Business case

Minimise waste through diversion: Instead of sending waste to landfill, it is redirected into other industrial processes for handling, treatment, recycling, recovery, or reuse in various forms. 

Minimise waste through design: At the outset of a process of project, plan and design such that there is zero waste or minimal waste during production, use, and at end of life. 

Minimise Waste (SDG12)

Reduced use and withdrawal of water and rate of recycling and reuse of water

Save Water (SDG6)

Providing water and sewage services, including water collection and distribution, water treatment systems and sewage treatment facilities

Water and Sewage

Collecting waste from households and businesses by means of refuse bins, wheeled bins, containers, etc., and providing treatment, incineration, materials recovery and reclamation, and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste

Waste Management

Refining and processing ores and producing ferrous and non-ferrous metal and glass products, including packaging

Metal and Glass

Transforming waste products, materials for reuse within other industries

Open loop upcycling

Make collected and sorted recyclables available for use by citizens, small businesses up to large scale industrial processes. 

Use recyclables

Implementation of strategies to collect recyclable waste in order to make it accessible and available to be used as an input in industrial processes (big or small). These are door-to-door collection (higher recovery rates but more costly intensive), drop-off schemes (cheaper but less effective, more common in cities with high housing density), or a combination of the two, and their corresponding incentive schemes. 

Collect recyclables

Infrastructure for citizens or cities to sort waste and extract recyclables, including incentives and pay-as-you-throw policies, as well as clear and targeted communications campaigns.

Sort recyclables

Collection of waste arising from commercial and industrial actors

Collect non residential

Wastewater (blackwater and water from industrial processes) can be treated and reclaimed for agricultural and industrial purposes. Moreover, depending on economic factors, wastewater treatments can be adopted for supplying domestic freshwater. 

Use wastewater

Other

Impacts

small_climate-4803653_640.jpg

thumbnail_climate-4803653_640.jpg

climate-4803653_640.jpg

Industries

small_coast-wind-turbine-sea-sky.jpg

thumbnail_coast-wind-turbine-sea-sky.jpg

coast-wind-turbine-sea-sky.jpg

The principles of a circular economy concern designing out waste, regenerating ecosystems and keeping items in use. Decoupling the economy from material flows—improving the rate of resource productivity faster than the economic growth rate—is also a consistent guide. By evolving with the growing number of applications of circular economy principles, and consolidating these strategies across thematic areas, Circle Economy’s Key Elements Framework (KE) renders the elements of the circular economy salient and serves as a basis to derive contextual strategies and interventions. 


The Framework consists of:
- Core Elements: Activities directly handling product or material flows; and uniquely,
- Enabling Elements: those that remove obstacles for core actors.


Key elements of the circular economy

large_photo-1515534238346-fb9ae3e399d0.jpg

medium_photo-1515534238346-fb9ae3e399d0.jpg

small_photo-1515534238346-fb9ae3e399d0.jpg

thumbnail_photo-1515534238346-fb9ae3e399d0.jpg

photo-1515534238346-fb9ae3e399d0.jpg

Circle Economy's framework of strategies and activities that define the circular economy

Urban Opportunities

![Screen Shot 2024-10-21 at 16.53.12.png](https://goldilocks-images.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2024_10_21_at_16_53_12_12858da6aa.png)

Based on the work of [Bocken et al. (2016)](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309699661_Product_design_and_business_model_strategies_for_a_circular_economy), the Four Flows Framework serves as a simple framework for managing resource flows in a circular economy by using less (Narrow), using for longer (Slow), using again (Cycle), and using clean, regenerative materials and energy (Regenerate).

These different principles of circular economy can be applied to our socioeconomic metabolism: we can design stocks like buildings, infrastructure, machinery, and vehicles to be rich resource mines for the future, and design manufactured goods and consumables to be cycled and made regenerative. Furthermore, the focus must also centre on getting more value out of fewer materials. Achieving the aims of a circular economy—minimising material use, regenerating the Earth, and preventing material losses—can be done through these four key strategies mentioned above.

Source: Circle Economy. (2023). *[The circularity gap report 2023](https://www.circularity-gap.world/2023)* (p.22). Amsterdam: Circle Economy. 

