Forum – Basque Circular Summit
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Rooms and Contents

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  • 9am - 10am

    Packaging (PS1-1)

    PS1-1

    2nd April 2025

    9am – 10am

    Room 0D

    (300 pax)

    Packaging

    Each EU resident generated 189 kg of packaging waste in 2021. In ten years, the amount has increased by more than 20%. In order to reverse this situation, the legal framework on packaging is constantly evolving. Following the approval of the Royal Decree on Packaging and Packaging Waste in 2023, the new European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation is expected to be brought in at the end of 2024. Its main objective is to reduce packaging waste, encourage reuse and refill, and ensure that all packaging is recyclable by 2030.

    This session will analyse the new legal requirements and showcase success stories of leading companies that have improved their packaging.

    Textile (PS1-2)

    PS1-2

    2nd April 2025

    9am - 10am

    Room 0A

    (150 pax)

    Textile

    Europeans consume an average of almost 26 kg of textiles each year and discard around 11 kg. Used clothes can be exported outside the EU, but the majority (87%) are incinerated or landfilled.

    The rise of fast-fashion has been key in the increase in consumption. To reverse this situation, in March 2022, the European Commission presented a new strategy to make textiles more durable, repairable, reusable and recyclable, to address fast fashion and to stimulate innovation in the sector.

    The new strategy includes new green design requirements, clearer consumer information and calls on companies to take responsibility and act to minimise their impact.

    Side-event 1-1

    Side-event 1-1

  • 10:30am - 11:30am

    Opening: from the european green deal to the new clean industrial deal (PL1-1)

    PL1-1

    2nd April 2025

    10:30am – 11:30am

    Room 0B

    (600 pax)

    Opening: from the european green deal to the new clean industrial deal

    In 2020, the European Commission launched the "European Green Deal", under which more than 130 new legal texts have been developed, which aim to make Europe a more circular continent.

    With the new European Parliament that emerged from the last elections, a period is opening that will be marked by the full implementation of the measures in these legal texts, as well as the development of a new "Clean Industrial Deal" and the future "European Circular Economy Act". This session will analyse this global framework and the role that companies and institutions must play to bring together competitiveness and circularity.

  • 11:30am - 12pm

    Coffee break

  • 12:15pm - 1:15pm

    Critical raw materials (PS1-3)

    PS1-3

    2nd April 2025

    12:15pm – 13:15pm

    Room 0D

    (300 pax)

    Critical raw materials

    Economic relevance and supply risk drive the definition of the European list of 34 critical raw materials referred to in Regulation 2024/1252 establishing a framework to ensure a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials, officially published in April 2024.

    Of these, half are strategic (including aluminium and copper), as they are key for the energy and digital transition. The new European regulation aims to reduce dependence on these metals and minerals and, in turn minimise the environmental footprint through ecodesign, R&D&I and recycling, a challenge that advanced companies are already addressing.

    Construction materials (PS1-4)

    PS1-4

    2nd April 2025

    12:15am – 13:15am

    Room 0A

    (150 pax)

    Construction materials

    The European construction sector plays a key role in the economy. It is made up of 3.4 million companies, which generate around 9% of the EU's gross domestic product and provide 18 million direct jobs. At the same time, the industry also produces construction and demolition waste (CDW), which accounts for 25-30% of all waste generated in the EU, making it one of the most significant waste streams.

    To improve the sustainability of buildings and construction materials, new tools such as the Construction Products Regulation (CPR), or the Levels System are emerging. This session will analyse the current situation and new trends in the sector.

    Side-event 1-2

    Side-event 1-2

  • 1:45pm - 3pm

    Lunch

  • 3:30pm - 4:30pm

    Ecodesign regulation (PL1-2)

    PL1-2

    2nd April 2025

    15:30pm – 16:30pm

    Room 0B

    (600 pax)

    Ecodesign regulation

    In June 2024, Regulation 2024/1781 establishing a framework for setting Ecodesign requirements for sustainable products was finally published, establishing a framework to establish ecodesign requirements for specific product groups in order to improve their circularity, energy performance and other aspects of environmental sustainability.

    It targets all categories of physical goods placed on the EU market, except food, feed and medicines. The European Commission has until 19th April 2025 to establish a roadmap including deadlines for establishing eco-design requirements for those products on the priority group list.

  • 5pm - 6pm

    Digital product passport (PS1-5)

    PS1-5

    2nd April 2025

    17:00pm – 18:00pm

    Room 0D

    (300 pax)

    Digital product passport

    A digital product passport is an information system that serves to electronically record, process and share information related to the sustainability of products among companies in the supply chain, authorities and consumers. It is one of the measures foreseen in different legal texts and will have a mandatory impact on a large number of products, including components and intermediate products.

    In this session, we will analyse the state of implementation of the digital product passport in different sectors, its obligations and limitations, as well as success stories related to implementation and reporting in different value chains.

    Right to repair (PS1-6)

    PS1-6

    2nd April 2025

    5pm – 6pm

    Room 0A

    (150 pax)

    Right to repair

    Right to repair is a policy that obliges manufacturers to provide citizens and repair companies with all the tools, parts and manuals necessary to repair a product. Its implementation takes place in the framework of the new Directive 2024/1799 of 13th June 2024, establishing common rules to foster the repair of goods.

