Circular economy act and the new European challenges to combine sustainability, competitiveness and resource efficiency

The Draghi report on the future of competitiveness and the Letta report on the internal market have outlined new challenges for Europe, recognizing the strategic role of the circular economy in the path towards energy transition and decarbonization. Moreover, improving circularity means improving one's competitiveness, efficiency in resource management, and strategic autonomy with respect to their procurement. To pursue these objectives, the European Commission is working on the "Circular Economy Act". The legislative proposal, starting from the problem of scarce resource availability and acknowledging the global level at which companies now compete, will have to provide the necessary tools to fully develop, thanks to integration in the single market, the potential of European industry in the circular economy sectors. Through an open discussion among all actors in the supply chain (institutions and industry), the conference aims to reflect on possible enabling factors for this transition.

Session Chair

Alberto Ferro, Executive Board Utilitalia

Program

Introduction and coordination by the Session Chair
Alberto Ferro, Executive Board Utilitalia

Enhancing the contribution of recycling to energy efficiency and decarbonization
Mario Iorizzo, Head of Circular Economy Division, Department of Sustainability, Circularity and Adaptation to Climate Change of Production and Territorial Systems, ENEA 
Luca Mariotto, Director of the Environment Sector Utilitalia

European session
Stefano Soro, Head of Unit Net Zero Industries, Sustainable and Circular Products, DG GROW, European Commission
Ioannis Bakas, Circular Economy Monitoring Expert, Sustainability Department, European Environment Agency
Federico Foschini, President Municipal Waste Europe
Claudia Mensi, President FEAD
Jori Ringmann General Director, Confederation of Industrial Paper Industry (CEPI)

National session
Laura D'Aprile, Head of Department for Sustainable Development Ministry of Environment and Energy Security
Vinicio Mosè, Vigilante CEO GSE (TBC)
Carlo De Iulis, CEO Cartesar Spa
Elena Maggioni, a2a Ambiente
Roberto Conte, CEO IBLU

Conclusions
Lorenzo Perra, Vice President Utilitalia