Four Flows Framework

medium_Screen Shot 2024-10-21 at 16.53.12.png

small_Screen Shot 2024-10-21 at 16.53.12.png

thumbnail_Screen Shot 2024-10-21 at 16.53.12.png

Screen Shot 2024-10-21 at 16.53.12.png

The European Union is a unique economic and political union between 27 EU countries that together cover much of the continent.

thumbnail_blob

blob

European Union 

SLASORB 

A European project (SLASORB), tested if metal slag can be used as filter media to remove phosphorus from wastewater for the first time in Europe. This could filter and recover the excessive input of phosphorus in water bodies like rivers and lakes which causes eutrophication due to use of fertilisers in agriculture. * Material impact: reuse of 0.5-1.3 million tons slag/year. Read more at:

Repurposing metal slag for phosphorus filtration

Impact on increased knowledge and understanding as a result of the case study

Increase Awareness

Impact on the ease of innovation, and facilitating uptake of innovations

Innovation

Reduced green house gas emissions released into the biosphere

Reduce Emissions (SDG13)

Producing textile and leather products and processing them into apparel and accessories

Fashion and Textiles

Engaging in discussions with government bodies and policymakers to push for regulations that support the circular economy

Advocacy for circular economy policy

Participating in government programmes that support and advance the circular economy

Government programmes

Solutions at all stages of the textiles value chain.

Zero Waste Textiles

  The European Clothing Action Plan (ECAP) is an exciting project that will bring environmental and economic benefit to the clothing sector. It is the first EU LIFE funded project to address clothing sustainability.
Its approach encompasses sustainable design, production, consumption, public procurement, collection, recycling and reprocessing.  The project focuses on the clothing supply chain, and has 8 action areas:  




ECAP project extension – project now concludes December 2019



Please be aware that we have now extended the ECAP project until 31st December 2019. This will allow us to further develop the project and achieve improved outcomes and insights. It does however mean that the final project report will now be available later than planned at the end of 2019.





  Check out the ECAP Youtube channel for our videos
The ECAP project has received funding from the LIFE programme of the European Union  

ECAP

ECAP is €3.6 million EU LIFE funded project which aims to reduce clothing waste across Europe and embed a circular economy approach. The project runs for three and a half years, ending in March 2019. Objectives and targets The focus of ECAP is to adopt a circular approach to divert clothing waste from landfill and incineration across Europe. Specifically it aims to: \- Divert over 90 tonnes of clothing waste from landfill and incineration. \- Reduce the carbon, water and waste footprints of clothing in Europe. \- Ensure that fewer low grade textiles go to incineration and landfill. \- Prevent waste in the clothing supply chain. \- Encourage innovation in resource-efficient design, recycling of textile fibres and service models to encourage business growth in the sector. \- Influence consumers to buy smarter and use clothing for longer by using the existing Love Your Clothes consumer campaign.

The ECAP is a governmental backed action plan to adapt sustainable practices in the clothing sector

small_LAC.JPG

thumbnail_LAC.JPG

LAC.JPG

Rampant material extraction is pushing the ecosystems of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) to their limits. Over 11% of global raw materials are extracted within the region, yet it represents only about 8% of the world's population.

[*The Circularity Gap Report* (CGR) Latin America and the Caribbean](https://www.circularity-gap.world/lac), a first of its kind, demonstrates how the region can leverage the circular economy to tackle systemic inefficiencies in satisfying societal needs, conserve its unique natural wealth, and improve its people’s well-being.

To devise pathways for a circular transition, the report analysed the sectors where circular interventions could yield the most positive impact—environmentally, economically, and socially. This entails shifting to a circular food system, building a circular built environment, advancing circular manufacturing, transforming the energy system, reducing waste generation, and improve waste cycling.

[Circle Economy](https://www.circle-economy.com/) is a global impact organisation with an international team of passionate experts based in Amsterdam. We empower industries, cities, and nations with practical and scalable solutions to put the circular economy into action. Our vision is an economic system that ensures the planet and all people can thrive. To avoid climate breakdown, our goal is to double global circularity by 2032. Through the Circularity Gap Reporting Initiative, our mission is to deliver Circularity Metrics that measure the state of the global and national economy and identify key levers to transition to circularity. 

