Resource Wende Dialogue, 30+31 May 2023, KIT Amsterdam

Introduction

Many economies and sustainability transitions do not take resource scarcity into account. They rely on the assumption that increased supply of primary and secondary raw materials will keep pace with the demand, as dictated by worldwide exponential economic and wealth growth.

Based on scientific studies and systemic models, the Resource Wende programme adopts the hypothesis that the worldwide resource reserves and supply volumes are unable to meet the growing demand. This mismatch is caused by reserves and explorations limitations, the increasing energy demand required for mining and processing, and the impact of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, geopolitical and social tensions.

During the conference and beyond, you will learn more about the limiting factors and will be able to contribute to alternative systemic solutions, that allow businesses and societies to close the gap between sustainable resource supply and demand volumes. To bring earth overshoot day for each nation back to where it belongs: 31st December.

Programme Tuesday May 30th (draft) – The inconvenient truth

In the morning prominent speakers will show the seriousness of the problem as well as the impact on the energy transition, our society and the worldwide geopolitical relations. In the afternoon you are able to actively participate in two rounds of workshops where we will take a deep dive into the challenges imposed by the increasing demand for resources on our economy, society and ongoing sustainability transitions. The day will be concluded by a lively discussion with industry leaders, to get their view on the supply chain risks and the importance of systemic resource strategies to realise a stable investment climate and a license to operate for industries in Europe.

  • Plenary: Harald Sverdrup, Simon Michaux, Jan Peter Balkenende
  • Workshops: Impact CRM depletion on economy, ecology & society
  • Panel: Industry leaders (competitive position & license to operate in EU)

Programme Wednesday May 31th (draft) – Alternative systemic solutions

In the morning we will look at government initiatives, such as the European Critical Raw Materials Act and the Dutch Resources Strategy, as well as public-private solutions brought forward by the Club of Rome and the Blue Cooling Initiative. In the afternoon you are able to participate in a workshop where alternative solutions for various focus areas are discussed (Resource Management, Climate & Energy, Society, Economy, Geopolitics, Circular Economy, Biodiversity). We will conclude the day with a discussion how the Resource Wende complements the Dutch Circular Economy Programmes, and a handover of a Resource Wende proposal to political/industry leaders.

  • Plenary: (tbc) Tom Berendsen (EU CRMA), (tbc) Matthéüs van de Pol (NL Resource Strategy, NPCE), Sandrine Dixson Declève and Carlos Pereira (Earth4All, Club of Rome), Sir David King, Shaun Fitzgerald, Hugh Hunt (Climate Repair Centre Cambridge), (tbc) Herman Russchenberg (TU Delft)
  • Workshops: Alternative systemic solutions for specific focus areas
  • Panel: Complementary relation Resource Wende <––> Circular Economy
  • Handover of Resource Wende proposal to Industry and Political leader

Register

If you would like to contribute to the dialogue on May 30+31th, please select the registration button below.
(max. 300 participants)

Register

Participation Fee (excl. 21% VAT)

  • Business: € 795,-
  • Working-session owner: € 325
  • Youth: € 75
  • Optional Diner on Tuesday 30th: € 75 including food & beverages

What do we want to achieve?

During the second Resource Wende conference on 30 + 31 May in the Royal Tropical Institute in Amsterdam, we would like to achieve the following goals:

  1. Broad awareness of the consequences of resource depletion combined with a “Winner takes it all” market economy;
  2. Persuasion power: A group of powerful individuals and organisations united by the desire to tackle the risks of resource depletion and to accelerate the transition towards a just, resource efficient and circular economic system;
  3. Buy-in for the establishment of a Resource Institute / CRM-KIC[1] that supports the resource transition with specific knowledge, advice and interventions;
  4. The establishment of a Resource Coalition consisting of stakeholders that want to contribute to and benefit from a CRM-KIC and a CRM management system.

[1] Critical Raw Materials Knowledge and Innovation Centre, preferably as part of an existing institution