CESI at the Circular Economy Report 2024 presentation

On December 11, 2024, Emanuela Viganò, on behalf of CESI, participated in the presentation of the Circular Economy Report 2024, organized by the Energy & Strategy Group of Politecnico di Milano. During the panel discussion, “Circular Innovation: What Services Support Companies on Their Path to a Circular Economy?”, Emanuela explored the main challenges and opportunities associated with adopting circular economy principles in Italy.

Among the topics discussed were the importance of awareness and commitment from top management, the push from regulatory and financial incentives (Italian green bonds reached a value of over €8 billion in 2024, marking a 74% increase compared to the previous year), and the growing focus on reducing environmental impact—all of which are driving companies toward more sustainable and circular models. However, significant obstacles remain, such as long payback periods, regulatory uncertainty, and high initial costs, which must be overcome to accelerate this transition.

Emanuela also highlighted that 64% of Italian companies have already implemented or plan to adopt circular practices, with nearly one in two companies having launched at least one concrete initiative. Particular attention was given to the critical role of sustainability and circularity consulting, which is the most widely utilized support service for companies transitioning to the circular economy paradigm, compared to finance, legal services, certifications, and training.

The CESI business unit, CESI Consulting, supports companies and organizations in transitioning to sustainable circular models through its integrated, customized Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) approach, tailored to client needs. CESI provides innovative solutions, including impact assessment, ecodesign, project circularity maximization, efficient resource management, and material recovery. With extensive experience and active contributions to standardization working groups, CESI partners with businesses to build an increasingly sustainable future.