Latin America Collection

large_chloe-herriot-c8YE3Dz2vM4-unsplash.jpg

medium_chloe-herriot-c8YE3Dz2vM4-unsplash.jpg

small_chloe-herriot-c8YE3Dz2vM4-unsplash.jpg

thumbnail_chloe-herriot-c8YE3Dz2vM4-unsplash.jpg

chloe-herriot-c8YE3Dz2vM4-unsplash.jpg

Policy case

Contributing to the improvement of biodiversity including species diversity, total number of protected species, and ecosystem health

Biodiversity

Roadmaps and strategies and targets

Cross-departmental collaboration and engagement

Advocate for circular change

Voluntary agreements around circular ambitions

A framework of policy instruments that enabled and encourage the transition to the circular economy

Policies

medium_image-20160922-22514-1aqaw5j.jpg

small_image-20160922-22514-1aqaw5j.jpg

thumbnail_image-20160922-22514-1aqaw5j.jpg

image-20160922-22514-1aqaw5j.jpg

A framework of policy instruments that enable and stimulate the transition to the circular economy

  In the margins of the fifth UN Environment Assembly, the EU, teaming up with the United Nations Environment Programme and in coordination with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, this week launched the Global Alliance on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency (GACERE).
Part of the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan adopted by the European Commission in March 2020 as part of the European Green Deal.
The circular economy offers opportunities for spurring innovation and making the transition more equitable by creating green jobs and lowering environmental impacts.
Launching the Alliance, Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, said: “The transition to a resource-efficient, clean and circular economy is increasingly recognised as a must to address the ecological crises the world is confronted with.
“The circular economy offers opportunities for spurring innovation and making the transition more equitable by creating green jobs and lowering environmental impacts. With today’s launch of the Global Alliance on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency, the EU shows its commitment to work on those matters globally.”
Inger Andersen, Executive Director of United Nations Environment Programme, said: “Circularity and sustainable consumption and production are essential to deliver on every multilateral agreement, from the Sustainable Development Goals, to the Paris Agreement to the post-2020 global biodiversity framework that we must agree on soon. They are essential to a sustainable recovery from the pandemic.”
Making peace with nature
Bringing together governments and relevant networks and organisations, GACERE aims to provide a global impetus for initiatives related to the circular economy transition, resource efficiency and sustainable consumption and production.
It will set out to build on efforts being deployed internationally and put the EU at the forefront of the green transition. Eleven countries (Canada, Chile, Colombia, Japan, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Rwanda and South Africa) and the EU have joined the Alliance to date.
The fifth UN Environment Assembly (UNEA5), taking place on 22 and 23 January, will set global priorities to address the multiple environmental crises of our time, including climate, biodiversity and pollution.
Participants will address the need for a green recovery in a post-pandemic world, and will look in particular at how sustainable development can tackle the unsustainable patterns that have driven environmental degradation and led to these crises.
The run-up to UNEA5 also saw the launch of a synthesis report, co-funded by the EU, “Making Peace with Nature”, which brings together findings of a number of global scientific assessments that look at the climate, biodiversity and pollution crises together.
According to the report, the world can transform its relationship with nature and tackle the climate, nature and pollution crises together to secure a sustainable future and prevent future pandemics.
The report also stresses that COVID-19 recovery plans are an unmissable opportunity to invest in nature and reach net zero emissions by 2030.
Participants of UNEA-5 will reconvene in February 2022 in Nairobi, Kenya, in particular to discuss the possible kick-start of negotiations of a global agreement to curb plastic pollution.  

