Law and Management

Centre for Sustainable Regional Communities

The DEAKINS 09

Communities, Cities and Regions as agents for low carbon innovation: A view from the Netherlands

Alfred Deakin Eco-Innovation Lecture

Exploring pathways to the creation of new industries and new jobs in response to the pressures of climate change. How can regions, cities and communities take the lead in creating a new future suited to the resources, skills and history of a specific locality?

Yoram Krozer - University of Twente; Founding Director European Institute for Sustainable Innovations - the Cartesius Institute.

Simon Tijsma - Head of the Department of Economic Affairs, Recreation and Tourism of the province of Friesland.

Venue: The Capital, Bendigo's Performing Arts Centre

Date: Tuesday 15 September 2009

Time: 6:00 - 7.30 p.m.

About  

Friesland (in the north of the Netherlands) has developed a high profile in Europe for its approach to generating a new sustainable, low carbon economy. It is a significant example of how regions, cities and communities are taking the lead in creating new industries, new jobs and a new future suited to the resources, skills and history of a specific locality.

This Alfred Deakin Eco-Innovation lecture will explore the approach of the Friesland provincial government that has enabled the development of a bio-gas distribution system to replace petrol and diesel in cars and trucks, a zero-carbon housing development, and new solar technology production and design capabilities in small-scale solar products.

Their work involves visionary new goals for an 'Energy Valley' and similar innovations in the development of new water technologies and exciting new eco-tourism developments - such as their outstanding annual international solar boat race.

Working within the province is the Cartesius Institute for Sustainable Innovations. Dr Yoram Krozer was founder of this Institute and he will talk about how he managed to creatively link the knowledge base of three of the country's best technical universities into the Friesland process, to support community visioning and strategy with the development of relevant new knowledge to enable to visions to be realised. The Cartesius Institute brings students, academics and local business together to invent and develop solutions, to shape the future of the region.

For further information please visit the Deakins 09 website