- 3 min reading
Adapteo is taking part in COP17, the UN Biodiversity Conference, in Yerevan, Armenia. The conference brings together governments, cities, businesses, finance institutions and civil society to discuss how the world is progressing on biodiversity and how the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework can be put into practice.
For us, COP17 is an important place to be because the built environment is part of the biodiversity conversation. Buildings require materials, land, energy, transport and maintenance. They also shape how communities grow and how public services are delivered.
That gives our sector a responsibility and an opportunity to use buildings for longer, move them when needs change, and keep materials and value in circulation.
This is the circular idea behind Adapteo’s model.
Why circularity belongs at COP17
Biodiversity discussions often focus on the very essential protected areas and ecosystems. And rightfully so, but biodiversity is also affected by everyday economic choices, particulary around how long we use 'things' and what happens when needs change.
The built environment has an enormous material footprint. If we can make buildings last longer, use them more efficiently and avoid unnecessary new construction, we can reduce that pressure.
This is also why circularity needs to be discussed with cities, policymakers and finance institutions, not only within sustainability teams.
A circular building model only scales when procurement recognises it, when customers can compare lifecycle value fairly, and when finance understands the resilience of businesses that are less dependent on new material inputs.
Our events at COP17
Adapteo is contributing to three COP17 sessions, each looking at circularity from a different angle: cities, finance and business models. If you're around, we hope to welcome you to one or all of them.
From urban biodiversity strategies to implementation: planning and procurement for Biodiversity-Inclusive Cities
When: Thursday 22 October at 13:00
Where: Finance and Business Hub in the Action Zone.
This discussion focuses on how cities can turn biodiversity strategies into the choices they make in planning, procurement and project delivery.
For the built environment, procurement is one of the most important levers. If tenders only reward lowest upfront cost, circular solutions struggle to compete. If they take account of lifecycle value, adaptability, reuse and lower material use, the market changes.
Speakers:
Daniela Rizzi, PhD; Senior Expert for Nature-based Solutions and Biodiversity; ICLEI European Secretariat.
Marianne Kettunen; Biodiversity Lead & Policy expert and advisor; Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Kitt Bell Andersen; Leading senior adviser; Department of environment and circular economy; DI- Confederation of Danish Industry
Olli-Pekka Mäki, Environmental Manager, City of Turku
Moderated by Dr. Lina K. Wiles, Chief Sustainability Officer, Adapteo Group
Aligning green finance with circular portfolios
When: Sunday 25 October at 15:00
Where: Nordic Pavilion.
A fireside chat with:
Dr. Lina K. Wiles, Chief Sustainability Officer, Adapteo Group
Thorbjørn Lundholm Dahl, Deputy Head of Group Sustainability; Danske Bank
The conversation looks at what finance needs to understand about circular business models. Adapteo’s own experience with its €2 billion refinancing and green finance framework is part of this discussion.
Circular business models: using less to deliver more
When: Monday 26 October 2026 at 16:00
Where: Nordic Pavilion
This session goes to the heart of the matter. Circularity is often described in abstract terms, but the business question is quite tangible: how can companies deliver the same or better service with fewer new resources?
In our sector, that means treating buildings as long-term platforms rather than single-use projects. It means designing for repeat use. It means maintaining and refurbishing assets so they can serve different customers over time. And it means making circularity commercially workable, not dependent on exceptional circumstances or goodwill.
Speakers:
Moderated by Marianne Kettunen, Biodiversity Lead & Policy expert and advisor; Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
Dr. Lina K. Wiles, Chief Sustainability Officer; Adapteo Group
Karin Klitgaard, Director of Environmental Policy & Circular Economy; DI - Confederation of Danish Industry (Dansk Industri)
Eero Jalava, Senior Lead, Foresight; The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra
What we want to take forward
Our hope from COP17 is a more practical conversation about circularity in the built environment. Circularity should not be complicated. In the built environment, it starts with a simple idea that when needs change, buildings should be able to change too.
We're proud to be attending COP17 as part of Sweden’s and Finland’s delegation, led by the Ministry of the Environment and mobilised by UN Global Compact Network Finland and Business Sweden.
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