Climate Change Summit 2026: energy security, access to resources, and the competitiveness of the economy at the center of the discussions

Climate Change Summit 2026: Energy security, access to resources and economic competitiveness at the center of discussions The 50th edition brought together international experts, researchers, and business leaders in Bucharest to discuss the investments and solutions needed for Romania and the region. The report "Climate Status – Romania 2026" highlighted energy vulnerabilities and the effects of heatwaves on health. The organizers announced that from 2027, the event will transform into a broader platform called Change Summit that retains the core themes of climate action. Financing the green transition, energy security, access to water and food, and Romania's capacity to respond to climate risks were at the center of the 50th Climate Change Summit, held on October 14th at the Palace of Parliament. In total, the events within the Climate Change Summit this year brought together over 2,100 participants, and the Summit recorded over 1.3 million online views. Under the theme "Infrastructures of the Future," the event organized by Social Innovation Solutions, along with BRD – Groupe Société Générale, a founding partner, connected international perspectives with the economic and social challenges of Romania and the region. In the opening of the Climate Change Summit 2026, the President of Romania, Nicușor Dan, delivered a message in which he highlighted the event's role in connecting public institutions, researchers, the business environment, and civil society. He also emphasized the importance of integrating nature protection into development decisions and collaboration with civil society, mentioning the Bucharest–Ilfov Green Belt, Roșia Montană, the conservation of the Lacul Techirghiol area, and the support for wildlife rehabilitation centers. "Congratulations to Social Innovation Solutions and to all who contribute to this space of dialogue between public institutions, researchers, the business environment, and civil society. Discussions about climate aim at how we build the economic future and the conditions in which we live. Protecting nature must be permanently integrated into any vision of development," he stated. "This year's edition and the transition to Change Summit reflect a clear reality: climate, economic, technological, and social changes are interconnected and can no longer be addressed separately. After five years in which the Climate Change Summit has built a platform for dialogue and collaboration, we take the next step: connecting more sectors and perspectives to turn understanding of change into action," declared Roxana Cojocaru, Executive Director of Social Innovation Solutions. BRD: Financing the transition and economic competitiveness BRD – Groupe Société Générale, the founding partner of the Climate Change Summit, has supported the platform since the first edition, contributing to the dialogue between the private sector, administration, the scientific community, and civil society. "After five editions that have brought together thousands of participants and hundreds of speakers, this platform, which we co-created, has become a very valuable space for dialogue, different ideas and perspectives and has created a community of dedicated people willing to turn ideas into action. The value of dialogue is seen most when it leads to beneficial and impactful changes. That is why the step towards Change Summit is natural: climate, economic, technological, and social challenges are more and more interconnected and can no longer be addressed separately. We want more collaborations, initiatives and concrete solutions to start from here," said Flavia Popa, Secretary General, BRD Groupe Société Générale. Report "Climate Status 2026": Energy vulnerabilities and population protection against heatwaves The third edition of the report "Climate Status 2026" for Romania was presented within the Climate Change Summit by the researchers of InfoClima. Among the topics addressed are the vulnerabilities of the energy system, the effects of heatwaves on health, and the role of emission reduction in limiting the intensification of extreme heat. "Excessive dependence on a few large conventional producers, such as the nuclear units in Cernavodă and large coal and gas power plants, endangers the National Energy System instead of strengthening it," write Radu Dudău and Alexandru Chivu in the chapter "Electrification, the key to decarbonizing the energy sector." The effects of heat are reflected in the health of the population: according to the report, approximately 2,879 deaths were attributed to heat in Romania during the June–September 2025 period. Romania has a ministerial plan of measures for heatwave periods since 2007, but it does not have an action plan for heat and health in the opinion of the World Health Organization, with monitoring of mortality, vulnerable person registries, and evaluation of measures. These interventions are "documented, tested in other European countries, and less costly in relation to the lives they