You can find here a draft agenda of the conference. The programme will be updated regularly on this page.
Venue: Mission of Norway to the EU Norway House Rue Archimède 17, B-1000 Brussels.
The conference will be officially opened by the Norwegian Ambassador to the European Union, followed by a moderated dialogue on the role of collaboration and leadership in accelerating the transition to zero-emission construction.
Contributors:
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Norwegian Ambassador to the EU
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Nathalie Guri, Projects and Knowledge Sharing Director, EUROCITIES
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Roger Mol, Chief Sustainability Officer and Chief Procurement Officer, Rijkswaterstaat
Zero-emission construction sites offer benefits that extend far beyond carbon reduction. This session explores the broader social, environmental and economic value of the transition, including improved air quality, reduced noise pollution, healthier living environments and long-term economic opportunities.
Contributors:
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Daniel Marsh, Programme Manager, Centre for Low Emission Construction, Imperial College London
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Ellen Schep, Senior Consultant, CE Delft
EU Policy Developments: What Is Europe Doing to Accelerate Zero-Emission?
How is European policy supporting the transition to zero-emission? This session provides insights into the latest EU policy developments and initiatives aimed at accelerating the transition across Europe. It will explore the implications of the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive may shape local and regional policymaking, and how zero-emission technologies can contribute to improved air quality, healthier communities and broader sustainability objectives.
Speaker
- Mattia Pellegrini, Head of Unit, DG Environment, European Commission
Followed by a panel discussion and interactive Q&A.
Public buyers across Europe are increasingly joining forces to improve procurement practices and strengthen market demand for zero-emission solutions. Learn how the Big Buyers Working Together initiative is supporting this transition.
Speaker
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Danko Aleksic, EUROCITIES
Public authorities play a crucial role in creating demand and accelerating market transformation. Municipalities and national road authorities will share practical experiences with deploying zero-emission construction equipment, highlighting successes, lessons learned and remaining challenges.
Contributors:
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City of Barcelona
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City of Utrecht
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City of Oslo
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Statens Vegvesen
Venue: Martin's Hotel | Bd Charlemagne 80, 1000 Bruxelles
Choose one of three interactive sessions focusing on key enablers for scaling up zero-emission construction across Europe.
- Developing a European Policy Roadmap: Putting the Pieces Together
What policies, partnerships and actions are needed to make zero-emission construction the norm across Europe?
Organisors: Bellona Europa, Rijkswaterstaat, ZERO, Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and City of Oslo
- Matchmaking for Future Projects: European Funding Opportunities
Explore funding programmes and connect with potential project partners.
Organisors: Rijkswaterstaaat and New Energy Coalition
- Powering the Transition: Solving the Zero Emission Charging Puzzle
Discuss the challenges and opportunities related to charging infrastructure, energy planning and safe operations.
Organisors: NAL G4/City of Utrecht, UK Environment Agency, Hafslund and ElaadNL
How are equipment manufacturers preparing for a zero-emission future? Industry leaders will discuss the opportunities and challenges of scaling up zero-emission construction equipment, market readiness, and the actions needed to accelerate adoption across Europe.
OEM Roundtable
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Tora Leifland, Head of Public Affairs, Volvo Construction Equipment
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Bartosz Kozik, BEV Business Director, LiuGong
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Sijmen Staadegaard, Sustainability Director, STAAD Group
Moderator: Tobias Stocker, Zen in transition
An interactive session in which participants work together to identify the key ingredients needed to scale up zero-emission construction across Europe and shape a shared vision for the years ahead.
Emerging technologies are rapidly transforming the construction sector. This keynote explores the growing role of robotics and autonomous technologies on construction sites, and their potential to improve productivity, safety and sustainability.
Speaker
- George Brandenburg, Heijman
- Recap of the day's programme
Venue: Mission of Norway to the EU Norway House Rue Archimède 17, B-1000 Brussels.
Public procurement is increasingly recognised as a key driver of the transition to zero-emission construction. This session explores upcoming European policy developments, including the proposed Public Procurement Act, and their potential to accelerate the deployment of zero-emission construction sites across Europe.
Contributors:
- Lise Carlen, Legal and Policy Officer, DG GROW, European Commission
- Lois Pimentel, Policy Assistant, DG GROW, European Commission
How can procurement accelerate the market for zero-emission construction? Public buyers share their procurement strategies, practical experiences and lessons learned in creating demand for zero-emission solutions.
Contributors:
- City of Utrecht
- City of Oslo
- Trafikverket
- Rijkswaterstaat
- City of Copenhagen
- City of Eindhoven
Explore recent international developments, emerging trends and policy approaches shaping the global transition towards zero-emission construction.
Speaker
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Eamonn Mulholland, Senior Researcher in the European Heavy Duty Vehicles Program, ICCT
Explore recent developments, emerging initiatives and lessons learned from across Europe that are helping to accelerate the transition to zero-emission construction.
Contributor:
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Dominique Chevillaard, Technical and Research Director, Fédération Nationale des Travaux Publics (FNTP)
As the conference draws to a close, participants will reflect on the key actions needed to make zero-emission construction mainstream by 2030 and identify opportunities for continued collaboration.
Discover how zero-emission solutions are being applied in practice during a visit to Volvo Group Truck in Ghent. Learn about Volvo Group’s decarbonization journey, explore approaches to reducing emissions on construction sites, and tour one of Europe’s leading manufacturing facilities. The visit includes expert presentations, a guided plant tour, and the opportunity to see electric trucks and construction equipment up close.
Programme
- 13:30 – 13:45 | Introduction to Volvo Group and its decarbonization journey
- 13:45 – 14:00 | Decarbonizing construction sites
- 14:00 – 14:10 | Introduction to Volvo Group Ghent
- 14:10 – 15:15 | Guided plant tour (participants split into groups)
- 15:15 – 15:30 | Debrief and Q&A
Includes a group photo opportunity with Volvo’s electric truck and electric construction equipment.