World Circular Economy Forum 2023

Circular solutions for nature and the economy

The World Circular Economy Forum 2023 will provide a unique opportunity to create momentum for a nature-positive future. The Forum will present a focused agenda and harness our collective energies on accelerating the needed transition over the coming years, showcasing global change makers and building the capacity to collaborate. WCEF2023 will mark the seventh iteration of the annual Forum and occurs at a pivotal moment for economies, societies and our planet.

EEA's contributions to WCEF2023

11 May: "Headache fractions" in mixed municipal waste

This side event will take place ahead of the main WCEF. Many consumer products pose significant waste management challenges and end up in landfill or incinerators. Using findings from an EEA study, the event will focus the issues and what needs to change to increase recycling and promote circularity.

• Organisers: EEA and the European Topic Centre on Circular Economy and Resource Use
• Time & format: 11 May, 14.00-15.30 (CEST), online via Zoom

30 May: Consumers in a circular economy

This session will explore the impacts caused to the environment from the consumption of goods and services by European citizens/consumers. These impacts are global, as are the supply chains providing products to satisfy European demand. The session will underline the role of circular economy, a truly global policy agenda, in mitigating such environmental impacts and explore consumer behaviour and how that relates to circular consumer choices. An example of a manufacturer with a circular economy uptake will present strategies for how to improve the circularity of their products and how to communicate such initiatives to consumers effectively.

Panellists include the EEA, Hot or Cool Institute, FISKARS and Sitra.

• Organisers: EEA, SITRA.
• Time: 30 May, 13:30 to 14:45 (CEST)

31 May: Upstream measures for circular and sustainable plastics

This session will draw attention to some of the overlooked challenges as well as climate and environmental impacts of upstream activities of the plastics life cycle, such as fossil-fuel lock-in. Solutions in focus include smarter use and increased circularity of plastics and switching to renewable raw materials. It will conclude with a discussion on how upstream measures can become a central part of the forthcoming UN plastic treaty.

Panelist include: EEA, World Econommic Forum, Youthopia/ Bye Bye Plastic Bags, Notpla.

• Organisers: EEA, World Economic Forum, Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
• Time: 31 May, 13:30 to 14:45 (CEST)

1 June: Recipes for circular futures – pitching, sparring and learning from national circular economy strategies

The WCEF2023 Accelerator Session session will provide a platform to exchange ideas and collaborate with new and familiar colleagues around the world. The EEA will present an overview of circular economy actions across Europe. While several countries pitch their own circular economy strategy through a PechaKucha storytelling style, participants will get to learn about their entire journey so far: process, key actions, who are involved, what has been success (and what not), what is still missing and what kind of country the strategy aims to create for young generations. 

Online programme

• 9:00 Welcome to the event & warm-up
• 9:05 The role of national circular economy strategies in speeding up transition, overview by EEA
• 9:15 Pitches from Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and Finland in PechaKucha style; questions from the audience

After the pitches in-person participants can join world café style discussions to present own plans, test ideas, get support and advice from the presenters and other participants.

• Organisers: Ministry of the Environment Finland; Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection; EEA
• Time: 1 June 8.30-11.45 (online 9.00-10.10)