Unlocking the Circular City: City-Business-Collaboration for Zero Waste & Industrial Decarbonization

The transition to circular economy is a key driver for climate neutrality, resource efficiency, and industrial resilience. Yet circular economy approaches are not systematically integrated into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). In addition, translating national climate and circular economy strategies into action and creating societal co- benefits (such as the implementation of the Federal Government's National Circular Economy Strategy) will largely depend on local action where municipalities and businesses collaborate closely.

This event will showcase how cities and industry can jointly close material loops, drastically reduce CO₂ emissions and deliver local benefits. Drawing on experiences from Mannheim and Barcelona Metropolitan Area, it will demonstrate how European cities create incentives for circular innovations in dialogue with industry and civil society. Together with ICLEI, Zero Waste Europe, and Corporate Leaders Europe, it will explore how supportive policies and city–business partnerships can scale these approaches and strengthen the role of circular economy solutions in NDC implementation worldwide.

Questions for discussion:

-  What levers do cities have to offer local companies financial (or other) incentives for circular innovations?

- Where do circular business models currently fail due to regulatory barriers at the national/EU level? What local solutions exist?

- How can circular economy solutions be better integrated to NDCs?