On 13-15 September 2021, the Government of Canada and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra are hosting the World Circular Economy Forum 2021.
Building on previous forums, WCEF2021 will focus on the system level changes, or “game changers”, needed to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. Hosted in North America for the first time, WCEF2021 will bring dynamic new voices to the global discussion, explore circular opportunities from the perspective of natural resource producing countries, and highlight the critical importance of the circular economy to fight climate change and to protect biodiversity.
WCEF2021 will offer three days packed with information, ideas and examples of the circular economy. On September 13 and September 14, Game Changer Sessions and short Demonstration Sessions will be hostes.
- Game Changer Sessions will explore crosscutting themes to answer a common question: “What transformational steps can we take in the next five years to catalyze the systemic changes required to scale up a global circular economy that is prosperous, inclusive and equitable?”
- Demonstration Sessions will bring the themes of the Game Changer Sessions to life through concrete and inspiring examples of the circular economy “in action”. Demonstration Sessions will showcase proven, replicable, and scalable solutions and new business and policy innovations.
On September 15, partner organizations will lead Accelerator Sessions, outcome-oriented events that will bridge WCEF2021 with the daily work needed for a circular transition.
Spotlight
Game changer sessions
On September 13 at 15:30 EDT (UTC -4), a Game Changer Session on "Unleashing Entrepreneurship: Scaling and Financing Circular SMEs" will explore the challenges and opportunities for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in bringing new circular technologies, business models and products to market and the enabling role that large corporations and governments can play. With SMEs at the forefront of circular innovation, this session will feature three “How To” interviews with those driving the transition.
Accelerator sessions - 15 September 2021
The Smart Prosperity Institute (SPI), Circular Economy Leadership Canada, Materials Efficiency Research Group, Coreo are hosting the World Circular Economy Forum 2021 Accelerator Session on Circularity Across the Mining and Metals Value Chain. This session will engage public, private and civil society stakeholders in a discussion of the approaches, policies, and practices required along the metals and minerals supply chain in an increasingly circular global economy.
UNEP is organizing "Accelerating sustainability in the textile value chain; inspiring action and behaviour change". A diverse range of panellists will discuss issues such as how to shift consumer demand towards more sustainable choices – including what (SME) producers, brands and retailers can do to engage consumers.
The African Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA) and Circular Economy Coalition for Latin America & the Caribbean are organising the session "Regional deep dive: Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean joining forces for circularity". This event marks the starting point for further joint action and will serve as a regional dialogue to frame a common understanding of how the circular economy can facilitate the transition to climate-compatible and inclusive development in the Global South. Innovative solutions will also be showcased to demonstrate existing opportunities across regions.
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Circular Economy Leadership Canada (CELC), One Planet Network, the Government of Finland and Government of Canada (Natural Resources Canada) are hosting the WCEF2021 Accelerator event on Making the Business Case for Advancing a Low-carbon, Circular Built Environment. It will focus on the business case for advancing circular innovation and strategies within the built environment and construction sector globally, building on a new report by WBCSD, the work by One Planet Network, and the CE Solutions Series Built Environment work stream.
Side events
On 14 September (EDT 06:00h – 08:00h, CEST 12:00h – 14:00h) UNEP and UNIDO are organising with the European Union (European Commission, Directorate General for the Environment) the first High-Level Meeting of GACERE, the Global Alliance on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency, as a side event of the WCEF. It will discuss the progress made since the launch of the Alliance in February 2021 and will also explore the nexus between circular economy and climate change, green recovery and biodiversity.
On 16 September (9am EDT & 1pm GMT), the Circular Economy Coalition for Latin America & the Caribbean are hosting the virtual event "Latin America and the Caribbean´s Vision for a Circular Economy 2030" to showcase the specificities of the transition towards circular Economy in LAC. It will exemplify its economic opportunities and potential for innovation as well as the leveraging power of collaboration in the region.