The Shift vzw/asbl

Nature was buzzing yesterday, and so were we! 🐝  🌿 On December 10, The Shift vzw/asbl, WWF-Belgium, and Chapter Zero Brussels hosted an inspiring and interactive workshop to decode the #IPBES report on #biodiversity and #ecosystemservices. ✨ This was no ordinary event—it was a transformative experience. Through 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲, participants delved into the intricate web of our planet's ecosystems, learning through play and discovery. Together, we explored how human activities affect biodiversity and identified practical actions businesses and individuals can take to protect and restore it. ⚡The energy in the room was electric, the discussions profound, and the collective commitment to change truly inspiring. It’s in moments like these that the power of #collaboration and creativity shines, reminding us of what’s possible when we come together to address urgent global challenges. 🙏  A special thank you to Quentin Meekers, Johanna Delmelle and Boris Leprou from Accenture  and to Theophile Lienhardt from GoodPlanet Belgium for dynamically moderating this event. Your dedication created a vibrant space for collaboration, learning, and action. 💡 What’s next? Join our brand-new community of practice! With #TheBiodiversityShift, you put nature #restoration and #conservation on your corporate agenda, right at the heart of your activities. Read all about it 👉https://lnkd.in/eipG2sbH 🥬 Nature. It's your business too. #WeMakeTheShift #TheBiodiversityShift #NaturePositive

🔔 Ringing in a net zero future! Today's geopolitical and economic context requires strong, consistent and courageous leadership. Therefore, this morning’s Bell Ceremony at Euronext was a symbolic and significant step for entrepreneurship in Belgium. By joining the Belgian Alliance for Climate Action (BACA), Euronext commits to aligning with the net zero target - a bold call to action for BEL20 members and beyond. Jean-Christophe Tellier, CEO of UCB, joined our director Magali Frankl in ringing the bell as a symbol of their shared mission towards a sustainable economy within planetary boundaries. More about today's statement: 👉 Euronext joins the Belgian Alliance for Climate Action, commiting to set Science Based Targets 👉 UCB sets a strong example as the first BEL 20 company with a validated net zero 2045 target 👉 The Shift vzw/asbl calls for bold leadership to make Europe a champion of the net zero, circular economy Bravo to Cofinimmo, Elia Group, D'Ieteren, Umicore & UCB for leading the way in being part of #BACA. We hope to see all the BEL20 companies joining this collective action, as you make a big difference. At the end, it’s the only option we have as humanity. Let’s keep building momentum for a greener, more sustainable future! #climateaction #sciencebasedtargets #BEL20 #WeMakeTheShift Belgian Alliance for Climate Action | WWF-Belgium ©Jules Toulet

♻️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 "𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗿𝗲𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴" 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀? Yesterday, we had the pleasure of gathering about 40 members at ArcelorMittal Belgium for a compelling #DecarbSession on #Reducing, #Reusing, #Recycling in the supply chain - or how to minimize carbon emissions through smarter material use and closed-loop systems. 🌍 What a field trip it was! We went home with new insights about 💡𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀: Recognizing the value of co-engineering to decarbonise throughout value chains, this particular case – where VELUX partners with Arcellor Mittal to lower the embedded CO2 in steel used by up to 70% – is a particularly inspiring one. 💡𝗖𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Knowing that construction sector accounts for 37% of global carbon emissions and represents the largest waste stream, Embuild Vlaanderen strategizes around the building blocks of building less, more clever and efficiently – with an obvious emphasis on reusing and recycling of building materials. 💡 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲: The push for sustainable materials is fuelled by increasing regulation and growing demand for low-carbon solutions among customers. With XCarb, ArcelorMittal implements circular economy principles to tackle their production-related carbon footprint. (https://lnkd.in/eBfu_n-g) A big thank you to 🙏 Caroline Deiteren (Embuild Vlaanderen) for shedding light on the challenges and opportunities in circularity within the construction sector. 🙏 Sabine Pauquay (VELUX) for insightful case studies on circularity, and for demonstrating the value of partnerships. 🙏 Hein Vandeveire and Frederik Leus (ArcelorMittal Belgium), for the warm welcome and for sharing their vision on reducing emissions with XCarb steel. "In 10 years from now, using recycled materials will not be an option. It will be a requirement. The key is to start now." 👉 Do you need some encouragement to decarbonise your supply chain? Join our community and keep an eye on our calendar for more events to come! https://lnkd.in/dfu787Xr #WeMakeTheShift #TheClimateShift #CircularEconomy #ReduceReuseRecycle #Decarbonisation

