Just Transition to an Inclusive Circular Economy in ASEAN

ASEAN Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform Webinar Series

WHEN:  19 June 2024     I    TIME:  15:00 – 16:30 (Bangkok Time)    I    Platform:  ZOOM   I  Register HERE

Background:

ASEAN is one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing regions in the world, thanks to its rich natural resources, diverse demographics, infrastructure development, strategic location, economic integration, and policies that encourage trade and investment. In recent years, the Circular Economy has gained momentum as a means to dissociate this rapid growth from resource depletion and environmental degradation. However, the significant impacts of transitioning from a linear to a circular economy are severely felt by underserved communities and countries, which are most affected by unsustainable business practices, extreme climate events, and the implementation of reformative policies. The concept of a ‘Just Transition’ originated in the 1970s as a labour protection strategy and has regained popularity over the last decade as a framework for social inclusion while achieving climate goals. The United Nations defines it as “ensuring that no one is left behind in the transition to low-carbon and environmentally sustainable economies and societies” [1]. Furthermore, the International Labour Organization (ILO) expands this definition beyond climate goals to include “greening the economy in a way that is as fair and inclusive as possible to everyone concerned, creating decent work opportunities and leaving no one behind,” with an emphasis on creating decent jobs [2].

Discussing a Just Transition in the context of a Circular Economy is crucial, encompassing strategies such as maximizing resource circulation, enhancing resource efficiency, and transitioning to more sustainable resource options. This is because the shift towards circularity will also affect how rights and welfare are distributed among regions, countries, organisations, societies, and communities. Often discussed solely as an environmental protection strategy, the Circular Economy requires additional efforts for a truly Just Circular Transition. Without the participation of multiple stakeholders, a sustainable circular roadmap cannot be achieved.

An inclusive and equitable transition is essential for making the Circular Economy work for human development and thereby supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including good health and well-being, no poverty and hunger, decent work, and equality. Various aspects of the Circular Economy, such as waste management, significantly affect the poorest communities, whether through improper management, which leads to environmental and health impacts due to landfill pollution, or through proper management, which can strip the informal sector of garbage collectors of their livelihoods and income from selling recyclables. Low and middle-income countries, which heavily rely on resource extraction and pollution-intensive industries for a significant portion of their GDPs, will face challenges and will need supportive mechanisms and strategies to ensure a smooth transition to more diverse and sustainable economic activities without leaving anyone behind from the resource-intensive sectors. Multilateral trade agreements and international collaborations can help improve fairness in global trade and reduce inequality among countries during the transition. Therefore, discussing the Circular Economy on a global scale is imperative to ensure a Just Circular Transition.

Webinar Session:

The ASEAN Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ACESP) and the EU SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Component (co-host), are convening the webinar, Just Transition to an Inclusive Circular Economy in ASEAN to emphasize the importance of a fair and equitable transition to a Circular Economy that includes all levels of society, ensuring that no one is left behind.

About the ASEAN Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform Webinar Series

The webinar series, hosted by the ASEAN Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform and co-hosted by the EU SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Component, is strategically designed to foster the adoption of Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) practices in the context of the Circular Economy (CE) across the ASEAN region. Recognising the need for a comprehensive approach addressing both supply and demand aspects and bringing together diverse stakeholders, these webinars intend to raise awareness, promote understanding, and facilitate an inclusive dialogue on making the circular economy a tangible reality in the ASEAN region. Thereby, the series aims to strengthen networks and knowledge exchanges among institutions working towards shared sustainability goals.

Chairs and Moderators

Anthony Pramualratana, ASEAN Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform 

In July 2022, Dr. Anthony Pramualratana assumed the role of Deputy Executive Director at the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development and Studies Dialogue (ACSDSD). The ACSDSD garnered support from leaders during the 34th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok in June 2019 and was officially launched at the 35th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok in November 2019. Its primary objective is to advance research on specific sustainable development issues of mutual interest and facilitate dialogue among ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, Dialogues, and external partners, employing a comprehensive and cross-cutting approach. In September 2022, Dr. Pramualratana played a key role in establishing the ASEAN Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform, a regional facility aimed at helping ASEAN Member States (AMS) achieve sustainable consumption and production by accelerating the transition towards a circular economy.

Treesuvit Arriyavat (David), Project Manager, ASEAN Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform 

David is a PhD candidate in Management at the College of Management, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. He holds significant experience in managing projects within the ASEAN context. Currently, David serves as the project manager for the ASEAN Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ACESP) at the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACSDSD) at Mahidol University, Bangkok. In this capacity, he is responsible for establishing and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the ACESP Secretariat. This role encompasses various tasks, including project coordination, management of the knowledge and information portal, as well as communication and outreach efforts.

Elodie Maria-Sube, Expert on EU policy development and partnership building at the SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Component 

Elodie is the Key Expert on EU policy development and partnership building of the SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Component of the SWITCH-Asia Programme. She is specialized in European Affairs related to topics of circular economy, SCP, climate change and environmental management, and has extensive experience in stakeholder consultation and engagement at the EU level, as well as with high-level officials in Ministries of Environment and Finance in Asia. For over a decade, Elodie has worked in South and South-East Asia on environment and climate change. She is currently leading the SWITCH-Asia Technical Advisory project on Sustainable/ Green Public Procurement for Transformation.

Speakers

Eric Roeder, Technical Specialist on Green Jobs, Climate Action and Resilience at International Labor Organization (ILO)

Eric Roeder boasts two decades of service to the United Nations, specializing in diverse sustainability projects. Notable contributions encompass mitigating dust storms with UNCCD, promoting energy efficiency via UNEP, fostering smart agriculture with UNESCAP, and enhancing rural infrastructure in Laos through ILO. Eric’s private sector involvement champions inclusive and self-sustaining growth, exemplified by his initiative linking companies with tsunami monitoring infrastructure. As UNESCAP Network Coordinator, he propelled PPP for resilient infrastructure aligned with SDGs and Paris Agreement. He spearheaded efforts revitalizing the South Aral Sea basin, culminating in a 2023 UN resolution. Eric now thrives as ILO Technical Specialist, focusing on Green Jobs and Just Energy Transitions in ASEAN countries.

Denis Schaefer, Team Leader for SWITCH-Asia Prevent Plastics Project, Myanmar

As Team Leader, Denis is in charge for the successful implementation of the SWITCH-Asia Prevent Plastics project in Myanmar. Started in May 2020, Prevent Plastics is a four-year project funded by the European Union with the aim to promote sustainable production and consumption patterns in Myanmar through raised awareness and best practices on waste management. Prevent Plastics cooperates with factories, local SMEs and communities based projects in Yangon and around Myanmar. The purpose of the project is to introduce sustainable waste management practices for Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and support all relevant stakeholders with tailored action plans, capacity building measures, and Public-Private Dialogue. Before joining the team, he worked in the private sector and was responsible for the South East Asia operations of an international company. Denis has a demonstrated history of working on top management positions as well as managing development projects. He has over 5 years of multicultural leadership experience in Asia.

Emilie Palamy Pradichit, Founder and Executive Director of Manushya Foundation

Emilie Palamy Pradichit, the Founder & Executive Director of Manushya Foundation, is an intersectional feminist visionary & international human rights lawyer specializing in accessing justice for marginalized communities through strategic litigation before the United Nations (UN) — where her innovative work has successfully held governments and businesses accountable for their human rights abuses and violations. Working on the ground, she also endorses women & youth to speak truth to power at the forefront of their fight for justice and equality as well as defends indigenous, forest-dependent, LGBTIQ+ & marginalized communities across Asia.

Agenda