ECESP goes global! Showcasing Europe's excellence in the circular economy

The European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform's Coordination Group members will showcase the work done by their Leadership Groups on 17 and 18 January 2022 during the Circular Europe Days in Dubai. The events will take place during the Dubai Expo Global Goals Week, which coincides with the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
The Dubai Expo Global Goals Week aims to unite businesses worldwide and urge further action towards a sustainable and inclusive future.

The event is an opportunity to showcase what Europe has to offer in the field of the circular economy and create an international space for front-running EU circular entrepreneurs. An onsite and online matchmaking platform, provided by the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), will be available to facilitate collaboration and networking opportunities for European entrepreneurs.

Leaders of the ECESP Coordination Group will organise eight hybrid events hosted by five national pavilions. For two days, members of the Coordination Group will present to an international audience the work done by their Leadership Group on different topics, from buildings and infrastructure to circular procurement to economic incentives to food waste and more.

Registrations have now closed, but the sessions will be webstreamed on this page.

Please note that the time indicated is Dubai Time (e.g. 10:00 in Dubai means 07:00 in Central European Time)

If you have any technical/connection questions, you may contact us at CEStakeholderEU@eesc.europa.eu.

This page is updated regularly with detailed information about the event. Stay tuned! Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest updates and sign up to our newsletter.

Click on the below playlist to re-watch the events

NB To enter the pavilions, on-site participants need to present a negative result of a PCR test taken no more than 48 hours earlier.

  • 17 JANUARY - Circular Europe Day 1
      • 10:00 - 11:30 (CET+3) - THE POWER OF EUROPEAN CIRCULAR NETWORKS - THE NETHERLANDS PAVILION

        The health crisis of COVID19 has demonstrated how interconnected we all are. As is the case for the climate crisis. Collaboration is therefore vital for circular transformation. Systems thinking and co-creation are key concepts the EU is committed to. Co-chairs Circular Change and Holland Circular Hotspot will guide participants through the role of network governance and circular hubs in the EU's circular transition. Panellists will explore the impact of these hubs on the ground, presenting cases and sharing experiences.

        10:00 - 10:05 Welcome by the ECESP co-chairs and co-moderators

        • Ladeja Godina Košir, Circular Change
        • Freek Van Eijk, Holland Circular Hotspot

         

        10:05 - 10:10 Keynote speech - the EU and the circular economy

        • Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President, European Commission (video message)

         

        10:10 - 10:15 Welcome by the Deputy Commissioner General for the EU at Expo 2020, Pietro De Matteis (onsite)

         

        10:15 - 10:25 Global launch of the Circularity Gap Report 2022

        • Martijn Lopes Cardozo, CEO, Circle Economy (onsite)

         

        10:25 - 11:05 EC and States representatives - panel on individual and collaborative circular actions and opportunities post COVID-19

        • H. E. Andrea Matteo Fontana, EU Ambassador to the UAE (onsite)
        • Dr Simona Kustec, Slovenian Minister of Education, Science and Sport (video)
        • Roald Laperre, Vice Minister for the Environment, Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (online)
        • A representative from the Nordics TBD (onsite)
        • Maciej Chorowski, President of the Board of National Fund for Environment Protection and Water Management, Poland (online)
        • Sonya Hyland, Deputy Secretary-General, DFA Ireland (onsite)

         

        11:05 - 11:15 Keynote and global book launch on circular economy network governance

        • Prof. Jacqueline Cramer (online)

         

        11:15 - 11:20 Q&A with the audience 

         

        11:20 - 11:28 Circular Europe Days - sneak preview

        • Freek Van Eijk, Holland Circular Hotspot  (onsite)
        • Ladeja Godina Košir, Circular Change  (onsite)
        • Françoise Bonnet, ACR+ (video)
        • Michael Kuhndt, Executive Director, CSCP (video)
        • Agnieszka Sznyk, Innowo (video)
        • Hubert Bukowski, Innowo (onsite)
        • Sarah Miller, Rediscovery Centre (onsite)

         

        11:28 - 11:30 Closing remarks by moderators

         

        • 15-minute coffee break in the award-winning auditorium of the Dutch pavilion
        • NLinBusiness Virtual Gateway, VR-glasses, showing Dutch solutions for global challenges

