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Conference Program

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Climate Action through Circularity Preliminar​y Agenda*

*Agenda timing and content subject to change

Presented by Metro Vancouver and the National Zero Waste Council​

  • 8:00 am PDT Breakfast and Networking
    9:00 am PDT Welcome and Opening Remarks
    • ​​Indigenous welcome
    • Opening remarks
      • ​​George V. Harvie, Chair, Metro Vancouver
      • Craig Hodge, Chair, National Zero Waste Council and Director, Metro Vancouver
      • The Honourable George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, Province of British Columbia
    9:15 am PDT

    Opening Keynote 
    Jonathan Foley has dedicated his life’s work to finding solutions that sustain our climate, ecosystems, and natural resources. His organization Project Drawdown is the world’s leading resource for climate solutions, highlighting pathways to reduce emissions and regenerate nature. Join him as he draws a solutions map with the call - it’s not game over for our planet, it’s game on!

    10:00 am PDT Connecting Conference Attendees​
    10:15 am ​PDT Networking Break
    10:45 am PDT Building Circular Cities of Tomorrow

    Cities are complex ecosystems, sustained by intricate systems like buildings, waste management and water infrastructure. As we step into the future, these urban systems must not only coexist but contribute positively to cities that are circular, waste-free, and low in greenhouse emissions. This session calls policymakers, engineers, and designers to a new frontier – to think, collaborate, and innovate on a scale previously unimagined, sculpting urban centers that are not only functional but flourish in harmony with nature.

    Video Spotlight:

    • Lillian Zaremba, Program Manager for Collaborative Innovation, Liquid Waste Services, Metro Vancouver: The embedded resources we didn’t know existed.

    Featured Presentation:

    Responding Panel:

    12:15 pm PDT Morning Recap
    • ​​​Craig Hodge, Chair, National Zero Waste Council and Director, Metro Vancouver
    12:20 pm PDT

    Lunch and Networking 

    1:20 pm PDT

    Remarks

    1:30 pm PDT

    Accelerating Action on Plastic Pollution
    At the intersection of industry innovation, government regulation, and climate action lies the enigma of plastic waste. Are we at a pivotal moment, one where businesses, communities, and corporations are ready to align and create a circular economy for plastics. Join representatives from all three sectors shed light on the ambitious efforts underway to turn off the tap on plastic waste and reduce the related greenhouse gas emissions.

    • Representative, Province of British Columbia
    • Neil Menezes, Packaging Sustainability Policy Manager, General Mills
    • Crystal Dreisbach, CEO, Upstream​
    2:30 pm PDT

    Revolutionizing the Future of Fashion
    Today, a staggering 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions can be traced back to our clothing. In a world where less than 1% of our garments are recycled, there’s an urgent need for change. Dive deep into a transformative approach to textiles that doesn’t just reduce harm or waste but actively integrates regenerative principles to restore the environments it impacts. From an enlightening spark talk to discussions with Canadian apparel pioneers, this session unveils the much-needed metamorphosis of the sector.​

    Feature Presentation:

    • Céline Semaan, Social and Environmental Justice Advocate and Founder, Slow Factory

    Responding Panel:​

    Session Moderator:

    3:30 pm PDT
    Break
    3:45 pm PDT
    Closing Keynotes
    5:00 pm PDT
    Networking Reception ​
    6:00 pm PDT
    Day 1 Program Ends
  • 8:00 am PDT Breakfast and Networking
    9:00 am PDT

    Opening Keynote

    • Dr. Jiaying Zhao, Canada Research Chair in Behavioural Sustainability and Associate Professor, University of British Columbia
    9:30 am PDT Interactive Workshops
    • Sustainable Consumption and ReUse, One Earth with Metro Vancouver 
    • Circular Food Systems, City of Vancouver with Metro Vancouver & National Zero Waste Council 
    • Circular Solutions for Buildings, Circular Economy Leadership Canada (CELC) and Canadian Standards Association (CSA) with Metro Vancouver & National Zero Waste Council
    • Circular Solutions for Textiles, Recycling Council of BC with Metro Vancouver and National Zero Waste Council​
    11:30 am ​PDT Conference Closes

Pro​​gram The​​mes

This year’s conference will focus on the following themes with each speaker and presentation linking back to these core topic areas.

Revolutionizing the Future of Fashion​

Today, a staggering 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions can be traced back to our clothing. In a world where less than 1% of our garments are recycled, there’s an urgent need for change. Dive deep into a transformative approach to textiles that doesn’t just reduce harm or waste but actively integrates regenerative principles to restore the environments it impacts. From an enlightening spark talk to discussions with Canadian apparel pioneers, this session unveils the much-needed metamorphosis of the sector.

Accelerating Action on Plastic Pollution

At the intersection of industry innovation, government regulation, and climate action lies the enigma of plastic waste. Are we at a pivotal moment, one where businesses, communities, and corporations are ready to align and create a circular economy for plastics?​ Join representatives from all three sectors shed light on the ambitious efforts underway to turn off the tap on plastic waste and reduce the related greenhouse gas emissions.

Building Circular Cities of Tomorrow

Cities are complex ecosystems, sustained by intricate systems like buildings, waste management and water infrastructure. As we step into the future, these urban systems must not only coexist but contribute positively to cities that are circular, waste-free, and low in greenhouse emissions. This session calls policymakers, engineers, and designers to a new frontier – to think, collaborate, and innovate on a scale previously unimagined, sculpting urban centers that are not only functional but flourish in harmony with nature​


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