In a bid to accelerate Europe's transition to a circular economy, a coalition of European cities has written an open letter to newly elected Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). Led by the City of Amsterdam with support from ICLEI Europe and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the Circular Cities Frontrunner Group is advocating for stronger policies to reinforce the role of cities in the circular transition and enable sustainable urban practices across the continent.

The letter, signed by representatives from ICLEI Members Copenhagen, Turku, Malmö, and Vitoria-Gasteiz, as well as officials from Porto, Leuven, and Milan, and endorsed by a growing number European cities, delivers a clear message: cities play a fundamental role in achieving a circular economy, where resources are reused, waste is minimised, and nature is regenerated. The signatories emphasise that Europe is at a critical juncture in addressing environmental, economic, and social challenges. They argue that the circular economy offers a powerful solution to slow down and reverse climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, while boosting Europe’s competitiveness and self-sufficiency, as recently advocated by Mario Draghi in his latest report on EU competitiveness.

The letter highlights the significant progress made by the EU in recent years, including the Circular Economy Action Plans and the Right to Repair. Such policies have positioned Europe as a global leader in circular economy policy and practice. However, despite these efforts, the group warns that structural challenges remain. Local economies are still reliant on unsustainable material consumption and struggle to scale up circular businesses due to competition from traditional linear models.

‘Circular economy requires a paradigm shift that redefines success, moving beyond GDP growth as the measure of progress. (...) We must redefine prosperity, placing emphasis on well-being, equity, and ecological value and resilience. This shift will require bold policy measures, innovative and more holistic business models, and a reimagining of our collective values.’ Dirk de Jager, Deputy Mayor for Sustainability.

The Frontrunner Cities Group calls on the new Commission and European Parliament to take specific actions, including:

1. Leveraging the circular economy to enhance Europe’s strategic autonomy, competitiveness, and resilience, with binding targets on material footprint and circularity.
2. Broadening the use of economic incentives and fiscal reforms to support circular business models and attract investment.
3. Strengthening support for cities to scale up circular initiatives and ensure a multilevel governance approach.

As a next step, the group will release a set of policy recommendations and case studies in December 2024 to provide further guidance on the circular economy transition. The cities remain committed to collaborating with the new European Commission as well as with the European Parliament to create a more sustainable and competitive Europe.

To read the full text of the open letter, click here. For more information or to express your support for the Circular Cities Frontrunner Group, please get in touch at internationaloffice@amsterdam.nl.

This initiative complements ICLEI Europe’s longstanding efforts in supporting cities on their journey towards circularity. The Circular Cities Declaration, now endorsed by 85 cities, serves as a key platform for showcasing commitments and exchanging best practices. For cities seeking tailored guidance, the Circular City Centre (C3), led by the European Investment Bank and delivered by organisations like ICLEI, provides strategic advice on developing and implementing circular projects. To learn more about ICLEI’s circular economy initiatives and how to get involved, join the 10th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns in Aalborg, Denmark, from 1-3 October.