This is a free to attend event from CEC 3 Counties and the University of Northampton. Join us during COP26 and share solutions and experiences of how circular economy solutions and practice can help reduce carbon and help fight climate change. We will be focusing on the experience and expertise of businesses, the education sector, local authorities, charities and consumers in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire.

Come along to find out how you can get involved in our region!

Programme:

10.00am Introduction and Welcome - Gilli Hobbs, CEC 3 Counties

10.05am Combating Climate Change with Circular Economy Solutions - Margaret Bates, Executive Director, OPRL and Visiting Professor, University of Northampton

10.30am Circular Economy Roundtable – Panel Discussion Compered by Gilli Hobbs, this is an opportunity to ask questions to the panel and discuss circular economy solutions at national and international level.

• Margaret Bates, Executive Director, OPRL and Visiting Professor, University of Northampton
• Fiona Charnley, Co-Director, CE-Hub, the UK’s national interdisciplinary circular economy research centre
• David Greenfield, Managing Director, SOENECS and Vice President, Circular Economy Institute

11.15am Break, exhibition and networking

11.30am Circular Economy Showcase

• A More Sustainable and Circular Food System - Robin Burgess, West Northants Sustainable Food Place

• Designing for the Circular Economy - Philip Mossop, Chief Operating Officer, Pentatonic

• Circular Thinking for the Health Sector - Clare Topping, Energy and Sustainability Manager, Northampton General Hospital

12.15pm Circular Economy Design Challenge Showcase - Students entering the CEC 3 Counties Design Challenge showcase their entries

Closing Presentation - John Sinclair, Dean of FAST – Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology, University of Northampton

1.00pm Close and networking

Circular Economy Design Challenge

As part of the event, we are also asking students from across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire to submit ideas for a Circular Economy Design Challenge. This has 4 themes

• Future Fashion - helping reduce waste and the negative impact of 'fast fashion'
• Changing Hearts and Minds - creating an innovative marketing and advertising campaign to promote circularity to businesses and consumers
• Zero Waste - coming up with ideas for reducing waste or finding alternative uses for waste that cannot be avoided
• Circularity on the Go - how to be more 'circular' when timescales and logistics are challenging, such as providing hospitality at major events, or short stay tourism or local attractions

Students will be providing presentations on their ideas - any students, colleges or universities that are interested should contact CEC3Counties@gmail.com