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.
Conference 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
Background paper
Photographs
Video Recording 1
Video Recording 2
Video Recording 3
Video Recording 4 + Conclusion
PROGRAMME
08.30 – 09.30: Registration and welcome coffee (Entrance via Emperor Avenue 2)
09.30 – 09.40: Opening remarks by Brent Bleys (UGhent)
I. SCIENTIFIC FRAMEWORK
09.40 – 10.40: Planetary Boundaries: Guardrails for managing the Human-Earth relationship – Prof. Katherine Richardson, University of Copenhagen (presentation). The presentation by Professor Richardson is currently being reviewed for copyright compliance and is therefore not yet available on this website. We kindly refer you to Video Recording 1, where you can watch the presentation again.
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?” – Els Barnard, Cerac (Climate Risk Assessment Center) (presentation)
12.00 – 12.30: Tipping points in the climate system – Victor Couplet, VUB (presentation)
12.30 – 12.50: Q&A
12.50 – 13.55: NETWORKING LUNCH
II. SAFE & JUST CITIES
13.55 – 14.30: Doughnut Economics: Planetary boundaries in policy practice in cities & regions – Leonora Grcheva, DEAL (presentation)
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: Transform! – Hans Stegeman, Triodos Bank (presentation)
15.20 – 16.00: Panel discussion with leading thinkers on a new economic paradigm: Géraldine Thiry, National Bank of Belgium ; Hans Stegeman, Triodos Bank; Anne Snick, Club of Rome ; Koen Schoors, UGent
16.00 – 16.10: Closing remarks by Patrick Dupriez, Chairman of the FRDO-CFDD
16.10 – 17.00: Networking moment
Where? Royal Library (Auditorium), Mont des Arts 28, 1000 Brussels, entrance conference via Emperor Avenue 2
This event will be held in French, Dutch, and English. Simultaneous translation will be provided, except into English. (However, simultaneous translation is only available for those present in the room. No translation is provided for those following via live streaming.)
If you have any questions, please contact Esther Vande Cavey (esther.vandecavey@frdo-cfdd.be) or Sven Vermassen (sven.vermassen@frdo-cfdd.be).