Georgian Society of Nature Explorers “Orchis”

Dr. Dariusz PRASEK will be the keynote presenter at the second Conference on the Circular Economy- Accelerating the Transition to the Circular Economy, hosted by Georgian Society of Nature Explorers “Orchis” within the framework of Keep Georgia Tidy Project. Conference will be held on 7th of September, 2020.

Dr. Prasek is an independent consultant in environmental, social and governance areas with an experience in around 4000 investment projects across a number of sectors. Till recently he held a position of a Director of Operations at the Environment and Sustainability Department in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Dr. Prasek has been the key contributor to the development and implementation of the EBRD’s Green Economy Transition Strategy which includes the implementation of the provisions of Circular Economy in the Bank’s supported projects. Dr. Prasek has published numerous articles in the fields of solid waste management, circular economy, environmental management and environmental aspects of project financing.

After the first conference in December of last year and the second conference in March of this year, which encompassed policy makers and regional and municipal authorities, the third Circular Economy Conference is specifically targeting business community as key enablers of the transition process.

The participation of Dr. Dariusz Edward Prasek, an independent international consultant and member of the United Nations Advisory Board on Circular Economy, who will inform attendants in detail how the transition to the circular economy could be accelerated and how this system could be efficiently implemented will add a particular value to the Conference.

This training programme under the funding of the Government of Sweden has been designed to raise awareness about the circular economy. Its purpose is to provide recommendations to various groups of stakeholder, including policy makers, financial institutions and business sector how to speed the adoption of circular economy principles at various levels of the national economy. Particular emphasis is put on recommendations such are: to improve financing conditions and removing barriers for circular economy projects as well as to identify main areas where incentives should be provided.

• The circular economic system uses natural resources in the most efficient way, preserves the value of materials and products by using them circularly, and reduces the negative impact of economic activities on the environment and health.

• Applying circular economy approaches can cut industrial emissions, reduce the production of and exposure to hazardous substances, and contribute to climate change mitigation. The circular economy is an efficient way of achieving majority of UN sustainable development goals.

• The potential economic benefits arising from using less energy and material inputs, combined with the commercial opportunities created by new technologies and emerging business models have attracted business interest in the circular economy worldwide. In this context, there have been a range of business initiatives and partnerships creating a momentum around the circular economy. The role of business in the transition to a circular economy is undisputed.

• The transition to a circular economy is at an early stage even in the most developed countries of the World. It is crucial for transitional economies to take advantage to be at the forefront of development and leapfrog and become regional leaders in the next stage of development which has a potential to significantly accelerate the sustainability agenda.

The Conference is arranged in the frames of Keep Georgia Tidy Project by Georgian Society of Nature Explorers Orchis. Keep Georgia Tidy Project is being implemented by the NGO Consortium: Georgian Society of Nature Explorers Orchis, Keep Georgia Tidy and Greens Movement of Georgia/Friends of the Earth Georgia through funding of the Government of Sweden, with support of Georgian Ministries of Environmental Protection & Agriculture, Regional Development & Infrastructure, and Education, Science, Culture & Sport, and in cooperation with the Solid Waste Management Company of Georgia and Environmental information & Education Centre.