About the Workshop Sessions
Making the best out of the digital format, the EIC Secretariat has organised four parallel running breakout sessions of 60 min each.
Short impulse statements at the beginning of each breakout session by the Chairperson and by representatives form EIC's Associated Company Members shall set the scene for interactive discussions on selected aspects of the Workshop theme - Africa, Corporate Responsibility, Procurement and Contracts, and Digital Transformation - on how European international contractors can turn the challenge of global climate change into a business opportunity for them. Be invited to contribute to the topic´s discussion by pro-actively sharing your experience and perspective.
To facilitate and prepare for the interactive discussions, each participant shall be invited to reply to a short, tailor-made survey ahead of the workshop. Please indicate your preferred breakout session in your conference registration. Further Workshop material and participation links shall be provided ahead of the conference.
Workshop A - Africa
Prospects for Climate-friendly Construction Projects in Africa
With the European Green Deal, the EU aims to take on a global leadership on climate action. The proposed new Comprehensive Partnership with Africa puts a specific focus on the green transition as key target areas for future cooperation Yet, the EU and the AU debate green transitions from very different angles. While societal mobilisation around climate mitigation policies is a high priority for the EU, African countries prioritise adaptation and socio-economic issues, such as infrastructure connectivity and job creation. This session shall analyse the prospects for implementing climate-friendly construction projects in Africa.
Chair: José Pedro Freitas // Mota Engil Group, Member of the EIC Board
Impulse Speakers: Richard Laudy (Pinsent Masons) and Karim Selouane (Resallience // Vinci)
Workshop B - Corporate Responsibility
EU legislation on Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Construction Projects
The European Commission is preparing a legislative initiative aiming to modify the EU regulatory framework on company law and corporate governance. It aims to better align the interests of companies, their shareholders, managers, stakeholders and society and claims to help companies to better manage sustainability-related matters in their own operations and value chains as regards social and human rights, climate change, environment, etc. The EU Parliament has already positioned itself calling for more rigid legal duties for corporate directors to integrate long-term interests and sustainability risks. This session shall examine the calibration of existing business models and explore opportunities for sustainable supply chain management to deliver climate-friendly construction projects.
Chair: Wouter Remmelts // BAM International, Member of the EIC Board
Impulse Speakers: Lourdes Centeno Huerta (Ernst & Young) and Lara Muller (Boskalis)
Workshop C - Contract Conditions
Innovative Procurement and Contracting Models for Climate-friendly Construction Projects
Given the complexity of today’s large construction projects, partnering and alliancing models are becoming an increasingly popular mechanism for project delivery within the construction industry world-wide. FIDIC is also starting the discussion on a partnership and alliancing form. If partnering is to work in its wider sense a more holistic approach needs to be taken, centred on a co-alignment of the strategic, financial and cultural interests of all the project team members. This session shall examine how innovative procurement and contracting models can facilitate the implementation of climate-friendly construction projects.
Chair: German Grueniger // Implenia, Member of the EIC Board
Impulse Speakers: Nicholas Gould (Fenwick Elliott) and Michael Keith Daly (Quantum Global Solutions)
Workshop D - Digital Transformation
Digital Transformation as Enabler for Climate-Friendly Construction Projects
Digitalisation is seen as an important tool towards better managing and even preventing CO² emissions and thus addressing climate change. This withstanding, there are multiple challenges that impede the collection and management of data, e.g., fragmented data ownership, lack of processes and systems, the sheer volume of data alongside the construction supply chain, and a reactive approach to data management in company cultures. This session shall explore solutions to overcome these caveats and to reduce the complexity of data management in construction in order to enable the delivery of climate-friendly construction projects.
Chair: Juan Elizaga Corales // Ferrovial Construction, Member of the EIC Board
Impulse Speakers: Anne Moloney (Rambøll) and James Colclough (Aecom)