The revised sustainability strategy of CDR was adopted in 2025, and contains an extensive section on CE. With the strategi, the CDR works on the following: responsible and circular consumption, energy consumption and waste water, sustainable construction and transportation, governance, and social responsibility. By 2030, it aims to: • reduce CO2-footprint from consumption of goods and services by 30 %; • supporting the transition from linear to circular consumption patterns and reducing the dependence on scarce and critical resources; • recycle 60 % of the waste produced and reduce the CO2-footprint from waste by 60 % The sustainability strategy has been translated into 11 sustainability action plans covering five hospitals and other units, with circular initiatives, such as transitioning from disposable to reusable equipment in hospitals and reducing the use of disposable equipment. Moreover, CDR is responsible for public transport/mobility and environment (soil contamination, groundwater protection and raw materials planning), and sustainable construction.

Central Denmark Region

Department for Climate, Resources and Green Transition, Central Denmark Region

The project has 36 partners. Part of the Steering Group is Danish EPA, Capital Region Denmark and Central Denmark Region

The Sustainability Strategy, which contains an extensive strategy on CE, was adopted in 2021. To reach the goals, the CDR works on the following: sustainable public procurement, renewable energy, and minimal and circular consumption. The integrated circular approach of the CDR includes public procurement, construction, logistics, maintenance and service as well as requirements for suppliers to cooperate in the supply chain.
 

In the first action plan towards a circular region by 2030, the CDR focuses on public procurement, supply, and construction.
 

By 2030, it aims to:

• reduce the use of resources in public procurement and service by 30 %;
• minimise the production of garbage by 30 % (tonnes);
• recycle 70 % of the garbage produced.

Strategies for sustainability 2030

The Regional Development Strategy also contains large parts on CE, and aims to take care of the climate, the environment, and resources.

There are several target areas but the most relevant in this context is to mobilise municipalities in order to address the circular agenda and the work done with purchase and value chains.

Development strategy 2019-2030

As a regional public authority, the CDR has been working with CE since 2010. The CDR has implemented a crosscutting programme of cocreation with municipal authorities and other key stakeholders. Since 2010, it has supported over 500 SMEs in CE business programmes, replicated across Denmark, and held over 100 conferences and strategic workshops.
 

As a special focus area, the CDR is determined to crack the code of how stakeholders along a value chain gain value. Recently, the CDR implemented two major CE projects addressing value chains and material flows of plastics and construction materials. Knowledge of the value chains and material streams play a major part in the CE approach of the CDR. The project ‘Rethink Plastics’ (Gentænk Plast) has dealt with sustainable and circular hospitals. The CDR also financed a study in value chain cooperation on textiles.
 

The CDR has assisted the 19 municipalities to facilitate the transfer of CE principles into local strategies. The work done by the CDR, and the methods developed have been adopted by the National Business Board and replicated on a national level several times.
 

The CDR has – as one of the first public organisations – cooperated with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. This paved the way for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Danish Business Authority to become formal members and was the driving force behind the Foundation using Denmark as a showcase.
 

The work done by Central Region Denmark in addressing the Ellen MacArthur Foundation was crucial, as it pointed out and made public-private partnerships a part of the organisations crucial areas to address.
 

In 2021, the CDR was granted a Life IP ‘Circular Economy Beyond Waste’ as the coordinating beneficiary. The project will last for 8 years and has 39 partners across Denmark (including the EPA, the Capital Region of Denmark, many municipalities and private companies in the CDR and elsewhere).

Healthcare without harm Born Green Generation Nordic center for sustainable healthcare

Danish Regions’ strategy for sustainable hospitals • CDR is responsible for resource-efficient management of medical equipment and reduction of CO2-emissions and waste from surgery.