Empowering Youth-led Solutions for Circular Economy Innovation
Background
It is expected that India’s annual material consumption would nearly double by 2030 to 14.2 billion tonnes owing to rapid population growth, urbanisation, economic mobility, and the resulting growth in per-capita resource consumption1. Given India’s aspiration to become a global manufacturing hub, we are likely to witness higher levels of consumption of raw materials than what is required to meet India’s domestic needs. Therefore, The Government of India has been actively formulating policies and promoting projects to drive the country towards a circular economy. To expedite the transition of the country from a linear to a circular economy, [1] committees have been formed— to be led by the concerned line ministries and comprising officials from Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and NITI Aayog, domain experts, academics, and industry representatives. This year, India’s G20 Presidency in 2023 will promote discussions in the Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group to develop outcomes that integrate the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) principles aimed at encouraging resource efficiency and circular economy (hereafter called RE and CE) to move towards sustainable production and consumption systems[2].
Youth can play a catalytic role in developing innovation and initiatives for uptake and mainstreaming of the circular economy. In this context, EU’s Resource Efficiency Initiative (EU-REI-II) with Indian Youth Climate Network (IYCN) in undertaking an Agents of Change initiative to sensitise and disseminate knowledge on the circular economy to the youth in the country with an aim to empower them to take action by identifying key areas of engagement
EU’s Resource Efficiency Initiative India (EU-REI) (2017-2023) aims to work together with India on the implementation of the United Nations global Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) agenda by way of adapting international standards and best practices in business on resource efficiency and fostering the efficient and sustainable use of natural resources. It is implemented by an international consortium led by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and adelphi.
About this Event
The WCEF studio at Development Alternatives, Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi, will provide an opportunity for stakeholders (especially youth) to share experiences, challenges, and opportunities in driving the Circular Economy agenda at local and national level. It will highlight the importance of youth-led solutions and the role of industry in supporting the transition to a circular economy. The studio event will conclude with a pledge to support the Youth Circular Economy Movement by Indian Youth Climate Network (IYCN) and EU-Resource Efficiency Initiative (EU-REI).
The key objectives of this studio are:
- To raise awareness among young leaders about the importance of the circular economy in creating a sustainable future.
- To provide a platform for young leaders and innovators to discuss and exchange ideas on how to advance the circular economy at local, national and international levels.
- To foster collaboration and partnerships among youth working towards a circular economy in India.
Date: 30th May 2023 (Tuesday) | 14:00 to 18:00 (IST)
The WCEF studio at Development Alternatives, Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi, will provide an opportunity for stakeholders (especially youth) to share experiences, challenges, and opportunities in driving the Circular Economy agenda at local and national level. It will highlight the importance of youth-led solutions and the role of industry in supporting the transition to a circular economy. The studio event will conclude with a pledge to support the Youth Circular Economy Movement by Indian Youth Climate Network (IYCN) and EU-Resource Efficiency Initiative (EU-REI).
Tentative Agenda
| Time | Topic | Speakers/Organisation* |
|---|---|---|
| 14:00 pm – 14:20 pm | Registration & Tea | N/A |
| 14:20 pm -14:30 pm | • Welcome & Opening Remarks • About the sustainable WCEF Studio event Introduction about the Youth Movement• Importance on youth-led solutions on circular economy • Impact of youth collaboration between IYCN, EU-REI & Y20 |
Ms. Mehar Kaur, Jr. Advisor, EU- REI & Mr. Ashish Pahwa, President, Indian Youth Climate Network |
| 14:30 pm -14:40 pm | Role of EU-REI in supporting the Youth Circular Economy movement | Dr Reva Prakash, Deputy Team Leader, EU-REI |
| 14:40 pm -14:55 pm | Partnership between India & European Union on Resource Efficiency & Circular Economy | Dr. Michael Bucki, Head of Section, EU Delegation to India |
| 14:55 pm -15:05 pm | Youth and Circular Economy in Netherlands • Ongoing Initiatives • Potential for Indian Youth and Netherlands Youth to Partner and Exchange |
Ms. Paulina Chromik, Second Secretary, Embassy of Netherlands* |
| 15:05 pm -15:15 pm | Capacity Building of Youth • Traction of youth sustainability education • Role of academia in Youth Circular Economy Movement – Necessary upskilling & sensitisation |
Prof. Ashish Aggarwal Chairperson- PGPSM IIM Lucknow |
| 15:15 pm -15:45 pm | Youth innovator driving Circular Economy Challenges • Opportunities in the landscape • Innovation and start-up • Challenges & Solutions |
Ms. Aarushi Mittal, Founder, Parali by Aarushi* Mr. Shubham Prakash, Program Manager, Conserve India* Mr. Abhishek Kushwaha, Co- Founder, Ecochirp Foundation Ms. Sonal Shukla, Co-founder at Econscious |
15:45 pm – 16:00 pm: Tea Break
| 16:00 pm – 17:15 pm | WCEF Session: Unlocking Finance for a Circular and Regenerative Economy The session will explore the role of road maps for the financial sector as a mechanism to tackle challenges and drive coherent action towards de-risking investment in circular initiatives globally |
|
| 17:15 pm – 17:45 pm | Panel Discussion on Circular Economy approaches for Industry, Businesses and Consumers • Circular Economy Agenda for Industries • Opportunities for scaling • Implementation challenges • Gaps & Skill needs for a Circular Transition |
IYCN |
| 17:45 pm – 18:00 pm | Launch of the Youth Circular Economy Forum & Pledge | EU-REI & IYCN |
Closure and Call to Action: IYCN &High Tea
Brochure: Click here to Downlaod
[1] Karthik, P. (2020). As India rebuilds its economy, it is time to make it circular and sustainable. Observer Research Foundation. https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/india-rebuilds-economy-time-make-circular-sustainable/
[2] G20 India (2023) ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE SUSTAINABILITY WORKING GROUP, Issue Noted