Circular Economy: From Evidence to Transformation

As circular economy approaches gain momentum globally, policymakers, businesses and investors increasingly need evidence of their economic and social impacts to inform decisions. Understanding how circularity affects markets, employment and the wider economy can help identify where policy and investment can support competitive industries, decent jobs and more resilient economies.

This Accelerator Session will present three PAGE-supported studies that examine the circular economy from complementary perspectives: UNIDO’s analysis of secondary materials markets, the ILO–World Bank–Circle Economy global baseline on circular employment, and UNEP’s macroeconomic modelling of the economy-wide impacts of circularity. Together, these studies will provide a basis for discussion among government, business and finance representatives on how evidence can translate into policy, investment and implementation.

The session aims to:

• Build the economic and social case for circularity by presenting new evidence on secondary materials markets, circular employment and the economy-wide impacts of scaling circular approaches.
• Connect evidence with implementation by exploring the policies, market conditions and finance needed to strengthen secondary materials markets, support competitive industries and unlock circular investment.
• Examine how circular transformation can support decent work and a fair transition by considering employment opportunities, working conditions, skills and the implications for workers and affected communities.