Municipality-led circular economy case studies In partnership with the Climate-KIC Circular Cities Project An urban circular economy is one in which cities keep resources in use for as long as possible, extract the maximum value from them whilst in use, then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end their life. It is a more efficient and environmentally sound alternative to the traditional linear economy in which we make, use and dispose of resources. Foreword How can cities create prosperity for growing popula- validated and implemented. This first project publication tions whilst transitioning through systemic change to provides a unique overview of concrete circular economy low-carbon economies? initiatives from cities through 40 examples from around the world. It showcases how cities today are viably put- How can cities achieve continued prosperity whilst ting the circular economy concept into practice to realise preserving and reducing their demands on natural systemic change on a district and city level, which can resources, like building and construction materials, food then be scaled-up, not only regionally, but internation- and fossil-fuels, that are fuelling conventional economic ally as well. I sincerely hope that cities around the world growth and global warming? will be using these 40 case studies and be inspired. Cities across the world are looking into the circular econ- I therefore encourage Mayors and city practitioners, omy concept, as it is being recognized as a key driver businesses and academia across the world to join this for the much wanted green transition, simultaneously journey to zero waste cities, utilising the circular econ- enabling greater energy and material efficiency, lower omy toolkit, and other resources from this Climate-KIC pollution and GHG emissions and job creation. Cities project and wider networks, to unlock the cities’ poten- echo that it is time to accelerate the “reduce, reuse, tial to create truly circular city districts through practical recycle” mantra by rethinking the approach to develop- application. ment. With their high densities, cities hold the potential to adopt circular, restorative economies where we no longer consider anything to be waste. The EIT Climate-KIC Orchestrated Innovation Ecosystem program is specifically looking for initiatives that promote and catalyse the sharing of circular economy innovation between cities, regions and networks on a global basis, which is the essence of the Climate-KIC Circular Cities project. The Circular Cities project has several outputs, includ- Anders Wijkman, ing toolkits and the creation of tangible circular city Chairman of the Governing Board for EIT Climate-KIC hubs where different circular concepts can be tested, November 2018 Climate-KIC’s Circular Cities Project Fast-tracking zero-waste city systems Cities across Europe now unite in a project working to- Thus, upon identifying the crucial need to define strat- wards a shared circular economy, aiming to identify best egies, goals and indicators for sustainability, four practice to follow in the fast track to circularity. pioneering cities have now united to work on a circu- lar economy project under the leadership of the City In contrast to the traditional linear economy supporting of Malmö, Sweden: Copenhagen, Denmark; Helsinki, short-sighted design, conspicuous consumption and Finland; Sofia, Bulgaria, and Utrecht, The Netherlands. the storage or attempted destruction of the resulting Beyond strengthening the connection between these waste, a circular economy is all about closing the loop cities, the goal of the project is to be able to provide with a holistic and regenerative perspective on design, input and feedback to cities’ long-term strategies by production, consumption and disposal. The United highlighting how processes can be made easier, smarter, Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal number 12, cleaner and more resource efficient. The four pioneering “Responsible Consumption and Production,” clearly cities are closely followed by the cities of Swakopmund, addresses the need for a circular economy, and the con- Namibia; New Delhi, India; Lusaka, Zambia; Kristiansand cept is high on the European Union’s political agenda, and Stavanger, Norway; St. Petersburg, Russia; Maribor, being the subject of the ambitious action plan “Closing Slovenia, Singapore, and C40’s global network of 94 cities. the Loop” from 2015. The Circular Cities project therefore offers a knowledge ex- Cities and municipalities increasingly recognize the change platform for both pioneering first mover cities, and potential of the circular economy in serving as a catalyst cities closely following behind, with regards to embedding for both efficiency and innovation, thereby providing circular economy principles into their urban operations. benefits of both an operational and strategic nature. Urban areas lend themselves particularly well to a The Circular Cities project will work to identify the circular economy system due to their close proximity effects, both positive and negative, of incorporating of citizens, producers, retailers and service providers. circularity into the cities’ planning instruments, as well Initial research suggests that the circular economy could as how these can be assessed. The outcomes are meant lead to more jobs and entrepreneurial activity within the to help policymakers, investors, businesses, consumers areas of remanufacturing, repair, logistics and services. and civil society to find the most promising transition pathways. Municipalities’ way of measuring success is well established within conventional areas, such as health- The formal outcome of the project will include a circu- care, education and transport. Here, the applications of lar economy toolkit for cities, outlining how cities can specific goals and indicators are often deeply embedded effectively incorporate circular economy into municipal and give them prominence in operational matters. When planning and strengthen their capacity for systemic it comes to circularity and sustainability, however, things innovation. In this way, the municipalities, universities are not as clear cut. and utility companies engaged in the project will act as inspiration for others and form the basis for possible ad- justments to local and national government regulations. 6 Mapping municipality-led, circular economy case studies This publication is the first in a series for this Municipalities usually quantify their success through can provide a city’s strategic overview with a greater EIT Climate-KIC is a European knowledge and Climate-KIC Circular Cities project and provides over the application of specific goals and indicators, generally element of long-termism and an opportunity to collabo- innovation community, working to acceler- 40 thorough examples of practical circular economic designed and selected to match their overall strategies. ratively form and implement solutions with citizens, for ate the transition to a zero-carbon economy. initiatives from cities around the world, for inspiration For strategies within conventional municipal fields – i.e. the future of the city. In its essence, the circular econo- Supported by the European Institute of and replications by other cities. education, health, and transport – goals and indicators my is about how things can be made smarter, cheaper Innovation and Technology, Climate-KIC iden- are well engrained into the municipal psyche. Something and more resource efficient. It can create savings, new tify and support innovation that helps society C40 Cities managed and delivered this publication, which grants them de facto prominence in operational income streams, jobs and social cohesion. mitigate and adapt to climate change. They which showcases how circular economy initiatives are matters. For strategies concerning the relatively new bring together partners in the worlds of busi- implemented within the urban environment. fields of sustainability and the circular economy, goals In this publication, C40 Cities have mapped out areas ness, academia, and the public and non-profit and indicators are less defined. under municipalities’ jurisdiction, where there is signifi- sectors to create networks of expertise, to This reports highlights the growing number of cities tak- cant potential to embed circular economy principles into create the innovation that can lead to systemic ing action. It provides examples of many different and The critical questions for cities are: what needs to be systems and value chains in the urban environment. change. novel approaches that municipalities are beginning to done on a municipality level to turn theory into prac- The case studies are themed in the following catego- take to move to a more circular economy. Notably, cities tice, and what hurdles need to be overcome? How can ries: city-level strategies, urban refurbishment, public are taking the new approach of facilitating innovation, city municipality engage business and civil society to procurement, utilities and civic waste. Through this such as initiating living laboratories to test new con- contribute to the transition? Which areas within the city presentation of successful case studies – as well as cepts in regeneration districts and renting rather than should be focused on to begin the transition towards a providing the context for these successes – we antici- purchasing goods through public procurement to pate that further opportunities can be identified in urban uncover