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CitiesAlive Virtual 2021

The rapid deployment of green roofs and walls is paramount to addressing climate change and preparing our communities for the negative extreme weather impacts which are already taking lives and costing billions in damages. In response to the ongoing COVID 19 Pandemic, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, Green Infrastructure Foundation, and the World Green Infrastructure Network have teamed up to bring you CitiesAlive Virtual 2021, combining outstanding world class speakers with cutting edge emerging professionals. CitiesAlive® Virtual 2021 is a multi-disciplinary conference, bringing together the best designers, product manufacturers, researchers, and policy makers in the field of living architecture and green infrastructure. Attendees will hear from leading-edge designers, discussing their innovative approaches and newest projects. We will be highlighting progressive policies and showcasing the latest research. Join us in shaping a better, more resilient future, as we emerge stronger from COVID-19 pandemic. More information here.

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How green roofs can help cut emissions from buildings, save energy and benefit householders | Webinar

The Renovation Wave strategy adopted by the European Commission in October 2020 requires the EU building stock to reduce its emissions by 60% and its final energy consumption by 14% by 2030. Urban green infrastructure is listed among the seven key principles for building renovation, while in the conclusions the Commission outlines its vision to turn the building stock “from a carbon source into a carbon sink”. This webinar, part of the EU Sustainable Energy Week Extended Programme, provided insights on the benefits of green infrastructure in terms of energy efficiency, water management, and citizens’ wellbeing and discuss their role in the decarbonisation of the EU building stock. The session also addressed the upcoming revision of related EU policies, starting from the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), and assessed the opportunity of integrating green infrastructure in the EU legislative framework. Date and time: Tuesday 19 October 2021, 10:30 – 12:00 AGENDA Welcome and moderation Katarzyna Wardal, EU Public Affairs Manager, Knauf Insulation Setting the scene: green infrastructure and buildings in the EU policy framework Brigitte Jacquemont, Policy Officer, Energy Efficiency: Buildings & Products, DG Energy, European Commission Bio-solar roofs: how green roofs can save energy and increase solar PV performance – download the slides Thomas Gretschmann, General Application Engineer, Optigruen Save energy and costs for municipalities by retaining and detaining storm water Stephan Beerends, Director Trade, Sempergreen Greener and healthier buildings to benefit households João Gonçalves, Director of Innovation, Housing Europe Q&A Concluding remarks Marta Weber Siwirska, President, Polish Green Roofs Association; Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Science The EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) is the main EU policy conference on clean energy. It brings together public authorities, private companies, NGOs and consumers to promote initiatives to save energy and move towards renewables for clean, secure and efficient power.

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Webinar Innovation for future-proof cities

12 OCTOBER 2021 Sempergreen Academy is organising her first webinar with the topic “Innovation for future-proof cities – effective climate adaptation strategies to counter urban flooding”. In this webinar meteorologist Roosmarijn Knol and Dr. Anna Zakrisson (Green Roof Diagnostics) discuss both the causes and possible solutions to the sometimes devastating effects of climate change. The importance of climate-resilient cities We can no longer deny it. The negative effects of climate change are becoming more frequent and more severe. This year we’ve seen the flooding of many cities, followed by the destruction of infrastructure and even loss of human life. It is therefore of great importance that our cities are made climate-resilient as soon as possible. How do you design a future-proof city? In the free webinar Roosmarijn Knol, meteorologist at Infoplaza, explains the causes of flooding from a meteorogical viewpoint. Followed by Dr. Anna Zakrisson, Vice President of European Affairs at Green Roof Diagnostics, who will present various scientific solutions in terms of sustainable urban planning and climate-adaptive architecture. One of these solutions, for example, is the collection of rainwater directly where it falls, instead of it ending up in an already overloaded sewer system. The free webinar is open to everyone, including policy makers, municipalities, urban planners, developers and architects, who wish to make their city climate adaptive. Date: Tuesday 12 October 2021 Time: 13:00-14:00 CET Language: English Sign up for the free webinar here. About Sempergreen Academy Sempergreen Academy arose from Sempergreen’s mission to create a greener and more liveable world. The sharing of knowledge is an important part of achieving this goal. We can’t move forward without the right information in the right place. That is why Sempergreen has decided to partner with experts to share insights and extensive knowledge regarding green solutions and other related topics through Sempergreen Academy. Sempergreen is worldwide market leader and producer of green roofs and living walls. About Green Roof Diagnostics Green Roof Diagnostics provides unbiased, scientific research for the green infrastructure industry. Recognizing a lack of rigorous, verifiable methods for evaluating green roof and urban stormwater infrastructure performance, the Green Roof Diagnostics team has combined extensive experience in engineering, scientific research methods, and industry best practices to develop innovative, reputable testing protocols specifically adapted to urban infrastructure projects.

