18 September 2026, 07:30 - 09:00 CEST
At the World Circular Economy Forum 2026, the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) will present the Accelerator Session titled “Circular Economy: From Evidence to Transformation.”
Built around the question, “How can the circular economy deliver tangible economic and social benefits, and what evidence do we need to guide policy, action and investment?”, the session will bring together policymakers, business, finance and researchers to explore how evidence can support the transition to more circular, resilient and inclusive economies.
Event Brief
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.
Session Agenda
- Opening remarks and framing of the guiding policy question.
- Presentations of three PAGE-supported studies led by UNIDO, the ILO–World Bank–Circle Economy partnership, and UNEP.
- A policy synthesis connecting the findings across markets, jobs and economy-wide transformation.
- A moderated panel discussion with representatives from government, business and finance.
- An interactive audience discussion and closing reflections on priorities for advancing the circular economy.
Speakers
Full line-up to be confirmed soon.
