Climate Change Summit Week

Climate Change Summit is the largest event in Central and Eastern Europe, dedicated to exploring and promoting innovative solutions to tackle the climate change challenges that define both our present and future. In 2025, the Summit arrives at an important juncture, as geopolitical and economic shifts create new opportunities and pressing imperatives for societies to reimagine and build more sustainable futures.

The Climate Change Summit Week 2025 will take place on October 20 – 25, 2025, in Bucharest, with its main day hosted at the Palace of the Parliament, and  additional events extending across multiple locations in Romania and in Central and Eastern Europe. This expanded format ensures that the Summit’s powerful discussions and actionable solutions reach an even wider audience, emphasizing regional collaboration.

This year’s summit promises a dynamic and interdisciplinary approach to climate action, featuring a mix of inspiration, education, and actionable solutions. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in workshops, roundtable discussions, and networking sessions, addressing solutions for circular economy, biodiversity, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and finance, among other topics.

Day 0: October 20 – Media Day

The summit will start with a day dedicated to welcoming speakers and special guests, featuring city tours and private events designed to build meaningful connections and set the tone for the days to follow.

Day 1 (Main Day): October 21 – Climate Change Summit at the Palace of the Parliament

The main event of the week will take place in the iconic Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest. This day will feature masterclasses, roundtable discussions, and industry-specific sessions on decarbonization, product development, and energy amongst others. Additionally, the Climate Change Summit Awards will be held, recognizing innovative solutions from youth, PhDs, NGOs and SMEs featuring Climate Change Summit Awards.

Day 2: October 22 – Business Impact Day

Focused on businesses and sustainable decision-making, this day will host workshops for ESG and HR professionals, managers, entrepreneurs and business leaders. Topics will include green skills for the future, greenwashing vs. real strategy, climate risks for business, and sustainable supply chain & green procurement.

Day 3: October 23 – Smart Cities & Democracy

As cities play an important role in the transition to a sustainable future, this day will focus on urban transformation, climate policies, public participation in climate action and rethinking the future cities: sustainable, innovative and equitable. 

Workshops will explore topics such as climate law, system thinking, urban mobility, and the skills needed to shape more just, sustainable, and resilient cities.

Day 4: October 24 – Environment & Community Day

This day will feature hands-on activities, including site visits to key sustainability projects and educational activities for students and youths. The workshops will focus on climate justice, biodiversity, water protection, and soil restoration, with an emphasis on public policy and community-based solutions.

Day 5: October 25 – Conscious Living

The final day will offer a more relaxed atmosphere, featuring activities that promote well-being and sustainable living. Workshops will explore topics such as yoga, bike culture, running, slow fashion, and art.

Climate Change Summit Week will provide a platform for cross-sector collaboration, knowledge sharing and innovative solutions. It is a must-attend  event for business leaders, policymakers, NGOs, and activists committed to creating a sustainable future.

Further details regarding the locations will be announced shortly.

Agenda FEL Energy Trilemma Workshop

13:30 – 14:00

Welcome coffee & networking

An informal opportunity for participants to meet and greet each other over coffee before the session begins.

14:00 – 15:00

Keynote speakers

Olivian Savin – Manager Communication & Marketing FEL Romania
Ștefan Gheorghe – Executive Director CNR-CME
Andrei Gurin – Sustainable Finance Unit, Team Leader – Taxonomy and Reporting, European Commission
Ana Nedea – Director of Strategy & Business Development, SIMTEL Team

15:00 – 15:20

Coffee break

15:20 – 16:30

Energy Trilemma Workshop

Olivian Savin – Manager Communication & Marketing FEL Romania

16:30 – 18:00

Networking wine tasting offered by Simtel Team

CEE Climate Connect Agenda

Date: October 17, 2024

Location: Representation of the European Commission in Romania, Lascăr 31 Business Center

Co-organized with the Representation of the European Commission in Romania and the EU Climate Pact, this Climate Change Summit side event is a speed networking session aimed at professionals and key stakeholders in Central and Eastern Europe. It offers a chance to quickly connect with influential people, build new relationships, and explore potential collaborations. The goal is to help participants make valuable connections that can support their work and initiatives in the region.

