Green circular economy at the Mediterranean level including green skills and jobs
Updated on 29.07.2025
This report examines the current state of green circular economy in the region, outlining challenges, stakeholder roles, and contributions, with a focus on supporting the transition to a sustainable and socially inclusive economy. It builds on and complements the report on sustainable blue economy ‘Towards a Sustainable Blue Economy’ published by the UfM1. It concentrates on the overarching theme of transitioning to a green and circular economy, impacting all sectors and segments of society.
It serves as a valuable resource for policymakers to align decisions and strategies for sustainable economic development, as well as providing up-to-date information for funding agencies to align programs, and offers essential insights for businesses, researchers, academics, and civil society organizations advocating for green and fair policies in the Mediterranean region.
Relevance for Circular Systemic Solutions
This report targets value chains and sectors such as agri-food systems, tourism, manufacturing, waste management, mobility, renewable energy, and green urban development, which are seen as key enablers for a circular transition across the Mediterranean region. For cities and regions, the practical value lies in actionable insights including policy frameworks (e.g. green procurement, Extended Producer Responsibility schemes), financial mechanisms (e.g. public-private green funds), and tools (e.g. Sustainable MED Cities assessment platform, SFS-MED digital levers) that support mapping and implementation of circular economy principles.
These tools and findings provide local authorities and policymakers with methods to design circular strategies, align local development plans with the UfM’s 2030GreenerMed Agenda, and access green finance for infrastructure and jobs.
built environment, CEAP2 key product value chain
CEAP2 key product value chain
CEAP2 key product value chain
CEAP2 key product value chain
CEAP2 key product value chain
including bio-based economy
e.g. B2B services
digital tools facilitating CE transition
e.g. electrical engineering, furniture and interior, textile and fashion
<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
