Nordic solutions at the World Circular Economy Forum 2017

31.05.17 | News
Modebutik på Island
Photographer
Yadid Levy / Norden.org
The Nordic countries are taking a lead on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, for example by pushing for the transition from a linear economy to a circular one. At the World Circular Economy Forum in Helsinki on June 5–7, the Nordic Council of Ministers will host a high-level session focusing on circular planning in the Region and beyond.

The Nordic Council of Ministers is the biggest partner and co-funder of WCEF 2017, which will be held under the auspices of the Finnish Innovation Fund (Sitra) at Finlandia House in Helsinki. The forum will bring together more than 1,500 experts, decision-makers and influential figures to discuss the best circular solutions. 

“The Nordic countries have demonstrated their willingness to play a leadership role in the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The transition from a linear to a circular economy is an important part of this work, and Nordic co-operation is forging ahead on multiple fronts,” says Dagfinn Høybråten, the Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

The Council of Ministers’ high-level session “Circular Blueprints Gameshow: Driving the Economic Transition in the Nordics & Beyond” will analyse the dynamic between national governments and the other stakeholders who need to be involved in the transition to a circular economy.

We need political change so that more companies promote circular principles.

“We need political change so that more companies promote circular principles. What is sustainable is good for the bottom line and for the planet,” says Per Bolund, the Swedish Minister for Financial Markets and Consumer Affairs, who is taking part in the session.

Elin Larsson, the Sustainability Director for Filippa K is representing the textile industry, at the debate. The Nordic countries already work together on more sustainable design, consumption and production of textiles. Also taking part are Jocelyn Blériot, director of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Mariel Vilella, acting director of Zero Waste Europe and Kimmo Tiilikainen, the Finnish Minister for Housing, Energy and the Environment.

The session will be streamed live on the Facebook channel Sustainable Development the Nordic Way on Monday 5 June at 13:15 CET. See the programme for the high-level session here.