09:30 – 10:00

Welcome Coffee

An informal opportunity for participants to meet and greet each other over coffee before the session begins.

10:00 – 10:15

Welcome Remarks

Roxana Cojocaru, Executive Director, Social Innovation Solutions
Mara Roman, Deputy Head, Representation of the European Commission in Romania
Ana-Maria Pălăduș, Vice President, REPER21, National Coordinator for the EU Climate Pact in Romania

10:15 – 10:45

Participant Introductions

In this session, each participant will have the opportunity to introduce themselves briefly, sharing their role, the organization they represent, and their key areas of focus related to climate action and sustainability. This session is designed to give attendees a better understanding of who is present and to start identifying potential points of collaboration.

10:45 – 12:00

Facilitated Networking Activities

This interactive segment will guide participants through structured networking exercises, encouraging meaningful exchanges and collaboration opportunities. Activities will include:

  • Speed Networking: A fast-paced series of short, one-on-one conversations where participants can quickly introduce themselves and discuss mutual interests.
  • Group Discussions: Participants will be divided into small groups based on shared topics of interest (such as energy, agriculture, or urban sustainability) to explore ideas and possible synergies.
  • Collaboration Mapping: Using a visual tool, participants will highlight potential collaborations within the group, allowing them to identify common goals and resources that can be shared for future projects.

These activities are designed to help attendees make impactful connections in a short amount of time and foster potential long-term partnerships.

12:00 – 12:30

Lunch

A relaxed networking lunch where participants can continue their conversations and deepen connections made during the morning sessions.

ESG Leaders Forum Agenda

09:00 - 10:00

Registration and Welcome Coffee

10:00 - 10:15

Introduction and Welcome Address

Philippe Thibaud

Deputy CEO, BRD - Groupe Societe Generale

Philippe Gabulon

CEO, Societe Generale Global Solution Centre in Romania and Deputy CEO for SG GSC in India

Ciprian Stanescu

President Social innovation Solutions

Mihaela Frăsineanu

State Counselor, Prime Minister's Chancellery

10:15 - 10:45

Panel 1: Legislation

Codruț Nicolau

Founder, Sustain Future

Elena Cargnello

Member of the Board of Directors | Cogenio

Mihaela Frăsineanu

State Counselor, Prime Minister's Chancellery

10:45 - 11:15

Panel 2: Sustainable Finance & Investment

Aleksandra Palinska

Executive Director at Eurosif

Andrei Gurin

Sustainable Finance Unit, Team Leader – Taxonomy and Reporting, European Commission

Iuliana Tiba

Director Social Environment and Positive Financing Division BRD Groupe Société Générale

11:15 - 11:45

Panel 3: ESG Measurement and Reporting

Alexander Stevens

CEO, Greenomy

Fenya Sourla

Co-founder, COO & ESG Expert at Dataphoria

Kaisa Karjalainen

Director of the Mission Zero Academy (MiZA)

11:45 - 12.30

Panel 4: Examples of Good Practice in Business

Tiberiu Dănețiu

Corporate Affairs and Media Retail Director, Auchan Romania

Ioana Botezatu

Head of CSR, Societe Generale Global Solution Centre (SG GSC) India and Romania

Raluca Mocanu

Sustainability Leader, IKEA România

Boualem Saidi

Senior Bayer Representative for the Country Group and Managing Director of Bayer SRL Romania

12:30 - 13.00

Coffee Break

13.00 - 14.00

Breakout Sessions (3 simultaneous topics)

Room 1: Legislation
Room 2: How to make Sustainable Financing work (workshop led by Theresa Spandel, on implementation of the CSRD)
Room 3: ESG Measurement and Reporting in Practice (session led by Alexander Stevens)

14.00 - 15.00

Networking Lunch

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