If we go back just a few generations, our food systems were fully circular. While agriculture is tied to human health wellbeing at the most basic level, it is also responsible for some of the sustainability challenges we are facing in the 21st Century. Can we learn from the past to create a regenerative future? Is it possible to move away from today’s linear food systems—built on maximising profits—and create circular ones, based on true value creation?

The Nordic island nation aims to achieve carbon neutrality before 2040 and to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent by 2030 under the Paris Agreement. Are the Nordics leading or lagging in terms of the production and consumption of clean, renewable energy sources? What can we learn from pioneering countries such as Iceland renewables when it comes to geothermal energy? And how can renewables be combined with circularity?

The Nordic Circular Summit 2021 was spread over 32 sessions — with events offering insight, discussions, news and forecast on topics like new economic languages, youth and future leadership, barriers for sustainable change, circular cities, ocean solutions, fashion and furniture, business and finance, food, energy and much more. Video recordings are now available for free.

“For the last two centuries, the focus has been on human needs, based on the principle of take-make-waste. Instead, we need to adjust our economies to work in harmony with nature. The circular economy is one way of doing that.” Martijn Lopes Cardozo, 
CEO, 
Circle Economy let us in on his thoughts on the circular economy — and that it’s time to go from why to how.

“Nordic co-operation has massive potential in terms of cross-border partnerships for the circular economy, showcasing and generating new ideas, creating meeting places, joining forces and testing approaches in a new way and on a scale that cannot be achieved at national level,” says Niina Aagaard, COO at Nordic Innovation.

We spoke to Ella Turta, Secretary General of ReGeneration 2030, about why the circular economy is important and how the younger generation can be at the forefront of the transition. We also discussed how consumers need to be aware of the consequences of their habits and push companies to shift their business models in a sustainable and circular direction.

Jonathan Foster-Pedley offers his perspective on how we all need to become activists to save our planet, how we need to change our economic thinking and realise that global equity is a key issue in the transition to a circular economy.

Three weeks after COP26, which ended with global agreement to accelerate action on climate this decade, the Nordic Circular Summit 2021 will explore the tremendous circular opportunities the Nordic region has to offer.

When it comes to sustainability the Nordics are doing very well, with two exceptions: climate and sustainable consumption and production. Transition towards a circular economy is not possible without a fundamental change in consumer behaviours. Is it possible to build a circular fashion and furniture industry? If so, what does it take?