Circular economy & the sustainable management of minerals and metal resources

2019 Green Growth and Sustainable Development Forum“Greening heavy and extractive industries: innovation and fiscal implications”

Side event: Circular Economy & the Sustainable Management of Minerals and Metal Resources

27 November 2019, 13:10 — 14:10, OECD HQ, Paris, France

Analysis from the International Resource Panel and the OECD shows that, unless fundamental changes in the use of natural resources and global materials shifts, use will more than double by 2060. Governments and the private sector will need to act collaboratively to adopt more sustainable consumption and production patterns to contribute to shared opportunities and support the transition towards inclusive green economies.

This UNEP and OECD side event will discuss: how the circular economy can contributes to promoting sustainable consumption and production; the barriers that currently hinder the widespread adoption of circular business models; the role of the private sector in addressing the adverse impacts of extractive sector on local communities through responsible business conduct; and explore how UNEP's approach and experience in circular economy can promote innovative methods for the sustainable management of metal and mineral resources.

Objectives of the session

• Provide an understanding of the circular economy concept, its scope and how it contributes to promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns;

• Understand the potential benefits of circular business models: they can i) address natural resource constraints to growth, ii) reduce and manage waste, iii) provide shared opportunities and benefits to transform to more inclusive green economies and iv) improve environment and health.

• Discuss the implications that circular economy will have for enterprises from the heavy and extractive sectors

• Explore how the UNEP approach to and experience in circular economy can promote innovative approaches for the sustainable management of metal and mineral resources.

For further event information and the concept note: click here.

Agenda of the session

Welcome by moderator & setting the scene (10 min): Shardul Agrawala, Head of Environment and Economy Integration Division, Environment Directorate, OECD

Why take action (10 min): Janez Potočnik, Co-chair, International Resource Panel

Pathways for a transition to circular economy (10 min): Ligia Noronha, Director, Economy Division, UNEP

How does it apply to the extractive industry and the role of the private sector (10 min): Benjamin Katz, Policy Analyst, Centre for Responsible Business Conduct, Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs, OECD

Discussions and Q&A (20 min)

For more information and to register

claire.thiebault@un.org

oecd.org/greengrowth/ggsd2019