Seminar on Energy Transition - powered by Veolia

As a way to kick off the thinking, the audience shared in one word what the Energy Transition means to them. It turned out that this subject means a lot of different things to different people!

To start this seminar, Marcel Beukeboom, Climate Envoy for the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Hildagarde Mc Carville, CEO Veolia Nederland shared their visions.  

From Hildagarde, the key message was that the Energy Transition can be achieved through a combination of:
- Reducing the volume of energy consumed,
- Sourcing new heat or fuel sources - becoming more circular and taking a holistic approach. The by-product of one facility becoming the fuel source of another. 

For Marcel, the time for action is now. There is an immediacy and urgency to the Energy Transition.  
With 3 key points to help us along in the thinking:
1 - The need to zoom out from our own bubble and take a more holistic approach.
2 - The need to think long term (2030-2050 rather than 5-year action plan).
3 - The need for each of us to consider which role we have to play in building a better future.
 

To handle this important subject, the first panel focussed on the current and future technical solutions (such as geothermal & hydrogen) and new financing models and how best to obtain financing for these projects. What is the best structure to incorporate all stakeholders in the development of these projects to guarantee success? 

Those present also discussed current legislation which must be complied with to ensure that organisations are ‘future proof’ e.g. reaching the mandatory energy label required of commercial office building? Are current businesses compliant with this regulation?  If not, what their action plan? 

The discussion then shifted to what will future organisations look like? What does it mean when we say we need dynamic, diverse agile organisations to address these future uncertainties? What composition will corporate boards need to have? What technical & soft skills/competencies do staff need to possess in order to ensure that we can adequately address the opportunities & challenges raised by the Energy Transition?   

The second panel focused on how the Energy Transition and accompanying legislation can have a profound impact on the purpose of a company and the motivation and morale of their staff members. This is even more relevant when you take into account the low rate of unemployment in the Netherlands and shortage of technical skills in the market.

The second panel also focused on inclusion of all stakeholders. Who should be at the table when creating new regulations or in the formation of new decentralized energy systems. What role can millenials and citizens play in this? 

Those then concluded that in order to be future proof, organisations must embrace the Energy Transition. The time for action is NOW.