Missing pieces to a circular economy: closing the loop by reimagining consumption

Past event In person & livestream

Climate, Energy & Natural Resources
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Missing pieces to a circular economy: closing the loop by reimagining consumption

What happened?

Circularity is more than a worthwhile business model

Traditional linear models of production based on the idea of take-make-consume-throw away patterns are putting the Earth’s ecosystems under strain, as they buckle under insatiable demand for more natural resources. Moving to a circular economy in Europe is increasingly recognised as necessary to minimise environmental damage but also as a way to foster a resilient economy through innovation and job creation.

Taking place as part of the SSH CENTRE (Social Sciences and Humanities for Climate, Energy and Transport Research Excellence), a Horizon Europe project that aims to accelerate the EU’s transition to carbon neutrality by strengthening social innovation, SSH-STEM collaboration and transdisciplinary policy advice, the event explored the current challenges that hinder a transition to a circular economy.

    It’s more than just a business model

    It’s about a very clear imperative of resource constraints and very immediate one,” argued Kertsy Hobson, Reader at Cardiff University School of Planning and Geography.

    To ensure the success and widespread adoption of a circular economy, it is imperative to make it accessible to all. This involves designing products according to circular criteria, providing consumers with the necessary information to make informed decisions and addressing barriers that hinder repair and product longevity. By prioritising these aspects, policymakers can create an environment in which circular practices are not only encouraged but also easily accessible to individuals, thereby fostering a more sustainable and resilient economy for all.

    This debate looked into how policy can ease the barriers to repair, as well as provide information and incentives to all market actors to make circular economy-consistent decisions.

    This event took place in Brussels and was also be available to a wider audience via livestream. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook, and join the #SSHCENTRE #FoEDebate!

    This Policy Insight was part of the SSH CENTRE (Social Sciences and Humanities for Climate, Energy and Transport Research Excellence) project.

    This project, supported by 13 leading organisations from across Europe, engages directly with stakeholders including researchers, policymakers, business representatives as well as civil society and citizens to strengthen social innovation, SSH-STEM collaboration and transdisciplinary policy advice, to accelerate the EU’s transition to carbon neutrality.


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      Schedule

      Schedule

      Registration and lunch
      Missing pieces to a circular economy: closing the loop by reimagining consumption Expand Missing pieces to a circular economy: closing the loop by reimagining consumption

      Questions to be addressed in the debate include:

      • What role do community groups, co-operatives and local enterprises have in the circular economy?
      • How can the language of ecolabels and ecodesign production incentivise citizens to consume differently?
      • What is the role of trust in this process and how can accountability mechanisms for deceitful sustainability claims be strengthened?

      Speakers

      Kersty Hobson

      Reader at Cardiff University School of Planning and Geography

      Cristina Ganapini

      Coordinator at Right to Repair Europe

      Malgorzata Golebiewska

      Team Leader for Environmental Footprint at the European Commission Directorate-General for the Environment (DG ENV)

      Moderator

      Luke O’Callaghan-White

      Programme Manager for Climate, Energy & Sustainability at Friends of Europe

      End of debate
      Speakers

      Speakers

      Photo of Cristina Ganapini
      Cristina Ganapini

      Coordinator at Right to Repair Europe

      Show more information on Cristina Ganapini

      Cristina Ganapini coordinates the Right to Repair Europe coalition, which brings together over 100 NGOs from 21 European countries. The coalition represents repair actors such as community repair groups, social economy actors, spare parts distributors, self-repairers, repair and refurbishing businesses, and any citizen who would like to advocate for their right to repair. A rapidly growing movement, its objective to make repair affordable, accessible and mainstream is aligned with the objectives of the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action plan.

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