Second-generation EPR: What does it actually need to do?

Second-generation EPR: What does it actually need to do?

18 Sep 2026 at 11:00–12:30 (UTC+5:30)
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Gandhinagar, India
Session type: In person in Gandhinagar and online
Focus: Finance, Governance, Industry, Materials, System change, Africa, Asia, Australia / Australasia / Oceania, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America
Register See programme
Related Sustainable Development Goals
Decent work and economic growth Industry, innovation and infrastructure Responsible consumption and production Sustainable cities and communities

Organiser(s): Global Action Partnership for Extended Producer Responsibility – a consortium formed by World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), United Nations Environment Programme, PREVENT Waste Alliance, Ellen MacArthur Foundation

EPR schemes are spreading fast, but most still fund collection, sorting and recycling without delivering upstream circular economy outcomes. This session takes stock of what EPR has delivered, what it hasn’t, and what a bolder second-generation EPR needs to look like to drive real circular outcomes.

Scaling biobased plastics for a circular future

Scaling biobased plastics for a circular future

17 Sep 2026 at 12:00–13:30 (UTC+5:30)
Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar, India
Session type: In person in Gandhinagar and online
Focus: Bioeconomy, Business, Industry, Materials, Nature, Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia / Australasia / Oceania, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America
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Related Sustainable Development Goals
Climate action Good health and well-being Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Organiser(s): Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in India

How can biobased plastics complement recycling to build a truly circular plastics economy? This session brings together innovators, industry and policymakers from India and the Netherlands to share practical solutions, real-world examples and new partnership opportunities.

Reorienting capital flows for the circular economy transition

Reorienting capital flows for the circular economy transition

17 Sep 2026 at 15:00–17:00 (UTC+5:30)
Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar, India
Session type: In person in Gandhinagar and online
Focus: Business, Finance, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America
Register See programme
Related Sustainable Development Goals
Industry, innovation and infrastructure Partnerships for the goals Responsible consumption and production Sustainable cities and communities

Organiser(s): Circle Economy

This session explores measures to address the circular economy funding challenge. It brings together circular ventures, investors and policymakers to identify common misunderstandings, debate more ambitious policy tools and determine optimal measures to scale the circular economy.

International development financing for circular economy business opportunities

International development financing for circular economy business opportunities

17 Sep 2026 at 14:30–17:30 (UTC+5:30)
The Leela Gandhinagar, Gandhinagar, India
Session type: In person in Gandhinagar and online
Focus: Business, Energy, Finance, Industry, Asia, Australia / Australasia / Oceania
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Related Sustainable Development Goals
Climate action Industry, innovation and infrastructure Responsible consumption and production

Organiser(s): Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland,
World Bank Group, ADB Ventures

Discover financing instruments to unlock circular economy business opportunities across global markets. Meet circular economy experts from international financing organisations. Hear about the experiences of companies that have received international financing and receive advice from them.

Finland Day

Finland Day

17 Sep 2026 at 08:30–11:30 (UTC+5:30)
The Leela Gandhinagar, Gandhinagar, India
Session type: In person in Gandhinagar and online
Focus: Built environment, Business, Energy, Industry, Resilience, Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia / Australasia / Oceania, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America
Register See programme
Related Sustainable Development Goals
Affordable and clean energy Good health and well-being Industry, innovation and infrastructure Partnerships for the goals Sustainable cities and communities

Organiser(s): Embassy of Finland in New Delhi

Finland Day at WCEF2026 showcases how Finnish and Indian partners are advancing circular solutions in maritime systems, healthcare, energy, the built environment and sports infrastructure. Join us to explore scalable innovations, partnerships and investment opportunities. Please note that the event continues with sessions and networking until the evening (see programme).

Closing the loop on critical energy transition minerals

Closing the loop on critical energy transition minerals

18 Sep 2026 at 13:00–17:00 (UTC+2:00)
TBD, Gandhinagar, India
Session type: In person in Gandhinagar and online
Focus: Critical minerals, Finance, Governance, Industry, Materials, Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia / Australasia / Oceania, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America
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Related Sustainable Development Goals
Affordable and clean energy Decent work and economic growth Gender equality Reduced inequalities

Organiser(s): United Nations Environment Programme, United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative

This is an official AR5 Expert Consultation of the UN Secretary-General’s CETM Panel. Experts stress-test circular transition scenarios feeding directly into UNEP’s global assessment. Outputs inform multilateral policy, responsible investment and the just energy transition.

Circular supply chains in action: Transitioning towards solutions in fashion and construction 

Circular supply chains in action: Transitioning towards solutions in fashion and construction 

17 Sep 2026 at 12:00–14:30 (UTC+5:30)
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Gandhinagar, India
Session type: In person in Gandhinagar and online
Focus: Built environment, Finance, Materials, System change, Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean
Register See programme
Related Sustainable Development Goals
Industry, innovation and infrastructure Responsible consumption and production Sustainable cities and communities

Organiser(s): United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Circular Innovation Lab ApS

 

Fashion and construction share a common challenge: hazardous chemicals and unsustainable resource use are embedded throughout their supply chains. Explore how countries, industry and UN partners are advancing circular, chemical-safe supply chains through innovation and collaboration.

Circular solutions to marine plastic pollution

Circular solutions to marine plastic pollution

17 Sep 2026 at 17:30–19:00 (UTC+5:30)
Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Gandhi nagar, India
Session type: In person in Gandhinagar and online
Focus: Data and AI, Governance, Resilience, System change, Africa, Asia, Europe
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Related Sustainable Development Goals
Climate action Life below water Responsible consumption and production Sustainable cities and communities

Organiser(s): Royal Norwegian Embassy, New Delhi (Lead) Partners: Consulate General of Norway, Mumbai; Ministry of Climate and Environment, Norway; GRID-Arendal

How can countries move from measuring plastic pollution to implementing circular solutions at scale? This session showcases India–Norway collaboration on data, policy and action. Learn how evidence, partnerships and local implementation can accelerate circularity.

Circular for scale: From circular innovation to investment, partnerships and growth

Circular for scale: From circular innovation to investment, partnerships and growth

17 Sep 2026 at 14:00–16:00 (UTC+5:00)
Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre (Seminar Hall 1)   , Gandinagar, India
Session type: In person in Gandhinagar and online
Focus: Business, Design, Industry, Materials, Asia, Europe
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Related Sustainable Development Goals
Climate action Industry, innovation and infrastructure Responsible consumption and production

Organiser(s): EU SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Component Programme,
Centre for Responsible Business, Sustainability Standards

Why do some circular businesses scale while others remain pilots? This session explores how enterprises in South and Southeast Asia build market access, partnerships, financing and investment readiness, with practical insights for businesses, investors, policymakers and support organisations.

Circular finance ecosystems for emerging markets

Circular finance ecosystems for emerging markets

18 Sep 2026 at 15:30–17:00 (UTC+5:30)
Tbc, Gandhinagar, India
Session type: In person in Gandhinagar and online
Focus: Business, Finance, Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean
Register See programme
Related Sustainable Development Goals
Decent work and economic growth Partnerships for the goals Responsible consumption and production Sustainable cities and communities

Organiser(s): GIZ, Expertise France

How can circular economy solutions be financed at scale? This session explores circular finance ecosystems in Africa, Sri Lanka and Brazil, highlighting practical approaches to mobilising investment and accelerating inclusive circular transitions.