A four-day celebration of the circular economy

THE PROGRAMME AT A GLANCE

  • 29.5.23 | Opening Ceremony

    THE ROUND ROOM AT DUBLIN’S MANSION HOUSE

  • 30.5.23 | City Conference

    CROKE PARK

  • 31.5.23 | Deep Dive Workshops

    The Wood Quay Venue + Guinness Enterprise Centre

  • 31.5.23 | Delegates Dinner

    THE GUINNESS STOREHOUSE

  • 1.6.23 | Circular Economy Tours

    VARIOUS LOCATIONS

view our official brochure

DAY 1: OPENING CEREMONY

DAY 1: OPENING CEREMONY

Welcome to Dublin

29 May 2023 | 17:00

THE ROUND ROOM AT DUBLIN’S MANSION HOUSE

The celebration began with a welcome reception in the Round Room at Dublin’s Mansion House. Attendees were addressed by The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Caroline Conroy, Minister of State with Responsibility for the Circular Economy, Ossian Smyth TD, and Owen Keegan, Chief Executive of Dublin City Council, along with a host of circular economy leaders and cultural performances.

The hosts of Circular Economy Hotspot 2025 were also revealed.

  • The Lord Mayor of Dublin

    Cllr. Caroline Conroy

  • Ossian Smyth TD

    Minister of State with responsibility for Circular Economy

  • Owen Keegan

    Chief Executive, Dublin City Council

DAY 2: CITY CONFERENCE

DAY 2: CITY CONFERENCE

30 May 2023 | 8:30

CROKE PARK

Moderated by Áine Kerr, the main conference day featured a fantastic lineup of prominent speakers and expert panelists who discussed the latest trends in the circular economy, across three key focus areas:

  • Policy in Practice

  • Building Circular Communities: Citizen Engagement

  • Innovation & Collaboration

  • Delving into the practical implementation of circular economy policies, this session explored the challenges faced by both governments and businesses. Discussions provided attendees with an in-depth understanding of how circular economy policies can be effectively implemented at both the national and international levels.

    Speakers & Panellists include:

    • Ossian Smyth, Minister of state with special responsibility for the Circular Economy

    • Laura Burke, Director General, EPA

    • Aurel Ciobanu Dordea, DG Environment, European Commission

    • Hugh Coughlan, EMWRPO, ACR +

    • Sarah Miller, Rediscovery Centre

  • This session explored the critical role of citizen engagement in promoting the growth of the circular economy. Designed to provide attendees with innovative and best-practice solutions, thought-provoking and informative discussions enabled attendees to build sustainable, resilient, and circular communities.

    Speakers & Panellists include:

    • Freek van Eijk, CEO Holland Circular Hotspot

    • Joshua Newton, Cities Activation Manager, Ellen MacArthur Foundation

    • Iain Guilland, CEO of Zero Waste Scotland, President of ACR+

    • Prof. Anna Davies, Professor of Geography, Environment and Society at Trinity College Dublin

Closing Address

Philip Nugent, Assistant Secretary at Department of the Environment, Climate and Communication

Networking & Exhibitions

The conference concluded with the launch of a Hotspot special edition Profit with Purpose magazine, drinks reception, networking opportunity, and exhibitions. This was followed by the facilitated Circular Matchmaking Event hosted by CIRCULÉIRE and Dublin Chamber.

  • This panel session explored acceleration opportunities of circular innovation and collaboration across all sectors of the economy. Key experts discussed systemic approaches to delivering circular solutions and business models and the factors that drive sustainability and efficiency within a circular economy.

    Speakers & Panellists include:

    • Prof. Andre Martinuzzi, Director of the Institute for Managing Sustainability, Associate professor at Vienna University of Economics and Business

    • Anna Brussa, EIT CKIC’s Industrial Value Chain Lead

    • Geraldine Brennan, CIRCULÉIRE

    • Joël Mestres Lobez, Financial Engineering Manager, CINEA

DAY 3: DEEP DIVES

DAY 3: DEEP DIVES

31 May 2023 | 9:00 & 14:00

WOOD QUAY VENUE / GUINNESS ENTERPRISE CENTRE

These participatory workshops, facilitated by industry leaders and experts, provided an excellent opportunity for attendees to engage with like-minded individuals and gain a deeper understanding of the thematic focus areas.

