Looking Back at the
Hamburg Sustainability Conference
Hamburg, Townhall + Chamber of Commerce
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About the Conference
DEKRA participated in the Hamburg Sustainability Conference on October 7-8, 2024. The event brought together global policymakers, business leaders, and civil society representatives to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With participants from over 70 countries, the conference focused on forging partnerships and driving high-impact actions to address global challenges.
DEKRA was proud to support and actively contribute to the event. We look forward to sharing the key results and insights gained with all those interested in advancing sustainability efforts.
DEKRA Panelist
Stan Zurkiewicz
CEO
October 8th
09:00 – 11:00 AM
Plenum
Panel: From Risk to Reward: Boosting Private Investment in Power-to-X Projects
Hydrogen has emerged as a pivotal element in the transition towards a sustainable energy future, offering potential as a clean, versatile energy carrier capable of decarbonizing various sectors, from transportation to industrial processes. The discussions at the conference highlighted that realizing the full potential of hydrogen requires substantial investments in production, infrastructure, and technology. In developing countries, launching green hydrogen projects continues to involve significant risks that can slow development processes and increase production costs for private companies. Empowering private investment was emphasized as crucial for unlocking hydrogen's potential as a green energy solution. By leveraging private capital and fostering innovation, the journey toward a greener and more resilient energy future can be accelerated. Key strategies were explored for empowering private investments and managing risks effectively to ensure the success of green hydrogen projects.
Stan Zurkiewicz
How Testing, Inspection, and Certification Can Help Boosting Private Investments in Power-to-X Projects.
The bankability of Power-to-X projects is impacted by the degree of investors having transparency regarding all relevant risk areas, among them safety, security, and sustainability risks across the entire supply chain, i.e. hydrogen. Trusted third parties like DEKRA can play a key role in de-risking these projects, as we specialize in end-to-end risk management, covering hydrogen’s full lifecycle—from well to use—ensuring that the infrastructure and supply chains are fit for scaling hydrogen safely and sustainably and meet legislative requirements. DEKRA’s CEO Stan Zurkiewicz pointed out that “we need to push towards a 360-degree risk-management, as well as globally aligned and accepted standardization and certification frameworks for renewable energies to make hydrogen a sound investment case across regions and along the whole value chain”.
Three Pillars to Grow Trust, Investments, and Rewards.
Global Standards: Clean energy must be officially recognised by authorities, industries, and trading zones as genuinely "decarbonised" or "green." This requires verification systems and traceable standards. We see some progress here, but the affected industries need accepted standards more quickly.
Digitalisation: In hydrogen and other Power-to-X projects, it is not just about the physical infrastructure. Software solutions are integral to optimising processes, ensuring safety, and reducing operational risks. Although this adds complexity, it is crucial for scalable and efficient energy deployment.
Training: The energy transition introduces new players to the market who ignite innovation but may lack the experience to handle the technology and operational risks involved in hydrogen. or in applying related legislative requirements. Guiding them through these challenges, standards, and requirements throughout the entire hydrogen life cycle is essential to forming a reliable industry with bankable projects.
“Hydrogen is a cornerstone of the global energy transition. Yet, to fully unlock its potential, we must effectively manage the risks that hinder private investments, and build a reliable, trustworthy, safe, and sustainable ecosystem. DEKRA is fully committed to serve this target.”
Stan Zurkiewicz, CEO DEKRA
03:00 – 04:00 PM
Merkur Room
Solution Talk: AI and Mobility Data for All
Digital data and AI are essential for advancing efficient and sustainable urban mobility, yet many developing regions still face significant barriers to accessing these crucial tools. During the session, experts explored strategies for bridging data gaps and ensuring equitable access to mobility data, AI technology, and expertise, particularly in underserved regions. Discussions focused on overcoming challenges in these areas and highlighted the importance of collaboration to achieve universal access to mobility data globally.
Stan Zurkiewicz
Safe & Secure Mobility is a Basic Human Need That AI Can Help Fulfil
In low- and middle-income countries, which account for 60% of the world's vehicles but over 90% of road deaths, there is a pressing need for improved traffic safety. Advanced digital systems and AI technologies can address these challenges. Countries that have successfully implemented technologies like Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have seen significant reductions in traffic fatalities. This underscores the urgent need to ensure global accessibility to mobility data and AI technologies.
The Importance of Trustworthy AI
While the benefits of AI are numerous, it is undeniable that, like any technology, it has its vulnerabilities, whether from cyber attacks or poor data quality. “We must ensure that AI in mobility is trustworthy. It needs to be safe, secure, and responsible towards people and the environment,” said Stan Zurkiewicz, DEKRA’s CEO. He also highlighted two best practices of DEKRA to ensure trustworthy AI in mobility:
Establishing Reliable Standards
Robust quality management systems, comprehensive risk assessments, and effective testing and conformity assessment procedures are indispensable for trustworthy AI. DEKRA is working with industry and government bodies to establish such standards in Europe, with implementation set to begin in 2026.
