Advancing finance policy to close the circularity gap
This workshop brings together finance, policy and business professionals to contribute to a UNEP Finance Initiative policy brief on actions to break the barriers to financing the circular economy transition worldwide.
Unlocking finance is key to support the development, implementation and monitoring of circular policies, as well as to support businesses in transitioning to more circular practices and activities. However, current financing for circularity is insufficient.
Introducing the current state of circular financing for policies and businesses, this workshop invites participants to exchange views on challenges and successes. The workshop will:
Identify the main barriers to finance circularity.
Reflect on who can tackle the barriers identified and how they can practically enhance collaboration.
Share lessons learned from countries that are currently developing or implementing circular policies.
Target audience (max. 50 participants*): policymakers (national/local governments and international organisations) active in the fields of finance and the circular economy, finance professionals with experience in the link between finance and the environment and social agenda, and business professionals active in the circular economy
*Please note that workshops are not livestreamed, and they are only available for those in-person participants who have registered to take part in them.
Programme
Welcome
Matthew Fraser
Director
Circle Economy
Matthew has worked in the circular economy field for over 10 years, advising businesses, cities and national governments. He believes strongly that material management is the crucial topic of our time and works to bring indicators and insights to help decision makers steer toward a circular economy.
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Keynote
Vivianne Heijnen
Minister for the Environment
Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Netherlands
Vivianne Heijnen was appointed minister for the environment in January 2022. In 2018 she became a member of the Maastricht municipal executive with responsibility for the economy, housing, regional policy and social innovation. Between 2009 and 2018 she was head of the Maastricht University Campus in Brussels. When asked about what motivates her as a minister, her response is as follows: “I want the Netherlands to be a country that is liveable and accessible for everyone and where we reuse more. I’m committed to reducing travel time in a sustainable way, with a particular focus on border regions, cities and our neighbouring countries.” Heijnen was born on 8 October 1982 in Spaubeek.
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Setting the scene from different angles
Andrea Liverani
Lead Specialist
The World Bank
Andrea works for the environment, natural resources and blue economy global practice of the World Bank’s Europe and Central Asia region. He is also the lead author of the bank's report “Squaring the Circle: Policies from Europe’s Circular Economy Transition”. Andrea has over 20 years’ development experience in research and policy assignments as well as financial and advisory support to governments, with a focus on sustainability and climate. Before joining the World Bank, he worked for the OECD, and previously held positions in government, academia and private consulting. Andrea holds a PhD and an MSc from the London School of Economics.
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Anna Douglas
Senior Sustainability Advisor
SEB
Anna Douglas is a professional with extensive experience in sustainable business; climate and environment; human rights; diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); energy; and the circular economy. Currently, she focuses on advising the bank and clients on sustainability, especially in the circular economy, climate and energy transition. Previously, Anna worked in zero-emissions transport, smart industry innovation for a Swedish region, sustainability in the steel industry, renewable energy development, and climate change consulting to the Scottish Government. Anna is passionate about how the circular economy can help us improve equity, justice, low carbon emissions and resource efficiency; as well as how finance can play a role in systems change towards a circular regenerative economy.
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Elisa Tonda
Chief, Resources and Markets Branch
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Elisa Tonda works for the industry and economy division of UNEP. She has more than 20 years’ experience in the field of environmental management, business sustainability, resource efficiency, sustainable consumption and production, the circular economy and sustainable development. She began her career in the private sector as an environmental expert and then held several positions in UN organisations.
