International Conference in Warsaw on the Future of Sustainable Construction (CirCon4Climate)
On February 18 and 19, an international conference took place in Warsaw, bringing together experts from the fields of construction, architecture, urban infrastructure, waste management, plastics, and related industries to discuss the future of sustainable construction.
This event, which gathered visionaries, innovators, and decision-makers, focused on solutions to accelerate the implementation of the Fit for 55 package and facilitate an effective transition to a circular economy. Discussions considered environmental, geopolitical, and social challenges, with particular emphasis on how the conclusions could contribute to shaping national waste management policies.
The event also summarized the project outcomes of CirCon4Climate. The Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute (ZAG) was one of the co-organizers, with Dr. Alenka Mauko Pranjić participating in a panel discussion on circular and low-carbon building materials.
The conference was held in a hybrid format, featuring a large online audience from across Europe. Alongside speakers on the main stage, smaller working groups engaged in focused discussions.
The event concluded dynamically with a series of short, five-minute inspiring talks (TED Talk-style), where speakers raised creative and thought-provoking questions critical to the future of circular construction:
- Circularity is not new – why is it still not systematically integrated?
- The future is now – how can we encourage concrete action today?
- Technology is available – what is hindering its widespread implementation?
- How can we overcome bureaucratic barriers that slow down innovation?
- Why do experts collaborate too little, and how can we improve networking?
- How can we extract useful information from vast amounts of data for circular construction?
- How can circular construction become more attractive to investors and support real estate development without increasing costs?
- How can we ensure that circular construction is sustainable while also being safe, high-quality, and appealing?
The event raised important questions and provided a foundation for further action and the development of circular solutions in the construction sector.