Report
Growing in Circles
Climate-Ready, Resilient, Resource-Efficient, and Equitable Cities
This report identifies ways for cities to transition to a circular economy to increase resource efficiency and address climate change.
According to the International Resource Panel, the amount of primary materials extracted from the Earth each year rose from 22 billion tonnes in 1970 to 70 billion tonnes in 2010, and is expected to reach 90 billion tonnes by 2050. Without significant changes, the demand for resources will only increase, along with the growing urban population. City governments face a pressing set of challenges as they manage competing demands, changing consumption patterns and priorities, and seek to improve public services for an increasing number of urban residents while reducing emissions and resource use and at the same time ensuring equitable distribution of these resources.
By looking at cities from a systems perspective, this report identifies pathways to resource efficiency and waste management for cities transitioning from a linear to a circular economy, outlining inspiring examples to initiate change in the way cities are planned and managed. This report was produced by UNEP.
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How an Urban Bioeconomy can Promote Healthy Ecosystems and Spur Sustainable Economic Prosperity
In Belém, Brazil and other Latin American cities, this concept—which emphasizes circularity, renewable resources, and the development of green infrastructure—is already taking root and reshaping local economies.
Circular Cities at the Forefront: Insights from UrbanShift's Latin America Forum
Cities can play a major role in reducing waste, improving efficiency, and spurring sustainable economic transformations. Learn how the UrbanShift Latin America Forum elevated the idea of a circular economy for cities.
China City-Business Collaboration Accelerator (CiBiX) Workshop
This workshop will accelerate public-private collaboration around waste reduction, management, and reuse in Chengdu.
Building Materials and the Climate: Constructing a New Future
Published by UNEP, this report highlights the need to develop new models for decarbonizing building materials, if the world is to reach its goals for net zero emissions from the built environment sector by the mid-century.
