We, Mayors and Leaders from Berlin (Germany), Central Macedonia (Greece), Jyväskylä (Finland), Matosinhos (Portugal), Møre and Romsdal (Norway), Sofia (Bulgaria), Eurométropole of Strasbourg (France), Valencia Region (Spain), Western Region (Ireland), and Zuid-Holland (Netherlands), are pleased to introduce the results of this OECD report on the Circular Economy in Cities and Regions of the European Union (EU).
By shifting to a circular system — where materials are reused, repaired, and recycled — we can reduce waste, lower emissions, and enhance resource efficiency while also driving innovation, creating market and job opportunities, supporting local businesses, and reducing health risks.
Through its Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI), dedicated funds and stakeholder engagement programmes, the European Commission (EC) is providing several tools to make the transition happen. Progress is underway, but much remains to be done to scale up efforts and accelerate implementation. As the EU moves forward with a renewed political mandate, the circular economy can help drive sustainable development and boost competitiveness.
Cities and regions have a pivotal role to play in this transition. They can promote, facilitate and enable the circular economy, while transposing national and EU-wide circular economy strategies to local and regional contexts. They can be test beds for circular models, such as sharing platforms, repair services, or circular supply chains, raise awareness about resource efficiency thanks to their proximity to citizens and local businesses, and incentivise product life extension or repair and reuse schemes.
Nevertheless, cities and regions cannot drive the circular transition on their own. National governments need to set regulatory frameworks conducive to circularity. Businesses can boost circular innovation. Citizens must rethink their consumption patterns and influence production, making circular practices part of everyday life.
This report offers in-depth analysis of circular economy initiatives, challenges, and opportunities in cities and regions, including on overarching EU policies. It draws on a survey of 64 cities and regions, 10 policy dialogues in specific cities and regions, as well as several interviews and workshops with experts and local and regional leaders as part of the OECD Task Force for Circular Strategic Thinking.
We are confident that the inclusive approach taken in the development of this report over the past two years, along with the policy recommendations, will help accelerate the transition to a circular economy in cities and regions, not just in Europe but across the world. We will continue to champion circular progress in our communities, foster peer learning and call for widespread adoption of these recommendations to achieve a cleaner, and more prosperous future for all.
Kai Wegner
Governing Mayor
Berlin, Germany
Pia Imbs
President
Eurométropole de Strasbourg, France
Timo Koivisto
Mayor
Jyväskylä, Finland
Anders Rise
County Mayor
Møre and Romsdal, Norway
María Ángela Cano García
Regional Minister
Valencia Region, Spain
Athina Athnasiadou-Aidona
Governor
Central Macedonia, Greece
Allan Mulrooney
CEO
Western Development Commission, Ireland
Luisa Salgueiro,
Mayor
Matosinhos, Portugal
Vassil Terziev,
Mayor
Sofia, Bulgaria
Meindert Stolk,
Regional Minister
Zuid Holland, Netherlands
