“To create a circular economy there needs to be a rethinking of the whole system and a transition of business models,” said Karin Huber-Heim, Board member of the Global Compact Network Austria, at the well-attended Ciné-ONU Vienna screening of “Closing the Loop” on 17 September 2018 at Topkino.
The documentary features some of the best practices of the circular economy around the world to reduce waste and re-use resources which in turn supports Sustainable Development Goal 12 on responsible production and consumption. After the film, Huber-Heim, Lisa de Pasqualin, responsible for communications & sustainability at Saint-Gobain Rigips Austria, Matthias Neitsch, Managing Director of RepaNet, and Stephan Sicars, Director of the Department of Environment at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) joined a vibrant discussion, moderated by UNIS Vienna Director Martin Nesirky.
Sicars explained that “we have to grow globally because we need to lift more people out of poverty. The trick is to think about how we get more consumption without using more resources”. The panellists agreed that circular economies go hand in hand with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contribute to many of the 17 goals to end poverty, reduce inequalities and fight climate change.