      • 11:45 - 13:15 (CET+3) - CIRCULAR OPPORTUNITIES ON BUILDING & INFRASTRUCTURE - THE NETHERLANDS PAVILION

        Buildings and infrastructure play an undeniably crucial role in our wellbeing, health and safety. They provide us with the basic structures we depend on to enjoy our lives, through the homes we live in, the offices we work at, and the roads and railways we travel by. However, the sector accounts for 50% of extracted resources and 40% of carbon emissions. The good news is: circular European solutions exist across the entire value chain and they can significantly contribute to a climate-neutral future. These solutions can inspire the world and create opportunities for EU frontrunners. This session will bring together experts from various organizations to discuss topics like the undervalued importance of infrastructure in tackling climate change, discuss the markets for secondary resources, the relevance of deconstruction design to enable the renovation wave, and stress value chains collaboration.

         

        11:45 - 11:50 Welcome

        • Freek Van Eijk, Holland Circular Hotspot

         

        11:50 - 11:55 Keynote speech - The need to scale up and innovate in the buildings and infrastructure sector (EU perspective)

        • Josefina Lindblom, DG Environment, European Commission

         

        11:55 - 12:00 Keynote speech - The need to scale up and innovate in the buildings and infrastructure sector (NL perspective)

        • Roald Laperre, Vice Minister for the Environment, Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management

         

        12:00 - 12:10 Global launch of the new brochure: "Circular Infrastructure: the road towards a sustainable future"

        • Prof. dr. ir. Vincent Gruis, Professor of Housing Management, Delft University of Technology and Chair of the (Dutch) Circular Construction Economy Transition Team (online)
        • Josefina Lindblom, DG Environment, European Commission
        • Ingrid Thijssen, President of VNO-NCW
        • Giancarlo Mangone, Head of Strategic Master Planning, ADNOC

         

        12:10 - 12:20 Circular infrastructure: the road towards a sustainable future

        • Prof. dr. ir. Vincent Gruis, Professor of Housing Management, Delft University of Technology and Chair of the (Dutch) Circular Construction Economy Transition Team (online)

         

        12:20 - 12:30 Design for deconstruction

        • Christine Lemaitre, DGNB

         

        12:30 - 12:40 Buildings and infrastructure value chains: collaboration and market perspectives for circular economy

        • Laura Cutaia, ENEA

         

        12:40 - 13:00 Panel discussion with leading EU representatives and industry

        • Josefina Lindblom, DG Environment, European Commission
        • Ingrid Thijssen, President of VNO-NCW
        • Giancarlo Mangone, Head of Strategic Master Planning, ADNOC
        • Christine Lemaitre, DGNB
        • Laura Cutaia, ENEA
        • Prof. dr. ir. Vincent Gruis, Delft University of Technology

        13:00 - 13:15 Closing 

        13:15 -  14:15 Lunch and networking opportunity

        End of Session

        • Lunch is offered from 13.15 to 14.30 hrs in the award winning auditorium of the Dutch pavilion
        • NLinBusiness Virtual Gateway, VR-glasses showing Dutch solutions for global challenges for example HCH’s new VR video on Circular Plastics
        • Guided tour in the pavilion by request
    •  
      • 14:30 - 15:45 (CET+3) - SUSTAINABLE LIVING AND WOOD - FIT FOR 55 - SLOVENIAN PAVILION

        The EU “Fit for 55” package demonstrates the EU’s continued commitment to sustainable biomass with an increase of the renewable energy targets, climate neutrality for land use, forestry and the agriculture sector and creation of a nature-positive economy that protects and restores degraded ecosystems. Unlocking the full potential of sustainable biomass, forestry, and wood industry for 2030 and beyond is dependent on decisions made today.
        The events in the Slovenian pavilion focus on the crucial role of the wood sector, green technologies, design, construction in sustainable development and circular economy.
        The participants will have the opportunity to network and discuss wood as the sustainable material of the future. The EEN matchmaking platform will support the networking part of the event.

