| Date / Time | 2026-07-21 09:00 -- 10:30 |
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| Synopsis | Understanding the interactions between climate, ecosystems, and energy flows across the Earth system is essential for addressing global environmental change. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science provide new opportunities to improve the efficiency of ecosystem modeling, integrate heterogeneous environmental datasets, accelerate environmental predictions, and advance our understanding of complex environmental and ecological systems.
This session explores the application of AI and machine learning methods to advance the modeling of coupled climate–ecosystem–energy systems. In particular, we welcome studies that integrate AI with process-based models to better represent complex ecological processes such as vegetation dynamics, forest growth and disturbance, carbon cycling, and energy exchanges across terrestrial systems.
Contributions may include AI-assisted Earth system modeling, hybrid AI–process-based modeling frameworks, data-driven analyses of environmental change, and applications supporting climate mitigation, ecosystem management, and disaster risk reduction. The session aims to highlight how AI can complement traditional modeling approaches to improve predictive capabilities and deepen our understanding of energy and matter flows within the Earth system. |
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| Date / Time | 2026-07-21 13:30 -- 15:00 |
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| Synopsis | The forum will be held as a special session of the Europe-Korea Conference on Science and Technology 2026 (EKC 2026) in Toulouse, France. Now marking its 6th edition, the forum has solidified its position as the premier platform for fostering high-level dialogue and technical exchange between Korea and Europe. What began as a focused initiative has evolved into a comprehensive intellectual hub where researchers from prestigious institutions—such as Sorbonne University, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Korean National Institute of Green Technology (NIGT), and Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT)—converge to address the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.
The 2026 global landscape is defined by the "Twin Transition"—the synchronized evolution of Green Transformation (GX) and AI Transformation (AX). As the world strives to meet the 2035 NDCs and the 2050 Net Zero goals, traditional climate strategies are being redefined by the power of Artificial Intelligence and FAIR data-based frameworks. This year’s theme, "Sustainable Green and AI Transformation," explores the frontier where urban biodiversity and ecosystem services (Sorbonne) meet smart, resilient city design (VTT) and AI-optimized infrastructure. By bridging Korean technological agility with European institutional excellence, we aim to overcome the "Valley of Death" in climate-tech commercialization and establish a robust, data-driven framework for international cooperation.
Furthermore, the complexity of the climate crisis demands a shift toward "Climate Accountability." It is no longer enough to develop isolated technologies; we must foster "Climate-Cognitive Sensitivity" to drive meaningful action across sectors. By linking high-resolution regional assessment platforms with AR6 scenarios and SDG outcomes, this forum provides a scientific and psychological foundation for a sustainable future.
The 6th Forum aims to achieve the following strategic objectives:
- Synergizing AI and Nature-Based Solutions: To explore "Smart Decarbonization" by integrating AI and FAIR data-based frameworks into urban green infrastructure. The forum highlights how biodiversity and ecosystem services can be optimized through digital twins and predictive modeling to achieve urban carbon neutrality.
- Enhancing Climate Accountability and Sensitivity: To examine the psychological and cognitive dimensions of climate action. By discussing "Climate-Cognitive Sensitivity," the forum seeks to provide a research-based foundation for promoting stakeholder accountability and the social acceptance of innovative climate technologies.
- Strengthening Transnational Resilience and Cooperation: To facilitate practical science diplomacy between Korea and the EU (France, Finland, etc.). The objective is to share diverse regional experiences—from Finland’s "SISUcities" resilience model to Korea’s demand-driven Climate-Tech ODA—to build long-term international joint research platforms.
- Standardizing Technical Frameworks for MRV: To share advanced methodologies for quantifying climate impact, including Carbon Information Entropy for probabilistic MRV uncertainty and the linkage of AR6 climate scenarios to SDG outcomes, ensuring that regional innovation is grounded in rigorous science.
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| Date / Time | 2026-07-21 15:30 -- 17:00 |
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| Synopsis | This session focuses on circular strategies that enable efficient recycling and reintegration of materials from spent batteries into new energy storage systems. As the global deployment of lithium- ion and other advanced batteries continues to accelerate, sustainable management of end-of-life batteries has become a critical technological and environmental priority.
