Target Audience: Researchers and practitioners in the field of Ecodesign, from research institutes, industry, ministries and administrations
Objectives:
Provide up-to-date information on the state-of-the-art and best practice on Ecodesign
Provide a forum for debate on how the whole Ecodesign application can be promoted, supported, strengthened
Identify aspects that are still missing for a broad application of ecodesign
Discuss the role of (national) government in the promotion of ecodesign
Format: Introductory presentations and discussion Language:
English
1. Introductory presentations Two introductory presentations (15’) will be given by econcept (U. Tischner) and the Flemish Public Waste Agency (W. Ulburghs).
U.
Tischner from econcept, a German Agency for Sustainable Design with
more than 15 years of experience in Ecodesign will shortly introduce
definitions of Ecodesign, case studies how the practice in companies
and education takes place, and some more simple and qualitative tools
that designers easily can use within their daily work to include
environmental (and social) aspects in the design of products (and
services).
W. Ulburghs from OVAM will introduce OVAM actions
concerning ecodesign and a recently developed tool: The Ecolizer. This
tool was developed for designers and product producing companies as an
introduction to ecodesign, life cycle thinking and how to assess the
most environmental impacts of their products. To encourage the
designers that integrate environmental criteria into their design the
OVAM organises two annual Ecodesign Awards, one for professional
designers and one for students. The inspiration database or database
of good examples can be found on the OVAM website and is meant to
inspire those companies and designers that aren‘t convinced that
environmental measurements can be part of a realistic approach of good
design and competitive products.
2. Open space (5-10’) The participants have the time to look into the tools that were presented or to shortly present their own tools.
3. Discussion Then
a discussion with the audience will take place, facilitated by An
Vercalsteren from VITO, where all questions of the audience, own
experiences of practitioners, gaps and missing links/ obstacles for
Ecodesign in practice are discussed and exchange of information and
networking takes place. At the end sources for information and tools,
next steps for Ecodesign beginners and practitioners, as well as
potential new projects and co-operations in the field of applied
Ecodesign will be summarized and conclude the workshop. The
participants will be able to sign into an address list that will be
sent around to the experts present at the workshop who are interested
in networking in the field.
Questions addressed:
What are the demands from practitioners regarding ecodesign tools / what qualities, specifications are required (“needs”)?
Which tools for ecodesign exist nowadays (“offer”)?
Do
existing ecodesign tools meet the requirements/needs of practitioners?
Is there still a need to adjust existing tools or develop new tools
that meet the needs of ecodesign practitioners? Or is there maybe an
excessive amount of ecodesign tools?
What are the thresholds for a broad application of ecodesign?
Workshop Moderation
Tischner, Ursula Director of econcept, Agency for Sustainable Design, Cologne, Germany
Research for Sustainable Development - full paper (DIN-A4) - 68 pages (URL: http://www.fona.de/pdf/publikationen/research_for_sustainable_development.pdf)
Research for Sustainable Development - abstract (DIN-A5) - 20 pages (URL: http://www.fona.de/pdf/publikationen/research_for_sustainable_development_short.pdf)
Research for Sustainable Development
