Building Prosperity: Unlocking the potential of a nature-positive, circular economy for Europe
Updated on 29.07.2025
This report is written for policymakers, business leaders, investors, and industry experts with a vested interest in improving the competitiveness of Europe’s economy while delivering benefits to business, individuals, society, and nature. It highlights the importance of the circular economy transition for a prosperous and resilient economy and a thriving natural world. It outlines the potential benefits that are ready to be realised, and the actions that can deliver these positive outcomes now and in the long term.
Relevance for Circular Systemic Solutions
This report targets the built environment value chain and cross-cuts sectors like construction, real estate, urban planning, and nature-based infrastructure, with contextual connections to food and fashion sectors. Its practical value for cities and regions lies in six systemic strategies (such as brownfield redevelopment, green-blue infrastructure expansion, and material-efficient design).
These strategies are directly relevant for designing and implementing Circular Systemic Solutions by integrating nature-positive principles that eliminate waste, circulate resources, and regenerate ecosystems. They are especially useful at the “design” and “implement” stages of Circular Systemic Solutions development, offering tangible tools, investment cases, and governance recommendations to operationalize circular ambitions.
Cities like Copenhagen, Ljubljana, and Amsterdam illustrate real-world applications, demonstrating that these strategies are scalable, investable, and already driving inclusive prosperity through integrated planning and innovation
built environment, CEAP2 key product value chain
CEAP2 key product value chain
CEAP2 key product value chain
including bio-based economy
digital tools facilitating CE transition
e.g. chemicals, cosmetics, bio-based industries
e.g. re-use of public spaces and facilities in urban areas
<5 000
large 500 000-200 000, medium 200 000-50 000, and small cities 50 000-5 000
large metropolitan area >1.5 million, metropolitan area 1.5 million-500 000
predominantly urban regions, intermediate and predominantly rural regions, refer to TERCET typology NUTS 3 region
e.g. commercial, residential, service, industrial
