Conference: How Research is Contributing to the Circular Transition
The Québec Circular Economy Research Network (RRECQ) will host its very first seminar entitled Contribution de la recherche à la transition vers l’économie circulaire at the 89th Congrès de l’Acfas.
There is increasing global consensus about circular economy constituting a production and consumption system that, at least in theory, can merge economic, environmental and social imperatives and make a tremendous contribution to meeting global GHG reduction targets, as well as a number of UN Sustainable Development Goals. Even with the support of key international bodies, including UNEP, the OECD, the Global Environment Facility, the World Resources Institute and the International Labour Organization, the economic model has yet to be deployed on a large scale.
The overuse of resources entails environmental and social impacts. While the relevance of a transition to a circular economy was never in doubt, there are a range of barriers to its implementation. To remove them in a coherent manner, a systemic approach is required.
In terms of research, new collaborative approaches, technologies and public policies must be developed. In terms of training, new curricula are needed.
Program
The two days will feature talks to present current research projects and roundtable discussions on research needs and the lessons learned from some of the initiatives to implement circular economy in Québec. There will also be several discussions on the conceptual frameworks to deploy the circular economy, territorial metabolism and the consumer’s role in source reduction.