Pre-Regulation Compliance
There are many early adopters in the AI & mobility market who want to launch their products pre-regulation. To secure their future compliance, DEKRA can apply both existing standards and unique methods developed specifically for AI. For instance, DEKRA has assisted leading AI and ADAS creators in certifying the quality of their data labeling processes, which are essential for developing accurate and reliable machine learning models.
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The Mobility Data Space: A Successful Approach to Promote Equitable Access to Mobility Data
Data is the raw material for the future of mobility, that’s why equal access is so essential. However, data & cyber security remain a top priority. “Given the complexity of data exchange in the mobility sector, it is crucial that future data-sharing solutions incorporate a secure identity management system, standardization of data transmission, data certification, and an intermediary to manage approvals, billing, and usage restrictions,” explained Stan Zurkiewicz, DEKRA’s CEO.
The European Mobility Data Space (MDS) could serve as a blueprint for promoting such safe mobility data sharing and facilitating access to innovative technologies, thereby enabling safe, more sustainable, and equal mobility. As part of the European cloud initiative Gaia-X, the MDS provides a secure data infrastructure for European mobility stakeholders, fostering collaboration among transport companies, the automotive industry, and local authorities. DEKRA is proud to be one of the participants in this initiative.
05:00 – 05:45 PM
Alster Room
Accelerator Group II: Hamburg Charter for Inclusive and Just Mobility
The world is entering an era of zero-emission transport to combat climate change, and ensuring a just and equitable transition was a key focus of discussions. Experts highlighted the need for increased participation of women and marginalized groups in the workforce, alongside social protections for workers. The session emphasized that sustainable transport systems have the potential to be major employment drivers. Alliances between the private sector, labor organizations, and policymakers were explored as essential for shaping the decarbonization and digitalization of the transport sector in a socially equitable manner. The principles of the Hamburg Charter for Just Mobility were discussed as a framework for guiding this inclusive transition.
Stan Zurkiewicz
Principles for a Fair and Sustainable Transport Transition
Together with around 20 organisations and institutions, DEKRA signed the Hamburg Charter for Inclusive and Just Mobility, promoting equitable access to mobility, climate protection, and resource efficiency. The Charter was co-created by international organisations, private sector representatives, and policymakers. Moving forward, DEKRA will engage in ongoing dialogue and collaborative efforts to implement the charter's commitments and ensure a just mobility transition for all.
The Key Principles
The Hamburg Charter for Inclusive and Just Mobility outlines eight key principles aimed at creating an equitable transport system. We plan to contribute to them.
Implementation on Different Levels
The Charter is implemented at local, national, and international levels. Each level works to align mobility practices with the charter’s principles. Collaboration across these levels ensures a coordinated approach to achieving inclusive and sustainable mobility.
DEKRA’s Impact Across Key Principles and Implementation Levels of the Charter
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Climate-Friendly Mobility Industries and Businesses
DEKRA is committed to supporting the development of sustainable value chains and practices in the transport sector. Our testing, inspection, and certification expertise includes climate-friendly energy generation, transportation, and usage as well as ZEV vehicle homologation & inspection.
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Promotion of Electric Mobility
DEKRA offers comprehensive testing services for all kinds of electric vehicles, including charging interfaces and back-office systems. Our full service extends to manufacturers and retailers of bikes and electric micro-vehicles.
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Empowered and Integrated Transport
DEKRA is dedicated to advancing the transition to a climate-friendly, socially equitable, and economically sustainable public transport sector by engaging in stakeholder & technical consultation.
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Data, Transparency and Planning
DEKRA is committed to leveraging mobility data to enhance road safety and air quality. We will from multi-stakeholder partnerships to drive innovative solutions, including the promotion of open data platforms for greater transparency and impact.
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Fair and Dignified Jobs 1
Poorly parked trucks on highways lead to serious accidents. DEKRA is addressing this risk by contributing to the development of secure truck parking standards across Europe, such as the SSTPA. These standards, alongside digital booking platforms, aim to improve safety, reduce risks, and enhance parking availability for truck drivers and fleet operators.
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Fair and Dignified Jobs 2
DEKRA addresses the health and safety risks of truck drivers with its "Fit & Safe" programme. It includes fitness videos, nutrition tips, and advice on stress management, sleep, and addiction, all tailored to fit into drivers' routines. A dedicated health coach provides support throughout, ensuring personalised guidance for each driver.
“Our commitment to the charter reflects DEKRA's mission to enhance safety, security, and sustainability in mobility. As a global leader in Testing, Inspection, and Certification, we play a crucial role in ensuring that vehicles and infrastructure meet the highest safety and environmental standards.”
Stan Zurkiewicz, CEO DEKRA