Governments, the European Commission and even the UN are saying that we have to make our economies more circular. For Europe this means business opportunities and increased competitiveness. But what does that mean for Greece? Can Greek citizens and companies make those opportunities happen? And how?
These are the questions that will be on the table and in the air at the “Virtuous Circle” event in Athens on 8th & 9th April. Around the table will be Greek ministers and experts, international financial organisations, the European Commission, and experts from cities, regions and companies around Europe.
- circular economy | industrial policy | innovation | business policy | single market | environmental policy | pollution control measures
- Monday 8 April 2019, 09:00 - Tuesday 9 April 2019, 14:30 (CEST)
- Athens, Greece
Practical information
Description
The Greek Government, in cooperation with the European Commission’s Environment Directorate-General, and the Economic and Social Committee of Greece (ESC), organizes the Circular Economy - Virtuous Circle Tour in Greece which is the 1st Greek Circular Economy Forum, to discuss:
- the EU Action Plan ("Closing the Loop") and examples of circular initatives from around Europe,
- the integration of the Circular Economy into the National Growth Strategy and its adoption as a public policy,
- the adoption of the National Circular Economy Strategy and the 2-year Operational Plan by the Governmental Economic Policy Council (KYSOIP), following a multidimensional public debate on the fields of science, production, labor and society,
- the approval and drafting of an Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the National Circular Economy Strategy, the submission of the National Circular Economy Strategy to the European Commission during the Council of Environment Ministers in 20 December 2018 and a related proposal by Commissioner Karmenu Vella.
Applying Circular Economy to Greece
Think you know what the circular economy is? Think again! There are many misconceptions about the circular economy…
- It’s just about waste;
- Recycling is the solution;
- It’s an environmental agenda and we have more urgent problems;
- It’s fine in Germany and Sweden, but Greece is different.
The reality is that circular approaches keep value in the economy, whether it is through remanufacturing and repair of products, by getting rid of single-use products, or by sharing and leasing products. When you say “value” you say business opportunities,… and you say jobs. And those jobs are mostly local, providing the many services involved in circular systems.
The “Virtuous Circle” event will look at the reality of putting in place circular systems in Greece:
- Who can provide the financial muscle to leverage investment in my region?
- What practical steps can regions and cities take to generate economic growth and jobs from circular approaches?
- Could my company go for remanufacturing?
- Could my community organise sharing and repairing?
- How can get the economic incentives right for good waste management?
- How can we make recycling profitable?
- How can we use biowaste to get energy and nutrients?
- What skills does an SME manager need and where can (s)he get help?
- How can we get more economic value and utility from resources in the local economy?
- Downloadελληνικά
Related events
- Brussels, Belgium
- Live streaming available
- Sitges, Spain
- External event