Energy Ecosystems: How design can impact the change towards sustainable future.

Energy accounts for around 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it the primary driver of climate change. The way we produce, distribute, and consume energy affects everything from the reliability and cost of our electricity to the health of our communities, environment and climate stability.

Energy directly shapes our lives and underpins the success of global climate goals. Failing to comprehend the energy ecosystem undermines both personal and collective capacity to act, puts energy security at risk, and jeopardises efforts to address climate change.

Awareness empowers individuals and communities to make informed choices—such as adopting energy-efficient technologies or supporting renewable sources—that lower emissions, reduce energy bills, and improve air quality.  In addition, it allows them to become active participants in the energy transition, whether by conserving energy, becoming “prosumers” who generate their own renewable power, or advocating for policies that accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels.

Want to learn more?

Join us at our next event on 25 June and let’s support the next wave of energy transformation and transition. Check out our agenda 👇

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OUR AGENDA

“Energy Ecosystems: How design can impact the change towards sustainable future.”

Welcome

-      Climate Designers Milan team

-      Dipartimento di Design – Politecnico

Talks

1. Energy Transition: where are we at?

   Speaker: Emanuela Cozzi

Governments and companies are being challenged to rethink their choices and practices to lower carbon emissions. The transition to all-electric consumption seems to be the only way to continue powering human activities. We are increasingly dependent on renewable energy and its unpredictable availability. Events like the recent massive blackout in Spain remind us how optimising energy use is and will be ever more critical. As individuals, we often lack an understanding of how the energy ecosystem works and its impact on our lives. This talk explores our energy ecosystem and invites us  to get ready for the next big change.

1. Transforming systems and values: The way forward to accelerate sustainability transitions

   Speaker: Anteja Klimek

The acceleration of climate change is often perceived as a wicked problem, raising questions about whether organisations can deliver value-led change and tangible impact within cross-industry systems. Ultimately, strategic design as an organisational capability can transform sporadic glimpses of the future into a tool for driving action and measurable outcomes. At the same time, human values are the non-negotiable ingredients which enable us to vision, seed, anchor, and drive sustainability transitions. This talk explores how design, through the broader practice of design innovation, can carve out and catalyse systemic transformations.

Netweaving

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Speakers Bio

Emanuela Cozzi

Human scientist turned to design, Emanuela has worked about 15 years across design strategy, research and tech conception, in The Netherlands and in Italy. Passionate about the energy transition, Emanuela has consulted established firms on innovating the energy ecosystem using tech. Previously, she has worked within the airline and manufacturing sectors. Trained as a psychologist, Emanuela specialised with a doctorate in User-system interaction, and uses daily social sciences to strengthen new value propositions and services, promoting an evidence-based approach to design. Mentoring designers in their mindset, approach and methods is also part of her daily job. When not at work, Emanuela enjoys travelling, cooking exotic dishes and spending time with friends and family, especially her little niece.

Anteja Klimek

Anteja is a strategic designer, the Chief Creative Officer, and co-founder of formlove. She holds the title of Climate Reality Leader and serves as an industry mentor at the University of the Arts London. Additionally, she is a fellow at the Design Research Society. For the last 12 years she has worked at the intersection of design innovation & business. Anteja employs these principles to drive transformation for NGOs, SMEs, and enterprises. Her expertise spans product experience innovation and organisational change across various fields, including technology, healthcare, transportation, retail, and consumer goods. Anteja brings global leadership experience from her roles in both innovation consultancies and in-house brands, where she has managed cross-functional challenges with a focus on applying design innovation for social and climate impact. She has worked with well-known clients such as Airbus, BMW, Amazon, BNP Paribas, and Canal & River Trust London, always guided by cultural and systemic contexts. She has a background in industrial design from Central Saint Martins and a degree in design innovation from the Royal College of Art in London. Currently, Anteja works globally and resides in Italy.