Water2REturn at ECO.BIO workshop in Lisbon, Portugal

Water2REturn project, that was launched last July 1^st, was presented by our project partner ADVENTECH on June 21^st, 2017 in the ECO.BIO workshop on “agriculture and forestry in the context of Circular Economy” in Lisbon.

Agriculture and forestry sectors are unique, as they directly depend on natural resources and services: soil, water, light, nutrients, biodiversity…however, resources are intensively used in these sectors: by 2015, nearly 40% of their turnover was spent on raw material, while only 14% in wages. Their impact is also relevant: in 2014, they contributed with 15.9% of the potential global warming, contrasting with a contribution of 2.2% to the GVA.

The application of the principles of circular economy are opportunities to progress towards the regeneration of natural capital, the efficient and effective use of resources, the minimisation of impacts and the creation of value and employment.

The workshop was created having this problematic in mind, choosing the following main thematics:

• Action Plan for the Circular Economy.
• Relevance of agriculture and forestry in the context of Circular Economy.
• Circular Economy in agriculture and forestry: sustainable investment.
• Circular Economy in agriculture: national initiatives and examples.

Mr. Carlos Martins, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Environment, Ms. Inês Costa, also member of the Minister of Environment and Mr. Peter Jensen, Intergovernmental Physical Planning Adviser at United Nations, among other dignitaries, participated in the event.

More info here.