3 ways to learn more about Sustainable Procurement in Infrastructure…

EIT Climate-KIC, EIT RawMaterials, EIT Digital, EIT Food, EIT Manufacturing and EIT Urban Mobility have created a Cross-Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) action aiming to strengthen the collaboration of their activities related to the circular economy.  A coordinated and efficient collaboration between the different KICs will help the EU achieve its Circular Economy Action Plan.   The initiative aims to establish discussions among the KICs to find ways to develop a joint offer around circular economy and improve coordination with the Commission on this issue. It will also strengthen collaboration with other relevant stakeholders, support the European Institute of Technology in discussions with the Directorate-General for the Environment of the European Commission and facilitate the access to markets for innovative solutions developed in participating KICs. 

Rethinking collaboration across supply chains to produce food regeneratively.  African farmers, businesses, and food entrepreneurs are at the forefront of food production and the backbone of many African economies. As the many case studies included in this article show, some are already reaping the benefits of a shift to a circular economy for food. However, in many parts of the continent, agriculture fails to provide either sufficient nutrition to its citizens or a decent livelihood to its farmers.  African cities represent one of the fastest-changing demographics in the world.  Africa’s urban population is set to double in the next 30 years, at the same time the affluence of African citizens is also increasing. As a result, each year African cities require a greater overall volume of food and will in turn produce more organic waste.

In many ways, the seaside resort town of Sharm El Sheikh is a compelling backdrop for a global climate change conference. Perched on the south-eastern edge of the Sinai Peninsula, it is bordered by pristine coral reefs on one side and arid desert on the other – a perfect reminder of the delicate equilibrium that keeps our planet’s ecosystems alive and an eloquent portrait of everything that we stand to lose to climate change.  But the setting for the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP27, was the only thing that stood out in what was otherwise an unremarkable affair, contoured by the usual parade of delegates, an increased presence of industry lobbyists, and the growing certainty that the climate targets set in the Paris Agreement will not be achieved. If anything, COP27 produced one concrete outcome: our planet will be a much hotter place in the coming decade.