Today, in the margins of the fifth UN Environment Assembly, the EU, teaming up with the United Nations Environment Programme and in coordination with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, launched the Global Alliance on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency (GACERE). The Alliance is one of the deliverables of the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan adopted by the European Commission in March 2020 as part of the European Green Deal. Launching the Alliance, Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, said: 
The transition to a resource-efficient, clean and circular economy is increasingly recognised as a must to address the ecological crises the world is confronted with. The circular economy offers opportunities for spurring innovation and making the transition more equitable by creating green jobs and lowering environmental impacts. With today’s launch of the Global Alliance on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency, the EU shows its commitment to work on those matters globally.
 Inger Andersen, Executive Director of United Nations Environment Programme, said: 
Circularity and sustainable consumption and production are essential to deliver on every multilateral agreement, from the Sustainable Development Goals, to the Paris Agreement to the post-2020 global biodiversity framework that we must agree on soon. They are essential to a sustainable recovery from the pandemic.
 LI Yong, Director General of UNIDO, said: 
We will have a promising solution in our hands to safeguard and protect the natural wealth of our planet from climate, biodiversity, ocean and land degradation catastrophes and address the ambition of developing countries for inclusive and sustainable industrialization, if we choose a path to a circular economy and make this transition just. This will also enable economic prosperity, business opportunities, innovations, and green jobs.
 Bringing together governments and relevant networks and organisations, GACERE aims to provide a global impetus for initiatives related to the circular economy transition, resource efficiency and sustainable consumption and production. It will build on efforts being deployed internationally and put the EU at the forefront of the green transition. Eleven countries (Canada, Chile, Colombia, Japan, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Rwanda and South Africa) and the EU have joined the Alliance to date. The fifth UN Environment Assembly (UNEA5), taking place on 22 and 23 January, will set global priorities to address the multiple environmental crises of our time, including climate, biodiversity and pollution. Participants will address the need for a green recovery in a post-pandemic world, and will look in particular at how sustainable development can tackle the unsustainable patterns that have driven environmental degradation and led to these crises. The run-up to UNEA5 also saw the launch of a synthesis report, co-funded by the EU, “Making Peace with Nature”, which brings together findings of a number of global scientific assessments that look at the climate, biodiversity and pollution crises together. According to the report, the world can transform its relationship with nature and tackle the climate, nature and pollution crises together to secure a sustainable future and prevent future pandemics. The report also stresses that COVID-19 recovery plans are an unmissable opportunity to invest in nature and reach net zero emissions by 2030. Participants of UNEA-5 will reconvene in February 2022 in Nairobi, Kenya, in particular to discuss the possible kick-start of negotiations of a global agreement to curb plastic pollution. Background  UNEA is the world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment. The Environment Assembly meets biennially to set priorities for global environmental policies and develop international environmental law. Through its resolutions and calls to action, the Assembly provides leadership and acts as a catalyst on intergovernmental action on the environment. More information  The EU and international environmental policy webpage GACERE webpage UNEA-5 webpage

   Additional tools   In the March 2020 Circular Economy Action Plan, the Commission proposed a global alliance to identify knowledge and governance gaps in advancing a global circular economy and take forward partnership initiatives, including major economies. Bringing together governments and relevant networks and organisations, the Global Alliance on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency (GACERE) aims to provide a global impetus for initiatives related to the circular economy transition, resource efficiency and sustainable consumption and production, building on efforts being deployed internationally. GACERE members will do so by working together and advocating at the political level and in multilateral fora, in particular at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) and in G7/G20. Membership GACERE has been initiated by the European Commission, on behalf of the EU, and by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in coordination with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The following are currently members:  Countries and the European Union    Canada    Chile   Colombia   European Union    Japan    Kenya    Morocco    New Zealand    Nigeria    Norway    Peru    Rwanda    South Africa    International organisations    United Nations Environment Programme    United Nations Industrial Development Organization    Strategic partners    Ellen MacArthur Foundation    Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy    World Circular Economy Forum    Launch event GACERE was launched on Monday 22 February 2021 in the margins of the first segment of the fifth meeting of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5). Find out more on our event webpage. A report on the launch event is available here The video of the event can be accessed here and the press release here. Recorded video-messages by Commissioner Sinkevičius, the Norwegian Environment and Climate Change Minister Rotevatn and the Nigerian Federal Environment Minister Abubakar are also available. Other Events  The launch of the Circular Economy Coalition for Latin America and the Caribbean, a regional endeavour similar to GACERE, took place on 1 February 2021. More information is available here. A session ‘Towards a Global Alliance on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency’ was organised on 3 November 2020 as part of the Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference 2020. A panel comprising representatives of Canada, Colombia, Singapore, South Africa and the European Commission discussed how to support the circular economy transition globally and the possible role of GACERE to this end. A summary report of the session is available here.  Relevant Documents   

