The Sustainable Development Forum – Cambridge Edition 2026 brings together leaders from academia, industry, finance, and policy to explore how circularity is reshaping global competitiveness, economic resilience, and long-term growth.

At a time of geopolitical fragmentation, resource constraints and climate disruption, circular economy principles are moving from ambition to necessity. This Forum focuses on how economies, industries and institutions can transition from high-level commitments to large-scale implementation.

Discussions will address the role of circularity in strengthening industrial strategy, securing critical resources, enabling sustainable finance, and driving innovation across sectors, including finance, food systems, and fashion.

By connecting systems thinking with real-world execution, the Forum aims to provide practical insights into how sustainability can become a driver of competitive advantage in a rapidly changing global economy.

08:30 – 09:00
Registration and coffee

09:00 – 09:20
Opening remarks: From Linear Limits to Circular Advantage

09:20 – 09:50
Fireside chat: Circularity, Competitiveness & the Future of Europe

09:50 –  10:35
Panel 1: Circular Economy at Scale: From Concept to Systemic Transformation

10:35 –  11:00
Coffee break

11:00 – 11:40
Panel 2: Circular Finance & Capital Allocation (Financing Resilience & Competitive Growth)

11:40 – 12:20
Panel 3: Circular Energy Systems: Resilience, Security & Lifecycle Thinking

12:20 – 13:20
Networking lunch

13:20 – 14:00
Panel 4: UN Panel – Circularity and the SDGs: Lessons from the Fathers of Sustainable Development Goals

14:00 – 14:40
Panel 5: Circular Food Systems: From Waste Reduction to Food Security

14:40 – 15:00
Coffee break

15:00 – 15:40
Panel 6: Fashion Industry & Sustainability: From Trends to Transformation

15:40 – 16:20
Panel 7: AI, Data & the Circular Economy, Building the Decision Infrastructure

16:20 – 16:40
Closing remarks

16:40 – 18:30
Drinks reception