Global Symposium on Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy – Test

Session brief:   The global demand for sustainable packaging solutions is at an all-time high as industries face increasing pressure to reduce their environmental impact. The growing environmental concerns around plastic waste, resource depletion, and unsustainable production practices have underscored the urgent need for a transition towards more sustainable packaging solutions. 

This session will delve into the transformative potential of alternate and sustainable packaging solutions. Anchored by insights from science-based studies and data-driven approaches, the discussion will highlight the outcomes of the RECEIC working group on sustainable packaging and key findings from the accompanying knowledge paper. 

Panelists will throw insights on cutting-edge innovations, address critical challenges, and propose essential policy interventions necessary to accelerate the transition towards eco-friendly packaging practices. The session will also mark the announcement of pilot projects, showcasing actionable steps towards scalable, sustainable solutions. 

Moderator: Mr. Sundeep Singh, Managing Director, Accenture Strategy and Consulting

Session brief: Recycling systems are the cornerstone of resource efficiency, serving as critical enablers for a circular economy. This session will examine the transformative role of the recycling industry in creating closed-loop value chains, reducing material dependency, and mitigating environmental degradation.

The discussion will focus on the integration of advanced technologies such as AI, IoT-enabled waste tracking, and material recovery innovations that are redefining recycling efficiency. It will also highlight the importance of skilled labor, policy frameworks, and collaborative models across the value chain in scaling recycling initiatives.

Panelists will present actionable insights into overcoming systemic barriers, addressing issues such as contamination, end-market development, and infrastructure gaps. The session aims to underscore how strategic investment in recycling technologies and processes can significantly accelerate the transition to a sustainable and regenerative economy.

Session brief: The chemical industry’s reliance on fossil fuels presents significant environmental and economic challenges, calling for a transformative shift toward sustainable value chains. This session will delve into the urgent need for material transition in the chemical sector, emphasizing the potential for sustainable alternatives and circularity to drive long-term decarbonization.

We will explore key opportunities for transforming chemical production processes, including the integration of sustainable materials, advanced technologies, and circular business models. Discussions will also highlight the barriers to achieving material transition, such as economic feasibility, market readiness, and the need for a supportive policy framework. Experts will propose targeted policy recommendations to accelerate this transition and stimulate industry-wide collaboration.

The session will showcase pilot projects that demonstrate practical examples of material transition in action, providing a roadmap for scalable implementation. By aligning these efforts with global net zero and decarbonization goals, the session will underscore how a shift to sustainable chemical value chains is crucial for both environmental and economic sustainability.

This session will offer a comprehensive understanding of the steps needed to unlock the full potential of the chemical industry in achieving a net zero future while fostering innovation and sustainability in materials and processes.

Session brief: As the world transitions towards more sustainable production practices, biomanufacturing has emerged as a critical sector poised to lead the way. This session will explore the key themes of BioE3 Policy, which is focused on fostering high-performance biomanufacturing across several transformative areas. 

This session will explore how biomanufacturing and bio foundry technologies are central to driving India’s bioeconomy and fostering green growth. Key themes include the development of biobased chemicals and enzymes, functional foods, climate-resilient agriculture, and precision biotherapeutics. We will also highlight the role of carbon capture and utilization in reducing emissions and promoting sustainability.

The session will discuss how Bio foundries can accelerate innovation, scale up bioprocesses, and enable commercialization of bio-based products. Additionally, we will focus on policy frameworks, like BioE3, that support these technologies and India’s transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy.

Session brief: The transition to a circular economy requires substantial investment to scale innovations, optimize resource use, and create regenerative value chains. Despite the growing recognition of its importance, accessing finance for circular projects remains a challenge. This session will examine how the financing landscape can be leveraged to accelerate the shift towards circular value chains. 

This session will explore how financing can drive the shift towards circular value chains, focusing on mobilizing both financiers and businesses to support the transition. Key discussions will center on identifying innovative financial models, the role of private and public investments, and strategic partnerships that enable the scaling of circular economy solutions.

We will highlight how businesses can tap into funding mechanisms, how investors can align portfolios with sustainable practices, and how a robust policy framework can foster investments in circular business models. The session aims to provide actionable insights on creating a financial ecosystem that accelerates the adoption of resource-efficient and circular practices across industries.

