The WIE2019 agenda is taking an exciting shape, featuring a wide range of distinguished speakers and moderators from thewater and energy sector.
The first session of WIE2019 will focus on “The common challenges for water and energy’ and, Gonzalo Delacamara, WssTP Leader of the Cluster Value of Water group & Senior Research Fellow at IMDEA Agua will moderate the first panel session. We are also excited to announce that Professor Dragan Savic, CEO of KWR Watercycle Research Institute, will deliver a keynote speech as scientific speaker for this year’s edition.
Session narrative
A sustainable future is possible within existing resources. The assessment of the best available water and energy technologies shows that there is leeway for improvement both in terms of macroeconomic performance and social development. A number of alternatives within the scope of nexus thinking are compatible with growth and development as well as with the reversion of environmental degradation patterns, thus suggesting that enhancing resilience is not only desirable but also possible.
The basic fact is that there is no other option for managing water and energy challenges than in an integrated way. The growing demand for limited water supplies puts increasing pressure for the energy sector. In turn, access to energy could exacerbate the water crisis. Coordinated responses should take advantage of these synergies. Saving energy entails saving water and vice versa. Quite often, both also imply saving money. Progressing in managing the nexus requires collective action and this, in turn, calls for the right incentives. For that to happen, though, institutional, analytical, and technological lock-ins must be unlocked.
Discussions will revolve around these questions:
- A wider notion of governance, one that stands for mastering complexity, in order to show economic, financial, and other relevant policy edges of managing the water-energy nexus within the context of a green economy towards a smarter society.
- Will it be through alliances for joint action? Is there any role for multi-service utilities or integrated procurement? Can the circularity of the economy be a driver for a more sustainable management of the water-energy nexus? Is there need for a long-term water and energy strategy or rather a meaningful effort for a greener economy?
Panellists of the first session will be confirmed soon. Stay updated by looking at our WIE website.
For more information about the event programme, please visit WIE website.
