The transition we want for the future we need! Circular cities and regions that deliver for people

Name: The transition we want for the future we need! Circular cities and regions that deliver for people
Start: 2024-06-18T09:30:00+02:00
End: 2024-06-19T17:30:00+02:00
Location: Marseille

From 18 June 2024 09:30 until 19 June 2024 17:30

At Marseille

Categories: ACR+ Events, ACR+ Members' events, Meet us there

ACR+ 30th General Assembly and LIFE IP Smart Waste project closing seminar

We know that circular economy answers to the environmental challenges threatening our planet and future. Yet, its potential still needs to be unlocked. At the heart of the transition, cities and regions are called to drive their environmental policies towards sustainable consumption and production models, respecting the planet boundaries and ensuring everyone’s basic needs.

To celebrate the 30^th anniversary of the network and the end of the LIFE IP SMART WASTE project, ACR+ and its member the French Region SUD invite you to reflect on the role of public authorities and the tools at their disposal to accelerate the transition to a just, sufficient, and circular society. Join this unique seminar in Marseille to discuss ACR+’s vision for circular cities and regions and its strategy by 2030. You will meet and exchange with ACR+ members, Janez Potočnik, and a wide array of experts representing the European institutions, civil society, academia, and private sector.

WHAT TO EXPECT?

📍 Our host, Region SUD, has secured one of the best venues in town: the MUCEM!

🎤 Hear experts' insight on how to enable a just, sufficient, and circular transition

🚀 Discuss our strategy for 2030 and shape the directions to be taken by the network to support you in your green ambitions

🗳️ Elect the new ACR+ Board of Directors and President (ACR+ members only)

👏 Celebrate award-winning actions preventing waste in Europe and Mediterranean region

🌟 Peek into how Region Sud is transforming itself into a zero waste region by developing territorial dynamics to implement and reinforce the efficiency of its environmental public policies

🚲 Get on a bike to visit a a local Inclusive and Cooperative Service Hub or put on your sneakers to see a Biodegradable food waste micro-methanisation plant in situ (ACR+ members only)

👀 Learn from innovative solutions to achieve zero waste in the Mediterranean

📸 Discover the winning pictures of the first ACR+ Photo Contest

🙋🏻‍♂️ Do not forget your business cards as there will be plenty of networking opportunities

PROGRAMME

Day 1: 18 June

Day 1: 18 June

08:30	Welcome coffee and registration
09:30	Opening words and introduction: the issues at stake Anne Claudius-Petit, Region SUD Pierre Loaëc, Head of the European Commission's Regional Representation in Marseille Nadia Lamhandaz, CINEA LIFE Environment Jean-Michel Buf, President of the National Council for the Circular Economy and member of the ACR+ board of directors Iain Gulland, President of ACR+
10:00	No sustainable future without a just, sufficient, and circular society: keynote speech and Q&A Janez Potočnik, Co-Chair of the UNEP International Resource Panel
11:00	No sustainable future without a just, sufficient, and circular society: Panel discussion and Q&A Patrick Child, DG ENV - European Commission Christof Delatter, OVAM Stéphane Arditi, European Environmental Bureau Mira Toumi, Behaven Virginia Janssens, Plastics Europe Hosts: Tugce Tugran, Ernest Kovács (ACR+)
12:00	Visit of the exhibition featuring the ACR+ Photo contest winning pictures and the LIFE IP Smart Waste achievements
12:30	Lunch break*
14:30	Objective 2030: ACR+ members deliver concrete action The session includes administrative affairs (14:30- 15:30) and interactive exchange between ACR+ members and guests (15:30 - 17:00).
17:00	Coffee break
17:30	Awards ceremony of the 2023 European Week for Waste Reduction and the EUROMED Weeks for Waste Reduction
19:30	Cocktail
20:30	Networking dinner at Grotte Cosquer

*Food and refreshments will be provided only to ACR+ members and guests during the lunch breaks.

