Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference 2023 - Recovery, Open Strategic Autonomy and Resilience

On 27 and 28 February 2023, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the European Commission are co-hosting the 6^th European Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference, welcoming altogether some 1,000 circular economy practitioners and specialists to debate new regulations and policies, showcase best practices ofEU-funded projects and schemes, explore innovations and look for partners willing to launch on joint projects. Participants can attend both in person and online.

Stakeholders will exchange views and follow discussions on the role of the circular economy in the European and global recovery from recent shocks, from the Covid pandemic to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and the energy crisis. Driving sustainable recovery, open strategic autonomy and resilience, the circular economy can be key in building resource independence while promoting sustainable consumption and production.

The EESC will host Day 2 of the Conference, with a focus on stakeholder views in a series of full sessions and smaller interactive workshops grouped under two main topics: biodiversity and climate and resilience for Europe.

It will also host a Networking Village, where a selection of circular economy professionals can highlight their good practices and pitch their projects to a broad audience. Nine exhibitors will be attending on site and 25 online.

The European Commission is organising Day 1 of the Conference (27 February 2023), focusing on the key issues at the heart of the negotiations taking place in 2023. Technical sessions will discuss the transition to safe-and-sustainable chemicals, the European automotive industry driving

At the opening EESC President Christa Schweng said: "Over the last 2 ½ years, our joint European Circular Economy Stakeholder platform has nearly doubled its best practise cases from 400 to 760. That shows the huge potential of the circular economy for our businesses, people and communities. Together, let's break the take-make-waste pattern."

Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, said: In world of limited natural resources, geopolitical tensions, price shocks and disrupted supply chains, Europe must transition to a circular economy and power it with renewable energy to remain sovereign and competitive. Businesses are ready, demand is there, and growing. Europeans do not want their consumption to harm the environment, and deplete the Earth. We have put legislation on the table to make sustainable products the norm and to greatly reduce packaging waste. Soon, we will follow up with proposals to fight false green claims, make repairs easier, tackle microplastics pollution, and reduce food waste. We know what’s needed to put Europe on track for a circular economy by 2050. So let’s make sure we do it.

Background

The European Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference, now in its sixth year, is the annual event of the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform. Conceived as a "network of networks", the Platform aims to promote the transition to a circular economy by offering a forum where stakeholders can discuss policies, share good practices and find a wealth of information on various aspects of the circular economy. With its knowledge hub boasting over 750 good practices, its toolbox on how to get funding and training, its circular talks with high-profile supporters and experts and its comprehensive calendar and news on circular economy events around the world, it has become a go-to resource for circular economy practitioners in Europe and a model for other regions of the world looking to build a circular economy.

Read the full programme.