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Can biomaterials become the building blocks for the 21st Century?
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On behalf of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Yale Center for Ecosystems in Architecture (Yale CEA), we would like to invite you to attend the upcoming event entitled “Can biomaterials become the building blocks for the 21st Century?”, taking place on Thursday 5 May 2022 from 15:00 to 16:30 CET (9:00-10:30 EDT). Register here. 

The session will focus on the shift towards circular, bio-based, renewable materials and construction methods for a sustainable future, with a focus on bio-based and biomaterials. This transition away from current linear, extractive, and toxic construction practices has the potential to dramatically reduce both the need for natural resources and the carbon footprint of urban growth, and is critical to deliver on the Glasgow Climate Pact.

The aim of this event is to raise awareness of the transformational socio-economic and environmental impacts that an accelerated transition to a bio-based, circular material economy could have, particularly for the Global South. The event will also mark the launch of a new report published by Yale University entitled “Biomaterials Supporting the Transition to a Circular Built Environment in the Global South” to which UNEP contributed.

Speakers* will include:

  • Sheila Aggarwal-Khan, Director, Economy Division, UNEP
  • Anna Dyson, Director, Center for Ecosystems in Architecture, Yale University
  • Ana Maria Duran Castillo, Founding Principal, ESTUDIO AO, Quito, Ecuador.
  • Dr. Naomi Keena, Founding Research Scientist, Yale Center for Ecosystems in Architecture, Yale University / Assistant Professor, McGill University
  • Hanaa Dahy, Founding Director, BioMat, Bio-based Materials and Material Cycles in Architecture, Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design, Stuttgart, Germany
  • Stephanie Burrell, Lead, Forest Economy Program, Word Economic Forum
  • Nzambi Matee, Founder, Gjenge Makers
  • Mae-Ling Lokko, Founder, Willow Technologies, Ghana / Associate Research Scientist, Yale Center for Ecosystems in Architecture
  • Lola Ben-Alon, Founder, NatLab / Assistant Professor, Columbia University
  • Dr. Heike Litzinger, Head of Division for Environmental Policy, Urban Development, Mobility, Circular Economy, Marine Conservation, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
  • And more.

*Listed in no particular order