C2C Network – A journey from Cradle to Cradle
European regions have played a key role in implementing the treaties of Lisbon and Gothenburg and will continue to do so under the new Europe 2020 strategy. They also have a part to play in promoting sustainability in the EU, and are approaching sustainable development in a number
of ways, depending on the objective and the scale of the activity concerned. “Cradle to Cradle” (C2C) evokes its own antithesis (“cradle to grave”) and provides the framework for a breakthrough. The C2C idea is both challenging and inspires us to move towards sustainability in a recycling society.
The American architect William A. McDonough and the German chemist Michael Braungart developed the original C2C concept, which is based on the idea of getting things right first time rather than making up
for mistakes later. The C2C philosophy, which has its focus on recycling in closed loops, is an idea that can both contribute to economic development and reduce reliance on raw materials, thus allowing society to make better use of limited space and reducing environmental pollution. It is part of a move to a sustainable, environmentally balanced society. C2C does not view the challenge of sustainability
as a burden to be avoided, but looks for business opportunities in transforming the process of economic innovation and growth.
Our Cradle to Cradle Network (C2CN) will establish the following tactical and operational goals:
{ Creating a European platform for gathering and disseminating knowledge on C2C in relation to waste prevention and management;
{ Drawing up action plans in which we demonstrate to the EU, its member states, regions and relevant organisations how C2C can be formulated and implemented regionally and how this procedure can produce sustainable solutions, economic growth opportunities (innovation), and social wellbeing;
{ Establishing links with regional policy objectives, specifically with regional competitiveness and employment targets and with European territorial cooperation initiatives;
{ Promoting regional stakeholder involvement.
The C2CN approach will consist of the following steps: capitalising on existing good practices in industry, area-specific spatial development, building design, and governance; and making a good practice handbook and four perspective studies, which will provide the basis for each region’s action plans.
Below are four different examples showing how the partner regions are working towards eco-effective and C2C design. In the fifth example, the French partner ARDI Rhône-Alpes looks in greater detail at Ecodesign & Governance.