can save," write Bogdan Antonescu, Adina-Eliza Croitoru, Valentin-Veron Toma, Dragoș Ene, and Luminița Mărmureanu, authors of the chapter "Heat and health in Romania." Furthermore, Monica Ionița and Viorica Nagavciuc show, in the chapter "Temperatures and heatwaves in Romania," that reducing emissions will not completely eliminate the intensification of extreme heat, but can substantially limit the extent of changes in the second half of the century. Financing the green transition: investments in people, energy and nature Discussions on the 2 scenes of the Summit addressed the relationship between climate, economy and geopolitics, infrastructure financing, resource use, and Romania's potential in advanced green technologies. Gianpiero Nacci, Managing Director, Climate Strategy and Delivery at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, presented the institution's perspective on financing the transition in Central and Eastern Europe: "mobilizing human capital is essential to drive the transition." Gareth Stapleton, researcher and climate ambassador at the University of Reading, analyzed the obstacles that prevent climate finance from reaching project implementation. Investments in natural capital were addressed by Manon Mura, Associate Director, Investor Relations UK & Europe at New Forests. "Nature is not separate from our life," she stated. In the discussion on the Green Stage, Iuliana Tiba, Director of Environmental Social and Positive Impact Financing at BRD, highlighted the demand for financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy, and Nacci and Mura discussed the risks and opportunities of investments. Jennifer Gilberg, responsible for the Crop Science division at Bayer in Romania, Bulgaria, and the Republic of Moldova and Managing Director Bayer Romania, addressed the dual responsibility of agriculture: food production and response to climate change. Among the international guests were Juliette Lassman, analyst on water governance and the circular economy in the OECD, Esteban Arriaga Miranda, CEO of the European Federation of Food Banks, and Boyana Achovski, CEO of ATMIX and former Secretary General of Gas Infrastructure Europe. From critical raw materials to future technologies The 2026 edition explored how the competition for resources, scientific progress, and technological innovation transform the European economy. André Månberger from Lund University and Jiayi Zhou, researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, discussed the security of critical raw materials and new geopolitical dependencies. At the same time, experts from research, the entrepreneurial environment, and public institutions analyzed Romania's potential to develop advanced green technologies and transform research results into competitive solutions. The agenda also included perspectives on human longevity, through the intervention of João Pedro de Magalhães from the University of Birmingham, on the impact of extreme environmental conditions on health and life expectancy. Museum of Possible Futures: an invitation to explore futures The 2026 edition marked and presented the Museum of Possible Futures, a new cultural and educational initiative under development. In an immersive experience that combines art, science, technology, and storytelling, participants were invited to explore alternative scenarios for the future of the climate, cities, artificial intelligence, democracy, and work. Starting from the conviction that we cannot build what we cannot imagine, the museum aims to transform the future from an abstract concept into an accessible experience that stimulates curiosity, dialogue, and people's ability to model the world of tomorrow. During the launch of the Museum of Possible Futures, Sorin Costreie, Presidential Advisor in the Department of Education and Research and appointed Minister of Education and Research, added to the conversation about imagination and exploring the future: "Creativity is intrinsically linked to imagining possible scenarios. I am happy that we have this museum of possible alternatives that help us look into the future. Critical thinking and imagination are crucial. Only in this way can we have a stable society and a strong economy." Climate Change Summit becomes Change Summit in 2027 The 50th edition marked the beginning of a new phase: from 2027, the Climate Change Summit becomes Change Summit, extending the conversations from climate challenges to various types of transformations that shape the future of the economy and society. After five years in which it has brought together business leaders, researchers, representatives of administration and civil society, the platform aims to respond to an increasingly evident reality: climate change, technological progress, geopolitical tensions, demographic evolutions, and economic transformations can no longer be understood separately. Change Summit will explore eight major forces that shape the future: AI and technology, geopolitical transformations, climate action, the economy of the next decade, people and society, the cities of the future, the science that changes