12 Feb 2021
The call for tender ‘Operation of the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative’s Coordination & Support Office (CCRI-CSO)’ is now open for submission with deadline 1 March 2021.
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Rural
The Khalifa Award Report: turning the date palm industry circular
Data palms are becoming ever more important globally and in the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa). The Khalifa Award Report, inspired by 46 contributors in 21 countries, focuses on the 5 Ps - People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnerships - which shape the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The bio-circular economic potential of the date palm industry has yet to be explored. In some cases, it is a necessity that can save lives in oases prone to fire hazards caused by climate change; it can also provide new green jobs in the sustainable economy transition. The European circular economy transition can serve as a model for adaptation in the MENA region.
More info on date palm recycling on pages 162-3 of the report.
Sandra Piesik
The Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production
The Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production (CSCP) is an international, non-profit think-and-do tank. Together with companies, political organisations and civil society actors, the CSCP pursues its mission to mainstream sustainability towards the good life for all.
From H2020 projects (R2Pi, Scalibur, Refresh and Spread), to CE Missions to Japan and Mexico, to launching the Consumer Insight Action Panel with the European Economic and Social Committee, co-developing the European Circular Cities Declaration or designing and running the Academy of Change – a unique capacity building programme that can be replicated across various topics - the CSCP integrates multiple stakeholders and various perspectives to help implement a systemic transition towards circularity.
03 May 2021 to 13 Jun 2021
Being part of EU Green Week is the opportunity to showcase the achievements of your organisation or city to a wider audience. The 2021 edition will highlight the role that the EU Action Plan Towards a Zero Pollution Ambition can play in creating toxic-free environment across the EU. If you are planning an event on this theme, why not register it as an EU Green Week partner event?
04 Dec 2020
In this webinar on 4 December, Tondo and Circularise will discuss the potential of blockchain technology to support the transition to the circular economy.
Life DOP & Virgilio: Circular economy in a high-quality dairy industry
This Life DOP project operated in partnership with the Italian dairy company Consorzio Latterie Virgilio uses livestock waste in anaerobic digestion plants to produce renewable energy and renewable fertilisers (solid digestate) which are then exported to non-livestock areas.
Cultivation using wool
In order to create a new commercial use for raw wool, the Italian association Post Industriale Ruralità has developed a form of vertical hydroponic cultivation using wool instead of soil.
09 Dec 2020 to 10 Dec 2020
An online study tour on re-use & repair for municipalities and public waste companies which aims to create an inclusive circular economy at local level.
10 Dec 2020
Always wondered how the circular economy could help your city/region in its energy transition? This FEDARENE webinar on The energy dimension of the circular economy is for you!
Saccharide Agenda
A saccharide strategy for the Dutch Chemport Region
Saccharides are a valuable and readily available source of renewable carbon. There are unique opportunities to produce renewable intermediate chemicals and polymers from regionally available agricultural products and imported feedstock in the period up to 2050.
Industry in the Chemport region (Northern Netherlands) has several options to further reduce CO2 emissions, including recycling or circular chemistry and shifting towards bio-based feedstock, acting as a catalyzer for other industries.
Important focus areas of the saccharide roadmap are:
- developing technologies/markets
- strengthening/expanding feedstock production
- developing incentives/regulations
- further developing an integrated approach, cooperating and improving the knowledge base.
A typology of circular economy discourses: Navigating the diverse visions of a contested paradigm
A typology of circular economy discourses: Navigating the diverse visions of a contested paradigm
This research reviews the long history and diversity of circularity thinking to develop a comprehensive timeline, which identifies and conceptually classifies 72 different CE-related concepts from the Global North and South alike (such as industrial ecology, Gandhian and steady-state economics, buen vivir, doughnut economics, degrowth).
In November 2020 the paper was completed with an interactive timeline that helps researchers and practitioners better situate and navigate the concept of circular economy, both in its rich historical origins and in its theoretical diversity. It thus fosters a cross-pollination of concepts and ideas which can help address the complex socio-ecological challenges of the 21st century.
To learn more about this timeline, please click here.
Copa-Cogeca shares its members' initiatives on tackling food waste during the COVID-19 crisis
Abstract:
Copa-Cogeca is sharing the initiatives of its members that demonstrate the many actions taken by EU farmers and cooperatives to deal with the Covid-19 crisis.
Sustainable construction guidelines for public authorities – A circular economy perspective
Sustainable construction guidelines for public authorities – A circular economy perspective aims to help public authorities navigate through the topic of sustainable construction, understand what it means and determine how to encourage it.
The guidelines are especially targeted at local and regional authorities, as they play a crucial role in the whole construction life cycle not only by stimulating innovation and cooperation between all actors but also because they work at a level close to citizens.
Unlike most of the literature on the topic, these guidelines focus on circularity and material resource efficiency, rather than covering only energy efficiency extensively. Moreover, the report goes beyond waste to integrate the whole value chain of the construction sector.
Circular Economy and Territorial Consequences
ESPON: CIRCTER - Circular Economy and Territorial Consequences
What does the circular economy (CE) mean from a territorial perspective?