        14:00 - 14:30 Lunch and networking opportunity

         

        14:30 - 14:45 Welcome & Introduction

        • Matic Volk, Commissioner General of the Republic of Slovenia for EXPO 2020 Dubai
        • Dr Simona Kustec, Slovenian Minister of Education, Science and Sport
        • Andrej Čuš, Secretary of State, Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, Slovenia
        • Anton Harej, State Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of the Republic of Slovenia
        • Tomaž Kostanjevec, PhD, CEO, SPIRIT Slovenia – Public Agency for Entrepreneurship, Internationalization, Fore­ign Investments and Technology
        • Ladeja G. Košir, ECESP Chair

         

        14:45 - 15:00 Keynote speeches:

        • Kestutis Sadauskas, Director DG Environment, European Commission (video message) 
        • Prof. Dr. Miha Humar, University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty

        15:00 - 15:45 Panel discussion: Wood, design, construction

        • Franc Bogovič, Member of the European Parliament (video message)
        • Andrej Čuš, Secretary of State, Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, Slovenia
        • Freek van Eijk and Prof. de. Jacqueline Cramer's insights, Holland Circular Hotspot
        • Jure Kotnik, Architect
        • Barbara Šubic, Company M Sora

        Q & A

        15:45 - 16:00 Brief introduction of business representatives (Wood industry cluster Slovenia) by the moderator

         

        16:00 - 17:30 Late afternoon programme: International matchmaking moderated by Europe Enterprise Network


  • 18 JANUARY - Circular Europe Day 2

    On the second day, the Leadership Group on Cities & Regions, Consumers & Electronics, Food Waste, Food Systems & Bioeconomy and on Economic Incentives & Circular Procurement will present the work done during the year via the exchange concept #EUCircularTalks. The Slovenian Pavilion invites on site participants to join the international matchmaking at 13:00 CET+3.

      • 10:00 - 11:30 (CET+3) - MAKING CIRCULARITY WORK FOR PEOPLE, CITIES & REGIONS - FINNISH PAVILION

        The transition to a circular economy is in full swing in Europe. Cities and regions play a crucial role as hubs of material flows and innovation. The event held by the ECESP will demonstrate the collaborative approach of European stakeholders, highlighting the role of cities and regions networks (ACR+, CCRI), financing institutions (EIB) and legislators (European Commission and European Parliament). We will hear directly from leading cities and regions (Scotland, Navarra, Western-Macedonia) about their pathways and monitoring of circular economy developments in their territories. The event will show that the EU Green Deal is an overarching strategy complemented by the coherent cities and regions strategies duly supported by the financing programs.

        10:00 - 10:07 Welcome and introduction

        • Einar Kleppe Holthe and Cathrine Barth, Nordic Circular Hotspot

        10:07 - 10:14 Introduction to the Cities & Regions ECESP Leadership Group

        • Françoise Bonnet, ACR+

        10:15 - 10:23 Making circularity work for regions and cities

        • Circular cities and regions initiative (CCRI), state of art and perspectives, Pavel Misiga, DG R&I, European Commission
        • Supporting the circular transition with awareness building, advisory and financing, Pia Nieminen, EIB Advisory Hub
        • Q&A

         

        10:55 - 11:15 EU regions towards circular economy

        • After COP26: circular economy as a tool to mitigate climate change, Iain Gulland, Zero Waste Scotland 
        • Nikolaos Ntavos, Co-founder & Manager, CluBe - Cluster of Bioeconomy & Environment of Western Macedonia
        • Uxue Itoiz Mariñelarena, General Director of Industry,  Energy and Strategic Projects, Navarra Government 
        • Nordic City, Einar Kleppe Holthe and Cathrine Barth, Nordic Circular Hotspot

         

        11:15 - 11:30 Q&A and closing remarks, Françoise Bonnet, ACR+

         

      • 11:30 - 13:00 (CET+3) - ENABLING CIRCULAR ELECTRONICS: SKILLS FOR CITIES, BUSINESSES & CONSUMERS - FINNISH PAVILION

        Digitalization surrounds us everywhere. This is accompanied by an immense increase in reliance on devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Not only in Europe but also in other World regions, electrical devices are gaining more and more importance.
        The event aims at finding answers to the question is: "Who can enable circular electronics and how can the re-skilling and upskilling work for different stakeholder groups?" from different stakeholder perspectives.
        The event is also an opportunity to have insights from EU experts about current activities at the European level. Representatives of businesses, cities and consumers will identify further challenges and discuss possible solutions that can also be transferred to other regions of the world.

