In an effort to accelerate Europe’s transition to a circular economy, a coalition of European cities has written an open letter to the newly elected members of the European Parliament (MEPs). Led by the city of Amsterdam (Netherlands) with the support of ICLEI Europe and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation , the Circular Cities Frontrunner Group is advocating for stronger policies to strengthen the role of cities in the circular transition and enable sustainable urban practices across the across the continent.

The letter, signed by representatives of ICLEI members Copenhagen (Denmark), Turku (Finland), Malmö (Sweden) and Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spain), as well as officials from Porto (Portugal), Leuven (Belgium) and Milan (Italy), and supported by a growing number of European cities, conveysa clear message: cities play a key role in achieving a’circular economy circular, in which resources are reused, waste is minimized and nature is regenerated. The signatories point out that Europe is at a critical stage in addressing the challenges environmental, economic and social challenges. They argue that the circular economy offers a powerful solution to slow and reverse climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, while strengthening Europe’s competitiveness and self-sufficiency, as recently advocated by Mario Draghi in his latest report on EU competitiveness .

The letter highlights the significant progress the EU has made in recent years, including the Circular Economy Action Plans and the Right to Repair. These policies have positioned Europe as a global leader in circular economy policy and practice. However, despite these efforts, the group warns that structural challenges remain. Local economies still depend on an unsustainable consumption of materials and have difficulty expanding circular activities because of competition from traditional linear models.

“The circular economy requires a paradigm shift that redefines success, going beyond GDP growth as a measure of progress. (…) We need to redefine prosperity, placing emphasis on prosperity, equity, ecological value, and resilience. This change will require bold policy measures, innovative and more holistic business models, and a revisiting of our collective values” . Dirk de Jager , Deputy Mayor for Sustainability.

The Frontrunner Cities Group calls on the new Commission and the European Parliament to adopt specific measures, including:

Leveraging the circular economy to improve the strategic autonomy, competitiveness and resilience of Europe, with binding targets on material footprinting and circularity.

Expand the use of economic incentives and tax reforms to support circular business models and attract investment.
Strengthen support for cities to enhance circular initiatives and ensure a multilevel governance.
As a next step, the group will publish a set of policy recommendations and case studies in December 2024 to provide further guidance on the transition to the circular economy. The cities remain committed to working with the new European Commission and the European Parliament European Parliament to create a more sustainable and competitive Europe.

(source ICLEI-europe.org)

Sanna Sebastiano