11 July 2018
International sustainability expert, Dr Leyla Acaroglu, will join circular economy experts from across the globe, along with Scottish business leaders and innovators, at one of the world’s most prestigious sustainable business events taking place later this year in Glasgow.
Circular Economy Hotspot Scotland is backed by the Scottish Government and the European Regional Development Fund. The event is taking place from 30 October to 1 November. Registration is now open.
Dr Leyla Acaroglu, sustainability ‘provocateur’ and United Nations Champion of the Earth 2016, will be joined at the event by Gary Gillespie, the Scottish Government’s Chief Economic Advisor and Dr Katherine Trebeck,Research Director of the Wellbeing Economy Alliance, with more speakers to be announced in the coming weeks.
Internationally recognised leader in disruptive design, Dr Acaroglu, will explore key aspects of design and a circular economy. Her 2013 mainstage TED Talk is one of the most watched TED talks on sustainability and she promises to share ideas of how to create a more sustainable and regenerative world.
Dr Acaroglu said:
“For the last decade, I have focused my career on figuring out how to use design as a catalyst for positive social and environmental change — it’s been a constantly-evolving journey, involving many knowledge quests and fascinating experiments into how to make change in the world. Changing our approach to design is key to making the transition towards a circular economy.
“I am delighted to be taking to the stage at the Circular Economy Hotspot Scotland in Glasgow to share my three-stage disruptive design method to an audience of international business delegates and circular economy practitioners. It’s a fantastic opportunity to highlight the sustainable opportunities that disruptive design and creative intelligence can present. I am excited at the prospect as Scotland is well-known for its pioneering approach to developing a circular economy, so it will be great to see what’s happening there during the event.”
Circular Economy Hotspot Scotland’s unmissable programme will include visits to pioneering Scottish businesses and discussions led by some of the foremost names in circular economy policy and innovation. There will also be unique networking opportunities for delegates, with potential to foster new connections between local businesses as well as international connections within the circular economy landscape.
Iain Gulland, Chief Executive, Zero Waste Scotland, said:
“I’m delighted that Dr Acaroglu, a world-leading sustainability strategist, will join us in Glasgow to share her key insights with delegates attending the Circular Economy Hotspot Scotland. The event will offer delegates an unrivalled opportunity to share experiences with world-leading experts across a variety of sectors.
“All sectors and regions can benefit from becoming ‘circular’; it’s the key to keeping businesses sustainable. There’s already great things happening across Scotland. For example, Circular Glasgow is working to connect companies across the city of Glasgow, helping businesses open up new revenue streams and increase their competitive advantage. In Tayside there’s a circular movement happening in food and drink, manufacturing and oil and gas decommissioning; Edinburgh has a circular focus on events and facilities management; while in the North-east of Scotland there are opportunities in the bioeconomy and construction. There’s also significant work being done across Scotland in the food and drink, manufacturing, and construction industries.
“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Circular Glasgow and numerous key stakeholders across Scotland as part of this three-day global event. Delegates will see how a variety of industries and regions have adopted circular practices and how innovative collaborations were born. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of Scotland’s first Circular Economy Hotspot.”
Alison McRae, Senior Director of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, added:
“We at Glasgow Chamber of Commerce are incredibly proud to be working with our partners in the city in developing a circular economy legacy through Circular Glasgow – and helping local businesses grow sustainably at the same time.
“This innovative three day event will open up conversations on some of the greatest challenges facing our cities, and we look forward to joining others in inspiring bold thinking on ways to build a more sustainable economy for all.”
Scotland’s circular economy achievements to date include flourishing collaboration between business and academia through the Scottish Institute for Remanufacture; three large-scale re-use hubs transforming economies of scale in re-use and repair; and widespread support for Scottish businesses to develop circular economy models and services, including through the £18million Circular Economy Investment Fund,supported by the European Regional Development Fund.
Scotland was named one of the world’s top circular economy nations last year, receiving a global award at the Circulars Awards, during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, for its work to make things last.
Across Europe, shifting towards a more circular economy could generate £1.4trillion of annual benefits by 2030.
To register go to www.circulareconomyhotspot.scot
Join the discussion on Twitter at #CEHotspotScot