This report by the ESPON CIRCTER project provides:
- a territorial definition of a CE based on resource consumption and waste generation intensities and trends across European NUTS2 regions
- a comparison with other socio-economic trends like employment dynamics and economic growth
- evaluation of the territorial factors most critical for CE transformations
- a description of the systemic mechanisms facilitating CE transitions at territorial levels
- an illustration of policy approaches and best practices supporting the transition towards a CE in various territorial contexts, and
- guidance supporting local and regional authorities in defining CE strategies.
Policy Guide on Circular Economy and Territorial Consequences
ESPON: Policy Guide on Circular Economy and Territorial Consequences (CIRCTER)
This interactive policy guide aims to inspire local and regional policy makers to develop circular economy strategies that can change the structure and operations of their economies and industries so that they better contribute to more sustainable economic growth in Europe.
The guide provides suggestions on how to assess the local and regional contexts needed to adopt the right policy strategies and targets. It also gives insights on how to choose the right policy strategy, define priority areas, set favourable framework conditions and how to monitor and evaluate the outcomes.
Examples are used throughout the guide to illustrate the various elements. The guidance is based on analysis and insights generated by the ESPON CIRCTER project, which is co-financed by the ERDF.
31 Mar 2020
Due to the recent developments with respect to the coronavirus (Covid-19), the 2nd OECD Roundtable on the Circular Economy in Cities and Regions in Oslo, Norway is cancelled.
However, in light of the significance of the Roundtable the OECD and Nordic Innovation kindly invite you to register for two dedicated webinars. Click here for more info.
Destination: a circular tourism economy
Destination: a circular tourism economy
Destination: a circular tourism economy aims to increase the innovativeness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the tourism sector by supporting the integration of circular economy elements into their services, products and business models. This handbook is the result of work carried out in the Interreg South Baltic innovation project, CIRTOINNO.
In addition to providing an overall understanding of the concept of circular economy and the specificities of tourism and the South Baltic partner regions, the CIRTOINNO handbook investigates and discusses the opportunities and barriers for tourism SMEs to adopt circular economy principles, and identifies best practices. Focusing on Hotels, Restaurants and Spas, the handbook provides overall recommendations to:
- implement monitoring systems and strategies to reduce energy and water use
- build relationships with suppliers to rethink material flows
- train staff to improve resource use and reduce spillage
Oana Neagu
About this contact:
Oana Neagu is Director of the General Affairs team at Copa Cogeca. The team covers topics related to the circular and bio-economy, the environment and climate change, research and innovation, food waste, etc. Oana is an agricultural engineer and has a Master’s degree in business administration. She previously worked at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture as a policy officer, in charge of managing market measures. Prior to joining the Commission in 2006, she was the adviser on European integration at the Ministry of Agriculture in Romania, and was involved in preparing Romania’s accession to the European Union.
She is a member of the management committee of the multi-stakeholder platform on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in the EU and actively involved in various expert groups on the bioeconomy, forestry and rural development.
Copa and Cogeca are the united voice of farmers and agri-cooperatives in the EU. Together, they ensure that EU agriculture is sustainable, innovative and competitive, guaranteeing food security for half a billion people throughout Europe. Copa represents over 23 million farmers and their families whilst Cogeca represents the interests of 22 000 agricultural cooperatives. They have 66 member organisations from the EU Member States https://copa-cogeca.eu/Menu.aspx Copa and Cogeca is one of the founding members of the European Bioeconomy Alliance - http://www.bioeconomyalliance.eu/
Laura Cutaia
About this contact:
Laura Cutaia, researcher at ENEA, is an Environmental Engineer (1996) with a PhD in raw materials engineering (2002). Her main research topics are:
- Industrial ecology and symbiosis,
- Technology for raw and secondary materials treatment,
- Resources management,
- Life Cycle Assessment,
- Environmental certification,
- End of life management.
Laura Cutaia is responsible for making the most of resources at ENEA , where she is working on the circular economy and resource efficiency, industrial ecology and symbiosis, LCA, environmental certification schemes, the REACH regulation and sustainable industrial areas (more information).
Laura Cutaia is also president of SUN - Symbiosis Users Network (Italian network for industrial symbiosis) and president of UNI CT 057 on the circular economy that works with ISO TC 323 on the circular economy. UNI is the Italian body responsible for standardisation.
Philippe Micheaux Naudet
About this contact:
Philippe Micheaux Naudet is Director for Network and Members Development of ACR+, and as such is responsible for developing activities with ACR+ members, in particular regarding circular economy strategies and governance, as well as public procurement; bringing new members and partners to ACR+ and strengthening the network; and developing and participating in strategic initiatives and partnerships (European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform, Urban Agenda Partnership on Circular Economy, etc.).
Philippe is also a Senior Project Manager at ACR+, specialising in the circular economy, waste prevention and recycling. He is in charge of several projects, including the Circular Europe Network on circular economy guidance and capacity building, the ProCirc project on circular procurement, and the FoodRUs project on food waste prevention.