EDP promoted a debate on circular economy, with the participation of Ellen MacArthur, Princess of Asturias Prize 2022, with the aim of alerting companies and institutions to the urgency of the transition to a more sustainable model.

The importance of the circular economy 

EDP, committed to the circular economy for almost 50 years, held a debate on the topic, with the participation of Ellen MacArthur, Princess of Asturias International Cooperation Award 2022. The event took place in October 2022, in the EDP auditorium in Spain.

The debate was attended by representatives of companies, institutions and public administration committed to the mission of accelerating the transition to the circular economy. Theresa Zabell, two-time Olympic champion and president of the Ecomar Foundation, moderated an inspiring and optimistic conversation about the future, during which Ellen MacArthur highlighted that the most profound moment of her journey was the change from the straight line to the circle: "when we question what the circle is in our lives, everything changes".

The circular economy proposes a systemic change in industrial production, aiming at a better use of resources, based on the reduction, reuse and recycling of materials. It is one of the most important models in the fight for sustainable development.

"Companies not only understand the need for this change, they are increasingly realizing what they have to do to change," said Ellen MacArthur.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation 

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is today a reference in the fight for a better use of resources, by introducing the principles of circular economy in the mission of the institutions with which it collaborates. It has been driving what it calls systemic initiatives, within the Mainstream project, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum. 

His research and participation are developed in four essential areas: 

Feeding

It has been gathering and stimulating the main actors of the sector to make the food production and consumption system sustainable. 

Reducing plastic use

With the New Plastic Economy initiative, aims at reducing the use of this material. 

In the fashion industry

In 2017, with the publication of the report "A new textile economy: redesigning the future of fashion", it gave rise to the Make Fashion Circular campaign, presented in 2018 together with designer Stella McCartney. With the support of other apparel brands, it has been analyzing and promoting the need to transition to a system that uses better materials, promotes sustainable production, and encourages the reuse of resources in the textile sector.

Climate Change 

In the fight against climate change, through the principles of circular economy, to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and other polluting elements. 

The Princess of Asturias Award 

This award aims to value scientific, technical, cultural, social and humanitarian work, carried out by individuals, institutions, groups or institutions at an international level. 

It is a recognition of the work, individual or collective, in the development and promotion of public health, the universality of education, the protection and defence of the environment, and the economic, cultural and social progress of population.

Impact (results)