This brief lays out the opportunities and challenges that come with adopting a more circular economy, and how organised labour and social partners can become central actors in a just transition to circularity and in building back better in the post-covid world. In addition, the briefing provides an overview of key considerations social partners should take into account when designing interventions and steering social dialogue. These range from skills to legal barriers.

Being in the centre of workers, businesses and governments, social partners are well positioned to:

1. Translate circular challenges into opportunities

2. Create access to training and upskilling opportunities

3. Act as a redistributive power

4. Limit trade-offs between social and environmental targets

5. Connect stakeholders through social dialogue

6. Promote Industry 5.0