International best practices for developing Circular Economy Roadmaps - lessons from nine examples from around the world.

Circular Economy Roadmaps serve as a strategic instrument to facilitate a systemic change, enabling the transition from a linear economic model to a circular one. These roadmaps are customized to suit the specific contexts of each country, providing practical and tangible solutions. They encompass a clear vision, goals, and actionable steps that assist in the adoption and implementation of circular economy practices.

The first examples were Japan's community-oriented initiative in 2000 and Finland's roadmap from 2015, both emphasizing the significance of periodic reviews to monitor progress. Notably, SITRA's ambitious goal of positioning Finland as a global circular economy leader by 2025 was mentioned. An infographic by Chatham House  (https://circulareconomy.earth/) showcased approximately 50 ongoing roadmap initiatives globally, including recent examples from China and Rwanda.

Analysing the different roadmaps underscored the challenges associated with transitioning from a linear to a circular economy, emphasizing the need for protective measures for key industries and exports. The importance of reducing barriers to change, adapting policies, and overcoming technological constraints was highlighted. The analysis of nine roadmap examples revealed diverse sectoral focuses across different countries. For instance, Japan prioritizes waste management, while European countries concentrate on value chains such as textiles, plastics, waste management, food, and biomass. Other countries focus on various sectors such as construction, transport, agriculture, and forestry. The presentation concluded by emphasizing the need to reassess metrics for measuring circularity, with a particular emphasis on upstream changes. It was emphasized that the development of effective Circular Economy Roadmaps requires international collaboration and national self-analysis.

This analysis of Arpit Bhutani, circular economy professional from the Danish think tank Circular Innovation Lab, was presented during a collaborative session titled 'International Best Practices on Circular Economy Roadmaps” at the World Circular Economy Forum, WCEF 2023 in Helsinki. The session was organized by the Circular Innovation Lab, the Hanns Seidel Foundation of Vietnam, and the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment of Vietnam (ISPONRE), together with Chatham House, serving as a knowledge partner.

Dr Nguyen Dinh Tho provided insights into the Vietnamese context, where circular economy is an integral part of the Vietnamese Environmental Protection Law putting responsibilities on local and central government as well as the private sector. He highlighted their law that establishes four criteria for achieving a circular economy. Firstly, there is a focus on enhancing resource efficiency, particularly through the reduction of material consumption, especially fossil fuels. Secondly, there is an emphasis on prolonging the lifespan of products and materials. Thirdly, efforts are directed towards reducing carbon dioxide emissions and waste. Finally, the law aims to prevent any adverse environmental impact. These guidelines were designed to be clear, straightforward, and most importantly, feasible for implementation at both the government and enterprise levels. Dr Nguyen Dinh Tho also mentioned that the law incorporates regulations for extended producer responsibility, which necessitate waste management by firms and communities.

To discover more read the complete report of the Circular Innovation Lab titled: INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICES ON CIRCULAR ECONOMY ROADMAPS.