Helsinki at the forefront of circular economy paves the way as the World Circular Economy Forum returns home

The circular economy has great potential in various construction phases. The Helsinki Circular Economy Cluster Program ran a reuse pilot at Katajanokka Pier. This involved the transfer of serviceable furniture and materials from the demolition site for reuse elsewhere before demolition work began.

The World Circular Economy Forum WCEF2023 will take place from May 30 to June 2, 2023 in Helsinki, Finland. The forum brings together the world’s leading players in the circular economy to present and seek corporate and government solutions. It is well known why the transition to a circular economy is imperative, but the world needs examples. The World Circular Economy Forum will focus on how to make the transition happen.

The World Circular Economy Forum seeks to accelerate a future that empowers nature’s well-being. The focus of this year’s event is therefore the question of which circular economy solutions are best suited to prevent the loss of biodiversity. In a circular economy, materials and the value they contain are reused over and over again. The forum will also showcase change drivers from around the world, build collaboration and leverage the circular economy community to accelerate the change needed in the years to come.

The World Circular Economy Forum brings together companies, financiers and especially young people to explore the potential and bottlenecks of new circular economy solutions. The circular economy is now a global concern, but different types of solutions are needed in different parts of the world. However, the principle is the same: getting more out of what is already there, with less waste and less impact on nature.

“It is wonderful and important to bring together the world’s leading players in the circular economy in Helsinki. Circular economy solutions can increase the resilience of societies to crises and lay the foundations for future prosperity. We must also act, because the climate crisis and the loss of biodiversity will not wait. There are already many circular economy solutions, but by working together we can accelerate their adoption around the world,” he says Kari Herlevi, Director of Sitra’s global collaboration for sustainability solutions.

In particular, Helsinki promotes circular economy innovations in construction

The City of Helsinki sees the circular economy as an important part of solving sustainability challenges and as a key actor the city can also help to promote it. Helsinki wants to be a platform for new innovations and business in the circular economy. The City of Helsinki Roadmap for the Circular and Sharing Economy 2020 focuses on construction, procurement, green waste and the sharing economy and new business opportunities in the circular economy. Each focus area has its own goals.

The circular economy in construction is promoted in the Helsinki Cluster Program for Circular Economy, which aims to support innovations and companies in the circular economy as well as climate goals. More than 100 players in the construction industry are already involved in the circular economy cluster program, from consultants to material manufacturers to large construction companies. One of the most important ways to promote and scale up the circular economy is to try out new circular economy solutions in a real-world setting.

“Circular economy business models can be used to develop sustainable economies and support the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.” Sustainable economies are based on the circular economy. By working together, companies can develop circular economy solutions for all stages of the value chain. All players in the industry will benefit from this,” he says Mira JarkkoProject manager for the circular economy cluster program.

Finland was the first country in the world to create a circular economy roadmap back in 2016. Due to the large forestry, it is an exceptional place to innovate with new materials. Examples of pioneering companies offering circular solutions from the Helsinki region are successful companies such as Infinited Fiber, Spinnova, Sulapac, ZenRobotics, Paptic and Metsä Spring. Taking into account the supporting legislation, innovative local companies and the city’s ambitious climate goals, it creates a great business opportunity platform also for international players who share the drive to solve global problems.

The forum program can be followed live and free of charge online

The main venue of the World Circular Economy Forum will be the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre. The main event on May 30th and 31st will gather more than 2,000 participants. In addition, almost 40 partner events on various aspects of the circular economy will be organized on June 1st and 2nd, both locally in Helsinki and around the world.

The World Circular Economy Forum program can be followed from anywhere as it is broadcast live online, accessible to all and free of charge. You can register to follow the broadcasts via this link: (https://www.lyyti.fi/reg/World_Circular_Economy_Forum_2023_Online_Event_5407) Participation on site is only possible for invited guests.

Pre-event briefing for media on May 23rd

Would you like to learn more about the circular economy and the WCEF? Representatives from the WCEF co-hosts will offer their thoughts and answer questions in an online press conference on May 23 at 15:00 (EST; UTC+3) / 12:00 (UTC). The briefing is limited to media representatives and will take place on Microsoft Teams.

Media must register for the briefing by May 22 at 4:00 p.m. (EST; UTC+3) / 1:00 p.m. (UTC) at https://www.lyyti.fi/reg/WCEF2023__Online_press_briefing_0547. Registered journalists will receive the link to join the Microsoft Teams meeting.

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