The European Union (EU) is promoting a circular economy as the new economic model - against the still prevailing linear economy – which will reduce the environmental, energy and climate footprint of any human activity and will preserve the scarce resources of our planet while protecting the climate and the environment. Circular Economy has become an emblematic overarching priority under the EU Green Deal and is mainstreamed in Green Growth, Blue Economy and Digital Economy the other three EU priorities. The significance of the circular economy is also recognized by the UN and contributes to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Circular Economy and Climate Institute is promoting circular economy and sustainable practices, climate, environmental and energy diplomacy, as well as the new holistic concept of “circular diplomacy” and will strive to mainstream circular economy in all policy areas.
The goal of the Institute is to promote the implementation of a circular economy at all levels of governance, both top-down and bottom-up, as well as to promote a social circular economy. The promotion of circular entrepreneurship and circular environmental and social governance (C-ESG) is also among its objectives. The Institute develops also and contributes to sharing good practices on mitigation and adaptation/resilience actions to combat climate change and promotes climate-proofing and green public procurement.
The Institute offers technical assistance, capacity & institutional building, promotional and awareness-raising activities on all the above, promotes innovative actions, environmental consultancy, project management on EU co-financed and privately financed projects, environmental legal recommendations, legal representation and assistance to all environmental-related matters in cases of environmental, climate or circular economy litigation or arbitration.
The Institute for Circular Economy and Climate of the EPLO organizes on an annual basis an international scientific conference, the Circular Gaia Symposium, a landmark event dedicated to advancing circular economy and climate action. As part of the Symposium’s broader framework, the Institute hosts smaller thematic events, workshops throughout the year, aiming to explore specialized topics in depth and promote interdisciplinary collaboration.
Beyond EPLO's network of 75 universities, the Institute collaborates with the academic community, government agencies, civil society, and entrepreneurship to promote good practices, know-how and partnerships in European programs.
The Institute regularly organises events and workshops and has signed Memorandums of Agreement officialising cooperation with the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) and the Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association – EMEA
The Circular Economy & Climate Institute of the EPLO was also present at COP29 in Baku. Its Director, Mr George Kremlis participated as speaker and moderator in several panels in the Blue Zone and he and the deputy director, Mrs Garyfallia (Fay) Selimi had several fruitful meetings promoting the aims of the Institute. After the completion of the COP29 proceedings Mrs Selimi published the following article about the outcomes of the COP COP29: H «COP των χρηματοδοτήσεων»
Director of the Institute: George Kremlis
He is the Chairman of the Greek Initiative at UN level on protecting cultural and natural heritage from climate change impacts. He is a member of the Board of the European Public Law Organization, chairs its climate and circular economy Institute and is the Representative of the EPLO in Bulgaria.
He is also a member of the environmental and social advisory council of the EBRD and also currently the Chair of the Bureau of the Espoo Convention, Chair of the MOPs in 2019, elected Chair for the MOPs in December 2020 and re-elected Chair for the period 2021-2023. He is the Chairman of the AmCham circular economy committee.
George Kremlis is Honorary Director of the European Commission (EC) and has acted in this capacity as Active Senior responsible for circular economy in the islands.
He was until recently special Advisor to the Greek Prime Minister on energy, climate, environment and circular economy issues
Deputy Director of the Institute: Garyfallia (Fay) Selimi.
Attorney at Law, PhD(c), MSc, with expertise in environmental law, climate law, energy law, financial and European public law and sustainable development policies. Sustainability expert. Official representative of the European Public Law Organization (EPLO) at the Working Groups and meetings of the parties of the UNECE Espoo Convention and SEA Protocol. She is also a legal and sustainability counsel of municipalities, international organizations and public and private sector companies.
The Members of the Scientific Committee of the Institute are as follows:
