Advancing Industrial Symbiosis Sustainability: WG3 members Tackles Industrial Symbiosis Challenge of awareness and capacitation
On October 3 and 4, 2024, members of Working Group 3 (WG3) of the LIAISE COST Action CA22110 gathered in Riga, Latvia, for a two-day hybrid event. Held both in person and via Zoom, the event brought together researchers, industry experts, and policymakers to explore the potential of Industrial Symbiosis in fostering sustainability and driving the transition to a Circular Economy.
The event kicked off with registration and a welcome coffee, followed by opening words from Dzintra Atstaja and Besa Shahini, along with addresses from key Latvian officials: R. Vesere, Deputy State Secretary for Environmental Protection, Ministry of Climate and Energy, and I. Oša, Deputy State Secretary for Regional Development, Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development.
A research meeting and workshop titled “Understanding and Advancing Industrial Symbiosis for Sustainability: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach” featured a series of insightful presentations such as research topics and their links with ongoing COST Action, role of Circular Economy and Digitalization in fostering young researchers, KPIs, main trends in Latvian Industrial Symbiosis cases, etc.
Day two began with representatives from the EKA University of Applied Sciences welcoming attendees, followed by a session on barriers and innovations in the circular economy. After a Q&A session, participants were transferred to Getlini EKO, where they explored a case study on internal industrial symbiosis at the landfill. Representatives from Getlini EKO also spoke about the circular economy’s role in waste management in Riga and Tartu (CERITA).
The event wrapped up with discussions on future steps and potential collaborations in Industrial Symbiosis under the framework of LIAISE COST Aaciton, aiming to bridge research and practice to drive sustainable transitions across Europe.
