WCEF2025 accelerator session: Empowering local circular solutions in agriculture

WCEF2025 Accelerator Session: Empowering local circular solutions in agriculture

The session shared examples of enabling policy frameworks, financial mechanisms and business cases that have proven successful in implementing and scaling up circular solutions in agricultural value chains. The discussion highlighted how improved circularity in agriculture can help address environmental issues such as air pollution, waste management and climate change, with a focus on post-harvest circular solutions, ranging from efficient and low-GWP cold chain management, to post-harvest/food waste minimization and nature-based packaging solutions. 

Innovations and case studies from Brazil and Viet Nam were presented by policymakers, private sector, agricultural associations and also brought in the perspectives of local communities and indigenous populations, including on how traditional knowledge can be applied to increase the uptake of Circular Economy in Agriculture. 

The session highlighted practical examples of how farmers and private sector value chain actors have managed to contribute to the circular bio-economy by adopting nature-based solutions as well as energy efficiency measures. 

Speakers

Opening Remarks:        

• Ms. Liv Nakashima Costa - Director, Sustainable Corporate Management - Environment Company of the State of São Paulo - CETESB
• Mr. Cristiano Kenji Iwai - Undersecretary for Water Resources and Sanitation - Secretariat of Environment, Infrastructure and Logistics of the State of São Paulo – SEMIL 
• Mr. Ricardo Rosario, Coordinator of Energy Transition of the Secretariat of Agriculture and Supplies of the State of Sao Paulo.

Panel facilitators: 

• Ms. Lady Virgínia Traldi Meneses - Manager Multilateral Environmental Agreements - Environment Company of the State of São Paulo - CETESB

Panel members:   

• Dr. Thiago Pietrobon - President, National Environment Department - Brazilian Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Heating Association - ABRAVA
• Dr. Anderson Cassio Sevilha - In Situ Conservation Researcher and former Manager of the Project EMBRAPA/UNDP/GEF Bem Diverso - Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation - EMBRAPA
• Ms. Gracionice Costa da Silva Correa - Representative of the Traditional Community Monte Hermom, Portel City, State of Pará - President of the Cooperative of small farmers for the sustainable management of the Açai Berry “Manejai”
• Dr. Lai Van Manh - Head, Department of Economics on Natural Resources and Environment - Institute of Strategy and Policy on Agriculture and Environment (ISPAE), Viet Nam Ministry of Agriculture and Environment

This event/webinar was an accelerator session at the World Circular Economy Forum 2025 (WCEF2025.com). WCEF2025 gathered forward-looking thinkers and doers and presented the game-changers in the circular economy. The forum was held from 13 to 16 May in São Paolo, Brazil. WCEF2025 was organised jointly by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, FIESP (Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo), CNI (Brazilian National Industry Confederation) and SENAI-SP (Brazilian National Industrial Learning Service), in close collaboration with international partner organisations. 

For additional information or if you have any questions related to this accelerator session, kindly contact Hilda Van der Veen ✉️