SACC Sustainability Committee – Circular Economy Forum in Canberra 18 June

Australia has committed to progressing towards a circular economy, with a target to achieve an 80 per cent resource recovery from all waste streams by 2030. This target will only be achieved through meaningful collaborations between businesses across multiple sectors and policy makers. 

On June 18 the Swedish Australian Chamber of Commerce Sustainability Committee organised a Circular Economy Forum in Canberra hosted by the Embassy of Sweden in Canberra. Member companies shared their circular initiatives, industry solutions and challenges followed by a discussion on potential ways to accelerate to a low-carbon circular economy and net-zero society.

HE Pontus Melander Ambassador of Sweden to Australia welcomed and opened the forum. Jo Clay MLA, ACT Greens spokesperson for Circular Economy, highlighted the ACT Government’s progressive measures that support circular economy thinking and the ACT Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan in her keynote address.

SACC Vice President Teresia Fors, welcomed all on behalf of the SACC and SACC Sustainability Committee Chair Flavia Vaz outlined the committee’s vision and purpose to take a leadership role and be part of the conversation to advance Australia’s sustainability actions. The SACC Sustainability Committee was initiated two years ago in 2022 and the inaugural meeting was held at the Embassy of Sweden in Canberra. Since then, the Committee has gathered members of the Chamber with focus on sustainability, to share insights, knowhow as well as to jointly promote sustainability as a business model in the Australian industry.

Paul Klymenko, member of the Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Group presented key findings of the CEMAG recommendations and work to provide expert advice to the Australian Government outlining strategic interventions to drive circular economy transformation forward. Linda Nordin, SACC Sustainability Committee member and Circular Economy Expert presented examples of key initiatives that Swedish companies are taking towards a circular economy. Linda highlighted the achievements and progress of member companies actively implementing circular practices in the business model. She also presented key concepts including circular thinking already in the design process of new products and services. Ms Nordin emphasized that the business strategy and vision need to include circularity to reflect core aspects of the business and that it is important to monetise long-term gains as financial benefits in a cross-functional context.

The afternoon concluded with a panel discussing industry solutions, challenges and opportunities to forward a circular economy and a net zero society. The panel was moderated by Nicole T Garofano, Head of Circular Economy Development at Planet Ark. On the panel we had Lauren Pulitano, Volvo Group Australia, Penny George, AstraZeneca, Boris Munster, Tetra Pak Oceania, Paul Klymenko, CEMAG and Linda Nordin, SMEC.

The panel discussion highlighted the role of technology and policy support in the implementation of circularity in every business and that it is very much a question of behavioural change. Lauren Pulitano, Volvo Group Australia, said “When people are thinking about circularity and see a problem, they also find a solution.”
It was stressed how important it is to already in the design phase of products and services, to take into account the circular aspects and work with your suppliers from the start. Boris Munster, Tetra Pak, exemplified how circular economy design is considered throughout the entire value chain at Tetra Pak. Penny George, Astra Zeneca, also drew attention to global considerations for multinationals and how this puts another layer, if not several, onto the planning and design process of circular implementation.
The question was asked about benchmarking and metrics when looking at progress in your circularity work, and Dr Nicole Garofano recommended everyone to seek out the ACE Hub, which is an educational portal provided by Planet Ark offering great resources. https://planetark.org/programs/australian-circular-economy-hub

The overall event offered engaging discussions on actions to accelerate to a circular economy and net-zero society through applied experiences, learnings from Europe and key principles that need to be embedded in organisations. Here is a summary of some of the key messages:

“Circular Economy must be embedded within a company’s vision.”

“For a circular economy to work, we need to make the unfamiliar, familiar.”

“It is important to get the culture and mindset right across every section of the business.”

“Can we grow while using less materials?”

“Circular Economy is about design and circularity aspects must be addressed in the design process of products and services.”

“Collaboration is needed from the beginning of the design process and circularity must be driven throughout the value chain.”

“When circular principles are integrated with the business operations and value chain, we can create complementary benefits for de-carbonisation, efficiencies, and preservation of resources.”

Presentations:

Flavia Vaz: SACC Sustainability Committee – Presentation of the committee and examples of circular economy initiatives.

Paul Klymenko: Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Group

Linda Nordin: Key initiatives that Swedish companies are taking towards a circular economy.

 

The Swedish Australian Chamber of Commerce’s Sustainability Committee was set up in 2022 to bring together Swedish companies committed to the Sustainable Development Agenda through actions and contributions.

The SACC would like to thank all involved with a special thank you to the Embassy of Sweden for hosting the forum and the Sustainability Committee for brilliant content and organisation!