. Legal instruments for transitioning to a circular economy
11:20-11:30 – Damien Thiery, Managing Director, Ateliere Fără Frontiere. Environmental & social impacts of the circular economy
11:30-11:40 – Raul Pop, Programs Manager, ECOTECA. Trends and emergencies for the waste management in Romania
11:40-11:50 – Q&A
11:50-12:00 – Closing remarks by moderator Catalin Gugiu
Moderator
Catalin Gugiu
Title: Sustainable Investments Manager
Bio: Catalin Gugiu is currently a Sustainable Investments manager at LSEG. He has been active in the sustainability space for over seven years, and now leads a team of ESG research analysts, delivering corporate sustainability data to FTSE, one of the world’s premier index providers and part of LSEG (the Group). Catalin has a holistic view towards sustainability, considering that a prosperous and truly global future is possible only by bringing together people, planet and profit.
Speakers:
Damien Thiery
Title: Managing Director
Bio: Damien has worked in the private sector in France, the UK and Romania, developing expertise in corporate finance, production optimization and human resources. Damien joined Ateliere Fără Frontiere to develop the organization’s three circular economy workshops in which disadvantaged people receive the personalised support they need to take back control of their lives by joining the conventional labour market. Damien is the father of 3 children and is involved in impact projects related to ecological transition.
Subject covered: Environmental & social impacts of the circular economy.
Raul Pop
Title: Programs Manager, ECOTECA
Bio: As a consultant, manager and environmental activist, Raul helps companies and public institutions to give coherence and sustainability to their business in the increasingly complex context of a rapidly changing world, combining elements of legislation, strategy, process optimization and productivity tools. In addition to active involvement in civil society and in the development of the practical side of higher environmental education, Raul has twice held the public office of Secretary of State of the Ministry of Environment (Cioloș Government – 2016, Cîțu Government – 2021), was an adviser to the environment ministers during 2020, with responsibilities in waste management and contaminated sites, air quality, climate change, coordination of the National Agency for Environmental Protection, the National Environmental Guard, the Administration of the Environment Fund. He coordinated the elaboration and substantiation of the specialized chapter within the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, approved in September 2021. Currently, Raul works extensively with local authorities and private companies, in ESG-centered projects.
Subject covered: Trends and emergencies for the waste management in Romania.
Cleopatra Leahu
Title: Partner, Suciu Popa & Asociatii
Bio: With 19 years of professional experience, Cleopatra has acted as leading lawyer in project development and major M&A deals from highly regulated industries, as well as in intricate permitting processes, particularly in the energy & natural resources field. Her practice covers the spectrum of environmental legal matters, including regulatory compliance issues, emergency spills and releases, remediation matters, transactional due diligence processes and transfer of liability for past polluting activities. Cleopatra is a member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators. Due to her skills and capabilities, she is constantly endorsed by international legal guides such as Chambers Europe, IFLR 1000 and Legal 500 EMEA.
Subject covered: Legal instruments for transitioning to a circular economy
Please register HERE.
