Functioning ecosystems that supply water, nutrients, soil and energy are critical to human health, economy and livelihoods and enhance climate resilience. We need a radical shift in the current economic model to sustain our ways of life and biodiversity while ensuring a sustainable future for all. Tackling these global challenges requires rethinking how we produce, consume and manage raw materials.

Fostering the circular approach by enhancing productivity while efficiently using available natural resources could bring about significant economic benefits and allow nature to flourish through more sustainable management of our natural resources.

The circular economy is about optimising production and consumption systems, not only by sustainably reducing waste but also by doing business in an environmental and biodiversity-friendly manner.

A whole society's circular culture offers systemic solutions for a more sustainable future and would enable us to think and work across the silos of climate change and biodiversity. Our objective is to ensure the transition to a more inclusive and resource careful way of living. We must continue to move towards enhancing biodiversity while utilising every opportunity, from research and innovation to investments.

Societies and businesses need more circularity to give an impactful response to the two pressing challenges of climate deterioration and biodiversity loss and fully unlock the potential of the circular economy.

We need to develop and strengthen synergies across the circular economy community to capitalise on affordable and scalable solutions that can benefit the local and regional economies and increase their resilience and autonomy.

The European Circular Economy Stakeholders Platform's (ECESP) Coordination Group members will organise a COP27 side-event at the EU Pavilion on 12 November, 15:00 - 16:00 CET. The event will be an opportunity to show practical examples of how an inclusive circular economy can reduce waste and provide measurable impacts on climate and biodiversity protection.

Register now - Submit your questions on Sli.do (Room 6.0.5)

Draft agenda

Moderation by European Economic and Social Committee Vice-President - Cillian Lohan

Welcome remarks

• European Economic and Social Committee President - Christa Schweng
• Conversation with Head of Commissioner Sinkevičius' Cabinet - Simonas Šatūnas

Panel discussion
Circular Economy: beyond the silos of climate change and biodiversity

• Tim Forslund, Sitra
• Mayri Tiido, Founder and CEO of Lowmerism
• Prof. Lučka Kajfež Bogataj, climatologist specialized in agricultural meteorology
• Niels Peter Nørring, chair of Copa-Cogeca’s Working Party on Environment and Climate

Q&A with audience

Closing

• Alberto Arroyo Schnell, IUCN