The Circular Economy: Regulatory and Commercial Law Implications

摘要

Many have put forward a vision for a "circular economy" that would not only conserve and recycle materials, but also contribute to new technological, financial, and environmental innovations. As this circular economy approach gains traction, adjustments to our system of regulatory and commercial law will be needed. For lawyers and their clients, the circular economy represents a new and important thought construct that will lead to legal frameworks better adapted to the 21st century. On February 23, 2016, the Environmental Law Institute and the ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources co-sponsored a day-long seminar that looked at the circular economy and how it is being applied at the intersection of energy, environment, and materials management. The panelists also discussed some of the specific regulatory, procurement, financial structuring, and other legal initiatives that are emerging to help actualize its objectives globally. Below, we present a partial transcript of the event, which has been edited for style, clarity, and space considerations.