COP31 Side Event: From Climate Innovation to SDG Impact
From Climate Innovation to SDG Impact - Connecting Technology, Local Action and Finance
How can climate technologies help address challenges in water, energy, health and resource efficiency alongside climate action? And what does it take to translate that potential into measurable results?
At this G-STIC side event during COP31, led by VITO, Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs), government representatives, local implementation partners and financing institutions will examine how proven climate innovations can become locally anchored, scalable solutions that deliver measurable benefits across multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Drawing on regional implementation experiences, the speakers will discuss:
- connecting climate action with local priorities: how to identify opportunities for technologies to contribute to several SDGs;
- making solutions work in practice: what regional experiences reveal about adapting technologies, validating their performance and overcoming institutional barriers;
- preparing for investment: what is needed to develop credible projects and connect local implementation partners with technical expertise and financing institutions.
The session will also examine how G-STIC's evolving global partnership of RTOs can connect technological expertise with local development priorities and existing financing mechanisms.
Join us to learn from regional implementation experiences and explore what it takes to turn proven climate technologies into locally anchored, investment-ready solutions with measurable SDG benefits.
Speakers
- Ms Saliha Dobardzic – Lead, Programming and Innovation Unit, Adaptation Fund
- Ms Evelien Masschelein – Director Expertise, Enabel, Belgium
- Mr Michael Finucane – Head of Unit, Operations Directorate, Climate Office, European Investment Bank
- Dr Wim Degrave – Senior Researcher and Programme Manager, Program for Technological Development of Health Products, Fiocruz, Brazil
- Mr Anshuman – Director, Water Resources, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), India
- Ms Leen Govaerts – Director, Water & Energy Transition, VITO, Belgium
- Dr Dietrich Van der Weken – General Manager G-STIC, VITO, Belgium
Practical information
Date: 18 November 2026
Time: 15:45–16:45
Venue: SDG Pavilion, COP31
Antalya EXPO Center, Antalya, Türkiye