Circularity at the Climate Lab
Our ambitious climate goals can only be achieved through fundamental changes to transform our “take-make-waste” economy into one that is circular and climate neutral.
In fulfilling an integral part of the Austrian government’s strategy for a circular economy, the Federal Ministry for Climate Action appointed Climate Lab as the new home for its center for circularity in February 2023.
Climate Lab is working to advance the government’s circularity strategy by:
- Organizing projects and activities to facilitate networking, knowledge exchange and collaboration;
- Activating our cross-sectoral community of innovators dedicated to climate protection and circular economy;
- Providing a centralized space for co-working and events for professionals in the field.
Focus areas & projects
We work on topics that not only align with Austria’s circular economy strategy, but can also have the greatest impact in reducing carbon emissions. In 2023-2024, we completed projects focused on circularity in the mattress industry, building materials and vocational training.
Our current projects include:
- Circular business models for office furniture
- B2B textile recycling
- Reduced CO2 and circular building materials
Project results - 2023
Textile Dialogues
The Textile Dialogues are an event series organized by Climate Lab together with the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action in cooperation with the Federal Environment Agency (UBA). The event series brings together stakeholders from across sectors to co-develop a systems-level understanding of specific challenges related to circularity in the textiles industry. The outcomes of these sessions are used to inform the strategies and policies of the Ministry for Climate Action.
Other circularity projects
We believe that a circular economy can only be achieved through our combined efforts. In addition to our core work with the Ministry of Climate Action, Climate Lab is also involved in collaborative circularity projects that aim to advance circularity on a wider scale.
Kraisbau
Kraisbau is a BMK-lead project that brings together 33 partners, including companies, research centers, and civil society, with the goal of making the construction sector sustainable and circular through the use of artificial intelligence.
Austrian Mattress Alliance
Betten Eberharter, NEVEON and MATR joined forces to initiate the Austrian Mattress Alliance with support from the Climate Lab. The alliance focuses on circular design, digital product passes and voluntary producer responsibility.
Are you working on circular economy? Get in touch!
Helene Pattermann
Circularity Director
helene.pattermann@climatelab.at