The United Nations (UN) places great hope in the new Global Alliance for Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency (GACERE). The alliance, which brings together governments and international organisations, was initiated by the European Commission and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in coordination with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).
The objective of GACERE is to encourage initiatives related to the transition to the circular economy, resource efficiency, sustainable consumption and production patterns and inclusive and sustainable industrialisation. “The transition to a circular, clean and resource-efficient economy is increasingly recognised as a necessity to address the ecological crises facing the world. The circular economy offers opportunities to stimulate innovation and make the transition fairer by creating green jobs and reducing environmental impacts,” explains Virginijus Sinkevičius, the European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries.
The participation of African countries
Several African countries, ahead of the climate and environmental issues, have already integrated the GACERE. This is the case of Rwanda and Kenya. The continent’s heavyweights such as South Africa and Nigeria will also work with the new alliance. GACERE will accompany these member countries towards the gradual adoption of a circular economy in several sectors in Africa.
Beyond sustainable waste management, the circular economy also integrates electricity, agriculture, urban infrastructure, as well as transport, plastics, manufacturing and textile industries, etc. According to Requier Wait, senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) in Pretoria, the circular economy must be at the heart of Africa’s development process. Given the continent’s rapid population growth and urbanisation, he says, planners need to design systems that enable cities to become resilient and resource efficient.
 “Circular systems can help reduce the growing volumes of waste in cities and improve waste management, with positive effects on the environment, health and the urban economy. In particular, the establishment of economic activities for resource recovery, reuse and recycling could help create jobs for growing urban populations,” says Requier Wait.
Initiatives in favour of the circular economy
In North Africa, where water stress is persistent, the reuse of treated wastewater has become an alternative, especially for the development of irrigated agriculture, which is essential in countries such as Egypt and Morocco. In the country of the pharaohs, the new wastewater treatment plants that are being built are no longer solely for sanitation purposes. The construction of these installations is now part of a fairly rigorous strategy of water resource preservation.
In addition to government action in favour of the circular economy, financial institutions such as the African Development Bank (AfDB) are providing funding and multiplying initiatives in favour of sustainability. The pan-African financial institution based in Abidjan (Ivory Coast), for example, has launched the Africa Circular Economy Facility (ACEF). This is a €4 million multi-donor trust fund to support the adoption of circular practices in AfDB regional member countries. The new Global Alliance for Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency is expected to encourage the establishment of similar mechanisms.
Jean Marie Takouleu


Canada

Europe

South Africa

Chile

Japan

Nigeria

Colombia

Peru

Rwanda

New Zealand

Norway

Kenya

Global Alliance on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency (GACERE)

Bringing together governments and relevant networks and organisations, the Global Alliance on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency (GACERE) aims to provide a global impetus for initiatives related to the circular economy transition, resource efficiency, and sustainable consumption and production. Eleven countries (Canada, Chile, Colombia, Japan, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Rwanda, and South Africa) and the EU have joined the Alliance to date. Participants will address the need for a green recovery in a post-pandemic world and will look in particular at how sustainable development can tackle the unsustainable patterns that have driven environmental degradation and led to these crises.

Global Alliance on Circular Economy Plans to Advance Circular Transition 

small_20210526 - CJI logo - 185x600px-01.png

thumbnail_20210526 - CJI logo - 185x600px-01.png

20210526 - CJI logo - 185x600px-01.png

This collection comes from the <a href="https://www.circle-economy.com/circular-jobs-initiative/" target="_blank">Circular Jobs Initiative</a>, an initiative of Circle Economy.

The workforce is an essential lever for transforming our economy from linear to circular. The Circular Jobs Initiative aims to maximise the employment opportunities offered by the circular economy. It provides practical support and insights to businesses and governments that want to adopt circular strategies that have a positive social impact.The Circular Jobs Initiative works through three focus areas: 

- Upskilling the workforce

- Quality of work

- Inclusive job opportunities 

CJI has defined circular jobs as any occupation that directly involves or indirectly supports one of the strategies of the circular economy. It distinguishes between three types of circular jobs: core, enabling and indirectly circular jobs.

**Core circular jobs** are all jobs that ensure the closure of raw material cycles, including jobs in repair, renewable energy, waste and resource management. 

**‍Enabling circular jobs** are jobs that remove barriers for and enable the acceleration and upscaling of core circular activities, including jobs that arise in leasing, education, design and digital technology. 

