Accelerating the Transition to a Circular Economy in Cities and Regions

• Circular economy in Tallinn
Introducing best practices from Estonian deposit packaging system (Eesti Pandipakend) and Ülemiste City standards in sustainable development of an innovation-driven smart city solution with green and healthy urban spaces (the Ülemiste City Test City Project).

• European Green Capital Tallinn paths
Introducing city's biodiverse green corridor - the Pollinator Highway "Putukaväil" and environmental-friendly initiatives of community gardens, sustainable community and makerspace at Kopli 93.

Both tours start and end at Nordic Hotel Forum.

Stand-up reception by invitation. Dress code: dark suit.
Venue: Tallinn Town Hall
Tallinna raekoda, 10146 Tallinn
raekoda.tallinn.ee

Venue: Nordic Hotel Forum Conference Centre
Viru väljak 3, 10111 Tallinn
nordichotels.eu

Translation into English, Estonian and Slovak languages will be available for Sessions I and II. Headsets are distributed in the conference centre reception.

• Mr Joosep Vimm, Deputy Mayor, City of Tallinn
• Mrs Aziza Akhmouch, Head of the Cities, Urban Policies and Sustainable Development Division, Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities (CFE), OECD
• Mr Markku Markkula, President of the Helsinki-Uusimaa Region, Vice-President of CoR

Awarded European Green capital 2023, the city of Tallinn aims to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. The city conceives the circular economy as a means to contribute to environmental goals while creating opportunities for jobs and stimulating innovation through a systemic approach. This session will mark the launch of the OECD report on The Circular Economy in Tallinn, Estonia which provides an analysis of the state of play, urban challenges, and policy recommendations for the effective implementation of circular policies across levels of government.

Moderated by Mr Kalle Killar, Business Director, Strategic Management Office, City of Tallinn

• • • Spotlight on key findings from the OECD report "The Circular Economy in Tallinn, Estonia" by Dr Oriana Romano, Head of Unit, Water Governance and Circular Economy, Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities (CFE), OECD
    • Reflections by Mr Meelis Münt, Secretary General, Ministry of the Environment of the Republic of Estonia
    • Reflections by Mrs Madle Lippus, Deputy Mayor, City of Tallinn
    • Reflections by Mr Anthony Naralingom, Head of Unit, Economic Transition and Entrepreneurship Awareness, Brussels Agency for Business Support hub.brussels, Belgium
    • Reflections by Mr Jevgeni Ossinovski, Chairman of the Tallinn City Council, Member of CoR ENVE and ECON

The Circular Economy in Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) of the European Commission assists stakeholders across Europe’s cities and regions, including regional and local authorities, industry representatives, research and technology organizations and civil society. It provides comprehensive support over the whole life cycle of local and regional circular economy initiatives. Cities and regions will receive tailored support from circular economy experts for the implementation of their circular systemic solutions. The session will launch the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) and help foster cities and regions peer-learning by showcasing innovative experiences towards a circular economy.

Moderated by Dr Oriana Romano, Head of Unit, Water Governance and Circular Economy, Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities (CFE), OECD

• • • Presentation by Mrs Annika Eskusson, Policy Officer, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission
    • Roundtable of cities and regions

Tallinn has progressed to an advanced stage in becoming a green city and has defined targets for the future but is still in the initial stages of the transition to the circular economy. Nevertheless, developing a circular strategy requires measuring the advancement of circular initiatives and their impact on the long term. Building a monitoring framework for the circular economy should allow the identification of the “what”, the “how” and the “whom” of the circular economy implementation in the city.

Moderated by Mrs Lucie Blondel, Policy Officer, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission

• • • Speakers:
      • Mr Ander Eizaguirre, Policy Analyst, Water Governance and Circular Economy, Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities (CFE), OECD
      • Sarah O'Carroll, Cities Lead, Ellen MacArthur Foundation
    • Roundtable of cities and regions
    • Working groups and reporting back

Refreshments and networking