ON YOUTUBE: Watch the #WCEF2022 Accelerator Session: "JUST2CE, working towards an inclusive and just transition to Circular Economy"
Last week, several partners of the JUST2CE project met online for the Accelerator session entitled "JUST2CE, working towards an inclusive and just transition to Circular Economy", as part of the World Circular Economy Forum 2022.
Some 40 participants joined the online webinar during which panellists explored the concept of Circular Economy and what transitioning to a Circular Economy implies for North/South relations. They replied to a set of key questions, presenting the topic with a multi-disciplinary approach, and focusing on the political economy and geopolitics of the transition to Circular Economy and how existing power relations might hamper this much needed transition.
The speakers discussed grounded alternatives to reconfigure North/South relations to achieve a just and inclusive transition to Circular Economy and how cooperation on research and innovation is critical to improve global wellbeing, foster good governance and enhance participation to policy-making processes.
The full session is now available on Youtube:
Programme:
- Organizer: MedWaves, the UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Centre for SCP.
- Key-note speech and moderation: Sally-Anne Kasner, ACEN
- Thematic Contribution 1, JUST2CE framework: Dr. Andrea Jimenez (University of Sheffield)
- Thematic Contribution 1, JUST2CE Lowerland: Prof. Gavin Andersson (UCT- University of Cape Town).
- Thematic Contribution 2, JUST2CE Agbogbloshie : Dr. Keren Naa Abeka Arthur, University of Cape Coast.
- Thematic Contribution 3, Effects of Circular Economy Transition on Low- and Middle-Income Countries, Mr. Paul Lucas, Senior Policy Analyst PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency
- Thematic Contribution 4, Decolonizing Circular Economy : Dr. Emanuela Girei, University of Sheffield.
- Conclusion remarks: Mr. Stéphane Arditi (EEB)& Ms. Sally-Anne Kasner (ACEN)
"Is going circular just? Environmental justice & just transition – key elements for an inclusive circular economy" - Read more about the new paper showcasing JUST2CE
JUST2CE is showcased in the paper "Is going circular just? Environmental justice & just transition – key elements for an inclusive circular economy" by Patrick Schroeder & Jack Barrie (Chatham House), in Field Actions Science Reports, Special Issue 24.
Read it here: https://journals.openedition.org/factsreports/6864
Abstract
A successful circular economy transition relies on inclusiveness and social justice. Two main equity dimensions should be considered for the circular economy transition to be inclusive: rectifying existing injustices of mismanaged waste and pollution that affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide on the one hand, whilst anticipating and addressing the negative future impacts on workers and industries that the transition from a linear to circular economy will create, on the other hand. To do so, understanding the impacts of national transitions in Europe on workers and communities in developing countries will be key, notably how to improve economic diversification and retrain workers in producer countries, and how to increase stakeholder engagement.
About the authors
Patrick Schroeder
Senior Research Fellow, Chatham House
Dr Patrick Schroeder is a senior research fellow in the Environment and Society Programme at Chatham House. He specializes in research on the global transition to an inclusive circular economy with a specific focus on policy analysis and multilateral environmental processes, collaborative opportunities between key countries, closing the investment gap and building an evidence base for trade in the circular economy. Prior to joining Chatham House, he was Research Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, where he conducted research on the circular economy in developing country contexts and the Sustainable Development Goals. He is a member of the Advisory board of JUST2CE.
Jack Barrie
Research Fellow, Chatham House
Dr Jack Barrie is an expert on the topic of circular economy. In his current role as Research Fellow at Chatham House, Jack leads on pioneering research examining the intersections between the circular economy and international trade, geopolitics, finance (including Green Taxonomies) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Prior to joining Chatham House, he was a Circular Economy Policy Analyst for Zero Waste Scotland. He holds a PhD (University of Strathclyde) on circular economy innovation policy.
Apply now: The Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) is opening a post-doc position
The project “JUST2CE” addresses major global environmental and sustainability challenges related to Circular Economy (CE), focusing on establishing the current state of knowledge on CE and its socioeconomic impacts, and on putting forward transformative solutions at the local and global levels. The project will follow a transdisciplinary approach that ranges from the natural sciences to economics and social sciences.
Under the framework of the JUST2CE project, the Business Department (Department d’ Empresa) is therefore offering a post-doc position.
The candidate is expected to start in the position by September 2022. The post-doctoral researcher will mainly contribute to the tasks and deliverables of the WP2 and WP3 of the JUST2CE project. In particular, the candidate will work on:
- identifying enablers and barriers to the implementation of CE practices;
- developing a framework to design ‘Responsible Circular Economy Practices’;
- disseminating project outcomes in international training workshops and
conferences.
Most of the work can be done remotely but physical presence will be required
for some of the tasks (e.g. meetings, workshops, conferences, field work, training, etc.
Tasks:
Together with the project manager and the PI, the postdoc will contribute to the day-to-day management of the project:
- Contribute to the development and implementation of research on circular
economy & environmental justice, in continuous interaction with partner
organizations within and beyond academia;
- Co-supervise MSc, PhD and Post-doc research;
- Collaborate, contribute, and/or initiatives for stakeholders engagement, knowledge sharing, outreach and societal impact.
More information
Funding body: European Union H2020 Programme
Duration of the project: 3 years
Destination: Economics and Business department
Category: Ordinary researcher
Duration of the contract: 23 months
Dedication: 37,5 hours / week
How to apply?
Read the whole description of the activities and learn more about the application process here
Deadline to apply: 1st October 2022