Agenda
Sustainable Development Forum 2026 – Circularity: The New Reality for Growth
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.
Agenda
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