The session will explore approaches aimed at recovering valuable materials while preserving their structural and functional integrity. Topics may include direct regeneration of cathode and anode materials, selective extraction and purification processes, re-lithiation techniques, and structural restoration methods that reduce energy consumption and processing complexity. Emphasis will be placed on strategies that move beyond conventional resource-intensive recycling routes toward more efficient and value-preserving pathways.
In addition to materials recovery, the session welcomes discussions on process optimization, scalable manufacturing integration, and the reintroduction of recovered materials into battery production lines or alternative electrochemical systems. Consideration of material quality control, performance retention, and techno-economic feasibility is also encouraged.
By integrating materials science, process engineering, and system-level design, this session aims to advance practical frameworks for closed-loop battery ecosystems. The ultimate goal is to support the transition from linear “produce–use–dispose” models toward circular systems that enhance resource efficiency, reduce dependency on critical raw materials, and promote long-term sustainability in the battery industry. |
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| Date / Time | 2026-07-21 17:00 -- 18:30 |
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| Synopsis | This session addresses critical issues related to the safety management and environmental impact assessment of spent batteries throughout collection, storage, transportation, and recycling stages. As the volume of end-of-life batteries increases, systematic evaluation of associated risks and environmental burdens has become essential for ensuring responsible lifecycle management.
The session will cover studies examining mechanical, thermal, and electrochemical instability in aged or damaged batteries, as well as failure mechanisms that may arise during handling or processing. Contributions exploring risk identification, hazard mitigation strategies, and standardized safety evaluation protocols are encouraged. Particular attention may be given to understanding how degradation state, residual charge, and material composition influence safety performance.
In parallel, the session will highlight environmental assessment methodologies that quantify the impacts of battery disposal and recycling processes. Topics may include life cycle inventory development, carbon footprint analysis, resource consumption metrics, and comparative environmental evaluations of alternative recycling technologies. These assessments provide critical data for guiding regulatory policy, industrial practices, and sustainable technology development.
By integrating safety evaluation with environmental impact analysis, this session aims to present comprehensive approaches for managing spent batteries in a manner that minimizes risk and ecological burden. The discussion seeks to bridge technical assessment, operational management, and sustainability considerations, thereby contributing to safer and more environmentally responsible battery value chains. |
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| Date / Time | 2026-07-22 09:00 -- 10:30 |
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DR. CHEON, Jeong-min
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Postdoctoral researcher Show Profile |
| Synopsis | The greenhouse effect driven by carbon emissions has created significant global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, reduced agricultural productivity, and increasing water stress. In traditional steel and alloy production, CO2 emissions largely arise from the use of coke or coal as a reducing agent. Addressing these emissions is critical for the steel and alloy industries as they move toward low-carbon and ultimately zero-emission manufacturing pathways.
This session will highlight recent advances in environmentally sustainable metal production and their industrial applications. By examining both the fundamental science and the technological innovations that enable these processes, including AI-driven modeling and advanced refractory materials, the session aims to showcase pathways to economic growth through sustainable metallurgy.
- Hydrogen- and natural gas-based reduction of raw materials for steel and alloy production
- Green hydrogen production and its application in metallurgical processes
- CO2 emission reduction through carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS)
- Energy-efficiency and CO2 reduction technologies in metallurgical processes
- Novel catalysts for integrating renewable energy into metallurgical operations
- Alternative reduction agents, including bio-based fuels and industrial by-products
- AI- and data-driven modeling of thermodynamic, kinetic, and physical properties in metallurgy
- Digital twins and machine-learning approaches for optimizing pyrometallurgical processes
- Development of advanced refractory materials for carbon-neutral steel and alloy production
- Predictive modeling and lifetime assessment of refractories under low-carbon process conditions |
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| Date / Time | 2026-07-22 13:30 -- 15:00 |
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| Synopsis | The global transition toward carbon neutrality and resource efficiency presents profound challenges for energy systems, industrial production, and material management. Ensuring that these transitions are both effective and economically viable requires robust sustainability assessment tools capable of evaluating environmental impacts, resource flows, and system-level performance across complex value chains. As industrial systems become increasingly data-intensive and interconnected, advanced digital technologies are playing a growing role in strengthening such analytical frameworks.
