Conference | Wednesday 17 December 2025 | 08.30 – 17.00 | Royal Library (Auditorium), Mont des Arts 28, 1000 Brussels, entrance conference via Emperor Avenue 2 | Chaired by professor Brent Bleys (Ghent University) | With the support of the Directorate-General for the Environment of the Federal Public Service for Public Health, Food Chain Safety and the Environment
On Wednesday 17 December 2025, the Federal Council for Sustainable Development (FRDO-CFDD) will host a new event entitled “Planetary boundaries, an invitation to innovate our way of thinking”, with a strong scientific perspective.
How can we remain within the nine boundaries of our planet while at the same time building a just and sustainable society? This central question will guide the conference, which brings together science, policy and practice.
Throughout the day, participants will be offered a clear introduction to the Planetary Boundaries framework and its application in Belgium. The role of tipping points will also be highlighted: once these points are crossed, changes on Earth speed up and are often irreversible.
We will not only examine the scientific insights, but also explore the broader challenges of creating a just society in urban contexts and a sustainable economy.
You will have the opportunity to engage with leading speakers and to participate in informal exchanges and networking moments.
PROGRAMME – SUBJECT TO CHANGE
08.30 – 09.30: Registration and welcome coffee (Entrance via Emperor Avenue 2)
09.30 – 09.40: Opening remarks
I. SCIENTIFIC FRAMEWORK
09.40 – 10.40: What are the scientific foundations of the concept of planetary boundaries and what can they mean for society at large? – Prof. Katherine Richardson, University of Copenhagen
10.40 – 11.00: Q&A
11.00 – 11.30: Coffee break
11.30 – 12.00: Planetary boundaries in Belgium: presentation of the study “Is Belgium living within its safe operating space?” – Cerac (Climate Risk Assessment Center)
12.00 – 12.30: How tipping points can help us understand the world – Victor Couplet, VUB
12.30 – 12.50: Q&A
12.50 – 14.00: NETWORKING LUNCH
II. SAFE & JUST CITIES
14.00 – 14.30: Selection of case studies and how Doughnut Economics and the planetary boundaries are being used in policy practice – Leonora Grcheva, DEAL
14.30 – 15.00: Panel discussion with practice-oriented changemakers on the development and implementation of urban sustainability projects and policies – including Charlotte Prové, De Stadsacademie; Paul Vanderstraeten, BeDonut ; David Bassens, Urban studies Brussels
III. RETHINKING THE ECONOMY
15.00 – 15.20: Rethinking the economy for a sustainable future – Hans Stegeman, Triodos Bank
15.20 – 16.00: Panel discussion with leading thinkers on a new economic paradigm – among others Géraldine Thiry, National Bank of Belgium ; Hans Stegeman, Triodos Bank; Anne Snick, Club of Rome ; Koen Schoors, UGent
16.00 – 16.10: Closing remarks
16.10 – 17.00: Networking moment
This event will be held in French, Dutch, and English. Simultaneous translation will be provided, except into English.
Registration: all physical places are already taken, so it is no longer possible to attend this conference in person. Due to its success, we are planning a live stream in collaboration with the FPS Public Health. You can register for the live stream from 13/10/2025 (12.30 P.M.) via the following link: https://forms.office.com/e/7DLzUG3Y4f
If you still wish to attend in person, please send a request to sven.vermassen@frdo-cfdd.be. You will then be placed on a waiting list. You will be informed at a later date whether you will be able to attend in person.
If you have any questions, please contact Esther Vande Cavey (esther.vandecavey@frdo-cfdd.be) or Sven Vermassen (sven.vermassen@frdo-cfdd.be).