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WGIN at Bled Strategic Forum 2021

02 SEPTEMBER 2021 BACKGROUND From year to year, we are facing stronger environmental changes. We are failing to meet the Paris 2°C target, sea levels are rising at an alarming rate, CO2 emissions remain at record levels. As more and more pressure arises to take action, we need to seek new, creative and bold solutions. What is the next step towards »Green Recovery«? Alongside environmental challenges, the past year has challenged humanity with the covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic brought rise to a variety of challenges, human wellbeing being one of them. From lock-down to lock-down, most of humanity saw the importance of social interactions affecting our society and individuals’ mental health. Yet from all of the challenges, human wellbeing remains the most understated. Have we foreseen the next step for »Human Recovery« as well? We have long known that solving complex problems requires an interdisciplinary approach, that bringing people from various fields together can yield great results and that times of crises also give rise to new opportunities for change. The New European Bauhaus is a creative and interdisciplinary movement in the making, which is fast gaining momentum. It is a platform for experimentation, bringing together citizens, experts, businesses, and Institutions that want to design our future ways of living together. There are many correlations between mental health, wellbeing and nature. Looking at the future and the steps that we as leaders, companies and individuals must take, let’s ask ourselves if helping nature and driving »Green Recovery«, will also help us thrive as humans. Sustainability is not only about helping nature to heal, it is also about creating a thriving environment for humans in the long run. How can we make the European Green Deal tangible? How do we ensure that changes are inclusive? Do the challenges which arose because of the COVID-19 pandemic also offer opportunities for a new approach? How can collaboration between sectors and industries boost the implementation of the Green Deal? AGENDA Dr Saša Bavec, Member of Executive Committee, Knauf Insulation Group Ms Saša Božič, Founder and CEO, Sophia Academy Mr Manfred Köhler, President, World Green Infrastructure Ms Ruth Reichstein, The New European Bauhaus Initiative, Advisory Board to the President, European Commission Mr David Thomson, Vice President, TFG Hotel Management Company Ms Anja Zorko, Head, Center for Creativity, Museum of Architecture and Design Ms Urška Zupanec, Head of Unit for the Slovenian Presidency of the EU Council 2021 program, Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of Slovenia Moderated by Mr Gregor Benčina, President, Center for Energy Efficient Solutions (CER) VIEW RECORDING More information: https://bledstrategicforum.org/programme/

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Nature within cities and cities within nature

