On November 16, more than 1000 top-decision-makers will come together in the Historische Stadthalle Wuppertal – one of them is Nanette Braun, Head of Communications Campaigns at the United Nations. According to her: “Circular economy is crucial for the survival of humanity”.
A lot has happened on the journey from a linear to a circular economy, making it a good point in time to come together to gain an overview of where things stand. The Circular Valley Forum on November 16 in Germany offers the ideal opportunity: not only will more than 1,000 representatives from politics, business, science, and civil society meet, but also because the day’s program will span the entire material cycle and value chain.
The panels will begin with the prerequisite for all further topics and steps: Energy. Following the exchange on energy, the discussion will move on to the level of individual companies and their cooperations. Second topic will be discussed based on two main topics: bioplastics and sustainable construction. The thematic circle will end with two round table discussions in which participants discuss different forms of incentives. At the end of the day, the Forum offers further inspiration for all: at DemoDay the international startups supported by Circular Valley this fall and winter will pitch their ideas.
The Forum’s program has already attracted many confirmations of participation. North-Rhine Westphalian Minister President Hendrik Wüst and his Flemish colleague Jan Jambon have confirmed their visit, also former foreign minister of Germany, Sigmar Gabriel. From the corporate boards and science institutions there will be Rolf Buch (Vonovia), Christian Kullmann (Evonik), Henrik Ahlers (Ernst & Young Germany), Marc Ehrhardt (BASF USA), Prof Dr. Manfred Fischedick (Wuppertal Institute), Dr. Sarah-Louise Halcour (Entrepreneur and German boxing champion), Prof. Dr. Walter Leitner (Max Planck Institute), Dr. Frank Meyer (Henkel), Prof. Dr. Lambert T. Koch (German University Association) und Patrick Wendeler (BP Europe), among others.
A very special guest of the Circular Valley Forum in the Historische Stadthalle Wuppertal will be Nanette Braun. She is Head of Communications Campaigns at the United Nations and has great expectations for her time in Germany: “I look forward to commitment and thought leadership from industry leaders who are driving the change toward a circular economy. The knowledge exchange happening at gatherings like the Circular Valley Forum provides important insights and stimulus, also for the wider industry community, and supports informed decisions in transitioning away from a linear business model,” she says.
Mrs. Braun leaves no doubt that the transformation of economy is as important as urgent: “The world is facing an existential triple planetary crisis: climate change, environmental pollution and biodiversity loss. The transition from a linear to a circular economy is central to addressing these interconnected crises. To give just one stark example, humanity’s current demand for ecological resources by far exceeds what Earth can regenerate. It would need 1.7 Earths to satisfy today’s demand but we only have this one planet. We must steer away from what is clearly an unsustainable model and move toward less destructive resource extraction, but also toward lowering emissions and cutting down on waste and pollution. It is important to understand that circularity isn’t just a fad – it is critical for humanity to survive.”
In her discussions at the Circular Valley Forum Nanette Braun will explain what from her point of view should be the next steps: “It is essential to bring existing momentum to scale. Circularity must be understood not as a menu of incremental choices but as a systemic approach, and as the only viable option. To help make this happen, progress needs to be credibly and consistently assessed. There have been many positive developments but at the same time we have seen a proliferation of attempts at greenwashing. Tools like the standards for net-zero emissions developed under the leadership of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres are important to realistically assess whether we are on the right track. Another important factor is for consumers to push for action, quite simply by making purchasing decisions. We have seen much heightened awareness, in particular among young people, as to the choices they make, whether it is transport or the products they opt to spend their money on. This is encouraging and should further incentivize the transition from a linear to a circular economy.”
