This session will explore how cities across the globe can unlock circular economy potential at the local level. It will open with an overview of the recently published Circular Cities Declaration Report 2022, the widest ever assessment of circular economy practices across European cities, highlighting key trends and challenges faced by cities in the transition from a linear to a circular economy. The cities of Espoo, Finland and Maribor, Slovenia will provide testimonials on how to implement the circular economy and on how to overcome barriers to implementation, while also highlighting how they harness major co-benefits such as nature conservation, or resilience.

Ellen MacArthur Foundationwill then provide a global perspective on the barriers faced and solutions implemented by cities, with testimonies from Cape Town and a video extract from Sao Paulo. The end of the session will provide space for an open discussion on how to accelerate and scale-up the circular economy at the city level, while also meeting those co-benefits related to biodiversity and nature conservation.

The session will be of interest to local authorities, local practitioners, solution providers, policy makers and civil society representatives.

Agenda

10:00-10:05 Welcome and setting-the-scene

Simon Gresset – Circular Economy Officer, ICLEI Europe

10:05-10:20 European Circular Cities Declaration Report 2022 – main findings

Simon Gresset – Circular Economy Officer, ICLEI Europe

10:20-10:32 Maribor's experience

Igor Kos - Advisor, Regional Development Agency for Podravje, City of Maribor

10:32-10:44 Espoo - Co-creating a circular sustainable city

Tessa Armour - Specialist on urban sustainability and circular economy, City of Espoo

Mia Johansson - Circular economy specialist, City of Espoo

10:44-10:54 Circularity in African and Latin American cities

Joshua Newton - Cities Programme Manager, Ellen McArthur Foundation

10:54-11:06 Cape Town's experience

Dr. Shirley Malema - Environmental specialist (Senior professional officer) for the city of Cape Town

11:06-11:20 Circular economy for food in São Paulo

Video extract

11:20-11:50 Discussion

Q&A - Delving into solutions for implementing circular cities

11:50-12:00 Closing remarks

Simon Gresset – Circular Economy Officer, ICLEI Europe