Circularity Meets Decarbonization in Heavy Industry [NYC Climate Week]

Meeting our climate targets will require a fundamental shift in how we produce and consume. In the face of growing regulation and wider stakeholder pressures, integrating a circular economy approach to facilitate this transition is becoming ever more important.

According to Ellen MacArthur Foundation analysis on how the circular economy tackles climate change, total current emissions can be allocated at 45% to emissions associated with making products and 55% to energy-related emissions. Incorporating circularity in heavy industry can tackle these two emission categories through addressing 1) Product packaging, and 2) Facilitating security of supply of materials essential to building a clean energy infrastructure.

The energy transition relies on the rapid deployment of clean energy infrastructure and availability of critical minerals, with the policy landscape in the US and abroad increasingly focused on supply security. In parallel, the chemicals industry is pivotal in mitigating product-level emissions by closing the loop on plastics packaging. This panel will explore the dual opportunities in the adoption of circular business models, as well as delve into challenges faced by two major global heavy industry companies in conversation with one of the leading nonprofits focused on the circular economy.

The event will:

• Explore how the role of circularity varies across heavy industry sectors
• Understand the overlap of circularity and decarbonization strategies, and explore how new circular business models enable companies to succeed in meeting internal climate targets and broader strategic goals.
• Unpack barriers, from regulation and corporate buy-in, to consumer adoption of circular practices and waste collection (e-waste, plastics, etc.)
• Showcase examples of innovative partnership models and cross-industry collaboration
• Highlight the role of SMEs in heavy industry sectors
• Make a call to action for COP29, across demand-side, supply-side, policy and technology drivers

Opening remarks:

• Martin Dietrich Brauch - Lead Researcher, Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment

Panelists: 

• Han Zhang, PhD. - Global Sustainability Director, Packaging and Specialty Plastics, Dow

• Kunal Sinha - Global Head of Recycling, Glencore
• Danielle Holly - North America Lead, Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Moderator: 

• Chhavi Maggu '25