Cities can now get practical with circularity thanks to a new guide

A new platform and how-to handbook were launched by ICLEI

ICLEI announced on 24 March the launch of a new platform, together with a practical handbook, which will serve as a convenient go-to instrument for cities worldwide in their quest to achieve or transition to circular models in their economies, social and administrative dealings. The platform in question is called ICLEI Circulars and it is designed to work with urban actors from around the world through its dedicated hubs: one for Europe, one for Africa and one for China.

Case studies as examples of good practices in order to highlight concrete solutions

Circular development is one of the five strategic pathways identified by ICLEI (global network representing some 1750 local governments) as essential in the transitioning process towards the more sustainable urban environments of the future.

“Circular economy actions provide significant opportunities for cities to reach climate neutrality goals, preserve biodiversity and enhance urban environments and local economic development. The ICLEI Circulars platform is a catalyst that offers cities concrete instruments and practical tools to take action in this field,” said Gino Van Begin, Secretary-General of ICLEI.

These practical tools and showcases have been grouped in five different categories: Advocate, Assess, Plan, Implement and Scale. These are a reflection of a project-planning chronology and each stage features examples of related projects in order to flesh out the ideas with pragmatism.

ICLEI has also prepared a guideline book, called City Practitioners Handbook: Circular Food Systems, available for download and dedicated to the concept of food circularity and also aimed at local governments who are interested in venturing this direction and implementing this in their institutional framework. The guide has been designed in such a way so as to facilitate the outreach to the relevant stakeholders as well as the inter-departmental collaboration.

“Applying circular economy principles to the food system will ensure that food actively supports natural systems, production is brought closer to where food is eaten, and the concept of waste is eliminated. Through these actions, cities can generate significant environmental, economic, and health benefits worth an estimated USD 2.7 trillion annually by 2050, within and beyond their boundaries,” explained Sarah O’Carroll, from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, one of the experts featured.

It also features contributions from other experts working for the UN Environment Programme, Circle Economy, The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra and RUAF.