Plenary session 1 – Leading the way to sustainability: STPs & AOIs at the cutting edge 

Science parks and areas of innovation have always been in the vanguard of new thinking, pioneers who bring together innovative people to build new solutions to current challenges. This session will explore three cutting-edge infrastructure projects that lead the way to a sustainable future, on earth and in space! 

Plenary session 2 – Innovation for a greener future: external perspectives

Experts share their insights into the role of innovation in meeting zero carbon goals and ensuring a sustainable future for all. 

Plenary session 3 – Towards carbon zero: tools and strategies for innovation ecosystems 

Explore some of the ways in which innovation ecosystems are working to achieve carbon net zero in their cities and regions, and some of strategies they are deploying. From enabling resident companies to identify and pursue specific green technologies, analysing patent and trademark databases and driving cross-sector collaboration, to implementing ambitious on-site innovations, this session will take a look at the tools STPs and AOIs are using to build a low carbon future. 

Breakout 1 – Driving sustainable mobility: new solutions for a greener society

In their capacity as connectors of research, business, the public sector and wider society, STPs/AOIs can play a key role fostering the development of new, sustainable and more integrated mobility solutions for their resident companies and communities. This session explores initiatives to reduce car use and develop new transport solutions (cycling and walking, public transport, carpooling, etc) at a campus, local and regional level, as well how to achieve the necessary behavioural change to ensure they are successful. 

Breakout 2 – Digital strategies and solutions for STPs and AOIs

How can STPs and AOIs seize and maintain a leading role on digital ideas, developments, products, and services, for the creation of stakeholders’ value, while fostering talent capture and retention? This session presents some key strategies and examples from around the world that support increased digitalisation in their companies, and promote constant digital improvement of both their resident companies and their cities & regions.

Breakout 3 – Green and digital change through collaboration: STPs and AOIs as connectors 

No one individual or organisation can fight climate change alone: the road ahead requires strong, strategic coalitions of stakeholders working jointly and co-creating to bring about value in a way that a single actor cannot achieve alone. This session will examine different ways in which STP/AOI managers are orchestrating such coalitions and engaging key players across industries and sectors.

Breakout 4 – Green infrastructure and interdependence: global sustainability approaches 

This session will explore the design and infrastructure of STPs/AOIs themselves, and how they can lead the way implementing green best practices. Find out more about strategies that STPs/AOIs are adopting to become low carbon/carbon neutral sites, and how they leverage clusters and interdependencies to reduce waste and promote a circular economy.

Breakout 5 – STPs, AOIs and companies: best practices for a green and digital transition

A greener society needs greener companies. How can STPs, AOIs and incubators promote the creation of greener and more sustainable startups that are likely to scale? Are there niche areas where innovation ecosystems can build incubator and accelerator programmes to support emerging technologies and needs? Find out with case studies and best practices from around the world!

Breakout 6 – Developing innovation districts and knowledge environments 

This session looks at the multiple factors involved in designing successful knowledge environments, including building design, the configuration of space and urban development, as well as performance measurement and data analysis to better understand their impact as drivers of growth and development.

Breakout 7 – Energy transitions and solutions led by science parks and areas of innovation 

As hubs that unite multidisciplinary partners at regional level, science parks and areas of innovation are ideally placed to lead the way in energy transitions and solutions. From using data to encourage behavioural change and engage communities to developing microgrids and renewable energy, this session will share cases studies and examples of best practices from around the world. 

Breakout 9 – Driving smart city development

This session will explore the key role STPs/AOIs are playing in implementing and strengthening smart city initiatives: driving sustainability and connecting key stakeholders from companies, government, academia and wider society, offering quality spaces and driving a continuous flow of innovation into the city.

Breakout 8 – Innovation ecosystems and a multi-layered approach to green and digital transformation 

The interplay of corporates, SMEs, startups, government, universities and civil society in science parks and areas of innovation allows them to advance cross-sector sustainability goals and bring about multi-layered change. This session explores how innovation ecosystems in four very different global contexts go about this. 

Topic:

“The Approach of KAUST Research & Technology Park in a Thriving Innovation Ecosystem”.

Speaker Bio:

As the Head of KAUST Research & Technology Park, Nawaf brings depth of experience and support impacting various initiatives through fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Overseeing the Research and Technology Park, Nawaf has been able to manage a massive increase in the park tenants, from corporates, SME’s, and startups, through activating various programs to promote growth. On top of that was his ability to encourage the participation of private and public sectors in major technology applications, including “Proof of Concept” projects, to support the testing and deployment of various technology solutions that aim to create impact.

Plenary session 4 – Future proof jobs and skills training for the digital transition  

Skills are key for sustainable competitiveness, resilience and ensuring fairness for all. Businesses need workers with the skills required to navigate the digital transition, and people need the right education and training to thrive. This session will take an in-depth look at the role innovation ecosystems can play to improve this. 

Plenary session 5 – Startups and scaleups supporting green and digital transformation

A greener society needs greener companies, and this session will examine how STPs and AOIs can promote the creation and consolidation of greener and more sustainable startups. Find out more about specialised incubators and innovative accelerator programmes, and how they support emerging green & digital technologies and needs. 

Plenary session 6 – Building digital capacity: AOIs and STPs supporting digitalisation 

How can STPs & AOIs support increased digitalisation in their companies, and promote constant digital improvement of both their resident companies and their cities & regions? Learn from international experts who present approaches to increasing the use of AI, optimising digital services, and using data to tackle environmental challenges.

Climate risks challenges and innovation opportunities 

The presentation will discuss the main climate risks the EU is facing (e.g. heat-related human mortality, coastal floods, labour productivity losses and ecosystem losses) and how they can be reduced through adaptation policies and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, stressing the key role of innovation, and also focusing on relevant JRC-related work (e.g. PESETA and GECO reports).