Dimitri Torfs, Director Sales of Bopro, opened the day at Plein Publiek – a vibrant circular economy hub connecting citizens, businesses, and governments around sustainable solutions.

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Exploring the Logistic Cluster at the Quay

Participants toured Blue Gate Antwerp, once Petroleum Zuid, the heart of Antwerp’s petroleum industry, now a model of sustainable urban redevelopment.

Ecological Integration and the Green Corridor

Danny Jonckheere, Chair of the Hobokense Polder ( Natuurpunt), gave an on-site presentation. He explained how Blue Gate Antwerp combines urban development with nature. Adjacent to the site, the 170-hectare Hobokense Polder nature reserve hosts wetlands, grasslands, forests, and over 500 plant species. Within the site, the Green Corridor manages rainwater through open channels and underground pipes, reducing the need for individual tanks. This blend of smart infrastructure and environmental ambition sets a benchmark for climate-resilient, nature-inclusive city planning.

Participants explored BlueApp under the guidance of Janne Spanoghe. This pre-incubator, linked to the University of Antwerp, supports early-stage ideas in sustainable chemistry and materials. It offers advanced lab facilities, pilot infrastructure, and academic expertise to help innovations grow to a level that attracts investors or industrial partners.

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Participants visited BlueChem with guidance from Britt De Sutter. As Belgium’s first incubator dedicated to sustainable chemistry, it focuses on start-ups and scale-ups ready for market expansion. Located in the Blue Gate Antwerp business park, it provides office and lab space and connects innovators with a strong network of industrial and academic partners.

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Update CSRD, CSDDD & EU Omnibus Regulations

Sarina Motmans, Deputy Diplomatic Representative of Flanders to the EU, provided an overview of recent developments in European sustainability policy. Her presentation focused on three key files: the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive), the CSDDD (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive), and the Omnibus Regulation.

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KUBE ESG: An ESG Tool for SMEs

Tom Van den Berghe, Director of Sustainable Finance at Febelfin, presented a new ESG tool developed by Isabel Group in collaboration with Febelfin. The tool is designed to support SMEs in collecting sustainability information and to help banks assess sustainability risks in their lending activities.

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The Renewed SUSTA Tool: Supporting SMEs in Sustainability

Sara De Potter, Coordinator at MVO Vlaanderen, presented the updated SUSTA Tool, a digital platform developed by MVO Vlaanderen to support SMEs in building and strengthening their sustainability strategy .

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Alexander Daenen, Head of Environment, Water & Energy at VDAB, and Anneke Rots, Sustainability Manager at VDAB, offered a strong insight into how VDAB structurally embeds sustainability in its operations. The session highlighted their pioneering role in environmental management, the CSRD trajectory with Deloitte, and the use of AI for energy and water monitoring.

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Hazel Tyssen, liaison officer for economy, employment, and social affairs at VLEVA, provided an overview of recent developments in European sustainability policy. Her presentation focused on key files including the CSRD, CSDDD, the EU Taxonomy, CBAM, and the Omnibus Regulation.

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Valentijn Vanoeteren from IDEA Consult presented the SDG Monitor, a data-driven tool that helps local governments track and strengthen their sustainability policies. Using comparable data, the monitor shows how municipalities perform on the Sustainable Development Goals and guides targeted policy actions.

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Harelbeke’s sustainability journey, presented by Yves De Bosscher, Sustainability Coordinator, shows how a local government can gradually integrate the SDGs into policy and practice. Starting with a 2017 pilot project, the city engaged citizens and stakeholders, made strategic choices, and gained international recognition, evolving into a structured and forward-looking sustainability approach.

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Het Facilitair Bedrijf and their journey to SDG Ambassador

Johan Van Damme, Policy Coordinator for Sustainability at the Flemish Government and policy officer at the agency Facilitair Bedrijf, shared insights into how the agency structurally embeds sustainability in its operations. The session explained their journey to becoming an SDG Ambassador and the broad impact this sustainability focus has had across the organization.

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Human Rights at Het Facilitair Bedrijf                       

Alexander Lemmens outlined how the Facilitair Bedrijf embeds human rights in public procurement through ethical clauses, due diligence, and collaboration with initiatives such as Electronics Watch to promote responsible supply chains.

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Ilse Dries opened the Learning Network session, highlighting the importance of sharing sustainability practices. Participants discussed initiatives in small groups, then presented and categorized them under themes like policy, collaboration, social sustainability, procurement, and monitoring tools.

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Alexander Lemmens, Legal Advisor at the Facilitair Bedrijf, presented the Responsible Public Procurement (MVOO) tool. Based on the Dutch MVIO tool, it is not a uniquely Flemish initiative but part of a collaborative approach with the Netherlands, sharing knowledge to inform local policy. Since May 2024, the tool has been available online, covering 17 product groups, with plans for further expansion.

Eva Schobyn, Sustainability Consultant at Pantarein, discussed the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and its impact on companies. She explained the directive’s expanded and stricter sustainability reporting requirements

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Marjan Nauwelaert from Toerisme Vlaanderen presented their plan to make the tourism sector more sustainable. The strategy focuses on three pillars, emissions, adaptation, and circularity, supported by a platform for coaching, promotion, and networking. 

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Tony Vermeire from IDEA Consult presented how local governments can advance sustainability, using Stad Harelbeke as a case study. Vermeire highlighted six key steps for turning sustainability ambitions into actionable policies. 

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