Risk, procurement and capital allocation to take centre stage in circular economy training
As circular economy policy gains momentum in Australia and overseas, a new workshop from Circular Australia is aimed at helping government finance, procurement and sustainability professionals apply circular principles to investment decisions, risk assessment and capital allocation using practical tools developed for the financial sector.
As Australia joins more than 70 per cent of G20 nations in making the circular economy a policy priority, attention is increasingly turning to how public sector finance and procurement teams assess risk, allocate capital and evaluate long term value.
Circular Australia will host an interactive working session led by Jillian Reid and Lisa McLean to help government finance, procurement and sustainability professionals incorporate circular economy principles into day to day decision-making.
The workshop, happening online on July 9 2026, is designed to provide participants with practical frameworks and tools that can be applied across investment strategy, procurement processes and policy development.
According to Circular Australia, the changing regulatory and economic environment means government agencies need to understand how circular economy principles intersect with financial decision-making and risk management.
From sustainability concept to investment framework
The workshop draws on Circular Australia's recent report and guide, developed in partnership with Mercer, which examines how circular economy principles can be incorporated into investor and lender processes.
The report argues that a transition to a circular economy is becoming increasingly necessary as organisations face risks associated with traditional "take make waste" business models. It states: "The future of finance is circular."
The accompanying guide outlines a four-step approach covering governance, risk assessment, circular transition planning and portfolio actions. It is intended to help investors and lenders identify where circular economy approaches can reduce risks linked to supply chains, emissions, nature impacts and resource use.
Workshop participants will examine case studies and sector scenarios, explore risk indicators and learn how to assess circular transition opportunities across industries and supply chains.
Looking beyond recycling
A central theme of the Circular Australia framework is that circular economy policy extends well beyond recycling and waste management.
The guide describes circular economy as a model that seeks to design out waste and pollution, retain the value of products and materials for longer, and conserve natural and social systems.
It also promotes a hierarchy that prioritises avoiding resource use, reducing material consumption, redesigning products and extending product life before considering recycling and recovery options.
Participants in the workshop will be introduced to practical tools that help evaluate circular opportunities across procurement and investment activities, together with engagement approaches linked to climate and nature objectives.
Identifying risks across sectors
The Circular Australia and Mercer research uses sector heatmaps to identify industries facing elevated climate, nature, social and supply chain risks. The analysis points to sectors including materials, energy, utilities, food and beverage, capital goods and manufacturing-related industries as areas where circular economy approaches could help address multiple forms of risk simultaneously.
The report states that a circular economy "Addresses multiple risks at once by supporting more positive economic and risk/return outcomes; reducing financed emissions by tackling embodied carbon; and reducing dependencies and impacts on nature".
Workshop attendees will explore how these concepts can be translated into practical decision-making through procurement frameworks, policy development and capital allocation processes.
Practical application for government agencies
Rather than focusing solely on theory, the session is intended to leave participants with frameworks and implementation tools that can be used within government agencies immediately.
Circular Australia says attendees will gain a working understanding of circular economy principles in investment and procurement settings, practical methods for assessing transition opportunities, and evidence-based guidance that can be applied across portfolios and programs.
As governments continue to direct substantial funding into infrastructure, industry development and public services, the ability to evaluate circular economy opportunities alongside traditional financial and risk considerations is becoming an increasingly relevant capability for finance and procurement teams.
