EUREGION SCHELDEMOND

Circular economy

Some examplesof the Belgian – Dutch border area

Astrid Vliebergh

AEBRAnnual Conference

Badajoz – 27th of October 2017

EUREGIONSCHELDEMOND

The ambition is crystal-clear: to ensure the

a robust and resilient ecosystemProvinces of East Flanders (BE),

West Flanders (BE) en Zeeland (NL)

The Scheldemond council, the coordinating platform of the provinces East Flanders, West Flanders and Zeeland, work on cross border:

- Signalisation and formulation of common interests- Stimulation of collaboration among the provinces in different

domains- Bringing stakeholders together - Joint development concrete projects, in particular Interreg- Translation of theory to daily business practice

Circular Economy is stated as a priority in our cross border action plan.

EUREGION SCHELDEMOND

EUREGION SCHELDEMOND

Circular economy

Examples

• The Cleantech Cluster in Ghent region: 'By 2030 Ghent region excels as an active cleantech ecosystem’

• Smart Delta Resources: A business initiative which realizes industrial symbiosis in the Euregion Scheldemond Delta region.

• Citizen and small scale initiatives: Local initiatives are as important as large business initiatives! Circular economy for tourist accommodation

CLEANTECHDEFINITION

Cleantech are products, services and processes which based on innovative concepts and technologies, use natural resources sparingly while keeping the environmental impact as low as possible.

CLEANTECH CLUSTER

GHENT REGION

CLEANTECH ECOSYSTEM

CHALLENGES GHENT REGION

Stimulating entrepreneurship

Innovation in the economic fabric

Employment

Accessible services

Challenges in the field of energy, waste, materials and water

Economic added value with environmental benefits

CHALLENGES& ADVANTAGES

GHENT REGION

A decrease in urban CO2 emissions by:

━ lower energy consumption

━ local production of renewable energy

A decrease in industrial CO2 emissions by:

━ lower energy, material and water consumption

Management of the operating costs at a competitive level

Development and attraction of new, clean technologies

Development of cross-sector industrial ecosystems(e.g. CO2 becomes a raw material)

Transformation of a linear to a circular economy

Solution to traffic congestion and its impact

BENEFITS

AMBITION CLEANTECH

CLUSTERGHENT REGION

The ambition is crystal-clear: to ensure the Ghent region excels as a robust and resilient ecosystem by 2030.

Sustainable use of energy, materials, water and sustainable mobility are the benchmarks. Both companies and the urban fabric are steeped in innovative, sustainable concepts and technologies.

The Ghent region draws new companies in as a world class cluster.

a robust and resilient ecosystemCleantech cluster Ghent region:

PARTNERS GHENT REGION

Three basic principlesto achieve the ambitions

1WORKING IN CO-CREATION

WITH THE INITIAL AND NEW PARTIES

2ACTION AND

RESULT-ORIENTED OPERATION

3CONTRIBUTING TO THE

DEVELOPMENT OF A PROPERLY FUNCTIONING

ECOSYSTEM

MAKING EXPERTISE ACCESSIBLE IN THE BIO-ECONOMY

RESEARCH INTO RECOVERING RAW MATERIALS IN AN URBAN CONTEXT

MOBILE TEST RIG FOR INDUSTRIAL WATER REUSE

CIRCULAR PAPER

CO2-NEUTRAL ASSEMBLY

CLOSING CYCLES IN FRESH WATER AQUACULTURE AND HORTICULTURE

SUSTAINABLE SPACE FOR CLEAN TECHNOLOGY

THE LARGEST SOLAR PARK IN THE BENELUX

CALL TO ACTION

INFORMATIONGive your contact details to one of our partnersB2B communication

SPACEFocus on the Port of Ghent or Province of East Flanders.

NETWORKParticipate in concrete projectsAttend eventsBecome an ambassador

FINANCINGOrganisation of events concerning financingA summary is availableSupport where possible

CASECome to one of our partners with your ideas, projects or initiatives. Then you come into contact with the right people.

INTERNATIONAL Make yourself known and be invited to all events, fairs, congresses, etc.

CROSS-BORDER EXAMPLE

Smart Delta Resources

The business initiative which realizes industrial symbiosis

Smart Delta Resources

Circular economy for touristaccommodation

Designing cottages followingthe principles of the circulareconomy:

- Restorative

- Regenerative by design,

- Aims to keep products, components, and materials at their highest utility and value at all times

Example of a circular designedcottage

Characteristics of this circular design

• Materials: mainly wood and natural fibers

• Modular systems, as well in construction as in equipment

• No use of toxic materials

• Stand alone equipment

• Autarkic (no utility companies needed)

CONCLUSIONS

Cooperation is key – synergies with yourstrategic partners

Short and long-term actions

Combine various types of actions

Facilitate initiatives coming from citizens, knowledge partners and the industry

Set the example

Share your ideas andexperiences with us !