On this page you can find all the documents, publications and videos resulting from the EUKI Academy Networking Conference 2026.
Published: 01 July 2026
EUKICON26 was the sixth network conference of the European Climate Initiative (EUKI) and took place in Berlin on 19–20 May 2026. Under the theme ‘Doubling Down on Climate Action’, the conference brought together key players in European climate action. Experts from the worlds of policy and practice discussed the role of European climate action in a geopolitically challenging world, explored synergies between climate targets and competitiveness, and discussed pathways to a resilient and sovereign transition. In eight workshops, participants exchanged views on topics including methane emissions, effective climate communication, and carbon capture and storage, learning from project experiences how #EUKIworks.
The panel discussion examined the growing pressure on European climate action and asked how Europe and civil society can nevertheless safeguard climate goals, democracy and the ability to act.
The panel discussed how Europe can better strategically align its climate protection ambitions and security policy requirements so that both areas strengthen each other in practice today effectively.
The panel explored how net-zero is reshaping Europe’s economy, industry, and global position, and what it takes to anchor clean technologies in a competitive and sovereign European model.
Marek Tiits on Data-Driven Roadmaps for Green Growth
Faustine Bas-Defossez on European Climate Action Under Pressure
Julia Hammelehle on the Climate and Security Policy Nexus of the EU
Dr Holger Klitzing on the Climate and Security Policy Nexus of the EU
Niels Schuster on Climate Action Under Pressure
Tefta Kelmendi on the Climate and Security Policy Nexus of the EU
Birgit Schwenk on Anchoring Net-Zero in a Sovereign EU-Economy
Chris Heron on Anchoring Net-Zero in a Sovereign EU-Economy
Elisabetta Cornago on Anchoring Net-Zero in a Sovereign EU-Economy
Speakers
Thomas Kralinski has headed the Department of National and European Climate Action at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety since May of this year. In Brandenburg, he served as Head of the State Chancellery and the state’s representative to the federal government, with responsibility for media, digitalisation and international relations.
Dr Holger Klitzing has headed Division 408, “Climate and Security; Environmental and Water Diplomacy,” at the German Federal Foreign Office since August 2025. A historian with a doctorate, he has held various positions at the Federal Foreign Office since 2006, including in the Policy Planning Staff and the Energy Division, as well as at the German embassies in Brasília and Lisbon.
Faustine Bas-Defossez is Director for Nature, Health and Environment at the European Environmental Bureau. She has over 15 years’ experience in the environmental movement and since 2023 has been Director at the EEB, leading work on biodiversity, agriculture, chemicals and air quality. She previously led its agriculture programme, worked in sustainability think tanks, and at the European Commission. She holds degrees in law and European politics.
Tefta Kelmendi is Programme Lead Foreign Policy and Climate Cooperation at E3G. She focuses on advancing climate action as a strategic and foreign policy priority, promoting international cooperation. She contributes to E3G’s work on climate and geopolitics, is a researcher at the Jacques Delors Institute, and teaches at Sciences Po. She previously worked at ECFR and as a Kosovo diplomat, and holds a Master’s in International Security.
Julia Hammelehle is a Senior Policy Advisor at the Munich Security Conference, responsible for the program areas “Global Order” and “Sustainability.” She focuses on energy, climate, and economic security, as well as European foreign policy and transatlantic relations. She studied International Relations and holds a Master’s in EU Politics from the London School of Economics (LSE).
Niels Schuster has been Policy Assistant to DG CLIMA Director-General Kurt Vandenberghe since July 2023. At the European Commission since 2008, he joined DG CLIMA in 2016, handling Council relations on major files like the Green Deal, European Climate Law, “Fit for 55,” and climate diplomacy. He previously worked in international law firms and studied law in Frankfurt, Madrid, and Edinburgh.
Elisabetta Cornago is assistant director at the Centre for European Reform, where she leads work on EU energy and climate policy. Before joining the CER, she worked at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and at the International Energy Agency. She holds a PhD in economics from Université libre de Bruxelles.
Marek Tiits is founder and chairman of the Institute of Baltic Studies. He applies data science to analyse global trade, investment, and industry, advising on export-led growth. With 25 years’ experience, he has worked in Estonia and internationally, including for the Prime Minister, the European Commission, and UNCTAD. He now leads an EUKI project on data-driven green growth in Eastern Europe.
Birgit Schwenk is Head of the Sub-Department for Policy Issues, Economic and Social Affairs, Sustainability and Transport at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. Previously, she headed the Climate Change Policy Department at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.
Chris Heron is the Secretary General at E-Mobility Europe. He has worked in EU trade associations across the electric vehicle supply chain over the last 13 years. He joined E-Mobility Europe after a decade leading the communication programme for Eurometaux, Europe’s metals association, where he was an instrumental industry voice in raising Critical Raw Materials up the EU political agenda.
Nele Bünner is Programme Director at the European Climate Initiative (EUKI). She is an environmental and climate economist with extensive experience advising national ministries on climate policy not only in Germany but in numerous partner countries. She has helped build a significant number of climate action networks involving different stakeholders from political and scientific backgrounds.
Marianna Evenstein is an American broadcast journalist and moderator based in Berlin, Germany. In addition to her work as a television anchor and editor for Germany’s international network DW News (Deutsche Welle), Marianna hosts a wide range of conferences and events. Her clients include global corporations, political foundations, intergovernmental bodies, NGOs and many others.
Gallery
EUKI Project Posters
Other news
Read more: EUKI Interview: How to Boost Green Technologies through Vocational Training
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