The Circularity Gap Report provides a metric that measures the circular state of the world economy and high-level insights into the global metabolism. It also identifies key levers for transitioning to circularity at a global level by mid-21st century.

PARTNERS:

Circle Economy, WBCSD, DSM, UNCTAD, City of Amsterdam, WWF, Philips

LOCATION:

Global and national (Austria as the first country)

Creates a common regional vision and platform for advancing and building circularity in their economies (under development). 

PARTNERS:

UNEP, World Economic Forum, UNIDO, Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS-EKLA) 

LOCATION:

Central and South America

Convenes key stakeholders and advance harmonized approaches to measuring the progress and impacts of a circular economy transition. 

PARTNERS:

PACE (Secretariat), World Resources Institute, World Economic Forum, Circle Economy

LOCATION:

Global

LONG TERM AMBITION

Provide a scalable solution that helps OEMs and the parties in their supply chains to define the business case for viable and bankable circular propositions.

CONTEXT

• The circular transition will be driven by end-demand and large manufacturers (OEMs) who are investing in new circular propositions

• SMEs and mid-corps are major enablers in the supply chain of OEMs, but are due to their size hindered from investing in the transition and adopting circular business models, as long as the financial viability is unclear

OBJECTIVES

• Develop a scalable solution that helps OEMs and the parties in their supply chains to formulate a viable and bankable business case for circular propositions

• Ensure cooperation and a just risk-reward distribution in the supply chain, thereby also enabling SMEs and mid-corps to make the transition

• Conduct a pilot with a construction company and their supply chain partners, with an initial focus on the construction sector

• Share insights with WEF PACE and broader CE community

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Circular Economy is happening, and it’s not… With the aim to ensure that supply chain participants effectively cooperate and are able to create viable and bankable business cases of their circular propositions; ING, Accenture and Circle Economy are developing CiSCA: the Circular Supply Chain Accelerator. Actively engaging with companies and industry experts, the initial focus of the project is on the construction sector as this is a materials intensive sector, with significant CO2 emissions and great interest to jointly build that positive business case, we know it’s there!

LONG TERM AMBITION

Build circularity in our economies through sustainable procurement

CONTEXT

• Leveraging the purchasing power by buying more sustainable goods and services can help drive markets in the direction of sustainability

• The Sustainable Development Goals have reiterated the strong link between environmental protection, sustainable development and public procurement, with the inclusion of target 12.7

• Currently, incorportation of circularity requirements in procurement practices has not been broadly applied, yet it holds important potential

OBJECTIVES

• Identify highest value opportunities to leverage procurement to scale the transition to circularity in economies

• Collaborate with the public and private sector to support the intergration of circularity in the procurement cycle

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The report «Building circularity in our economies through sustainable procurement» was launched at the World Circular Economy Forum 2018. The report highlights and draws attention to the potential of procurement as a tool to scale circularity in products and services.

Building on the findings of the report, the UN Environment Programme, in collaboration with the One Planet Network, aims to include circularity requirements in sustainable procurement practices for govenments and private sector in upcoming procurement and sectoral projects and initiatives.

LONG TERM AMBITION

Grow innovation ecosystems to scale Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies’ impact on the circular economy transition.  

CONTEXT

• 4IR technology innovations have significant potential to accelerate transition to the circular economy by combining digital, physical, and biological technologies at scale. 

• Supporting circular innovators through a “standard” business accelerators and sustainability initiatives will not advance the circular economy quickly enough to address the major environmental impacts from our current take-make-dispose model. 

• There are significant opportunities for achieving and expanding circular commitments across value chains across electronics, fashion, food, and plastics value chains through innovation. 

OBJECTIVES

• Surface innovators and opportunities through localized, collaborative partnerships.

• Support systems change to establish enabling conditions for scaling 4IR innovation.

• Connect a global community of innovators with key private and public sector stakeholders.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Scale360°’s mission is to mobilize action among innovators, governments, civil society, and private sector stakeholders to grow the ecosystem for circular 4IR technology innovation—and in doing so, support the achievement of the sustainable development goals. 

As new global partnership aimed at fast-tracking fourth industrial revolution principles in the circular economy by supporting bottom-up innovation and entrepreneurship, the initiative’s global digital community and partner-led programs will surface, support, and connect 4IR technology innovations with private and public sector stakeholders to address barriers to scaling solutions that help transition away from take-make-waste models.

LONG TERM AMBITION

Create an alliance of African countries represented at the Ministerial level who share best practices, undertake collaborative projects and advocate for the circular economy

CONTEXT

A number of countries in Africa are experiencing favorable demographics and fast growth, there is an opportunity for new growth and job opportunities through continued industrialization and urbanization. The circular economy can provide an economic opportunity and jobs while avoiding a number of negative externalities experienced in other regions as a result of widescale industrialization, while reducing dependence on unstable commodity markets

OBJECTIVES

• Share best practices for the creation of legal and regulatory frameworks, the building of partnerships and the financing and creation of circular economy projects

• Advocate for and raise awareness of the circular economy at a national, regional and global level

• Bring about new projects and partnerships within individual or multiple countries

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Conceived at the World Economic Forum in Kigali in 2016 and launched in Bonne at COP 23. The Alliance was founded by three countries Rwanda, Nigeria and South Africa along with UN Environment and the World Economic Forum. The Alliance held its first Annual meeting and board meeting at the Africa Green Growth Summit in November 2018 in which Niger, Senegal, Malawi and the DRC joined the Alliance.