**Indirectly circular jobs** are jobs that occur in other sectors that do not play a direct role in furthering the transition to the circular economy but can still adopt circular strategies. They include jobs that provide services to core circular strategies, including jobs in information services, logistics and the public sector.

The Knowledge Hub Collection includes examples of circular jobs, publications, reports, case studies and policies different organisations, governments and businesses are already using to advocate for a person-centred circular economy. 

Visit the <a href="https://www.circle-economy.com/circular-jobs-initiative/" target="_blank">Circular Jobs Initiative</a>

Visit the <a href="http://jobsmonitor.circle-economy.com/" target="_blank">Circular Jobs Monitor</a>

20210526 - CJI vignette - circle crop - 120x120px.png

Circular Jobs Initiative

large_shutterstock_406114573.jpg

medium_shutterstock_406114573.jpg

small_shutterstock_406114573.jpg

thumbnail_shutterstock_406114573.jpg

shutterstock_406114573.jpg

Article / Report

Impact on the availability of resources as well as their effect on living organisms, ecosystems, and components of the environment.

Ecological Impact

Impacts on the social fabric of the community and well-being of the individuals and families.

Social Impact

Impacts on the financial condition of a company, as well as the the economicconditions of its stakeholders and on economic systems at local, national, andglobal levels.

Economic Impact

Impact on the quantity or quality of jobs, and shifts in the labour market

Jobs

Impact on the health and happiness of human populations

Well-being

Contribution to social parity, or impact on social disparity

Equality

Societal Services

Providing public and private education and support services at any level or for any profession, and governmental and public administration services, including judicial, regulatory, and legislative activities, taxation, defence, public order and safety, immigration services, foreign affairs and the administration of government programmes

Education and Government Services

Use digital, online platforms and technologies that provide insights to track and optimise resource use, strengthen connections between supply chain actors, and enable the implementation of circular models



Incorporate digital technology

Engage with the government on circular policies and programmes

Government collaboration

Provide guidance or professional training to educate employees to use circular economy principles

Training on the circular economy

'Inform' increases the overall levels of awareness and builds the necessary skills and knowledge around the circular economy to foster long-term change.

Inform

Integrate principles of circularity into primary, secondary and tertiary curriculum and conduct workplace trainings

 Education and Curriculum

Encourage workplace training

'Mobilise' sets the direction of and builds momentum towards long-term change, while also determining how this direction is determined and governed.

Mobilise

Govern the Transition

 Convene Towards Action

Raise awareness and run information campaigns about  strategies for and impacts of the circular economy in different contexts.

Communication and awareness

Awareness raising events

Information campaigns

 Develop research, structure knowledge, encourage innovation networks and disseminate findings with integrity


Strengthen and advance knowledge

 GrEEn is funded under the European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF), which was set up by European and African partners in 2015 to deliver an integrated and coordinated response to irregular migration, forced displacement and the diverse causes of instability, including climate change. GrEEn will contribute to addressing the root causes of irregular migration by supporting sustainable and climate-resilient local economies, green jobs and development in regions of departure, transit and return. GrEEn will be implemented in coordination with the Ghanaian Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (and other relevant ministries) alongside the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies of the two focal regions. Furthermore, SNV will be working with a wide variety of partners, including private sector, vocational and other training service providers, incubation and acceleration hubs, relevant Ministries, the Ghanaian diaspora, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), as well as other donors and relevant actors working on green jobs and enterprises.  Click to download the GrEEn brochure/brief. Please read our latest newsletter and subscribe to stay informed. Key facts about the project: Objectives & results GrEEn’s specific objectives  To support the transition of local economies to green and climate-resilient development. To improve the employability and entrepreneurship capabilities of selected people by matching them with market opportunities and mentoring into (self-)employment and enterprise development (focusing on green and climate-resilient local economies). To create and strengthen local ecosystems that support youth (self-)employment and the development of MSMEs.  SNV will be focusing on the following two result areas:  Employability and entrepreneurship capabilities of youth, women and returnees are improved in sectors of economic opportunities. Small, Medium Enterprises (SMEs), offering decent and sustainable jobs to youth, women and returnees, are incubated and/or accelerated and contribute to green and climate-resilient local economies.  The key targets of the GrEEn project for SNV are the following:  At least 5,000 people trained and coached for employability and entrepreneurship (youth: 60-80%, women: 40-60% and returnees: 10%); At least 3,500 people have created or developed self-employment opportunities (youth: 60-80%, women: 40-60% and returnees: 5-10%); At least 100 MSMEs have been incubated or accelerated to expand their business (disaggregated by number of employees, sector and district); At least 1,500 decent and sustainable jobs created by MSMEs (youth: 60-80%, women: 40-60%).  