    This new directive, along with new product labelling schemes, will make it easier for consumers to choose to repair a product rather than replace it, increase the accessibility, transparency and attractiveness of repair services and develop new business activities in relation to repairs.

    Side-event 1-2

    Side-event 1-3

  • 6pm

    End of sessions

  • 6pm - 7pm

    Networking

  • 9am - 10am

    Circular municipalities (PS2-1)

    PS2-1

    3rd April 2025

    9am - 10am

    Room 0D

    (300 pax)

    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 (PS2-2)

    PS2-2

    3rd April 2025

    9am - 10am

    Room 0A

    (150 pax)

    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

    Side-event 2-1

  • 10:30am - 11:30am

    Sustainable finance (PL2-1)

    PL2-1

    3rd April 2025

    10:30am – 11:30am

    Room 0B

    (600 pax)

    Sustainable finance

    The move towards a circular society and economy is not alien to the world of finance. Sustainable finance means that environmental, social and governance factors are taken into account in the investment decision-making process. All these criteria are known as ESG criteria.

    Sustainable finance enables the design of different financial products that promote sustainable development and seeks to balance profitability and sustainability. In this session we will analyse the role of financial institutions as drivers of a more circular economy in Europe.

  • 11:30am - 12pm

    Coffee break

  • 12:15pm - 1:15pm

    Waste management (PS2-3)

    PS2-3

    3rd April 2025

    12:15pm – 13:15pm

    Room 0D

    (300 pax)

    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 (PS2-4)

    PS2-4

    3rd April 2025

    12:15pm – 13:15pm

    Room 0A

    (150 pax)

    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

    Side-event 2-2

  • 1:45pm - 3:00pm

    Lunch

  • 3:30pm - 4:30pm

    The role of the consumer in the circular economy (PL2-2)

    PL2-2

    3rd April 2025

    3:30pm – 4:30pm

    Room 0B

    (600 pax)

    The role of the consumer in the circular economy

    Consumers have a great deal of power when it comes to driving more sustainable consumption patterns. Only with better informed, better protected and better equipped consumers will we be able to experience a real ecological transition.

    For this reason, new instruments have been put in place, such as Directive 2024/825 of 28th February 2024 on consumer empowerment, which will be reinforced by the future directive on green claims. This session will look at how to strengthen the role of consumers in order to bring about a change in consumption patterns.

  • 5pm-6pm

    Greenwashing (PS2-5)

    PS2-5

    3rd April 2025

    5pm - 6pm

    Room 0D

    (300 pax)

    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 (PS2-6)

    PS2-6

    3rd April 2025

    5pm - 6pm

    Room 0A

    (150 pax)

    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

    Side-event 2-3

  • 6pm

    End of sessions

  • 6pm - 7pm

    Networking

  • 9am - 10am

    Climate & circularity calculator (PS3-1)

    PS3-1

    4th April 2025

    9am - 10am

    Room 0D

    (300 pax)

    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 (PS3-2)

    PS3-2

    4th April 2025

    9am - 10am

    Room 0A

    (150 pax)

    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

    Side-event 3-1

  • 10:30am - 11:30am

    Boosting clean technologies (PL3-1)

    PL3-1

    4th April 2025

    10:30am – 11:30am

    Sala 0B

    (600 pax)

    BOOSTING CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES

    Technology is essential in order to accelerate the circular and climate transition in industry. Prioritising technologies that contribute to material efficiency, beyond the Best Available Techniques already defined by the European Union, is the first step towards their inclusion in the Clean Technology List, a tax instrument promoted by Ihobe, EVE and SPRI that offers a tax deduction of 30% of the investment cost of the equipment on the Corporate Tax quota.

    The Basque List of Clean Technologies is aimed at both the business world and companies subject to corporate tax payable in the Basque Country. Their knowledge and application can bring about significant competitive and environmental advantages.

  • 11:30am -12pm

    Coffee break

  • 12:15pm -1:15pm

    Artificial intelligence (AI) and circularity (PS3-3)

    PS3-3

    4th April 2025

    12:15pm – 13:15pm

    Room 0D

    (300 pax)

    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 (PS3-4)

    PS3-4

    4th April 2025

    12:15pm – 1:15pm

    Room 0A

    (150 pax)

    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

    Side-event 3-2

  • 1:15pm

    End of sessions

  • 1:15pm - 2:15pm

    Networking

Register

Registration is open until capacity is full. Hurry up and reserve your place.

Final list of Side Events

In the official programme of the congress section of BCS2025, the Basque Circular FORUM, a total of 8 sessions have been reserved for the development of side events or events running parallel to the official programme.

The entities that form part of the Basque Circular VILLAGE will have the possibility of organising one of these parallel events, through the application form, indicating the objective of the session, potential participants and target audience.

Once the requests have been evaluated, Ihobe will notify the parallel sessions that have finally been approved and they will be integrated and published in the official congress programme in due course.

The development of side events is restricted to entities present in the Basque Circular VILLAGE.