On 13 November 2025, the City cinema in the Künstlerhaus again the Circular Movie Night of the Circular Economy Forum Austria - an evening that combined cinematic power, professional exchange and social responsibility.
Together with our partners UNIDO, Vienna Energy, the EU Environment Agency and the UN Global Compact Network Austria we welcomed more than 220 guests.
The evening began with a high-calibre panel of Panel Discussion (in English), moderated by Berthold Kren. Experts from international organisations, science and business discussed the topic:
Together, they shed light on key future issues relating to resources, deep sea mining and the role of the circular economy in global change.
The discussion centred around the question:
How do we „feed“ the transformation without breaking planetary boundaries?
UN perspective: precautionary principle & global responsibility
The UN is increasingly focussing on International co-operation, Innovation and the realisation of the Agenda 2030.
Central to this is the Precautionary principleProtective measures must also be taken when there are uncertainties - especially in deep-sea mining.
The role of NGOs
Organisations such as the EEB play a decisive role as Pulse generator, Control instances and voice of civil society.
They show ways in which Quality of life can be improved, without causing additional ecological damage - for example through Circular economy and Sustainable technologies.
Urgent fields of action
Particularly emphasised were:
Resource consumption continues to rise at an alarming rate - both in Austria and globally.
Resource constraints as an opportunity
Instead of inhibiting development, scarce resources can be Promoting innovation.
The prerequisites for this are:
The discussion made it clear that, above all for the energy and mobility transition New concepts are necessary. Materials must be consistently closed loops be managed.
Question of justice
Countries with high resource consumption in particular Greater responsibility - and must also contribute significantly to the solution.
How do we measure progress?
Progress can be measured using indicators such as CO₂ emissions and Raw material consumption be evaluated.
At the same time, it needs Uniform standards and binding regulations, to achieve real impact.
Future topic: Recycling of energy technologies
For PV modules and wind turbines Recycling capacities already today must be taken into account - even if the large quantities will not be produced for another 20 years.
The potential is already enormous and will continue to grow.
Long-term goal: a Material balance through intelligent recycling.
The discussion showed impressively that the transformation will only succeed if we Think more globally, act more locally and consistently focus on circular strategies.
This was followed by a screening of the documentary film „Deep Rising“, produced and narrated by Jason Momoa.
The film showed the fragile beauty of the deep sea - and the risks posed by planned deep-sea mining.
The central question:
Are we prepared to sacrifice one of the last unspoilt ecosystems for the global energy transition's hunger for raw materials - or are there better ways?
The film's answer is clear: The circular economy is a real alternative.
At the subsequent buffet in the foyer, guests, speakers and partner organisations came together to talk about impressions, solutions and visions.
The evening showed once again how valuable spaces are for interdisciplinary exchange are.
The Circular Movie Night 2025 made it clear:
The future does not lie in new extraction limits - but in cycles, cooperation and courageous political decisions.
This evening would not be possible without these partnerships.
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