The circular economy in the context of a limited supply of biomass – ways forward to address biodiversity loss and climate change

Visual of the event
Start/End date
Event type
EU Circular Talks
City
EU
Scope
Coordination Group 2023-2025
Key Area
Innovation and investments
Organising Body
EEA
Sinnen-Wandel
Sitra
CERDI
IUCN
ECESP Leadership Groups

Some circular economy practitioners believe that switching to biomass is the best way to implement the circular economy. However, the circular economy is not synonymous with bioeconomy. The circular economy is about retaining the value of materials for as long as possible, and consequently it cannot be achieved simply by adding more and more primary biomass to the economy. Demand for biomass is increasing rapidly yet supply is limited, leading to problems for climate and biodiversity.

The ECESP Leadership Group on Biodiversity and Climate is organising this #EUCircularTalks on 13 June at 10:00 – 11:30 CEST to discuss the intersections between the circular economy, bioeconomy, climate change and biodiversity. It will explore the circular economy's role in balancing biomass supply and demand and reducing negative impacts on biodiversity and climate change.
Join our panellists to gain insights into why these intersections are crucial and how to navigate them, using specific examples.

Programme

Welcome

Moderation: Alberto Arroyo Schnell, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Introduction to European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform

  • María Nikolopoulou, Vice-president of the NAT Section, EESC

Keynote for setting the scene - Planetary boundaries and limits to circular biomass supply

  • Tobias Nielsen, European Environment Agency: The benefits to biodiversity of a strong circular economy (presentation)
  • Sonja Eser, Sinnen-Wandel: The greenwashing risk of switching to biomass as a way to implement circular economy
  • Tim Forslund, Sitra: Limits to circular biomass supply (presentation)
  • Barbara Pia Oberč, IUCN: Policy context (presentation)

Ways forward - Examples of how a circular economy can deal with biomass in a climate- and biodiversity-friendly manner

Example 1: Regenerative actions in agriculture and fishery

  • Johan Sidenmark, Project Manager Circular Economy, Axfoundation

Example 2: Construction with reused wood

  • Prof. Andrea Klinge, ZRS Architekten

Example 3: Textile fibres in infinite circles

  • Tanja Karila, Infinited Fiber

Q&A session

Concluding remarks and Wrap up

  • Alberto Arroyo Schnell, IUCN