This webinar examines how product design can enable industrial symbiosis. Yasmin Karabulut emphasizes the importance of awareness and education; Carlo Giglio connects research with practical case studies; Snezana Kirin explains key circular economy concepts; and Maria José Ferreira presents symbiotic innovations in the footwear industry. The session illustrates how design can drive circular and collaborative solutions.
Resource Consumption and Global Challenges
The video explores the growing pressure on natural resources driven by increasing global consumption and economic development. It highlights how current patterns of production and consumption are exceeding planetary boundaries, leading to resource depletion, environmental degradation, and climate-related impacts.
This context is presented as a major challenge for modern economies, requiring a shift towards more sustainable and efficient use of resources. The video emphasises that continued reliance on resource-intensive models is not viable in the long term and calls for systemic change in how resources are managed.
Pathways Towards Sustainable Resource Management
The video outlines key strategies to address these challenges, including improving resource efficiency, reducing waste, and promoting circular economy principles. It highlights the importance of decoupling economic growth from resource use through innovation, technological development, and more sustainable business practices.
A strong emphasis is placed on the role of policy frameworks, industry action, and consumer behaviour in driving this transition. Collaboration across sectors and the adoption of sustainable production and consumption models are identified as essential to achieving long-term environmental and economic sustainability.
Overall, the video presents sustainable resource management as a critical pathway to balance economic development with environmental protection, supporting a transition towards more resilient and resource-efficient systems.