Founded in 2019, the Circular Economy Switzerland Association (CES) promotes Switzerland's transition from a linear to a circular economy by encouraging dialogue between actors from the private sector, civil society, politics and public administration. Through this network of regional hubs, CES facilitates cooperation and knowledge exchange between different fields, acting as a catalyst for a national movement.
The Ticino branch is part of this network as a point of reference for local organisations committed to circularity as a concrete approach and tool to help halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement.
The new hub will be led by Alessandro Fontana and Silvia Menato, lecturers and researchers at the Institute for Sustainable Production Systems and Technologies (ISTePS - Department of Innovative Technologies, SUPSI), who will be responsible for stimulating and encouraging discussions and activities on circularity in the regional manufacturing industry. Fontana: The opening of a hub in Ticino is an important step towards making circularity a shared theme among industry, institutions and citizens. The aim is to create connections, stimulate projects and build a network capable of generating value for the territory and for the future of the younger generations. The initiative is open to all industrial sectors, regardless of the level of knowledge and expertise developed on the subject. We expect positive cross-sector contamination with ideas and contributions that can cross the boundaries of industrial sectors and company sizes, creating a space where knowledge and experience can be exchanged."
As regards the construction sector, the two ISTePS researchers will be joined by architect Anna Juda and Carlo Gambato, lecturer and researcher at the Institute for Applied Sustainability in the Built Environment (ISAAC - Department of Environment, Construction and Design), who is already active as a representative of Hub 4RnD Circular Construction Italian Switzerland. Gambato emphasises that the construction sector represents one of the most significant challenges and opportunities: it generates the largest amount of waste in relation to its weight. This is precisely why the circular economy can offer concrete and innovative solutions to reduce its impact, promoting more sustainable and resilient processes.
Like the other regional hubs, CES Lugano Hub will promote opportunities for discussion between companies and organisations active in various professional sectors and civil society. The working group will focus in particular on developing relationships with local associations and economic actors, organising events and networking opportunities, and communicating the hub's activities and initiatives through the available channels.