        11:30 - 11:40 CSCP to set the scene and position LG vision and work

        • Cathrine Barth, Co-founder circularities, Nordic Circular Hotspot
        • Michael Kuhndt, Executive Director, CSCP

         

        11:40 - 11:50 Insight from the European Commission about EU circular electronics initiatives in the CEAP

        • Patrick Child, Deputy-Director General, DG ENV, European Commission 

         

        11:50 - 12:15 Impulses from different stakeholder perspectives

        • Mali Hole Skogen, Director of Technology and Sustainability, ICT Norway
        • Ana Maria Jaime Salcedo, Head Sustainability, MediaMarktSaturn Retail Group
        • Rosa Strube, Head of Sustainable Lifestyles, CSCP

         

        12:15 - 12:45 Panel discussion

        • Markus Paulsson, City of Lund, Sweden 
        • Susanne Kadner, Head of Circular Economy Initiative, Germany
        • Michal Len, Director, RREUSE 

        12:45 - 12:50 Closing remarks

        • Michael Kuhndt, Executive Director, CSCP

         

      • 13:00 - 14:45 (CET+3) - FUTURE OF BIOECONOMY IN THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY TRANSITION - POLISH PAVILION

        The area of food waste, food systems and bioeconomy is crucial for a successful circular transition. The need for the EU to shift from a linear approach in bioeconomy towards circularity and sustainability is clear. However, the question remains: How do we achieve circularity in this sector? The event aims to highlight the importance and complexity of the bioeconomy as a driver for the transition towards a circular economy in Europe and advance potential solutions. Speakers will present successful projects that tackle the food waste problem. During the multistakeholder panel discussion, experts representing NGOs, businesses and administration will discuss the future of bioeconomy in a circular transformation context.

        Welcome and introduction

        • Agnieszka Sznyk, PhD, INNOWO
        • Karen Fabbri, Deputy Head of Unit Bioeconomy & Food Systems at European Commission
        • Andreas Thurner, European Economic and Social Committee

         

        Future of Bioeconomy in circular economy transition

        • Introductory presentation Bioeconomy as a systemic approach for circular transformation, Johannes Kisser - Alchemia-Nova
        • “Food waste and resource efficiency”, Carina Diedrich - CSCP
        • “Circular and bioeconomy development in Polish regions” - policy, projects, case studies, prof. Joanna Kulczycka - Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute
        • "Urban food systems transformation”, Elisa Porreca - Milan Food Policy Pact and Foodtrails
        • “The role of education on Food Circularity”, Simona Grande - PhD student, University of Turin

         

        Panel Discussion: Future of Bioeconomy in circular economy transition - moderator Agnieszka Sznyk INNOWO

        • Anna Kurtnatowska -Too Good To Go
        • Martin Bowman - Feedback Global
        • Chloé Jonniaux - Generation Climate Europe (TBD)
        • Emma Chow - Ellen MacArthur Foundation
        • Alessio Colombo - RiceHouse

      • 15:00 - 16:30 (CET+3) - CIRCULAR TAXATION AND CIRCULAR PROCUREMENT AS DRIVERS FOR THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY - POLISH PAVILION

        During this session, the work of the ECESP leadership groups on economic incentives and circular procurement along with the potential of these instruments in the transition towards a circular Europe will be showcased. We will address the importance of a level playing field for circular business models, products and services and how to achieve it. Though both instruments are essential in this aspect, their use is still inadequate to influence circular transition. Why is it so? What can we do to support these instruments’ usage? What types of taxation and procurement system would be in line with the circular model? These are the issues we will try to tackle. A spotlight will be put on these instruments’ practical implementation in Europe. Finally, an interactive debate will close off the session.

        15:00 - 15:10 Welcome and introduction 

        • Veerle Labeeuw, Leadership Group - Circular Procurement
        • Hubert Buwoski, Leadership Group - Economic Incentives for the Circular Economy

         

        15:10 - 15:25 Circular taxes for a circular economy

        • Hubert Bukowski, INNOWO 

         

        15:25 - 15:40 Taxation as an instrument for the transition to a circular economy

        • Paul Tang, Member of the European Parliament

         

        15:40 - 16:00 Showcasing European projects and circular suppliers

        • Extended Producer Responsibility, Emmanuel Katrakis
        • Circular public procurement in practice in the City of Leuven (BE), Jessie Van Couwenberghe
        • Labour vs resources taxation - (TBD)
        • Circular Business on the importance of public procurement for supporting innovation, Chris Van de Voorde - Juunoo