"Previously, I was smart and tried to change the world. Now, I'm wise and change myself.” - Rumi 🌎 As we navigate a world grappling with complex challenges, the need for leaders to balance systemic transformations with sustainable inner growth has never been more pressing. That is why in October 2024, we launched #TheInnerShift—a transformative learning network inspired by the #InnerDevelopmentGoals (IDGs), in partnership with Innerpreneurs. After the second of a series of five sessions, we had a chat with Bart Weetjens co-founder of Innerpreneurs and renowned advocate for cultivating regenerative leadership on why embracing inner transformation is essential for anyone striving to create sustainable change. 📝 Read Bart’s interview here: https://lnkd.in/eQi7DmQK Through rituals, storytelling, and reflective practices, each session allows participants to connect deeply with themselves and others. As captured in the video, participants left feeling inspired and empowered by the opportunity to reflect and co-create. 💡 The Inner Shift is more than a workshop; it’s a journey fueled by exchanges and mutual growth between hosts and participants, sparking actionable inspiration for impactful leadership. 💪With three sessions to go, we are hopeful for what can be achieved when individuals commit to both personal and systemic transformation. #InnerDevelopmentGoals #Leadership #RegenerativeLeadership #TheInnerShift #Transformation

"𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝘄𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘?" On November 26, The System Shift hosted a powerful inspiration session at Muntpunt sparking thought-provoking insights about the alternatives to a growth-based economy. 💡Christophe Meierhans shared his experience of pooling income with 10 adults and 7 children for five years. The secret? Not rules or spreadsheets, but trust and its ongoing maintenance. 💡 Philippe Vandenbroeck (ShiftN) invited us to see time as a finite resource—a starting point for intentional choices that could lead to a calmer, more balanced existence. The experience highlighted the need to rethink how businesses and leaders define success, shifting from profit-driven models to those centered on positive impact. 🎯 With this notion at its core, The System Shift breaks through the business-as-usual mindset and inspires companies to chart a new course. Launching in 2025 in collaboration with the 2030 CEO Alliance for Sustainability, a brand-new community of practice will encourage forward-thinking CEOs to work on the design of their organisation or company. Guided by Kate Raworth’s framework of the #DoughnutEconomy, we’ll explore five powerful levers for transformation: ✨ Mission 🏢 Ownership 💰 Finance 🗳️ Governance 🌐 Networks You will not only exchange knowledge and experience across sectors but also be invited to take concrete steps to make your business model impactful and future-proof, staying within the ecological and social boundaries of our planet. 💼 Get involved and lead your company with impact and purpose: secure your spot by completing the form below by December 6, 2024. 👉 https://lnkd.in/ez8r5ydG    🌍 Curious to learn more? https://lnkd.in/eWQ97Act Contact adrienne.nizet@theshift.be should you have any other questions. 🚀 "Just do it. Start with creating a new economy and let others come knock on our doors." – Kate Raworth #WeMakeTheShift #TheSystemShift 

