Parallel break-out session: Towards a non-toxic circular economy

Three parallel breakout sessions will provide the opportunity to explore in greater depth three broad topics that are critical to the EU’s future: climate, biodiversity and a non-toxic circular economy. They will follow a similar structure with speakers from different sectors addressing the following points:

• What is the nature and scale of the challenge?
• What actions are being taken?
• What still needs to be done, by when and by whom?

The breakout sessions will be designed to allow plenty of opportunity for interactive participatory discussions. Each breakout session is expected to result in a set of recommendations or ideas for further actions which will be reported back to the plenary.

The proliferation of hazardous substances over the past decades, combined with more traditional forms of pollution, has outstripped regulatory efforts to limit the harm to human health and the environment. The circular economy concept has the potential to reduce this impact, but will it? This session will look at what is needed in the coming legislative cycle to move the EU away from dependency on toxic production and consumption patterns.

Moderator:

• Tatiana Santos, Senior Policy Officer for Chemicals & Nanotechnology, European Environmental Bureau

 Rapporteur:

• Michael Warhurst, Executive Director, CHEM Trust

Speakers:

• Jane Muncke, Managing Director and Chief Scientific Officer, Food Packaging Forum
• Ward Mosmuller, Director EU Affairs, DSM
• Urban Boije, Policy Officer of the Unit Chemicals, DG Environment, European Commission
• Brenda Koekkoek , Programme Officer, Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management, UN Environment