SEMINAR TIMETABLELaunching Global Circularity Protocol for Business -Impact on Climate, Nature & Equity

The outcomes of two Global Stocktakes at COPs have established the circular economy as an essential tool for climate action. Furthermore, there is growing recognition of the importance of the role of businesses in promoting global resource circulation and achieving ambitious climate, environmental, and other sustainability goals through this approach. Consequently, interest in corporate non-financial disclosures related to circularity is also increasing. While frameworks such as TCFD and TNFD have been established for corporate disclosure in decarbonization and nature positive, no internationally established framework currently exists for circular economy. In this context, the Global Circularity Protocol (GCP), led by WBCSD, aims to promote circular economy in business through providing such an international framework, including circularity metrics and disclosure schemes.
This session, co-hosted by WBCSD, the MoE Japan and One Planet Network (UNEP), marks the first global unveiling of the GCP. Through a discussion with diverse panelists, we will explore expectations for the GCP and its future direction in advancing circularity in business and expanding commercial opportunities.

Opening Remarks

Diane Banino Holdorf｜Executive Vice President, Executive Leadership Team, WBCSD

Keynote

Adalberto MALUF｜National Secretary of Urban Environment and Environmental Quality, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Brazil
Ilham Kadri｜Chair of WBCSD and CEO of Syensqo
DOI Kentaro｜Vice Minister for Global Environmental Affairs, MOEJ

Presentation

Quentin Drewell｜Senior Director, Circular Products & Materials, WBCSD

Panel Discussion

ISHII Naoko｜Special Presidential Envoy for Global Commons, Director for Center for Global Commons, Professor at Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo
Afke van Rijn｜Vice Minister for the Environment and International Affairs, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands
SHIMURA Yukimi｜Managing Director in charge of Corporate Engagement on GX and Sustainability, Planning & Development Department, Sustainable Business Division, MUFG Bank Ltd.
Grazielle Tallia Parenti｜Vice President of Sustainability, Corporate Sustainability, Vale S.A.
Karen Pflug｜CSO, Group Sustainability, Ingka Group
OTSUKA Yumi｜Senior General Manager for Sustainability, Toyota Motor Co.
UEHARA Hirotoshi｜Executive Officer, Panasonic Operational Excellence Co., Ltd.

Closing Remarks

Jorge Laguna-Celis｜Head of One Planet Network

The first edition of the GCP, a common framework for measuring, reporting, and disclosing corporate circularity, was launched.
The keynote highlighted multifaceted drivers to promote Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency (CERE), including addressing climate change and broader sustainability challenges, resource supply risks, and job creation.
WBCSD further elaborated GCP’s five-step user journey, which enables companies to embed circularity in their business processes and strategies and supports investors in decision-making.
The panel discussion focused on examples of CE initiatives and challenges faced by companies, the value of GCP in addressing these challenges, and expectations for strengthening the tool in the future.
Participants highlighted the GCP’s ability to promote stakeholder collaboration across the value chain, to transform business models, strategies, and operations, to visualize and communicate performance and challenges, while also stressing the need for further refinement of the tool, capacity development for users, and identification of feasible business models.
Governments also shared recent policy developments and initiatives promoting CERE.