The Programme addresses the circular economy thematic day to generate a space for reflection to co-construct messages and proposals that contribute to increasing the contribution

of the circular economy in the different sectors to accelerate climate action and achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the region's development.

12 November 2022, Sharm-El-Seikh (Egypt) - The role of the circular economy for sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean was the title given to the fourth thematic day held in the Euroclima Pavilion during COP27. This day was divided into two sections: in the morning, three events were held with panellists from government institutions and international organisations as well as from civil society and the private sector. In the afternoon, there was a discussion and reflection session on the key points raised in the morning events. 

The day started with the event “Circularity Gap Report for Latin America Latin and the Caribbean: establishing a regional baseline for the circular economy”, where the methodology to develop such a report was presented. It discussed how to establish a circular economy baseline for the region and debated the key sectors, materials and types of strategies that should be prioritised to achieve a circular economy. This report allows a comparison of the region with other geographies and is the first to compile data on the circular economy in LAC.

Afterwards, views were exchanged on the importance of the insertion of the circular economy in the countries and cities of the region in the event “Potentialities of the circular economy to contribute to climate action: case studies of Latin American and Caribbean countries”. In addition, the opportunities offered by this type of economy for meeting climate commitments while contributing to macroeconomic objectives related to GDP growth and employment generation were presented.

Finally, the session “Opportunities for the Circular Economy in Sustainable Mobility” provided a sectoral perspective on the circular economy. This space highlighted the challenges and experiences from the lens of circular models in transport, exploring the actions that can be taken by governments and the private sector. It also highlighted the benefits of redesigning, extending the useful life and promoting the efficient use of raw materials and resources in the transport transition.

In the afternoon of the same day, during the, the debate session entitled “Circular Transition: enablers and challenges to enhancing the contribution of the Circular Economy towards low-carbon development was held. Among the conclusions of the day was the need to rethink and plan cities where circularity is at the core and to allocate financial resources to accelerate actions and investments that promote circularity.

About EUROCLIMA  

EUROCLIMA is a programme funded by the European Union and co-financed by the German federal government through the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), as well as by the governments of France and Spain through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation.  

The Programme's mission is to reduce the impact of climate change and its effects in 18 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, promoting mitigation, adaptation, resilience and climate investment. It is implemented according to the "Spirit of Team Europe" under the synergistic work of seven agencies: the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the AFD Group: French Development Agency (AFD)/ Expertise France (EF), the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the International and Ibero-America Foundation for Administration and Public Policy (FIIAPP), the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) GmbH, and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).