Day 2: 19 June

Day 2: 19 June

Final conference of the LIFE IP Smart Waste project

08:30	Welcome coffee and registration
09:30	Opening words Anne Claudius-Petit, Region SUD Cécile Chey, ADEME Christine Leuthy, CITEO Nadia Lamhandaz, CINEA LIFE Environment
10:00	Highlights of LIFE IP SMART WASTE: testimonies and discussions on some of the project’s concrete achievements Innovating in the fight against marine litter (CLS) Promoting the creative circular economy and guiding professionals towards reuse (Les Petites Choses) Renovating waste collection centres to improve waste sorting (CC ST TROPEZ) Promoting responsible consumption and reducing unsorted waste (CC PAYS DE FAYENCE) Generalizing the sorting gesture of our bio-waste and reduce the weight of our bin by 30%! Raising public' awareness on waste prevention (Communauté de Communes Serre Ponçon Val d'Avance) Raising citizens' awareness on waste sorting at the scale of a metropolis of almost 2 million inhabitants! (Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis)
11:30	LIFE IP SMART WASTE beyond 2025: main results and ways of extending the project's dynamic from 2025! Spotlight on LIFE Waste2Build (Toulouse Métropole) & Interreg Europe INERTWASTE (REGION SUD) What's next? Dialogue between Anne Claudius-Petit (REGION SUD) and Nadia Lamhandaz, (CINEA) Q&A
12:30	Lunch break
14:30	Sharing experience and best practices between circular economy players across Europe - site visits Open only to ACR+ members and guests, 15 pers. max per visit - registration mandatory: Biodegradable food waste micro-methanisation plant at the Terrasses du Port Visit to a local Inclusive and Cooperative Service Hub designed to reflect the image of the Cours Julien and La Plaine retail communities (Marseille) and the creative values that drive them. La Butte Circulaire is an eco-responsible and circular space, designed to optimise the reuse of waste or produce goods locally "Made in la Butte" in a FabLab coworking environment. This site visit will be done by bike.
14:30	Scaling-up innovative solutions: pathways to achieve zero waste in the Mediterranean An interactive session with Interreg Euro-MED Innovative Sustainable Economy on the role of innovation in the Mediterranean in tackling waste challenges. The discussion will focus on: Local communities empowerment for meaningful and inclusive decision-making processes The role of research in informing and guiding zero-waste strategies Balance of zero-waste targets with socio-economic priorities in policymaking
16:30	Concluding remarks
17:00	Networking coffee

*Food and refreshments will be provided only to ACR+ members and guests during the lunch breaks.

Download the programme.

TIPS! Visit the exhibition on the LIFE IP SMART WASTE project and of the ACR+ Photo Contest throughout the conference at the MUCEM forum.

SHAPING SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

In parallel to the ACR+ General Assembly, the Interreg Euro-MED Innovative Sustainable Economy Mission Thematic Community Project is organising two days of interactive sessions and networking between organisations working for a more sustainable Mediterranean region. It will give you the opportunity to meet and learn from over 14 projects linked to the macro-thematic of blue and green circular economies, smart specialisation implementation, and business models.

On 18 June, the Interreg Euro-MED Innovative Sustainable Economy (ISE) Mission Community of Practice will be launched. On 19 June, the first edition of the MED Innovation Day, a dynamic event that will enhance the vision of a desirable sustainable Mediterranean, will be celebrated.

More information and registration here.

REGISTRATION

Some sessions of the conference are open to all.

ACR+ member are invited to register via a dedicated form.

Timeline GA

PRACTICAL DETAILS

Venues:
MUCEM - Musée des civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée
7 promenade Robert Laffont (esplanade du J4) - 13002 Marseille
How to reach it (public transport):
- Metro: Vieux-Port or Joliette stop (approx. 10 min walk)
- Tram: Line T2 République, Dames ou Joliette stop (approx. 10-15 min walk)
- Bus: Line 82 or 82s (Littoral Major or Fort Saint-Jean stop)—Night Line 582 Line 60 (Littoral Major or Fort Saint-Jean stop)
  Line 49 (Église Saint-Laurent, Littoral Major ou Fort Saint-Jean stop)

Grotte Cosquer
Promenade Robert Laffont, Esp. J4

Hotel:
Find a hotel in Marseille.
ACR+ has arranged special prices with the hotel IBIS Marseille Euromed (130 EUR + city tax for a single room; 142 EUR + city tax for a double room). If you are interested, please contact Elodi Rebora (elodie.rebora@accor.com) and give the code ACR PLUS 2024.

Language: the sessions will be held either in French or in English. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided.

Pictures and videos: pictures and videos will be taken for communication purposes. If you disagree, please contact the organisers.

Contact: Please contact Marie Cardon - ACR+ (mca@acrplus.org) or Nathalie Viziale - Region SUD (nviziale@maregionsud.fr)

This event has been co-funded by the European Union.
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.