Cities Driving Circular Transition: Upstream Solutions from Global South and North

This session will explore how cities can involve communities and innovators to implement circular systemic solutions. 

Key questions will include: 

a.)How can cities engage residents and businesses to adopt circular practices? 

b.)What upstream strategies will enable cities to shift from traditional waste management to waste prevention? 

c.)How can lessons from the Global South and North inspire innovative, inclusive solutions?

Cities can play a central role in the circular economy by fostering behavior change, co-creating solutions with communities and scaling up innovative circular solutions. Moving beyond waste management, they will promote sustainable design, material reuse and local reuse or recycling networks, aligning global goals with local action.
 

The session will highlight future possibilities, such as implementing neighborhood composting programs inspired by Bengaluru or establishing Industrial Symbiosis inspired by Kalundborg in Denmark. These examples will demonstrate how ecosystem engagement and community collaboration can reduce waste and empower communities and companies, showcasing the potential for cities to lead in advancing upstream circular practices.