Environment and Climate Change
Environmental issues including climate change and circular economy have become an integral part of urbanization. Such effects of climate change as shifting weather patterns that threaten food production and rising sea levels that increase the risk of catastrophic flooding may result in irreversible consequences. Thus, any action taken against environmental degradation and climate change is essential in managing challenges as the population and the share of economic activities in the cities increase rapidly.
It has become inevitable for national and local governments to adopt sustainable and efficient strategies and approaches on climate change that include access to clean and affordable energy, energy efficiency and renewable energy. Also, to the end of making cities carbon-neutral and climate-resilient, climate change and environment should be one of the first priorities when preparing all development plans and investments at the local, regional, national and international levels .
The measures taken by cities against climate change affect their competitiveness in the global economy. At this point, the circular economy stands out as a powerful instrument for cities in empowering business world vis-a-vis limited resources and variable prices, protecting biodiversity, reducing damage to air, soil and water, and finally in becoming resilient to the impacts of climate change.
In a linear economy, raw materials are used to make products, and after its use any waste is to be disposed. However, the circular economy -inspired by nature’s cyclic rationale- establishes a new model to ensure an economic system that radically changes the chain of production and consumption patterns in that it develops a broader perspective of innovation, management and monitoring, from product design to production processes, from consumer behavior to efficient waste management (reuse, waste reduction) and from recycling to strengthening of the secondary raw material market. Yet, while providing advantages such as creating new job opportunities and reducing the raw material consumption, this perspective brings about administrative and financial challenges to city administrations. Although business world and consumers are the main actors of the circular economy, local, regional and national authorities also have a role to play in the transition process.
Having been the defining issue of today’s world, “Environment and Climate Change” will be a point of discussion in MARUF by all stakeholders in order to take drastic actions against environmental disaster of immeasurable consequences.
Sessions
| Session Name | Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| How to fight climate change: Make cities heroes | 1 October 2019 | 14:00 - 15:30 | Üsküdar 1 |
| No time to waste: What is the circular economy all about? | 3 October 2019 | 09:00 - 10:30 | Üsküdar 1 |