A networking lunch was provided.

Optional cultural activities were also available.

Deep Dive Workshops - Focus Areas

  • How can circular economic solutions help address Dublin’s pressing need for housing development? Strategies such as meanwhile use, smart zoning, materials and flexible architectural design and renovation were explored and best practice examples shared at this deep dive workshop.

    Chaired by : Ali Grehan, Dublin City Architect and Philippa King, Southern Waste Region

    Dive into the full session programme

  • Developing our food system to one based on circular economy and bioeconomy principles is one of the most powerful things we can do to address the climate crisis. Attendees explored how this transformation can provide healthy nutritious food, tackle food waste, achieve sustainability, build biodiversity and promote wellbeing.

    Chaired by : Patrick Barrett, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Dr. Sarah Miller, Rediscovery Centre

    Dive into the full session programme

    Dive into the Flash Report

  • This deep dive explored how Ireland is supporting the move toward sustainability through creating opportunities for citizens to embrace a more circular closet. Delving into research and initiatives impacting circular design, reducing consumption, driving reuse and repair and collecting and valorising post-consumer textiles.

    Chaired by: Shane Colgan, European Environment Agency and Claire Downey, Rediscovery Centre

    Dive into the full session programme

    Dive into the Flash Report

  • Circular social enterprises are helping to deliver Ireland’s sustainability objectives on the ground, acting as a driving force for social, economic, and environmental change. Through policy, innovation, and research, this workshop highlighted the success of Ireland’s social enterprise sector.

    Chaired by : Cillian Lohan: Vice-president at The European Economic and Social Committee and Mary MacSweeney, Dublin City Council

    Dive into the full session programme

    Dive into the Flash Report

  • Bringing the creative and industry sectors together, this deep dive workshop explored the central contribution of Circular Business Models in transformational net-zero strategies, driving radical reductions in carbon emissions, while creating long-term value with cross-sectoral Irish and international industry case studies.

    Chaired by : Mike Townsend, Earthshine and Dr. Geraldine Brennan, CIRCULÉIRE

    Dive into the full session programme

  • How might we make the circular economy really relevant to different audience groups? How might we change habits, attitudes and behaviour? This session brought together international circular economy campaigners, behaviour experts and communicators for an immersive and engaging session. Our goal was to explore kinds of campaigns that we might develop to change behaviour amongst Irish audience groups.

    Chaired by Catherine Cleary, The Irish Times and Steve O'Reilly, Rediscovery Centre

    Dive into the full session programme

    Dive into the Flash Report

DAY 3: DELEGATES DINNER

DAY 3: DELEGATES DINNER

31 May 2023 | 19:00

THE GUINNESS STOREHOUSE

Delegates joined us for an unforgettable conference dinner at the world renowned Guinness Storehouse. This iconic venue, in the heart of Dublin, offered a truly unique atmosphere for an evening of networking and delicious food.

DAY 4: TOURS

DAY 4: TOURS

1 June 2023

To mark the final day of Dublin Circular Economy Hotspot, attendees had the rare opportunity to explore in-person Ireland’s finest circular economy innovations and initiatives. These engaging and immersive tours were designed to showcase leading sites that exemplify the very best circular economy practices, and demonstrate the resulting societal benefits.

Read more about our tours here.

Tours included

  • Cloughjordan Ecovillage Co Tipperary

  • The Rediscovery Centre

  • DCU

  • ReCreate

  • Thorntons Recycling

  • Food Cloud Co

  • Dublin Waste to Energy

  • OPW/Farrell Furniture

  • Airfield Estate

  • Grow It Yourself (GIY)

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