Session Brief:  The circularity of used oil is a vital yet often overlooked aspect of the shift toward a sustainable, resource-efficient economy. This session will delve into the challenges and opportunities within the used oil sector, emphasizing role of circular economy through recycling, re-refining, and reuse practices. Panellists will deliberate on value chain challenges viz.  collection, contamination, infrastructure gaps, and regulatory barriers and will discuss solutions to improve recovery rates, technological innovations, and collaborative actions to optimize the value chain. By showcasing industry innovations and case studies, we will outline a roadmap to scale circularity in the sector, reduce waste, conserve resources, and contribute to a net-zero, sustainable economy. This collaborative dialogue will foster actionable solutions, strengthening the role of used oil in the circular economy.

Session Brief: The textile industry is one of global importance, providing economic growth (profits), high levels of employment, foreign exchange revenue and products essential to human welfare. However, addressing the circularity and sustainability of the sector is crucial: the world is producing and consuming more textiles than ever before, and the current very low reuse and recycling rates mean that more textiles are also being thrown away than ever before. A shift to circular models is critical in delivering sustainability for the industry and this can only be achieved through the mobilization of actors across regions and at all levels of the textile value chain.

The session will explore the various facets of building a sustainable textile value chain, from raw material sourcing to end-of-life management, with a focus on circularity, resource efficiency, and eco-innovation. Panelists will address the challenges that industry faces, including reducing water consumption, energy usage, and chemical waste, while emphasizing opportunities for green technologies and circular business models.

Furthermore, the session will delve into policy frameworks, regulatory standards, and market incentives that can drive industry-wide adoption of sustainable practices. Through discussions on the role of supply chain collaboration, the integration of digital technologies, and scalable business models, the session aims to identify actionable steps for fostering a more sustainable, circular textile value chain.

Session Brief: As the world moves toward a sustainable, circular economy, the role of critical minerals has become increasingly pivotal, particularly for the transition to renewable energy, electric vehicles, and green technologies. However, the extraction and processing of these minerals come with significant environmental and economic challenges, making it essential to explore circular economy models that minimize waste, reduce dependency on primary resources, and promote recycling and reuse.

This session will explore how renewable resources can foster circular innovations in the management and utilization of critical minerals. Panelists will share insights into innovative approaches and technologies that can support the efficient recovery and recycling of critical minerals, from rare earth elements used in electronics to lithium and cobalt in batteries. Discussions will center around how circular economy principles—such as material recovery, product lifecycle management, and sustainable resource extraction—can be applied to critical minerals to ensure long-term sustainability and reduce environmental impact.

The session will highlight collaborative opportunities between industries, governments, and research organizations to accelerate the transition to a circular economy in critical mineral resource management, supporting the global shift toward green technologies and renewable energy systems.

Session Brief: The construction and demolition (C&D) sector plays a pivotal role in the global waste landscape, but it also holds significant potential for driving the transition to a circular economy. This session will broaden the discussion by including the role of related industries, such as steel and construction materials, in creating sustainable value chains. With high recycling rates in the C&D sector already demonstrating the potential for circularity, the session will focus on how these practices can be scaled and integrated with other industrial sectors.

The session will explore innovative waste reduction and recycling strategies, emphasizing the recovery of materials such as steel, concrete, and wood. The discussion will also highlight the importance of designing for disassembly and reusability in construction, along with the role of advanced technologies in optimizing material recovery.

With special emphasis on highlighting the success stories from the C&D sector, showcasing high recycling rates and the tangible benefits of circular practices, including reduced environmental impacts, cost savings, and enhanced resource efficiency. Furthermore, the session will discuss the synergies between construction, demolition, and related industries such as steel, manufacturing, and material supply, and how collaboration across sectors can drive comprehensive, sustainable solutions.

Session Brief: Plastic pollution is a global crisis impacting ecosystems, economies, and human health. Recognizing its urgency, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) initiated discussions to develop a legally binding global treaty to combat plastic pollution. The treaty aims to establish legally binding measures to address plastic pollution across its lifecycle—spanning production, consumption, and disposal. 

The global plastic treaty discussions, initiated by the UNEA in 2022, are progressing through a series of intergovernmental negotiations. As of now, the treaty is in its draft stage, with countries working to finalize the text. 

This session will focus on the role of the private sector in shaping and implementing the treaty. This session will also explore how Indian and international businesses can adapt to and benefit from treaty objectives, focusing on practical approaches, partnerships, and innovations that align with global sustainability goals while ensuring economic viability and competitiveness. It aims to provide actionable insights into leveraging innovations and aligning business strategies with the treaty’s objectives.

Session Brief: This session will showcase inspiring stories of innovation and impact from the winners of the Awards. Award-winning organizations and innovators will present their case studies, highlighting pioneering projects, scalable solutions, and transformative business models that exemplify circular economy principles.