Nature by Design: A decade of IUCN–Monaco collaboration driving circular solutions for biodiversity
Join the conversation to discover the added value of integrating circularity across policy, business and finance.
As governments, businesses and financial institutions work towards ambitious biodiversity and climate goals, one solution is becoming increasingly clear: circular economy.
Unlike the traditional linear "take-make-waste" model, a circular economy keeps materials in use for as long as possible, eliminates waste, and regenerates nature. By reducing pressure on ecosystems, preventing pollution and restoring natural systems, circular approaches can play a transformative role in halting biodiversity loss. Research suggests that implementing circular interventions across key sectors could help biodiversity recover to 2000 levels by 2035.
Despite this potential, the relationship between the circular economy and biodiversity remains largely unexplored and the circular economy principles are not incorporated in most biodiversity strategies and policies.
Organised by the IUCN European Regional Office and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, this event celebrates ten years of collaboration between IUCN and the Government of Monaco in advancing the links between circular economy and nature conservation.
Over the past decade, this partnership has helped raise awareness, develop knowledge and promote practical solutions that demonstrate how circularity can contribute to protecting and restoring nature.
With this event, we are bringing together public and private stakeholders to discuss the potential of circular economy principles to tackle biodiversity loss and support the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework and the EU nature restoration agenda. The messages from the event will feed into discussions in the upcoming COP17 in Armenia.
Register here: https://luma.com/zdrvhtv1
Agenda:
Welcome and keynote address
Session 1 – How do we implement circularity for nature?
This session will explore the potential and benefits of integrating circular economy principles into policies supporting the conservation and restoration of nature.
Session 2 – Circular economy approaches and business models can make biodiversity everybody’s business
Businesses increasingly recognise the urgency of addressing biodiversity loss. The focus must now shift from commitment to implementation. This session will bring together leading businesses that are integrating circular economy principles into their operations to reduce nature-related risks and contribute to biodiversity targets. Through practical examples, participants will explore how circular business models can create value for both business and nature, the barriers that remain, and what is needed to scale solutions across sectors.
Lunch
Session 3 – Financing Nature-based Solutions through circularity: A win-win for people, economy and the planet
Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and circular approaches often go hand in hand, together delivering the most benefits for both people and nature. These synergies create opportunities to mobilise investment to NbS beyond traditional environmental funding streams. By aligning funding related to sectors such as water, transport, construction, agriculture, and regional development with circular approaches, governments, businesses, and financial institutions can help close the NbS financing gap.
Cocktail reception