Last night, the future of biodiversity took center stage as twenty Belgian business leaders gathered to share, learn and commit to nature-positive action. Leading businesses and civil society recognise that restoring nature is not just an ethical imperative – it’s the path to resilient and sustainable business. By bringing biodiversity to the heart of business models, we are aligning today’s decisions with tomorrow’s ecosystem stability. Key takeaways from the evening: 🍃 Every business depends on nature, its resources, and ecosystems. Humanity depends on nature as it provides our life supporting systems providing clean air, water, and fertile soil. 🍂 Finance has a huge leverage, in shifting investments and subsidies to nature positive and sustainable products. It’s about a mindset change where we redefine value, and if nature is of the highest value, we will modify price structures making nature a great investment. This would also make sustainable choices the default option, accessible to everyone. 🌱 The crisis we’re facing, climate change, biodiversity loss and inequality, will hit us harder in the coming years. Our actions here and today will define the world in which our children will live. Each of us has the power to make change happen, in personal choices, through our network, within our organisation or value chains. It starts with each one of us, and collectively we will start seeing the difference to avoid reaching the tipping points. Are you joining us in leading the path to a nature-positive economy? Join 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁, a community of practice starting in January 2025, where 20 Belgian organisations will work on a biodiversity strategy to embed nature into their core operations. Kristof Peperstraete, @Hein Deprez, Leen Van den Neste, Gregoire Dallemagne, Nabil Jijakli, Benoît van den Hove, Thomas Van Craen, Philippe Funcken, Laura Brems, Sabine Sagaert, Noah Janssen, Frederic Dunon, Geoffroy Gersdorff, Louis Dhont, Els Thermote, Tim Van den Bossche, Filip Ferrante, Christophe Adriaensen, Caroline Tsilikounas, Magali Frankl, Ignace Schops, WWF-België, The Nest Family Office, Triodos Bank. Learn more about how you can join the movement: https://lnkd.in/eipG2sbH #WeMakeTheShift #biodiversity #lifeonland #lifebelowwater #naturebasedsolutions

🌍 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗴𝗶𝘂𝗺? ⚡ From the Nationaal Warmtefonds in the Netherlands to Italy's SUPERBONUS 100%, inspiring initiatives were explored during the national roundtable of the Life Be Free project on the 19th November. 🚀 The mission: accelerate energy renovation in Belgium. What are the main obstacles to overcome? 🛠️ How can we learn from neighbouring countries to balance public and private investments? 🤝 And most importantly, how can we ensure these solutions are accessible to all? 🌟 After a year of discussions focused on three key themes — grants, EPCs, and co-ownerships — the project partners shared an initial overview with key stakeholders. These insights will shape actionable recommendations for the future. 🤔 Want to contribute to the conversation? We're preparing upcoming sessions in 2025 on: 🔹 Social credit lending 🔹 Renovation of the rental market 🔹 District renovation 📩 Contact Charlotte Moreau if you’d like to participate or provide content for these discussions. 💪 Together, we can drive impactful change. A big thank you to the partners of the LIFE BE FREE project (VVSG, Embuild - The Belgian Construction Association, Febelfin, IDEA Consult, Wattson NV), as well as our members Belfius, KBC Bank & Verzekering, and STIB-MIVB. #WeMakeTheShift #EnergyRenovation #LifeBeFree

🎉A huge congratulations to the winners of the Belgian Awards for Sustainability Reports, and especially to our members Elia, Luminus, LCL Data Centers and Vandemoortele! 🎉

We’re thrilled to welcome John Dams as our new 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿! 🌟   🎶 With a passion for nature, music, and adventure, he brings an infectious energy to every project and gathering. John’s love for mixing tunes and uniting people through music translates seamlessly into his role, where he stimulates collaboration and sparks creative solutions. 🚴♂️ Whether biking in the mountains or practicing yoga, John is excited to work with The Shift vzw/asbl, and share his commitment to building a brighter, more connected future. 🙌 As Change Facilitator, he coordinates the activities within our climate program and supports organisations, big or small, in their efforts to reduce carbon emissions, moving towards a net-zero economy. ✍ Lastly, we will leave you with his favourite quote from Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." #WeMakeTheShift #NewTeamMember #Community

🙄 As a sustainability professional, how many times have you heard ‘yes, but…’ from colleagues? It seems to be a frequent reaction when you start conversations about climate action in the workplace. 🤔 So how to engage with colleagues when opinions aren’t necessarily aligned? What is the best way to deal with resistance at the workplace? In October 2024, KlimaatContact vzw joined Belgian Alliance for Climate Action during a fascinating webinar with unexpected answers to these questions. Discover insights that could shift how you approach sustainability at work and help build a more climate-conscious culture. 👉 Read on for actionable tips that can make a real difference: https://lnkd.in/d7S4c_VS #ClimateAction #Sustainability #WorkplaceCulture #ClimateResistance #Leadership #EnvironmentalImpact