Aligning the circular economy and sustainable development

The circular economy has gained increasing prominence amongst policymakers as an innovative approach to sustainable development. Many countries have included circular economy commitments in their national development plans and climate programmes. In Europe, the new Circular Economy Action Plan;has been promoted as a central pillar of the EU’s European Green Deal. In Latin America, several governments including Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Uruguay – have developed dedicated circular economy roadmaps and strategies. At a local and regional level, City of Mayors and local governments have embraced circular economy programmes with an increasing number of municipalities promoting ambitious targets to become minimal or zero waste cities in the near future.