We need to use fewer resources and ‘close the loop’ so that ‘thinking circular’ influences all our decision making on this finite and increasingly resource-challenged planet. This session explores three key areas where thinking circular can have significant impact:

Think water: water is not an infinite resource (World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Risk Report 2020) and water crises are among the top global risks. Think materials: reduce materials and focus on low carbon materials - engineering and construction are some of the worlds’ largest consumers of raw materials. Think waste: this should be considered as part of the material economy. Are the new buildings and infrastructure designed for reuse actually reused? Finally, do we have the skills and knowledge needed and sufficient understanding about partnership working to deliver a circular economy?

The session explored the following issues.

Chair: Professor David Greenfield, Managing Director, Soenecs and  RAEng Visiting Professor of Circular Economy, University of Brighton (confirmed)

Panel:

• Closing the Loop - Kate Young, Senior Public Affairs Officer, Aldersgate Group

•  Why we must decarbonise materials  - Dr Cyrille Dunant, Senior Research Associate in Material Efficiency in Construction, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge and member, the Use Less Group

•  Droughts and floods, why a circular approach is critical - Siraj Tahir, Senior Engineer, Circular Water Economy Lead, Arup

•  Why waste is part of the material economy - Judith Sykes, Director, Expedition Engineering

Kate Young, Siraj Tahir, Judith Sykes, Dr Cyrille Dunant & Professor David Greenfield