The unique trait of the International Phosphorus Workshops (IPW) is the combination of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The IPW’s arose from the understanding that eutrophication of waters is related to phosphorus management on land, including rural and urban areas, and that combating any phosphorus related problems requires the proper understanding of biogeochemical mechanisms and processes underlying the terrestrial-aquatic phosphorus continuum. Because the inefficient and unsustainable use of phosphorus in our societies is intimately linked to the dissipation of phosphorus into the environment, the IPW’s are also conferences on sustainable phosphorus use, including reuse of societal waste phosphorus, and efficient phosphorus use in crop and livestock production.

Building visions, unlocking pathways, navigating conflicts

The theme of IST 2019 – Accelerating sustainability transitions – seeks to address this challenging context by encouraging researchers and practitioners to examine obstacles to transitions processes and strategies to speed up the transformation of systems of production and consumption. It points to the importance of visions — of improved mobility systems, agricultural and food systems, buildings, cities and rural communities – to coordinate efforts and mobilize change. Raises the challenge of mapping out concrete pathways that can link the present with desirable futures. And emphasises navigation of the inevitable conflicts that accompany any serious efforts at societal change.

Blue Cities is not your typical conference. It’s a focal point for ongoing conversations between decision makers from all levels of government, the private sector, researchers and knowledge and technology providers. The program will focus on high-level strategic issues of importance across the country related to municipal water management. The exchanges between leading edge speakers and conference participants generate insights that just can’t be obtained anywhere else.

Who should attend?

• senior level executives from municipalities and utilities

• industry product and service leaders

• academics and topic experts

• NGO and watershed directors

• government decision makers

Phosphorus recycling: technology update, R&D perspectives, regulation

Phosphorus is a critical raw material, non-renewable resource, non-substitutable for food production, essential for agriculture and directly linked to food security, as well as being important in a range of other industrial and technical uses. Europe is severely dependent on extra-EU mines and the most important use of imported phosphorus in Europe is for mineral fertilizers. On the one hand, recovery from municipal wastewater (sewage sludge), animal manure and other biowaste sources can cover most of the EU demand. On the other hand, inefficient use of phosphorus causes environmental damage. At EU level the European Sustainable Phosphorus Platform and several member states are promoting and regulating phosphorus recovery from municipal wastewater and other waste and residue biomass flows. In Italy the recently founded phosphorus platform is boosting national policies and regulations to promote sustainable management of this critical raw material. This strategic action will therefore present and discuss the EU framework and the actions in place in Italy for sustainable phosphorus management. 

Visit www.smart-plant.eu/ENE3 or contact smart-plant@univpm.it ; info@phosphorusplatform.eu for more info

Free ticket to enter ECOMONDO 2018 will be offered to the registered participants