Biographies of the Speakers Click to view
Time of event
14:00–17:00 Tokyo time
Summary
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.
Organized by ADBI, the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, and Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment, Viet Nam, this regional side event of the World Circular Economy Forum featured 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 included 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
Participants
- Policy makers from Asian Development Bank member economies
- Experts from think tanks, universities, and international organizations
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
Partners
- The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra
- Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment, Viet Nam
Conference Presentations
|
Paper 1: Regulatory and Legal Frameworks for Plastics: Extended Producer Responsibility |
|
|
Paper 2: Business, Enterprise, and Investment Cases in Circular Economy Financing CE: Investment Cases from Turkey |
|
|
Paper 3: Regional/Country Policies and Roadmaps for Circular Economy Toward Regional Circular Economy Policy for ASEAN and East Asia |
|
|
Paper 4: Innovation in Circular Economy for Cities Unlocking Opportunities for the Circular Economy - The Case of Waste to Energy (WtE) in Bangladesh |
