A dynamic afternoon exploring evidence-driven insights on climate mitigation contributions from circular economy strategies for: construction – buildings, transport and energy infrastructure; services – housing and mobility; and system-wide enablers and impacts including digitalisation, behaviour change, and rebound effects.
The CIRCOMOD, CircEUlar, and CO2NSTRUCT Horizon Europe research projects are hosting their final joint conference “Modelling to Policy: Circular Economy Pathways Towards Net-Zero”, taking place on 28 May 2026, from 13:00 to 18:00 CEST, at Thon EU in Brussels. This interactive event will delve into emerging key messages on circular economy strategies, identify key priorities for further research and present policy recommendations supporting an EU low-carbon transition. The day will close with a networking session over drinks, giving participants the chance to connect, exchange ideas and continue the conversation.
Highlights of the programme / What to expect:
- Keynote speakers and project contributions – the coordinators of the three sister projects, University of Utrecht’s Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development – The Netherlands, International Institute for Applied System Analysis based in Austria and Technical University of Denmark will lead the discussions on circularity pathways, key messages, further research and policy recommendations.
- Policy panel discussion – Leading researchers will present cutting-edge results on a range of circular economy strategies, and prominent policy specialists – experts in current and upcoming EU-level policy developments – respond fueling discussion and dialogue. Attendees, both online and in person, will be invited to engage and ask the panellists questions to help guide the exchange.
- Interactive breakout sessions – Participants can partake in facilitated discussions and practical exchanges across three thematic areas all linked to circular economy pathways, strategies and practices:
- Construction approaches: Ecosystem of materials industries, built assets, transport and energy infrastructure at scale led by CO2NSTRUCT
- This session explores circular construction strategies and practices, implications for material industries (e.g., steel, cement, glass, copper), supply chains, sustainable material choices, and infrastructure design to reduce material use and emissions. Policymakers, material and sector specialists, industry professionals in construction and infrastructure, and researchers will find this session particularly relevant.
- Service-focused measures: Integrated solutions for mobility and housing – led by CIRCOMOD
- This session focuses on solutions for transportation and housing services and sectors to reduce material demand as well as their interconnections. It will also touch upon urban form, waste and household appliances. It aims to speak to policymakers, planners, transport and housing officers, and researchers working on sustainable mobility and shelter.
- System-wide enablers: digitalisation, behaviours, rebound effects and economic impacts – led by CircEUlar
- This session explores the key drivers shaping circular transitions, from digitalisation and socio-economic dynamics to citizen behaviours and the broader rebound effects and economic impacts they generate. Policymakers, social scientists, researchers, and civil society actors interested in systemic circular economy strategies will gain the most from this discussion.
- Construction approaches: Ecosystem of materials industries, built assets, transport and energy infrastructure at scale led by CO2NSTRUCT
- Networking opportunities – The event will also offer dedicated slots for networking, enabling participants to connect and exchange ideas with researchers who are currently at the forefront of academic expertise in this field after intensively studying the topic for the past four years.
Who should attend
This event will be particularly relevant for policymakers, industry representatives, researchers, and professionals working on sustainable construction, mobility, planning, housing, circular economy initiatives, and environmental policy.
All sessions, except the breakout sessions, will be streamed online on the day and open to all. In-person participation is by invitation only.
More details and registration information will follow soon. If you are interested in attending please contact:
- CircEUlar – [email protected]
- CIRCOMOD – [email protected]
- CO2NSTRUCT – [email protected]