This session will highlight recent advances in sustainability assessment methodologies and circular economy strategies within industrial and research contexts. Particular attention will be given to the integration of AI-supported modeling, digital monitoring, and data-driven decision-support tools that enhance the reliability, scalability, and timeliness of environmental evaluations. These approaches enable more precise identification of environmental hotspots, improved resource efficiency, and the design of resilient, low-carbon, and circular production systems.
Europe has been at the forefront of sustainability science and circular economy research, while Korea is recognized for its leadership in advanced manufacturing and digital innovation. Strengthening collaboration between Europe and Korea offers significant potential to combine scientific expertise with technological capability. By bringing together researchers, industry leaders, and innovators from both regions, this session aims to promote knowledge exchange and foster joint initiatives that advance sustainable industrial transformation through science-based and AI-enabled solutions. |
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| Date / Time | 2026-07-22 15:30 -- 17:00 |
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| Synopsis | The forum will be held as a special session of the Europe-Korea Conference on Science and Technology 2026 (EKC 2026) in Toulouse, France. Now marking its 6th edition, the forum has solidified its position as the premier platform for fostering high-level dialogue and technical exchange between Korea and Europe. What began as a focused initiative has evolved into a comprehensive intellectual hub where researchers from prestigious institutions—such as Sorbonne University, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Korean National Institute of Green Technology (NIGT), and Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT)—converge to address the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.
The 2026 global landscape is defined by the "Twin Transition"—the synchronized evolution of Green Transformation (GX) and AI Transformation (AX). As the world strives to meet the 2035 NDCs and the 2050 Net Zero goals, traditional climate strategies are being redefined by the power of Artificial Intelligence and FAIR data-based frameworks. This year’s theme, "Sustainable Green and AI Transformation," explores the frontier where urban biodiversity and ecosystem services (Sorbonne) meet smart, resilient city design (VTT) and AI-optimized infrastructure. By bridging Korean technological agility with European institutional excellence, we aim to overcome the "Valley of Death" in climate-tech commercialization and establish a robust, data-driven framework for international cooperation.
Furthermore, the complexity of the climate crisis demands a shift toward "Climate Accountability." It is no longer enough to develop isolated technologies; we must foster "Climate-Cognitive Sensitivity" to drive meaningful action across sectors. By linking high-resolution regional assessment platforms with AR6 scenarios and SDG outcomes, this forum provides a scientific and psychological foundation for a sustainable future. |
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| Date / Time | 2026-07-22 17:00 -- 18:30 |
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DR. SONG, Jaeryoung Song
National Institute of Green Technology (NIGT), Senior Researcher Show Profile |
| Synopsis | The forum will be held as a special session of the Europe-Korea Conference on Science and Technology 2026 (EKC 2026) in Toulouse, France. Now marking its 6th edition, the forum has solidified its position as the premier platform for fostering high-level dialogue and technical exchange between Korea and Europe. What began as a focused initiative has evolved into a comprehensive intellectual hub where researchers from prestigious institutions—such as Sorbonne University, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Korean National Institute of Green Technology (NIGT), and Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT)—converge to address the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.
The 2026 global landscape is defined by the "Twin Transition"—the synchronized evolution of Green Transformation (GX) and AI Transformation (AX). As the world strives to meet the 2035 NDCs and the 2050 Net Zero goals, traditional climate strategies are being redefined by the power of Artificial Intelligence and FAIR data-based frameworks. This year’s theme, "Sustainable Green and AI Transformation," explores the frontier where urban biodiversity and ecosystem services (Sorbonne) meet smart, resilient city design (VTT) and AI-optimized infrastructure. By bridging Korean technological agility with European institutional excellence, we aim to overcome the "Valley of Death" in climate-tech commercialization and establish a robust, data-driven framework for international cooperation.
Furthermore, the complexity of the climate crisis demands a shift toward "Climate Accountability." It is no longer enough to develop isolated technologies; we must foster "Climate-Cognitive Sensitivity" to drive meaningful action across sectors. By linking high-resolution regional assessment platforms with AR6 scenarios and SDG outcomes, this forum provides a scientific and psychological foundation for a sustainable future. |
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