On 2 June 2021 at 7:00 CEST, the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) is hosting a webinar on "Circular Economy in Emerging Markets: Unlocking the Potential for Green Recovery in Developing Asia".
The current take-make-waste extractive industrial model has had far-reaching negative implications for global climate, scarce natural resources, and biodiversity. Revised economic models could help transform consumption and make it more sustainable. In a circular economy, production and consumption encompass sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling materials and products as long as possible, extending product life cycles and keeping materials within the economy wherever possible.
COVID-19 recovery efforts in developing economies in Asia could follow a traditional growth strategy that relies on carbon- and resource-intensive production. By contrast, the pursuit of a green recovery could deliver growth built on resource efficiency and business innovation that promotes transition to a circular economy. This will require innovative policy making, prompting government officials to consider new examples and ideas.
This regional side event of the World Circular Economy Forum will feature policy papers that examine case studies of the successful implementation of circular economy principles and related recommendations, focusing on a green recovery and economic growth in the post-COVID-19 era. Specific topics of discussion will include regulatory and legal frameworks, regional and country policies, opportunities for the private sector, and innovation in cities that could help unlock the potential of a circular economy approach.
Objectives:
- Explore the potential for a circular economy to support COVID-19 recovery
- Discuss barriers to integrating the circular economy concept into sustainable development frameworks
- Build government official knowledge and capacity to formulate policies toward a circular economy for sustainable development
- Examine country case studies, highlighting best practices for transitioning to a circular economy
Output:
- Enhanced understanding of the circular economy and ways to advance business ecosystems, productivity, and innovation that address the social and environmental aspects of growth and technology transfer, including job creation and resilience
- Knowledge sharing and enhanced dialogue among government agencies, international organizations, and academic institutions for promoting circular economy approaches to revitalizing growth in the post- COVID-19 era and beyond
- Selected policy papers will be considered for publication as ADBI policy briefs and possible inclusion in a special journal issue or book