Sustainable development depends on real commitments and actions, by real people in the real
world – statement from 2002 Johannesburg Earth Summit Declaration. Several voluntary commitments where mentioned at Rio +20 as good practice of industry moving towards improved sustainability.

VinylPlus was one of these initiatives. VinylPlus is also referenced in the Green Paper on Plastic Waste
published by European Commission on the 7th of March 2013.
It is widely known that recycling can save on natura resources and reduce emissions, but a recent study (issued by the Flemish Institute of Technological Research - VITO) has shown that it can also improve air quality.

•  How much effort and investment is required for a company or a specific industry to develop a programme of voluntary commitments?
•  Can more be done at EU level to incentivise sustainable voluntary programmes?
•  What kind of impact do these commitments have in the eyes of European Institutions and at EU level?
•  Does the Commission have a method of evaluation for commitments to sustainability programmes? Does the Commission promote the results of these programmes?

Keynote speaker (video statement):

•  Janez POTOČNIK, Commissioner for Environment

Invited contributors include:

•  Vittorio PRODI, MEP
•  William NEALE, Member of Potocnik Cabinet
•  Piotr BARCZAK, Project Officer Waste and Air Quality EEB

•  Hans TELGEN, Chairman, TEPPFA
•  Gerald FEIGENBUTZ, Managing Director, EPPA
•  Dirk JEPSEN, Managing Director, Institut fuer Oekologie und Politik

Moderator:
Frédéric Simon, Editor, EurActiv.com
Chair:
Ross Melzer, Public Affairs Director, EurActiv.com
Programme:
14.20 – 14.45: Registration
15.00 – 17.00 Impulse statements and open debate
17.00 – 18.00: Cocktail reception
To register, please send an email with your name, date of birth, nationality, ID number, organisation and title to:
events@euractiv.com