Marbella sparks the debate about sustainability and economic growth at the 1st Circular Economy Forum held at The Pool
Marbella brings together international experts to define a new model based on innovation, responsible tourism and sustainable construction.
Marbella, 7 November 2025. — Marbella has positioned itself as a benchmark in sustainability and economic development following the 1st Circular Economy Forum, a pioneering event that brought together more than 80 professionals from the tourism, construction and innovation sectors at The Pool Marbella.
Organised by CleanTech Hub – The Pool, in collaboration with Marbella City Council and the management of Grupo Innovación Activa, the forum established itself as a key forum for dialogue on how to transform the region’s production model towards a more circular, competitive and responsible economy.
“Marbella has the opportunity to lead a paradigm shift. This forum opened a constructive dialogue between strategic sectors like construction and tourism”, said Cecilia Tarelli from Cleantech Hub and Innovación Activa, during the presentation of the event. “The circular economy is not only an environmental necessity, but a lever for innovation and competitiveness that can position Marbella as a national and international benchmark.”
Elin Bergman: “The future will be circular or there will not be a future”
Elin Bergman, Circular Impact Officer and Vice-President of Cradlenet, opened the conference with a reflection on the urgency of moving towards a circular model. Considered the ‘Sweden’s Queen of the Circular Economy’, Bergman gave an inspiring and compelling presentation, backed up by data that highlights the urgency of change in Andalusia.
According to the expert, the anual consumption of water in the region amounts to 764 billion litres, of which 7 billion litres are lost in Málaga alone due to leaks or fraudulent use. Only 17% of water is recycled, representing an economic loss of €1.9 billion per year.
In terms of mobility, 4 million people are affected by traffic jams every year in Andalusia and CO₂ emissions reach 13.7 million tonnes, while only 11% of citizens use public transport — well below the 77% recorded in Sweden.
Elin Bergman also warned that Andalusia wastes more than a million tonnes of food annually, and that 94% of this ends up in landfills, with economic losses amounting to €2.55 billion.
“It’s not about doing less harm, but about completely redesigning the system to generate a positive impact”, Bergman said. “The future will be circular, or there simply won’t be a future.”
The expert pointed out that the circular economy is valued at $4.5 trillion and will generate millions of jobs by 2030, an opportunity that Andalusia cannot afford to miss. “The more than 300 companies in the Cleantech Hub are already implementing circular solutions across Europe. Andalusia has everything it takes to be the next great example of sustainable transformation.”
Circular construction: Anne Raudaskoski’s vision
Finnish expert Anne Raudaskoski, founder of Re-Generous Unlimited, focused her presentation on the transformation of the construction sector, one of the most important in environmental terms. Raudaskoski highlighted the need to move from the linear model of ‘extract, manufacture and dispose’ to a circular system where materials are reused and buildings are conceived as resource banks.
She explained the example of the Socrates building, considered the first circular building in Spain, where 89% of the materials have a defined recycling route and a 20% return on investment was achieved without increasing costs or deadlines.
“Regenerative construction not only reduces environmental impact but also increases the wellbeing, productivity and economic value of projects”, the speaker pointed out, encouraging Marbella to become a benchmark in this field.
Sustainable design, clean energy and waste as a resource
The forum addressed the circular economy from a practical and cross-cutting perspective. Juan Marín, from Biotonomy, presented, among others, the case of the Hotel Mariposa in Malaga, a model of intelligent water and energy management that demonstrates how technology and biophilic design can drastically reduce the environmental footprint in the hotel industry.
The A.I.R.E. (Alliance for Strategic Regenerative Innovation) initiative was also presented, which seeks to promote environmental and social regeneration projects through public-private partnerships.
The round table on waste management and recovery, moderated by Inés Skotnicka, was attended by Rubén Barredo (Agresur), Alberto Chullia (Aimplas) and Anne Raudaskoski herself, who agreed that the future of the sector lies in digitalisation, the collaborative economy and cross-sector cooperation.
Marbella leads public-private cooperation towards a circular model
The forum was closed by Alejandro Freijo, head of the Economic Development and Employment Department at Marbella Town Hall, who highlighted the municipality’s commitment to sustainability as a strategic axis for tourism and business development.
“The circular economy is not an option, it is the path to competitiveness and resilience in the business sector”, said Freijo.
With this first edition, the 1st Circular Economy Forum consolidates Marbella as a meeting point for sustainable innovation in southern Europe and opens the door to new opportunities for responsible investment and international collaboration.
About CleanTech Hub – The Pool
CleanTech is The Pool’s sustainability vertical, created to bring together companies and professionals committed to environmental innovation. Its mission is to promote sustainable projects, encourage the adoption of clean technologies and accelerate the transition to a circular economy. www.thepool.es/cleantech
About Innovación Activa
Innovación Activa is a company specialising in the management of environmental and circular economy projects. It promotes sustainable solutions adapted to current needs, driving green technologies and responsible business models. www.inno-activa.com
