The European Sustainable Tropical Timber Coalition (STTC) will hold a conference on 23 June 2016 in Rotterdam (The Netherlands). The conference offers attendees the chance to to discuss challenges, share knowledge and best practice, and network with colleagues from across Europe on successfully implementing and satisfying timber purchasing policies.

The conference will feature a series of presentations on topics such as the challenges of sustainable forest management, how the Netherlands has increased the market share for sustainable timber, and relevant EU policy developments and legislation. Participants can also choose from a series of parallel sessions where they will explore these issues in more detail with members of the STTC consortium.

Participation is free of charge but registration is required. The conference includes a catered lunch and a networking drink after the close of the event. The conference will be held at Rotterdam's World Museum.

For more information and to register, visit the link below or contact joyce.penninkhof@probos.nl

• Introduction, Enrico Degiorgis, European Commission, Directorate General for Environment
• Latest proposals and updates from the European Commission for GPP of food and catering services, Belmira Neto, European Commission, Joint Research Centre
• From the criteria to the market. How to involve suppliers through market engagement to deliver organic and seasonal food, Betina Bergmann Madsen, Municipality of Copenhagen(Denmark)
• Implementing sustainable catering services in public schools; an experience of Torino, Elena Deambrogio, City of Turin (Italy)

Public procurers are invited to visit the Spanish capital of Madrid on 24 June to see first-hand how a publically owned building was renovated to the highest energy-efficiency standards using an innovative kit developed by the iNSPiRe project. The EU-funded project has developed kits capable of reducing the primary energy consumption of buildings which can be installed while occupants remain inside.

Procurers will gain a valuable insight into the latest innovations on the construction market and will learn of the challenges faced and solutions achieved in renovating a municipal-owned residential building. The case study building has been converted to nearly-zero energy with minimal disruption to residents.

Participation in the event is free of charge, but early registration is required to secure a place. Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements. The EU-funded iNSPiRe project aims to decrease energy consumption in residential and office buildings through the application of innovative methods.

For more information and to register, click here.

A workshop on public food procurement policies will take place at the 12th European IFSA Symposium, hosted at Harper Adams University in the United Kingdom between 12 - 15 July 2016. The workshop will examine public food procurement for catering services and work practices in public kitchens and consider the significance of public catering markets for smaller suppliers.

Specific issues addressed by the workshop will include: long-term strategies for developing public catering based on local and organic supply, tendering processes, social sustainability, and community involvement, among many others.

IFSA symposia are a platform for dialogue between scientists and practitioners from a wide range of backgrounds. Although predominantly focusing on European farming systems, non-European participation is encouraged as this adds contrasts and comparisons of mutual benefit and helps to ensure scientific rigour and quality.

For more information on IFSA 2016, visit harper-adams.ac.uk or

The triple-helix conference on bio-based economy “Supporting the development of bio-based economy partnerships in the Danube Region through a triple-helix approach” will take place in Budapest from 19th to 20th of July. Its main goal is to support the university-business-government cooperation (triple-helix model) in order to enhance the development of bio-based economy partnerships in the target countries, tacking societal challenges in the field of food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, water research, and bio-based economy.

The event, that is free of charge, will gather relevant actors working on the identified societal changes, in order to support them in networking and establishing long-term dialogue among. The conference will include a plenary round table and three parallel sessions on food, materials and environmental technologies, and energy.

Back to back, the Danube-INCO.NET 4th Clustering Workshop will take place, with the objective of creating new macro-regional partnerships towards the development of a bio-based economy.

To learn more and to register, visit here.

The symposium aims to promote the scientific dialogue supporting the sustainable management and usage of natural renewable resources with best paradigms, practices and policies at the local, Mediterranean, European and Global scales by addressing the technical, socio-economic, ecological and sustainability dimensions in the context of “Accelerating the Transition to Equitable, Sustainable, Post-Fossil Carbon Societies!”

This international forum will bring together experts, young researchers, engineers and practitioners globally, to propose sustainable solutions for the environmental challenges of ‘’vulnerable communities” in the context of climate change and the need for integrating resilience and equity into all levels of society to reduce vulnerabilities and social upheavals.

The event will be held on Nisyros, a small Greek Volcanic island in the Aegean Sea, as a paradigm of sustainable use of local resources for enhancing resilience of the community.

For further information and to register visit the website.

The objective of the webinar is to present the initiatives, activities and achievements in the field of sustainable and innovation procurement of ICLEI, the leading global network of over 1,500 cities, towns and regions committed to building a sustainable future.

This webinar is hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme, Division of Technology, Industry and Economics, Cities and Lifestyles Unit and co-organized with ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability. It will be focused on the framework of the Sustainable Public Procurement Programme of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns.

The 10YFP SPP Programme is a global platform that supports the implementation of SPP around the world. It brings together a variety of stakeholders, building synergies & leveraging resources to progress towards its two major goals of building the case for SPP and supporting SPP implementation on the ground . The Programme is implemented through an extensive network of more than 90 partners in over 40 countries. Informative webinars are organized in order to present the SPP activities of partners and to enhance cooperation and exchange of experience.

Find the agenda of the webinar here, and click here to register.

This webinar has been organised as part of the GreenS project to discuss the challenges and solutions faced by different organisations across Europe when implementing Green Public Procurement. It will also focus on institutional needs on GPP and experiences and good practices of National GPP Strategies.

The webinar will take place from 10am-12pm (CET) on 14 September.

Participants are requested to register at: https://goo.gl/forms/y1WnRqlJbLhGFrSA2

For more information, please download the event programme (below)

This international symposium will take place the 20th September 2016 and will examine the latest developments regarding electric vehicles at EU level. It will also analyse the importance of investing in electric and alternative vehicles for economic growth and job creation. Furthermore, the symposium will explore the benefits of using an electric vehicle, from an environmental point of view and evaluate new solutions toward improving electric mobility.

The event aims to bring together Consumer Organisations, Utilities Providers, EV Business Development Organisations and Experts from relevant disciplines to provide a deep approach about the key role that electric vehicles play on the EU targets on CO2 emissions reduction.

During the event delegates will also develop innovative solutions to electric mobility challenges including infrastructure and recharging options as well as examine the role of electric and alternative fuel vehicles creating new job opportunities and fostering competitiveness.

For further information and to attend the symposium click here.

The annual Trade for Sustainable Development Forum is one of the leading global events focused on sustainability standards in international trade and supply chains. Organised by the International Trade Centre (ITC), the T4SD Forum will again take place in conjunction with the WTO Public Forum, from 28-30 September.

Connecting communities in policy and business, trade and sustainability, the T4SD Forum will challenge thought leaders to bridge the gap between debates on sustainability standards, supply chains, and international trade to work towards achieving the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development (SDGs).

This year, the focus is on the importance of data-driven decision making to increase accountability and accelerate change toward sustainability in supply chains. Expect candid exchanges of views, latest industry experience and insights into what ITC has to add to these developments with respect to global supply chains and opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

For further information and to register, visit the website.