At the recent World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) Accelerator Event, "Beyond Experimentation: Europe’s leading role in mainstreaming circular practice," organised by the Belgian Presidency of the EU Council in Brussels and facilitated by Circular Flanders on April 17th, valuable insights were shared by Marieke Weerdesteijn, programme manager of the Circular and Fair ICT Pact (CFIT) - Join our own CFIT community here!

The plenary panel discussion started with a presentation of key findings from the Global Resources Outlook, emphasising the urgent need for action in embracing circular practices. The message was clear: Bold and urgent action is needed; the path is there, but it is steep and narrow. 

During the break-out sessions, attendees explored various sub-themes, including "Procuring Change: Navigating the Circular Economy Through a Strategic and Social Lens." Here, Marieke represented CFIT, shedding light on the social dimensions of circular procurement.

Marieke highlighted the strategic importance of circular economy and procurement in tackling challenges like climate change and material scarcity. She emphasised the significant social implications of these challenges, especially within international supply chains where ICT products travel complex routes. Therefore, any circular strategy must address inherent social risks.

A key objective of CFIT is to ensure that procurement of ICT has a positive impact on stakeholders of the value chain, from raw materials, production and assembly, to end-of-life management. Marieke reiterated this commitment, stressing the importance of considering the impact of procurement on stakeholders at every stage. By prioritising fairness and ethics, CFIT aims to mitigate social risks linked with circular procurement. 

CFIT's representation highlighted the importance of adopting a social lens in navigating the circular economy. By acknowledging and addressing social implications, stakeholders can cultivate inclusive and impactful sustainability efforts. CFIT maintains its dedication to promoting fair and circular practices in ICT procurement, contributing to a more sustainable future.

More on CFIT’s approach to circular and fair ICT procurement can be found here: CFIT framework for Circular and Fair Procurement of ICT | Public Buyers Community (europa.eu)