2018 China-Europe Industry Symposium on Circular Economy

2018-12-07 | Beijing

2018 China-Europe Industry Symposium on Circular Economy

With the support from the Delegation of the European Union to China (EU Delegation), the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the China Association of Circular Economy, the European Chamber organised the 2018 China-Europe Industry Symposium on Circular Economy: Leading Consumption Upgrade with Innovative Circular Model to discuss a wide spectrum of topics, including the extended producer responsibility (EPR) mechanism, the green supply chain, green products, standards and labelling, and best practice on circular model of brands and platforms in consumer goods sector.  

This event was moderated by Chamber National Chair of Environment Working Group, Mr Huang Xiaojun. As he stated, it is of great importance to involve the industries while implementing the Memorandum of Understanding on Circular Economy Cooperation signed at the EU-China Summit of 2018. 

Chamber Vice President Charlotte Roule commenced her welcome remarks with brief introduction on the Chamber and main advocacy publications in 2018. She further presented the key recommendations on the development of circular economy from the European Chamber 2018/2019 Position Paper. The Chamber is more than pleased to work with relevant stakeholders to encourage high-level government agencies to promote a circular economy, in order to address problems with the treatment of both industrial and municipal waste.   

Deputy Director General Jiang Guanxiong from the Centre for International Economic &Technological Cooperation (CIETC) of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) delivered his opening speech with the emphasis on the recent policies and projects in relation to green supply chain management as well as the development path of green manufacturing system in China.

Ms Vicky Pollard, First Counsellor of Environment and Climate Change of the EU Delegation, shared the EU experience in promoting circular economy, particularly the history, scope and action plans of EPR mechanism in European countries, providing a good reference for China.

Director Lin Ling from the Branch of Resource and Environment, China National Institute of Standardization under the State Administration of Market Regulation, addressed the Chinese system of green products from five perspectives: reform of standardization system; current standard system, the development of green products; implementation status of key standards and recent updates on China’s enterprise standards.

Mr Lukasz Holec, China Programme Lead of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, shared the concept on restorative and regenerative product design along with successful case studies and tools from European countries.

The second half of this symposium began with the thematic dialogue on innovative circular practice and challenges for brand owners and platforms in consumer goods sector, moderated by Mr Zhao Kai, Vice President and Secretary General of China Association for Circular Economy. Ms Jessica Wang, Corporate Communications Director of Unilever North Asia, made the presentation on sustainable packaging and waste management for household fast moving consumer goods. Mr Alexander Andersson shared his perspective on leading the change towards a sustainable fashion industry with the focus on closing the loop. Mr Brian Liu, Country Sustainability Manager of IKEA China mentioned three focused areas in IKEA sustainability as well as practical demonstration cases in the sector of household appliance and furniture. Considering the rapid development of e-commerce in China, the Chamber also invited Ms Niu Haiyan, Director of Paipai Circular Team of Jingdong Group, to see the role and actions taken by the online consumption platform. A panel discussion and a Q&A session were followed at the end of this symposium.