Water, Environment and Beyond (WE&B)

At WE&B, we are thrilled to see the implementation of the Transformation Labs for NatalieProject. We are working hand in hand with University of Thessaly to develop the methodology and support this long-term process, which is currently in its first phase of Diagnosis. It’s exciting to witness the great teamwork and collaboration on the demo sites, already creating the desired local impact. Check out our latest news! ✨ #ClimateResilience #TransformationLabs #NBS #HorizonEU #EUMissions #SustainabilityCollaboration

🌍 Last week, MedCities / MedCités, with the support of the Barcelona City Council, organized the inaugural Barcelona Academy for Mediterranean Municipalities (BAMM). The event focused on "Green & Blue Cities" and provided a platform for elected officials and senior technical experts from Mediterranean city councils. 🌊 The Barcelona Academy for Mediterranean Municipalities was an event for learning, sharing, and exchanging ideas about policies and initiatives that promote urban resilience. This inaugural edition featured a full week of programming, bringing together MedCities member cities and experts in green cities, blue cities, and urban strategic planning. 🎓 David Smith Ph. D. from WE&B shared insights on crucial topics affecting Mediterranean cities, such as the WEFE (Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem) Nexus approach highlighted its significance in urban planning and sustainable development, with practical examples from the Mediterranean and the Run4Life project. Thank you to MedCities Konstantia Nikopoulou for the opportunity to share our knowledge and Mar Vives España from Anthesis Group for the great organisation.

Two weeks ago, WE&B participated in the Innovation Procurement and Horizon Europe City Mission & CL5 Brokerage Event in Barcelona organised by Leitat Technological Center and hosted by ACC1O - Catalonia Trade & Investment and Diputació de Barcelona. David Smith Ph. D. presented the concept of legislative sandboxes, an innovative framework that provides space for experimentation and participatory policymaking. This open innovation approach fosters the development of new urban solutions, aligning with the event’s focus on sustainability, green transitions, and zero-pollution strategies. WE&B is proud to contribute to creating flexible regulatory environments that encourage innovation in sustainable city planning. #InnovationProcurement #HorizonEurope #LegislativeSandboxes #OpenInnovation #SustainableCities

Last week Tuesday marked the opening session of the Positive Energy Buildings course, organized by #CEEC in collaboration with ICAEN, IREC - Institut de Recerca en Energia de Catalunya, Leitat Technological Center, Eurecat - Technology Centre, and CIMNE. David Smith Ph. D. from WE&B had the opportunity to participate in a round table discussion on the importance of stakeholder engagement and communication in building rehabilitation, using the experience from the HOUSEFUL Project Targeted at technical professionals in the construction sector, the course aimed to explore key concepts and regulations crucial for the design and renovation of buildings. Key topics covered in the session included: 🏢 Energy Efficiency Directive application with Aitor Domínguez 🏢 Large-scale building rehabilitation with Marta Martinez (Agència de l’Habitatge de Catalunya) 🏢 Communication in rehabilitation, featuring experts from various sectors Regulation and financing of rehabilitation efforts with industry leaders. At WE&B, we are committed to creating a more sustainable future by developing buildings that not only reduce energy consumption but also produce energy themselves. Thank you Clúster de l'Energia Eficient de Catalunya for the photo 😁 #EnergyEfficiency #RenewableEnergy #SustainableConstruction #PositiveEnergyBuildings #EnergyTransition

Hoy oficialmente hemos constuido la Cooperativa WE&B centrada en la investigación en medio ambiente y sin ánimo de lucro. Seguiremos como siempre, pero ahora legalmente y con estatutos más alineados con nuestro objetivo y misión 🍃

Today marks a very special day for WE&B. We have officially transitioned to a non-profit research and consultancy cooperative. Our name has changed to Water, Environment and Beyond (WE&B). Why "beyond"? We move beyond our 10 years as an organisation, we go beyond being a for profit organisation and we go beyond the water and environment challenges facing society. The team and structure remains the same and we continue with our social and ecological business innovation but we now dive deeper into policy innovation. We look forward to together solving the environmental challenges facing society starting today and "beyond"