         

        16:25 - 16:30 Closing remarks

        • Hubert Bukowski, Innowo

        16:00 - 16:15 Circular procurement as an instrument for the transition to a circular economy

        • Enrico Degiorgis, Adviser DG Environment, European Commission

        16:15 - 16:30 - Q & A, followed by Closing Remarks by Hubert Bukowski, INNOWO

         

      • 17:00 - 19:30 (CET+3) - IRELAND: COLLABORATING & INNOVATING TO ACCELERATE CIRCULARITY - IRISH PAVILION

        15:00 - 17:00 Matchmaking event

        17:00 - 17:05 Welcome remarks

        • Pat Hennessy, Commissioner General Ireland Pavilion, Expo 2020
        • Sonja Hyland, Deputy Secretary-General, Department of Foreign Affairs

         

        17:05 - 17:10 Ireland's evolving circular economy policy landscape

        • Ossian Smyth, TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for communications and the circular economy (video message)

         

        17:10 - 17:15 Civil Society's role in bringing circular economy stakeholders together

        • Cillian Lohan, Vice-President, European Economic and Social Committee

         

        17:15 - 17:20 Circular Economy Programme

        • Sharon Finegan, Director of Environmental Sustainability at the Environmental Protection Agency

        17:20 - 17:35 Ireland's societal transition: Building circular economy communities

        • Dr Sarah Miller, CEO, The Rediscovery Centre, The national centre for the circular economy

         

        17:20 - 17:30 Scaling up circularity: Introduction to The ZeroNet, a CIRCULÉIRE Industry Member

        • Paul McSweeney, CEO, TheZeroNet  

         

        17:35  - 17:45 Q&A moderated by ECESP co-Chairs with Sarah Miller and Paul McSweeney

         

        17:45 - 17:50 Closing remarks from the ECESP Coordination Group

        • Ladeja Godina Košir, Circular Change
        • Freek Van Eijk, Holland Circular Hotspot

        17:50 - 18:00 Closing message

        • Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius, European Commission (video message)

         

        18:05  Signing of a Joint Statement by participants of CED, Reflections, Photo opportunity

         

        18:00 - 19:30 Closing remarks by Pat Hennessey, Commissioner General Ireland Pavilion, Expo 2020, followed by a reception with Irish folk music concert

  • Lunches & matchmaking opportunities

    Online and on-site participants can network via the Europe Enterprise Network (EEN) matchmaking platforms during the Circular Europe days. On the second day, the Slovenian pavilion kindly invites on-Site participants to enjoy Slovenian specialities during a matchmaking session focused on Nordic countries.

      • 17 JAN - 13:15 (CET+3) - LUNCH & MATCHMAKING- DUTCH PAVILION

        The Dutch pavilion, in the Sustainability disctrict, organises a networking lunch on the first day of the Europe Circular Days. The Pavilion puts the spotlight on Dutch companies to give a glimpse of the Netherland biotope and how it unites water, energy and food to reach the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

        13:15 - 14:15 LUNCH and networking opportunities

      • 17 JAN - 14:00 (CET+3) - EEN MATCHMAKING OPPORTUNITY- SLOVENIAN PAVILION

        The Slovenian pavilion, located in the Sustainability District, is a soothing green oasis. The pavilion outward reminds one of the country's central themes during these Europe Circular Days; Wood. The façade is covered with lavish green and gives the visitor the impression of entering a floating forest. In this context, the Europe Enterprise Network will support a matchmaking event where participants can network and discuss wood as the sustainable material of the future.

        14:00 - 14:30 LUNCH and networking opportunities

        16:00 - 18:00 International matchmaking moderated by Europe Enterprise Network

      • 18 JAN - 13:00 (CET+3) - LUNCH & NETWORKING- SLOVENIAN PAVILION

        The Slovenian pavilion, a soothing green in the Sustainability District, invites participants on-site to appreciate Slovenian gastronomy during lunch on the second day of the Europe Circular Days. The Europe Enterprise Network will support the matchmaking platform, focusing on Nordic countries.

      • 18 JAN - 15:00 (CET+3) - MATCHMAKING OPPORTUNITY - IRISH PAVILION

        15:00 - 17:00 Match making event