Job creation opportunities exist in the green and circular economy.But lack of career guidance and preparation makes many Ghanaians unable to identify and capitalize on existing opportunities, even at the district level.GrEEn Project by SVN Netherlands Development Organization is however providing a permanent solution to this problem.Through the GrEEn Project District Job Fairs, entrepreneurship in the green economy will be fostered through engagement with experienced business owners to inspire participants to start their own green businesses.Under its Opportunities for Youth Employment (OYE) Programme, participants who are looking for jobs in the sector will also receive green opportunities at the district level to inform their career decisions.The fair also serves as a platform for preparing skilled labor through employability sessions such as CV writing, job description analysis and cover letter writing. The International Labour Organisation’s report, ‘The World Employment and Social Outlook’ released in April 2020 reveals that a shift to a green economy could create 24 million new jobs globally by 2030, resulting in poverty alleviation and improved livelihoods.Skills Development Advisor for SNV’s GrEEn Project, Gifty Afi Cudjoe, says the project makes a call to ‘green’ business and employment decisions.The four-year GrEEn project action is under the partnership of the European Union, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana, SNV Ghana, and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).The aim is to create greater economic and employment opportunities for youth, women, and returning migrants by promoting and supporting sustainable, green businesses in the Ashanti and Western regions.According to Ms Cudjoe, SNV is also committed to supporting business growth and helping entrepreneurship.“Green jobs and businesses in the circular economy are our solutions to a resilient, sustainable local economy,” she said. Ms Cudjoe added that the GrEEn Project aims at creating greater economic and employment opportunities for youth, women and returning migrants by promoting and supporting sustainable, green businesses in Ashanti and Western regions. GrEEn is implemented under the European Union Emergency Trust Fund (EUTF) for Africa.SNV, UNCDF and the European Union, as development organizations are dedicated to supporting the efforts of the government in increasing opportunities for youth, women and returning migrants in Ghana.SNV is also dedicated to supporting the growth of businesses and contributing to entrepreneurship.As the effects of the climate crisis continue to intensify, SNV believes that jobs that can withstand and help tackle climate change are crucial to the future of Ghana and its citizens.Green jobs and businesses in the circular economy are our solutions to a resilient, sustainable local economy. In 2020, SNV Ghana signed an MoU with the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations to promote the implementation of the country’s National Green Jobs Strategy.The GrEEn Job Fair is one of our activities to complement the job-creation efforts of the Government.In September 2020, SNV in collaboration with the Offinso Municipal Assembly organized its maiden job fair.Six districts in the Ashanti region, identified as hotspots for irregular migration would benefit from the scheme. They include Offinso North, Offinso, Adansi South, Ejura Sekyeredumase, Sekyere Afram Plains and Sekyere KumawuAt the Adansi South district where young people attended the program, the district chief executive, Francis Ankomah said SNV’s Opportunities for Youth Employment (OYE) Programme is a laudable venture which deserves maximum support.He stated that unemployment has become a sensitive issue in recent times.“Experience has taught us that, if we want to develop as a nation then we should pay particular attention to the welfare of our youth because they are the future leaders,” said Mr. Ankomah.He admonished the youth not to waste opportunities since the way they handle things today will greatly determine if their colleagues would get such opportunities in future.Five thousand young people are expected to be trained under the OYE programme to enhance their employability and entrepreneurial capabilities. The OYE Programme focuses on three sectors; agriculture, renewable energy, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).The goal is to improve the employability and entrepreneurial capacity of beneficiaries, particularly women and returning migrants, by matching them with market opportunities.SNV Ghana wants to create and strengthen a local ecosystem that supports youth development.Out of the 5,000 people to be trained, SNV Ghana hopes to support 3,500 in setting up their businesses. Tags:  