30 JUNE 2021 BACKGROUND You are cordially invited to a high-level event, co-organized by the United Nations Environment Programme and the Portuguese EU Presidency, aiming at demonstrate the value of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for cities, from developing climate resilient pathways to harnessing a broad range of environmental and socio-economic benefits. The event will highlight local participatory approaches as bases for long-term success, look at ways to scale impact with innovative approaches and call for genuine action across differentscales and sectors. The event will focus on exploring the multiple benefits of NbS for cities, highlighting opportunities and challenges to advance and scale up NbS, from local action to global solutions, accelerating impact in 2021 and beyond. The event starts with a high-level panel (16:00 – 16:30 CEST) which will discuss how the application of NbS can provide long-term social, ecological and economic benefits. The second session (16:30 – 17:30 CEST) features two technical panels with a focus on implementation challenges and opportunities as well as models for scaling up NbS from local action to global solutions. AGENDA Opening Remarks H.E. João Pedro MATOS FERNANDES, Portuguese Minister for the Environment Inger ANDERSEN, Executive Director, UNEP Multiple Benefits of NbS H.E. Ana ABRUNHOSA, Portuguese Minister of Territorial Cohesion H.E. Svenja SCHLUZE, German Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (Video) H.E. Andrej VIZJAK, Slovenian Minister of the Environment and Spatial Planning (Video) Opportunities and Challenges to Advance NbS Philippe TULKENS, acting Head of Unit, DG Research & Innovation, Healthy Planet Directorate, European Commission Ana DAAM, Head of Division of Sustainable Finance and Adaptation, Portuguese Environment Agency Rosário OLIVEIRA, Researcher, Institute of Social Sciences (ICS), University of Lisbon From Local Action to Global Solutions: Models for Scaling up NbS Duarte D´ARAÚJO, Landscape Architect, Lisbon Municipality Angela CRUZ GUIRAO, Director of Green and Sustainable Development, Campinas City Hall Q&A session Wrap up by Moderators Susana NETO (University of Lisbon) and Catarina ROSETA-PALMA (ISCTE-IUL)

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15-16 JUNE : Register now for GRHC’s First Virtual Grey to Green!

In light of COVID-19, Grey to Green 2021 will take place on a virtual platform on June 15th and June 16th. EXCITING SPEAKERS Get inspired by professionals working to create greener and more resilient communities post-COVID19. Designers, researchers and policymakers will come together to share their work in Biophilic Design, Integrated Stormwater Management Practices, Urban Agriculture, Green Roof and Green Wall Best Practices & more! GET CONNECTED Just because we are virtual does not mean we have to miss out on networking! Grey to Green 2021 will engage you in the discussion and help you connect with other passionate professionals.  Connect one-on-one with speakers or in break-out rooms to help solve urban challenges! GET INSPIRED Most importantly, let’s get inspired. Grey to Green 2021 is all about hope and giving you the tools and connections to build a better tomorrow.  We can’t wait to see you! Continuing Education: Grey to Green Virtual will be pending approval for various Continuing Education Credits following agenda selection. As always, the Grey to Green Conferences and Events are approved for Green Roof Professional credits. Continuing Education: Approved for 12.5 APLD CEUs, 13 ASLA CEUs, 13.5 AIA CEUs and 13.5 GRP CEUs. To learn more, check out the conference website: https://greytogreenconference.org/

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11 MAY: GRHC’s Urban Food Production Virtual Symposium!

A year into the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all been affected tremendously. With this, people are beginning to look for innovative solutions that will allow them to bounce back. Urban agriculture has grown rapidly in popularity and is quickly being understood as a resilient solution to COVID19. Urban agriculture helps support strong local economies and brings communities back together again, two things that are vital in COVID19 recovery. Not only will urban agriculture be an effective solution with COVID19, but it also provides many other benefits.           When you think of urban agriculture you probably think about urban space for food production, especially for fruits and vegetables. But, there are other viable types of production that you can get involved in, including microgreens, mushrooms, and edible insects! As well, urban agriculture has more capabilities than food production! It supports local economies, creates jobs, improves food access, and provides ecosystem services. On May 11th, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities is hosting the Urban Food Production Virtual Symposium. The agenda will provide managers, researchers, and urban planners with an understanding of this burgeoning industry and tools to adopt these practices. GRHC brings together early adopters and pioneers so we can understand their successes and losses. Approved for 3.75 APLD CEUs, 3.75 ASLA CEUs, 4 GRP CEUs and 3 AIA CEUs. Admission: $50 USD To learn more and register for the event: https://greenroofs.org/virtualevents/2021/5/11/urban-food-production-virtual-symposium

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