Circular economy and digitalisation - a departure into the future of Europe

KICK-OFF OF THE COOPERATION BETWEEN CIRCULAR ECONOMY FORUM AUSTRIA AND AUSTRIAN TRADE ASSOCIATION!

On 19 June, the first joint event of the Circular Economy Forum Austria and the Austrian Trade Association (ÖGV) took place at Palais Eschenbach in Vienna. Under the motto "Circular Economy and Digitalisation - Setting out for the Future of Europe", representatives from politics, business and science came together to discuss the opportunities and challenges of a sustainable circular economy.

ÖGV Vice President Reinhard Backhausen and Circular Economy Forum Executive Karin Huber-Heim gave a brief overview of the current situation of the circular economy and the associated digitalisation in Austria and worldwide. Karl Kienzl from the Ministry of the Environment (BMK) emphasised the importance of the circular economy for climate and environmental protection from a regulatory perspective. Othmar KarasFirst Vice-President of the European Parliament, discussed Europe's pioneering role in the circular economy and the connection with digitalisation in his analytical keynote speech and outlined the European legislator's plans in this regard.

A diverse group of experts joined Karin Huber-Heim on the podium for a discussion: Gregor GlatzHead of SIEMENS Lower Austria, Stefan TollingerManaging Director of BRANTNER ÖSTERREICH, Wolfgang Wimmer from the Vienna University of Technology / ECO-DESIGN, Margit MischkulnigHead of Department III/I 6 Space Affairs at the BMK, and Sonja ZakHead of Textile Sourcing and Cooperations at LENZING-AG. They contributed their perspectives from the fields of science, politics and business.

In the concluding keynote speech, he emphasised Michael Braungartfounder of EPEA (Environmental Protection Encouragement Agency / "cradle to cradle"), explained the importance of the circular economy and emphasised the need for a "rethink" to ensure a successful transformation. He also emphasised the important role of artificial intelligence in the implementation of the circular economy.

The event made it clear that the circular economy can only work in combination with intelligent digitalisation. Europe should expand its pioneering role in the development and implementation of circular economy concepts. In doing so, it is important to focus on sustainability, resilience and competitiveness while changing society through information and awareness-raising. The transition to a circular economy challenges all parts of society and requires joint efforts from politics, business and society. Many have already recognised that waste is the resource of tomorrow. The decoupling of resource consumption and economic success is the necessary goal.

The event served to promote dialogue and networking between the various players in the circular economy. The discussions and presentations showed that the circular economy is a central topic for a sustainable future for Europe and that digitalisation plays a key role in this. It is to be hoped that the impetus from the event will lead to concrete measures and initiatives to advance the circular economy and further strengthen cooperation.