the world, and leadership in an unstable world. Climate remains a central component of the platform, along with our perspectives on competitiveness, technology, science, and the future of society. The first Change Summit will take place on October 27, 2027, under the theme "Understanding the Forces Shaping Our Future". Climate Change Summit Weeks: beyond the main stage The event at the Palace of Parliament was supplemented by Climate Change Summit Weeks and community meetings that preceded this year's edition. The series began on August 28th with BUILD – Building the Infrastructures for Change, dedicated to collaboration between communities, organizations, and entrepreneurs. On September 12th, MOVE – Moving for Change combined a run through Bucharest with a guided tour of the Văcărești Nature Park. On October 15th, the program included an Executive Breakfast on company resilience, Circular Monday Launchpad, with Alexandra Davidsson, "From Environmental Challenges to Public Policy", a simulation on environmental policies, and "What are we really protecting when we protect nature?", a discussion about the role of nature protection in the safety and well-being of communities. On October 16th, participants discovered the activities of INCD ECOIND through a guided tour. In the evening, THINK, organized at V7 Startup Studio Opera together with ARDOR and Rethink Romania, brought together over 100 participants who discussed, in an Oxford format, the investment priorities of Romania and the place of the green transition in the allocation of public resources. The program also included a tour of the Văcărești Nature Park, the Carpathia workshops from Opera Comică pentru Copii on October 17–18, and a tour of the "Silent Pressures" exhibition on October 18, dedicated to the links between art, research, and environment. Community Breakfast at OTOTO Station brought the community together around the same tables, in a relaxed atmosphere, with time for conversations and new connections. About the Climate Change Summit The Climate Change Summit 2026 is organized by Social Innovation Solutions, together with BRD Groupe Société Générale, as Founding Partner. The anniversary edition is also supported by PPC, Energy Partner, Regina Maria, Health Partner, Heidelberg Materials, Industry Partner, and partners from Bayer, RetuRO, Ursus Breweries, PPC Renewables, PPC Blue, Electricians, European Climate Foundation, Carbon Expert, along with the Sâmburești, Aqua Carpatica, Costa Coffee, Mobexpert, Networking Partners, Radisson Blu, Bucharest, Accommodation Partner, and V7, Slow Life, OTOTO, FRUFRU, Rethink Romania, Community Partners. About Social Innovation Solutions (SIS) Social Innovation Solutions (SIS) is an organization active in Central and Eastern Europe, accelerating the transformation of Central and Eastern Europe into a resilient, competitive, and future-ready region. SIS runs educational and support programs dedicated to sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship, including Future Lab, the Sustainability Academy, Transformer, or Business Forward. Through these initiatives, SIS supports over 30,000 SMEs, NGOs, research institutes, universities, and business leaders in Romania and other five countries in the region, and through platforms such as the Climate Change Summit and partnerships between public, private, and non-profit sectors, SIS develops solutions aimed at reducing gaps and contributing to the green transition of the region. About BRD Groupe Société Générale BRD is part of Société Générale, a leading European bank and a major player in the economy for over 160 years. The Société Générale Group has 110,000 employees serving over 27 million customers in 58 countries around the world and operates through three complementary business lines that integrate ESG offerings for all its customers: • Retail banking in France, private banking and insurance • Global banking and solutions for investors • Mobility, international retail banking and financial services BRD Groupe Société Générale is a founding partner of the Climate Change Summit, supporting this endeavor not only as a sponsor but also as a direct actor in the sustainable transition of the Romanian economy. BRD – Groupe Société Générale is an active actor in the sustainable transition of the Romanian economy, assuming a strategic role in promoting green financing and responsible practices. At the end of the first quarter of 2026, the production of sustainable financing, accumulated since 2021, reached 2.36 billion EUR. In May of this year, BRD launched, for the first time on the Romanian market, "The BRD Way", a program dedicated to supporting and accelerating the empowerment of female entrepreneurship, a project built within the agreement with the International Finance Corporation, which aims to finance sustainable projects with impact in Romania. The new platform is designed as an integrated ecosystem that meets the needs of women-entrepreneurs, combining financial solutions with extended access to know-how, practical tools, and communities relevant to female entrepreneurship. Media Partnership