The Circular Economy in Cities and Regions of the European Union

Cities and regions are the engines of Europe's transition to a circular economy to prevent waste generation, keep resources in use as long as possible, and regenerate nature. From sustainable urban planning to circular business models, local governments and communities are game changers towards more sustainable production and consumption models. This session will mark the launch of the new OECD report on The Circular Economy in Cities and Regions of the European Union, developed in collaboration with the European Commission’s Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI). Based on a survey of over 60 cities and regions and 10 in-depth circular economy scans, the report offers the latest insights into the state of circularity across the EU. It identifies key challenges and opportunities and provides targeted recommendations for the European Commission, as well as national and subnational governments. Mayors and stakeholders will be invited to discuss how cities and regions can accelerate the circular transition with actionable policies and innovative solutions.

  

The transition to a circular economy is gaining momentum across Europe, with cities and regions leading the way through innovative policies and strategies. This session will dive into real-world circular stories and journeys, policy breakthroughs, and scalable solutions that make circularity the cornerstone of resilient cities. Building on the findings from 10 OECD policy scans conducted across diverse urban and regional settings, mayors and stakeholders will be invited to discuss how cities and regions are embedding circularity into urban planning, business models, waste management, and resource management in the EU.