Honorary doctorate for Prof. Johan Röckstrom

March 23, 2018 – Ghent University

Johan Rockström is internationally recognized on global sustainability issues. In 2009, he led the team which developed the Planetary Boundaries framework, a proposed precondition for facilitating human development at a time when the planet is undergoing rapid change.

Aside from his research helping to guide policy, Rockström acts as an advisor to several governments and business networks. He also acts as an advisor for sustainable development issues at noteworthy international meetings, such as the United Nations General Assemblies, World Economic Forums, and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conferences (UNFCCC, also known as COP).

Summit: Planetary boundaries: from global challenges to local solutions

March 22, 2018 – Ghent University

An evening with inspiring talks from scientists who travelled on the road between 'Planetary Boundaries' and 'Sustainable Development Goals' towards feasible local solutions.

Keynote speakers

• Johan Bouma (Emeritus Professor Soil Science, Wageningen University & Research)
• Eric A. Davidson (Professor and Director, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science)
• Johan Röckstrom (Professor and Director, Stockholm Resilience Centre)

Reflections by stakeholders (Tine Heyse, Alderperson city of Ghent and Johan Lammerant, Arcadis)

Moderator: Tina De Gendt

Program, keynote presentations and pictures

• Program
• Keynote presentations by Johan Bouma, Eric Davidson and Johan Rockström

• Pictures

Research contest

Feb-March, 2018 – Nature Park Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen

Research contest for young researchers to come up with concrete new ideas which can drive progress across the globe in the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Format

• Application with a 2-pager
• Selection of 5 promising candidate teams
• Submission of full dossiers
• Presentation, meet & greet and selection by Johan Röckstrom (Stockholm Resilience Centre), Johan Bouma (Emeritus Professor Soil Science, Wageningen University & Research), and Eric A. Davidson (Professor and Director, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science)

Winning team

Janet Molina, Gonzalo Villa-Cox, Cristian Jordan, Fatemeh Taheri, Wouter Vanhove with a proposal on a Co-designed and farmer-driven decision support system towards improving water-use efficiency & climate resilience in Mexico and Ecuador (ICTs4Ag)

Pictures

Meet & greet in Bourgoyen

Stakeholder platform

April 15, 2016 – Ghent University

Interactive consultation with various stakeholders from industry, government and NGO's to identify common interests and priorities to steer innovative research with a societal impact.

Stakeholders

• Industry: Universoil, Scientia Terrae
• Government: Flanders Departement Leefmilieu, Natuur en Energie, Stad Antwerpen, Stad Gent, Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed, Vlaamse Land Maatschappij, Regio West, Agentschap Natuur & Bos, INBO, Vlaamse Milieumaatschappij
• Research: Proefcentrum voor Sierteelt, Inagro, VITO, PCM
• NGO: FAO, Vredeseilanden, BOS+, Agrobeheercentrum Eco² vzw, Protos, Trias

Outcome

Natural Capital Position paper

Depletion of Natural Capital stocks and shadow pricing

November 23, 2015 - KBC Tower, Ghent

Shadow pricing is the assignment of dollar values to non-marketed goods such as intangible assets.

During this summit, the value and importance of including shadow pricing on assessments whether a country or a decision is sustainable were discussed.

Keynote speakers

• Ignace Schops (Director Regional Landscapes Kempen & Maasland)
• Joke Schauvliege (Minister of Environment, Nature and Agriculture)
• Helga Van der Veken (Director Argus/KBC)
• Philippe Van Assche (Managing Director Brewery 'Trappisten Westmalle')
• Peter Goethals (Professor Applied Ecology and Environmental Biology, Ghent University)
• Kris Verheyen (Professor Forest and water management, Ghent University)

Moderator: Dirk Bogaert (chief of staff, department Environment, Climate, Energy & Nort/South of the City of Ghent)

Program, keynote presentations and pictures

• Keynote presentations by Ignace Schops & Kris Verheyen (Dutch only)
• Pictures