Cross-border Regulatory Challenges to Transform to Circularity

The Baltic region, along with broader Nordic collaboration, has the potential to set benchmarks for how legislation and policy can drive the shift toward circularity. In this session, we will explore the roles, challenges, and opportunities that legislation and policy play in this transformative journey, examining how collaboration among research institutions, private sector leaders, and public bodies can enhance competitiveness and accelerate the adoption of circular practices.

You will hear from:

• Experts, industry leaders, and representatives from organizations that influence and support policy development. 
• Their insights will help illuminate how legislative frameworks impact the transition to a circular economy and how collaborative efforts can shape effective policy advocacy and implementation. 
• Thought leaders in sustainable practices and policy advocacy from both the private sector and research communities. 
• Representatives from leading research institutions contributing innovative solutions and strategic perspectives. 
• Baltic Circular Hotspot and other influential network organizations.

The topics we will dive into:

• ︎Legislative roles and policy challenges in the circular economy.
• Opportunities for policy collaboration among Baltic and Nordic states.
• Best practices for geographic-scale initiatives.
• Business and network organization strategies to support policy advancement.
• Special focus on minerals and critical raw materials, their role in the circular economy.
• How policies impact innovation and competitiveness in international markets.
• Strategies for fostering public-private partnerships for legislative support and research advancement.

Panellists:

Our panel comprises professionals from universities and the private sector across New-Nordics. The session will be moderated by Katrin Bats, ESG Development Manager at Rimi Baltic and Board Member of CSR Estonia.

• Einar Kleppe Holthe (NO) – Founder and Lead Strategist at Natural State, represents Nordic Circular Hotspot. Joining online.
• Joris Rommerts (NL/LV) – Circular economy expert supporting companies, NGOs, and networks in the Netherlands and Latvia, focusing on policy, strategy, and innovation to accelerate the transition.
• Viktorija Nausėdė (LT) – Founder and CEO of Looptex, a company dedicated to textile waste reduction and circular economy solutions.
• Agita Baltbārde (LV) – Board Member at CleanR Grupa, experience in waste management and environmental services.
• Allan Niidu (EE) – Head of the Circular Economy Core Laboratory and professor of applied chemistry at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech).
• Argo Alaniit (EE) – Founder and CEO at Greendice, a company providing sustainable IT solutions and promoting circular economy practices.
• Inga Gurauskienė (LT) – Researcher at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), focusing on environmental engineering and sustainable development.