Research news

Tomas Wyns fact checker at climate debate in Antwerp

On 27 October 2021, BSoG researcher Tomas Wyns acted as fact checker during ‘De Grote Shift’, a debate in De Singel in Antwerp organised by newspaper De Standaard, focusing on the industrial and energy aspects of climate change. The high-level debate featured CEOs of major industrial players in Belgium - Geert Van Poelvoorde (CEO  ArcelorMittal Europe), Jan Remeysen (CEO BASF Antwerpen), Jacques Beuckelaers (CEO TotalEnergies Antwerpen), and Thierry Saegeman (CEO Engie Electrabel). During the debate, Tomas commented on the CEOs’ plans and ideas from a scientific point of view. Topics covered include the rising gas prices, CO2 exhaust levels of steel and chemical companies in Belgium, the rise of renewable energy, etc.

In recent years, Tomas Wyns had a pivotal role in a number of policy-impactful research projects relating to decarbonisation of energy-intensive industries, such as ‘Industrial Transformation 2050’, commissioned by the European Climate Foundation, and ‘How can we transform the Flemish industry, to ensure it can thrive in a climate-neutral Europe by 2050’, commissioned by the Flemish government.