Offinso North

Offinso Municipal District

Africa

Ashanti Region

Sekyere Afram Plains

Adansi South

Ghana

Ejura Sekyedumase

large_blob

medium_blob

small_blob

SVN Netherlands Development Organisation

United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF)

European Union Emergency Trust Fund (EUTF)

Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana, also known as GrEEn, is a four-year joint project from the&nbsp;European Union, the&nbsp;Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana, the&nbsp;United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF)&nbsp;and SNV. The project will be implemented in the Ashanti and Western regions of Ghana and will contribute to addressing the root causes of irregular migration by supporting sustainable and climate-resilient local economies, green jobs and development in regions of departure, transit and return.

Creating Circular Jobs in Ghana 

Ensure renewable, reusable, non-toxic resources are utilised as materials and energy in an efficient way

Prioritise regenerative resources

While resources are in-use, maintain, repair and upgrade them to maximise their lifetime and give them a second life through take back strategies when applicable

Stretch the lifetime

Utilise waste streams as a source of secondary resources and recover waste for reuse and recycling

Use waste as a resource

Consider opportunities to create greater value and align incentives that build on the interaction between products and services

Rethink the business model

Account for the systems perspective during the design process, to use the right materials, to design for appropriate lifetime and to design for extended future use

Design for the future

Work together throughout the supply chain, internally within organisations and with the public sector and communities to increase transparency and create joint value

Team up to create joint value

Regenerate strategies phase out hazardous or toxic materials and processes and substitute them with regenerative biomass resources. A circular economy aims to mimic natural cycles—by shifting to more regenerative farming practices, for example—while also maximising the share of circular biomass that enters the economy. Regeneration can happen both at the systems level (by designing regenerative processes) as well as at the product level (by switching synthetic to organic fertilisers, for example).

Regenerate

Cycle strategies aim to cycle and reuse materials at their highest value: they maximise the volume of secondary materials re-entering the economy, ultimately minimising the need for virgin material inputs and therefore also narrowing flows. Of course, virgin materials will always be needed to a degree: all materials degrade and can’t be cycled infinitely, use energy, and require blending with virgin materials to maintain strength and functionality.

Cycle

Volume 162, November 2020, 105033View full text

The socio-economic structural conditions for the transition towards a circular economy (CE) are little explored, as most of the research is concerned with technical and organizational aspects. The few studies addressing the matter focus on the estimation of GDP growth and job creation potential of certain "circular activities” (CA). These CA are assumed to be labour-intensive, so job losses resulting from the paradigm shift should be offset by the overall gains. However, significant structural differences in the economic characteristics of these activities suggest that their development may have dissimilar socio-economic implications, while their promotion would require diverse policy instruments. This paper aims to study the current sectoral structure, main economic features and recent evolution of the CA in the European Union. The focus is on the 24 activities that, according to the NACE Rev. 2, compose the repair, reuse and recycling sectors, as a limited yet representative subset of all the CA currently bound and constrained within the predominant linear economy. Results show that significant differences in labour intensity exist between repair and reuse, on the one hand, and recycling, on the other. Besides, employment concentrates in low-wage labour-intensive CA, suggesting that more attention should be paid to improving competitiveness and working conditions in activities such as repair and reuse which are by definition both ecological and inclusive. Also, the structural heterogeneity of the activities under analysis imply the need for targeted policy instruments tailored to the specificities of each of the various CE sub-sectors.

How labour-intensive is the circular economy? A policy-orientated structural analysis of the repair, reuse and recycling activities in the European Union

energies-14-02289 (1).pdf

The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a concept of a policy instrument particularly that has gained increased attention by policymakers due to its potential contribution to circular material flows. It has been mentioned in several EU strategies and was also confirmed in the ‘Council conclusions on making recovery circular and green’. The article seeks to work out implementation options for DPPs and how these options might benefit stakeholders and society by supplying information on the origin, composition and dismantling options of a product. Thus, the implementation of such a tool could facilitate tracking and tracing materials and compiling information in one unique database. By making businesses deliver to these objectives, the obligation to generate high quality product information can be a valuable contribution as regards to designing more sustainable products and their handling once they reach their end-of-life.