Circular municipalities

The shift from a linear economy to a circular economy is currently positioned as a strong ally in reducing environmental impacts and external dependence on resources. The role of municipalities inmaking this paradigm shift a reality is key, on the one hand, because of their proximity to citizens, which is of great importance when it comes to raising awareness of the importance of the circular economy and applying sustainable habits and, on the other hand, due to the competences of local or supra-municipal authorities in areas such as waste, energy, mobility, urban planning, etc.

This forum will analyse European initiatives such as the CCRI - Circular Cities and Regions Initiative and the Circular City Centre - C3 and their applicability in our municipalities.

CSRD directive

The European Union is boosting corporate transparency with the implementation of the new Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which will be mandatory from 2025. This directive significantly broadens the scope of sustainability reporting obligations to a greater number of companies, including both large and medium-sized companies, and sets new standards for the disclosure of various environmental, social and governance (ESG) indicators.

In this session, and with the help of affected companies and experts in the field, we will analyse the challenges of this directive and the importance of working on corporate transparency as a factor to increase competitiveness and investor relations.

Side-event 2-1

Waste management

The EU generates more than 2.1 billion tonnes of waste per year. The data show that the amount of waste and how it is managed varies greatly between EU countries, but recycling has increased, while landfilling is decreasing.

To reduce waste and its impact on the environment, the EU has adopted ambitious targets on recycling and landfill and is working to improve different waste streams. The aim is to promote the shift towards a more sustainable model: the circular economy.

Furthermore, Europe is currently revising the Waste Framework Directive, which focuses particularly on food and textile waste. All of this will be analysed in this session.

SME sustainability assessment

The growing importance of sustainability in companies' corporate strategies reflects a profound evolution in the way in which organisations are addressing their responsibility in the face of global challenges. Sustainability assessment therefore does not only affect large companies, but more and more SMEs have to respond to the sustainability demands of investors, financial institutions, customers and supplier companies.

Adapting this information to the structure of a SME and developing accompanying programmes that favour not only compliance but also positive evolution in sustainability will be the focus of this session.

Side-event 2-2

Greenwashing

The increase in legal and regulatory controls on sustainability claims, as well as the existence of a consumer who is increasingly demanding truthful and verified information on the sustainability of the products he/she purchases, can now result in real damage to the reputation and finances of organisations that engage in "greenwashing" practices.

The question we will address in this session is how can companies communicate their sustainability initiatives without risking being accused of greenwashing, with the consequent economic and reputational damage?

European taxonomy

In the market for financial services and investment funds, investors and financiers are increasingly looking for investments and financing of companies and projects that can be classified as sustainable.

European taxonomy is a key part of the European Commission's regulatory development that aims to link the financial sector to the fulfilment of the decarbonisation and circular economy objectives of the European economy. This system is intended to redirect capital flows towards sustainable investments. To do so, a system of classification of economic activities is created for the purpose of determining the degree of environmental sustainability of these activities.

Side-event 2-3

Climate & circularity calculator

To work on environmental improvement, the first step is to measure. Environmental assessment with an organisational approach provides an overall diagnosis, identifies possible improvements and follows up towards environmental objectives. By applying the assessment to a product or service approach, it is possible to make design decisions aimed at reducing the environmental impact of the product or service from its conception: in other words, eco-design.

To facilitate this environmental assessment and address both motivating factors, Ihobe provides companies with a free computer tool that simplifies the process of assessing the environmental performance of organisations, products and services with a life cycle approach.

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS

Sustainable servitisation, represented by the transition from the traditional business model based on the manufacture and sale of the product to one based on pay for access to use, pay for access to outcome and retention of product value, implies a greater durability of the products but first of all requires the transformation of the existing business model.

This trend, which is not without its financial, operational, technological and commercial difficulties is now an opportunity more than ever thanks to advances in digitalisation, among others. This session will explore this strategy in depth, with the help of companies in our environment that are already applying this new business model.

Side-event 3-1

Artificial intelligence (AI) and circularity

Artificial intelligence (AI) is at the heart of the technologies that have led to the so-called "fourth industrial revolution". AI can complement people's skills and expand their capabilities. Combining AI with the other necessary major revolution, the circular economy, can accelerate the necessary change.

Improving knowledge on how to use AI to stimulate a circular economy will be essential to identify applications in areas such as circular design, operation of circular business models and optimisation of circular infrastructure. Ultimately, AI can be used in the complex task of redesigning entire networks and systems, such as new supply chains or optimising the global reverse logistics infrastructure.

Eco-innovation in materials efficiency

Metals, minerals, polymers and wood are among the most consumed materials in the Basque Country.

By analysing material flows and their degree of circularity, opportunities and possible risks can be detected. The former contrasts with the business and technology sector, showing potential synergies and opportunities in value chains aimed at increasing material productivity, taking into account the measures adopted by the European Union in the circular economy.

This session will analyse the different business opportunities detected by people with expert knowledge in the field.

Side-event 3-2