Published: 19th March 2024
Read time: 3 min
Recap: Circular Economy Opportunities in Australia Webinar
On Friday 15th March 2024, The Waste Not Spot hosted the “Circular Economy Opportunities in Australia” webinar as part of The Netherlands’ Week van de Circulaire Economie (Week of the Circular Economy).
Trade & investment experts and other key stakeholders gathered to discuss the many opportunities to progress Australia’s circular economy. The session was aimed at circular businesses outside of Australia (and in Europe, in particular), who are interested in expanding their horizons internationally. It emphasised Australia as an ideal market due to its ambitious sustainability targets and need for international cooperation to enhance circularity.
The latest report by the CSIRO reveals that Australia's circularity rate has fallen now to just 4% (less than half of the global average of 8%), revealing a huge economic challenge and opportunity to advance its circular economy. Australia’s national resource recovery target aims for an 80% recovery rate by 2030, highlighting the urgency and potential for growth in this sector.
The webinar featured discussions from expert panellists, including:
- Australian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Dr. Greg French (Australian Embassy in the Netherlands)
- Rolf Karst (Australian Trade & Investment Commission - Austrade)
- Thorsten Terweiden (Invest Victoria)
- Bert Keesman (Metasus)
- Hans van Daatselaar (Netherlands Chamber of Commerce Australia (NCCA)
Each panellist brought a unique perspective on how businesses can contribute to and benefit from Australia's circular economy, and talked about the many opportunities available for interested businesses.
The following are key themes & takeaways of the webinar:
Strategic Partnerships
The importance of forming key international partnerships was highlighted several times, with initiatives like the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Holland Circular Hotspot and Planet Ark showcasing successful collaborations between Australia and the Netherlands.
State-Specific Opportunities
Victoria was identified as a leader in adopting circular economy practices, offering significant incentives and support for businesses willing to invest in sustainable solutions. The state’s ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse emissions and increase the use of recycled content highlight the demand for innovative circular economy solutions. Several financial incentives are available!
WasteBAN Mission
The Waste Business Australia Netherlands (WasteBAN) mission serves as a prime example of facilitating Dutch-Australian business collaborations, with an upcoming mission to New South Wales and Queensland spotlighting networking and business development opportunities in waste management and circular economy sectors. There will also be an opportunity to attend the Waste Conference in Coffs Harbour as part of the Dutch mission.
Resource and Support Networks
Organisations like the NCCA play a crucial role in connecting Dutch and Australian businesses, offering networking opportunities and resources to navigate the complexities of international expansion. The Australian Business in Europe network also offers opportunities to further connect with Australian businesses.
For businesses and entrepreneurs looking to venture into the circular economy space, Australia presents a perfect canvas to bring about change, ripe with opportunities. With the insights and resources shared during the webinar, businesses can navigate the path to successful international expansion while contributing to a more sustainable and circular global economy.
Be sure to check out the list of resources and further reading!
- Invest Victoria
- Austrade
- CSIRO's Circular Economy Report
- Netherlands Chamber of Commerce Australia (NCCA)
- Circular Economy Business Innovation Centre (CEBIC)
- Break Through Victoria
- Planet Ark's Australian Circular Economy (ACE) Hub
- Invest Victoria Advisory Network
- Investment Portal of Sustainability Victoria
- Blue Phoenix Group - Example of Dutch business in Australia
- Netherlands Chamber of Commerce - Australia (NCCA)
- Australian Business in Europe - The Netherlands (ABIE)
You can catch the full recording of the webinar here!
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