In its action plan for the Circular Economy, the European Commission stresses the need for the circular economy to develop globally and the importance of promoting sustainable global value chains in cases where the production process is spread across different countries. This would bring great benefits, including net material savings, lower supply risks, as well as contribute to sustainable production and consumption patterns worldwide. Whilst there is a growing appetite from countries and companies to adopt circular models, numerous obstacles still need to be overcome, such as the geographic dispersion of materials and production sites, increased material complexity and engrained linear practices. This Policy Dialogue, kindly supported by Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund, explored the role of sustainable value chains regionally and globally in supporting the circular economy, the benefits and the main barriers to closing the materials loop on a global level, and the role of the EU in promoting circular economy principles across supply chains.
Speakers included: Annika Hedberg, Senior Policy Analyst, European Policy Centre, Kestutis Sadauskas, Director, Director, Circular Economy and Green Growth, Directorate-General for the Environment, European Commission, Fulvia Raffaelli, Acting Head of Unit Clean Technologies and Products, Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, European Commission, Kari Herlevi, Senior Lead, Circular Economy, Finnish Innovation Fund (Sitra), Lorena Sorrentino, EU Project Manager, CSR Europe, Monica Mireles Serrano, Senior Policy Advisor, Public Affairs, IKEA Group, Attila Turos, Lead, Circular Economy Initiative, World Economic Forum