Transform Together at the World Circular Economy Forum

Last week Transform Together partners attended the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) in Helsinki, Finland.
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The World Circular Economy Forum is the global initiative of Finland and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra. The WCEF brings together more than 2,000 business leaders, policymakers and experts to present the world’s best circular economy solutions. 

Sue Riddlestone, Florence Best and Johanna Tilkanen from Bioregional at WCEF 2019.

​This year’s Forum focused on the next era of circular economy and how to scale up the transition by spreading new technologies and making regulatory changes – a prime setting to start discussions about Transform Together’s vision for 2030.

Dutch Minister Stientje van Veldhoven shares how the circular economy is becoming a reality in the Netherlands, with a rallying call to other governments: “Use your purchasing power!”

During the events and networking, we established contact with new interested governments; Chile, Singapore and South Africa. We also strengthened our relationship with the Canadian and British governments who have previously shown interested in joining the partnership.

​Our partners Closing the Loop, the Finnish government and Dutch government spoke at several sessions to share their inspiring circular economy solutions. In addition, Bioregional hosted a ‘campfire discussion’ to explore ideas to create a circular IT sector. This session was attended by Antonia Gawel, Head of the Circular Economy Initiative at the World Economic Forum, Paul Ekins from London School of Economics and co-chair of the UN’s Global Environmental Outlook report, in addition to other academics and investors. 

“If we are to be successful with Circular Economy it needs to be realistic & pragmatic, inclusive, easy and effective” 
​Joost de Kluijver of award-winning circular mobile phone business Closing the Loop 

There was a strong presence of Transform Together partners attending with Sue Riddlestone, Johanna Tilkanen and Florence Best from Bioregional; Annika Overodder from TCO Development; Joost de Kluijver from Closing the Loop; Jean-Pierre Schweitzer from the European Environment Bureau; Jachym Judl, Taina Nikula and Annika Lindblom from the Finnish government; alongside Dutch environment Minister Stientje van Veldhoven. 

Transform Together's ‘campfire discussion’ on scaleable, replicable solutions for a circular IT sector with Antonia Gawel, Sue Riddlestone, Paul Ekins, and Johanna Tilkanen.

​Following the energy and enthusiasm of the two-day conference, we will continue strengthen our government contacts and work with existing - and new - partners to bring us closer to our 2030 vision.