Countdown: Accelerating SDG Delivery

As we stand at the end of 2019 looking into 2020, we can reflect on a year of circularity. Of innovation, ideas, products, services, entrepreneurship and people which are all contributing to us working and living in a more circular world. We’ve got a long way to go, but things are gaining momentum.

With 10 years left to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we bring Circular Economy Club London (CEC LDN) to EY, one of the ‘Big Four’ in global financial services to discuss how we move from a linear to a circular economic model and the part the industry has to play.

Many believe that the risks of reliance on finite resources are being overlooked by the financial industry… “Only a handful in the finance sector have paid enough attention, because you just take access to resources for granted…The assumption is that there is always a price for everything and that in a global trade system you will get access somehow.” – Shiva Dustdar, Head of innovation, finance advisory division, at the European Investment Bank (EIB).

The Sustainable Development Goals

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.

Agenda

17:30 Registrations and drinks

18:00 Welcome from CEC LDN and EY

18:05 Contextualisation of principles of Circular Economy

18:10 “The Role of Business Models in a Circular Economy”

Professor Fiona Charnley Co-Director of the Exeter Centre for the Circular Economy, University of Exeter

18:25 “The move from a linear to a circular economic model”-

Harry Gaskell – Chief Innovation Officer EY

18:35 “CEC Reflections on 2019 and looking forward to 2020”

Dr David Greenfield CEC European External Affairs

18:45 Audience Q & A and discussion

19:15 Festive speed networking, food and drinks

20:30 Close

Circular Economy Club London

The Circular Economy Club (CEC) is the international network of over 4,500 circular economy professionals and organisations from over 140 countries. Non-for-profit, global and open to anyone to join the club for free.

Circular Economy Club London has over 1,100 people engaged in London and runs monthly events on a wide range of topics; which this year have included The New Plastics Economy, Fashion, The Future of Recycling Targets, Food Waste and Corporate Sustainability to name a few.

CEC Vision: We envision a new era where all cities worldwide function through a circular model, setting the end of an age of waste.

CEC Mission: We aim to bring the circular economy to cities worldwide by building strong local networks to design and implement circular local strategies, embed the circular economy in the education system and help circular solutions scale.

EY

At EY we have almost two decades experience in supporting private and public sector clients with their transition towards the circular economy. Our interdisciplinary teams provide knowledge and practical experience on circular economy strategy, finance, operations, tax, law and assurance across all markets. We have in-depth insights in circular economy practices such as waste management, sustainable product innovation, product stewardship, Extended Producer Responsibility, take-back schemes and product-service systems. EY LLP is a multinational professional services firm headquartered in London, England. EY provides assurance, tax, consulting and advisory services to clients and is one of the largest professional services firms in the world.

cover image derived from: https://sdgcities.guide/chapter-1-cities-and-a-territorial-approach-to-the-sdgs-22c2660644e3