In April, the UN Commission on Climate Change announced the grim news that, if nothing changes, the average temperature will rise by more than 3 degrees this century: more than the so-called „threshold“ values. However, if we take drastic action to reduce emissions over the next few years, we can stay within the 1.5 degree limit. Environmental responsibility and green skills are necessary for everyone, not only consumers and citizens, but also decision-makers, businesses and workers.
On Friday, November 25th , from 10 a.m., the Business and Science Forum „Development of the circular economy in Lithuania and the EU“, traditionally organized by the Business Centre of Kaunas University of Applied Science , Faculty of Business, will invite to get acquainted with the good examples of circularity.
On the day of the event, the forum will be opened and moderated by Audronė Alijošiutė-Paulauskienė, Head of the Lithuanian Responsible Business Association (LAVA). The Chief Specialist of the Ministry of the Environment of the Republic of Lithuania, Virginija Vingrienė, will give a welcoming speech.
Waste sorting and the development of more sustainable packaging is still a sensitive topic for both the average citizen and business. „Every year, we use 500 billion disposable cups, which do not decompose and… end up in the sea. But what if we could help the world without changing a single habit? We think it‘s possible,“ declares CupCup. On the day of the Forum, CupCup‘s CEO Valdonė Daugėlaitė Šuškevičius will present the solution to caterers, festivals and other events that want to switch to single-use plastic to reduce plastic pollution.
Research shows that the main barriers to moving towards a circular economy are in the mindset of businesses and people. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide whether a T-shirt with a hole in it will go to landfill, be recycled or be used for something else. But the enabling environment is also important to support this principle: how the state and business contribute to a more sustainable model, for example, by providing facilities for textile containers nearby, etc. Jesmond Friggieri, Director of the Malta Leadership Institute, business consultant and mentor, will present the psychological changes that need to take place to move towards circularity.
Disposal of hazardous waste is still a pressing problem for both waste holders and waste managers. In many cases, residents still engage in unauthorized but unacceptable practices, such as burning plastics or tires. „Burning plastic packaging or plastic products in the yard or in unsafe installations releases a wide range of pollutants such as dioxins-furans and heavy metals. Dioxins and furans are a group of organic compounds that are highly toxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic, and even very small doses cause cancer and birth defects,“ says Rita Paukštė, head of the laboratory of the company Toksika, which manages hazardous waste. Toksika, a state-owned company that collects and manages hazardous waste, is one of the largest and most modern hazardous waste management companies in Lithuania, with a hazardous waste incineration plant and a hazardous waste landfill. On the day of the event, participants will have the opportunity to hear more about the waste management challenges that are commonly faced in our country.
The Scandinavian countries are demonstrating excellent results and progress in adopting circular economy principles. One such country is Finland, where sustainability is not an add-on to the communication and marketing strategy, but a standard in the development of business strategy. Meri Jalonen, Chief Specialist in Sustainable Business at LAB University of Applied Sciences, and Terhi Tuominen, RDI specialist, project manager at LAB University of Applied Sciences, will discuss how circular economy competences are being introduced to society in this country and how corporate social responsibility is being implemented.
The growing role of social responsibility in business organizations is changing the conventional marketing principles. „It‘s time to move on and focus on where I really feel called – building brands that care,“ says founder Vera Wamsteeker, who declares the vision of the marketing agency AnGOAn. On the day of the event, a guest from the Netherlands will argue why engagement has the best return on investment and share insights on how to create a sustainable brand strategy.
Registration is now open!
In order to promote science in an attractive format for the public, the Business and Science Forum „Development of the circular economy in Lithuania and the EU“ is organized for the third consecutive year. The aim of the event is to educate and develop the academic community and the business sector by reviewing research results in the context of the circular economy and its impact on business.
The Forum will be held in a hybrid format: at Kaunas University of Applied Sciences (Pramonės pr. 22A, Room 202) and remotely (link will be sent after registration).
