The Circular Economy in Cities and Regions: Synthesis Report
Updated on 19.09.2023
This synthesis report provides a compendium of circular economy (CE) good practices, obstacles and opportunities, analysed through the lens of its ‘3Ps’ analytical framework (people, policies and places). It concludes with policy recommendations, a Checklist for Action and a Scoreboard to self-assess the existence and level of implementation of enabling governance conditions to foster the transition towards the CE in cities and regions.
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Cities and regions play a fundamental role in the transition from a linear to a circular economy, as they are responsible for key policies in local public services, such as transport, solid waste, water and energy, which affect citizens’ well-being, economic growth and environmental quality.
This report builds on the findings from 51 cities and regions contributing to the OECD Survey on the Circular Economy in Cities and Regions and on lessons learnt from the OECD Policy Dialogues on the CE carried out in Groningen (Netherlands), Umeå (Sweden) and Valladolid (Spain), and ongoing in Glasgow (United Kingdom), Granada (Spain) and Ireland.
The OECD Programme on the Circular Economy in Cities and Regions supports cities and regions in their transition towards a CE through:
- measuring (developing an indicator framework for decision making and evaluation of CE strategies);
- learning (engaging in multi-level dialogues in cities and regions to identify challenges and opportunities); and
- sharing (favouring peer-to-peer learning, best practice and lessons from international experience).
The report represents a comprehensive overview of all governance components/aspects to consider in enabling a CE transition. The programme includes the various roles and the engagement of different relevant stakeholders ,Cities and regions play a fundamental role in the transition from a linear to a circular economy, as they are responsible for key policies in local public services, such as transport, solid waste, water and energy, which affect citizens’ well-being, economic growth and environmental quality.
This report builds on the findings from 51 cities and regions contributing to the OECD Survey on the Circular Economy in Cities and Regions and on lessons learnt from the OECD Policy Dialogues on the CE carried out in Groningen (Netherlands), Umeå (Sweden) and Valladolid (Spain), and ongoing in Glasgow (United Kingdom), Granada (Spain) and Ireland.
The OECD Programme on the Circular Economy in Cities and Regions supports cities and regions in their transition towards a CE through:
- measuring (developing an indicator framework for decision making and evaluation of CE strategies);
- learning (engaging in multi-level dialogues in cities and regions to identify challenges and opportunities); and
- sharing (favouring peer-to-peer learning, best practice and lessons from international experience).
The report represents a comprehensive overview of all governance components/aspects to consider in enabling a CE transition. The programme includes the various roles and the engagement of different relevant stakeholders when moving towards a CE.
Relevance for Circular Systemic Solutions
This report is a good source of knowledge and inspiration in the area of governance for cities and regions working on the implementation of Circular Systemic Solutions, as it covers various sectors that these stakeholders play a role in, the improvements that can be made within these sectors, and what is needed from stakeholders to enable the change.
CEAP2 key product value chain
CEAP2 key product value chain
CEAP2 key product value chain
CEAP2 key product value chain
built environment, CEAP2 key product value chain
CEAP2 key product value chain
CEAP2 key product value chain
CEAP2 key product value chain
e.g. chemicals, cosmetics, bio-based industries
e.g. electrical engineering, furniture and interior, textile and fashion
e.g. B2B services
e.g. healthcare
including bio-based economy
e.g. re-use of public spaces and facilities in urban areas
digital tools facilitating CE transition
large 500 000-200 000, medium 200 000-50 000, and small cities 50 000-5 000
predominantly urban regions, intermediate and predominantly rural regions, refer to TERCET typology NUTS 3 region
