Tallinn – European Green Capital 2023 at COP28
WILD CITIES: URBAN INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY
On 6th of December, at 9:00 – 19:00
Venue: Estonian pavilion in the Blue Zone B6-75
Explore urban dynamics and the indispensable role of the cities in the global fight against climate change together with this year’s European Green Capital.
9:00 – 09:45 WILDLY TRANSFORMING: URBAN LEADERSHIP
Building smart cities through policies, initiatives and green transition collaborations. With so many challenges and crises, progress for achieving the SDGs has stalled in many areas. This panel spotlights the pivotal role of urban sustainability leadership aimed towards tangible, impactful actions.
SPEAKERS:
Joosep Vimm, Deputy Mayor of Tallinn, Estonia
Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, UK
Wolfgang Teubner, Director of ICLEI Europe, Germany
Lamia Kamal-Chaoui, Director of Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities, OECD
MODERATOR:
Krista Kampus, Head of EU and International Cooperation, Tallinn, Estonia
10:00 – 10:45 WILDLY TWINNING: CLIMATE RESILIENT CITIES
Discover the transformative power of digital green twins. Learn how digital tools serve as instruments to simulate, analyse, and optimize urban systems for climate adaptation, citizen engagement, and common urban visions.
SPEAKERS:
Raido Roop, Strategy Director, Tallinn City Strategic Management Office, Estonia
Laura Mrosla, Early-Stage Researcher, FinEst Centre for Smart Cities, TalTech, Germany
Edmee Schultz, Business Development Manager, Catenda, Norway
Damiano Cerrone, Co-founder of UrbanistAI and SPIN Unit, Italy
MODERATOR: Ralf-Martin Soe, Director and Assistant Professor, FinEst Centre for Smart Cities, TalTech University/Stanford University, Estonia
11:00 – 11:30 WILDLY MOVING: 15 MINUTES TO A JUST CITY?
Accelerating sustainable mobility to achieve climate neutrality in the concept of the 15-minute city. Tackling the eco-social paradox of economically dynamic, environmentally sustainable, and socially just cities. Testing the fare-free public transport and looking back to a decade of experience in Tallinn.
SPEAKERS:
Tauri Tuvikene, Professor of Urban Studies, Tallinn University, Estonia
Tiit Tammaru, Professor of Urban and Population Geography, University of Tartu, Estonia
Raido Roop, Strategy Director, Tallinn City Strategic Management Office, Estonia
MODERATOR: Katrin Saks, Vice-Rector for Development, Tallinn University, Estonia
12:00 – 12:45 Guided networking: Driven cities — the role of startups and compact nations in reshaping urban mobility
“Idle Engines, Active Minds” addresses the challenge of excessive car use, fostering ideas for shared mobility. “Estonia’s Blueprint” spotlights innovative urban transport solutions. Engage in lively discussions, inspired by visual cues and practical examples with key insights on creating sustainable, efficient urban environments.
MODERATORS:
Anna-Maria Mikaberidze, co-founder and CEO at Beast, Estonia
Micha Mazaheri, co-founder and Senior Advisor at Beast, Estonia
13:00 – 13:30 WILDLY INNOVATING: SMART CITIES
Practical case studies on leveraging green innovation in cities and fostering collaboration between the public and the private sectors. Lessons learned from TallInnovation, TestinTallinn and NEXPO projects.
SPEAKERS:
Ralf-Martin Soe, Director and Assistant Professor, FinEst Centre for Smart Cities, TalTech University/Stanford University, Estonia
Einar Bodström, CEO ClimateView, Sweden
Damiano Cerrone, Co-founder of UrbanistAI and SPIN Unit, Italy
Mark-Emil Talivere, Innovation Expert, Test in Tallinn Project Lead, Estonia
MODERATOR: Jaan Saar, Head of Digital Construction, Ministry of Climate, Estonia
14.00- 14.45 WILDLY CONNECTING: RAIL BALTICA – FOSTERING A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE IN TRANSPORTATION
Building an infrastructure megaproject while fostering sustainable transport for linking nations, people, and places. A multibillion greenfield railway co-financed by the EU and the governments of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Join our high-level discussion on developing resilient connections in a sustainable way.
Introductory words by Emilien Dang, CTO and Member of the Management Board of AS RB RAIL
SPEAKERS:
Emilien Dang, CTO and Member of the Management Board of AS RB RAIL
Keit Kasemets, Secretary General of Ministry of Climate of the Republic of Estonia
Kaspars Briškens, Minister of Transport, Latvia
Marius Skuodis, Minister of Transport and Communications, Lithuania
MODERATOR: Herald RUIJTERS, Director of the Directorate for Investments, Innovative and Sustainable Transport at the DG MOVE, European Commission
15:00 – 15:45 WILDLY TRANSITIONING: ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Tackle energy efficiency and saving methods in housing, green transition and innovation. Actions and local solutions towards speeding up the roll-out of renewable energy sources and advancing the energy transition.
SPEAKERS:
Priit Koit, Head of the Utilitas Group, Tallinn, Estonia
Joosep Vimm, Deputy Mayor of Tallinn, Estonia
Graeme Maidment, Professor of Heating and Cooling at London South Bank University, UK
MODERATOR: Robert Kitt, PhD, CEO of Utilitas Tallinn and Utilitas Eesti, Tallinn, Estonia
16:00 – 16:45 WILDLY BLUE: ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF OUR SEAS
Dive into the current state of oceans and seas, and the critical need for collaborative action. Environmental challenges and the power of partnerships and collective efforts in safeguarding these precious ecosystems.
SPEAKERS:
Gunter Pauli, Entrepreneur, economist, and author
Merle Liivand, International spokesperson and open water swimmer, aquapreneur, USA
Tadashi Matsumoto, Head of Unit, National Urban Policy and Climate Resilience, OECD
Krista Kampus, Head of the EU and International Cooperation, City of Tallinn, Estonia
Rüdiger Strempel, Head of the HELCOM Secretariat (via web), Finland
MODERATOR: Helen Sulg, Environment Investments Centre, Estonia
17:00-18:30 WILD DRINKS: networking with like-minded urban enthusiasts
Reception by the Vice Mayor of Tallinn, Mr Joosep Vimm
LOCATION: Estonian restaurant “Valgerand Nordic Grill” in the Blue Zone B3-30