In the frame of the United Nations (UN) Summit of the Future on 22-23 September in New York, this Policy Roundtable on 23rd September discussed integrating circular economy principles into the post-2030 global development agenda. The roundtable officially launched the “Circular Economy Futures 2050” paper, which outlines the rationale for the adoption of a circular economy as a possible guiding framework for the next crucial phase of international development and how to meet net-zero 2050 targets. The paper provides actionable recommendations and pathways for policymakers and stakeholders at the UN Summit for the Future in 2024 and beyond. 

 

The roundtable was a key moment for aligning international strategies with the UN’s “Pact for the Future.” It gathered stakeholders and leaders from intergovernmental organisations, businesses, governments, and civil society to reflect on the role of circularity in the post-2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) framework. The discussions focused on developing strategies for international coordination and collaboration to advance an inclusive circular economy, building on the outcomes of the Summit of the Future.

 

The Policy Roundtable was co-hosted by Chatham House and key partners from the Global Circular Economy Roadmap initiative, including the African Circular Economy Network, African Development Bank, Circular Change, Circular Innovation Lab, Circle Economy, EU CE Stakeholder Platform, Institute of Global Environmental Strategies, Sitra, UNIDO, World Business Council on Sustainable Development, World Economic Forum, and the Wyss Academy for Nature.

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More information on the UN Summit of the Future is available here: https://www.un.org/en/summit-of-the-future

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More background information on the Global Circular Economy Roadmap initiative is available here: https://circulareconomy.earth/publications/a-global-roadmap-for-an-inclusive-circular-economy