Hemos Lanzado 🚀 en Almería la primera sesión del Grupo de Competencia Rewaise ¿Cómo podemos fomentar una utilización mas eficiente del agua en Almería, la región mas seca de Europa? Es la pregunta a la que se enfrentó el grupo de competencia de REWAISE EU project establecido en Almería en su taller de inicio, el 19.09.24. Este taller se planteó como punto de partida para promover mas actividades, evaluando opciones para la implantación de un sistema de gestión y reutilización de agua eficiente, más allá de un piloto. En base a las propuestas, el grupo eligió centrarse primero en aspectos de la gobernanza, que son la base de otras actuaciones futuras. Como introducción, se explicó el proyecto Rewaise , y la tecnología AnMBR  (Reactor anaerobico de membranas) como una herramienta esencial para el reuso sostenible del agua, que fue desarrollado por el equipo de Calagua (Universitat de València), y que forma parte del “Innovation deal” para superar las barreras clásicas de regulación. Dentro del marco de Living Labs de Rewaise, el grupo se configura para promover la participación y compromiso de las partes interesadas, coordinado por Water, Environment and Business for Development (WE&B), que dinamizó la sesión. Aqualia, como coordinador del proyecto y gestor del ciclo integral del agua de Almeria durante mas de 30 años, tiene una  presencia destacada en la zona, con varios proyectos de I+D y relaciones muy cercanas con las administraciones, y participó muy activamente en la reunión. La jornada fue organizada principalmente por el equipo CALAGUA, Universitat de València por el equipo de Universidad de Almería y Centro de Investigación en Energía Solar (CIESOL) , que también gestionan otro Laboratorio vivo sobre desalación sostenible gracias al proyecto paralelo WATER-MINING H2020, así que la Catedra Aqualia . Estos  Contactos permitieron de movilizar los representantes de la administración pública (Junta de Andalucía y Diputación de Almería), el ámbito científico (Centro de Investigación en Energía Solar (CIESOL) UAL - PSA) y los usuarios (Cuatro Vegas) y empresas (Confederación Empresarial de la Provincia de Almería, ASEMPAL). La jornada, planteada al inicio en dos horas, se extendió hasta tres por el alto interés de los participantes en la temática abordada, y que continuará con varias iniciativas en los próximos meses para contribuir al ecosistema animado de los servicios sostenibles de agua en Almeria. La segunda jornada la estamos planteando ya para el 23/10/2024 🗓 Read more

WE&B is hiring!!! https://lnkd.in/d-WreaEm

Today WE&B facilitated the Visioning and Planning Workshop held in #Doha to Develop Qatar's National Adaptation Plan (NAP). It forms part of the broader project financed by Global Green Growth Institute that WE&B is leading in partnership with OCA GLOBAL on developing Qatars National Adaptaiton Plan for the MECC (Ministry of Environment and Climate Change) 🇶🇦 . Today various stakeholders from across different sectors provided their vision for 2030 and 2050 in the sectors of Water, Energy, Infrustration and Coastal Resiliance, Health, Biodiversity and Agriculture. Thank you to Charina Cabrido and the GGGI team for the logistical organisation and Radhouan Ben-Hamadou for the excellent overall moderation and to Faith Amarachi Ngwu for supurb table facilitation. WE&B is supported in developing the Qatar NAP by the following sector experts: NAP Expert and Team lead: Azhan Hasan Terrestrial Biodiversity: Ehab E. Marine Biodiversity: Radhouan Ben-Hamadou Water: David Smith Ph. D. Climate Change: Dr. Samir Tantawi, Ph.D. Agriculture and Livestock: Omar Daraghmeh Infrastructure and Coastal Resilience: Erkan Dolovac Energy: Ihab Elmassry Health: Faith Amarachi Ngwu As we continue developing the NAP together with the key stakeholders and sector experts we will bring updates on this process. 🚀