Urban Pathways Conference 16. Oktober 2017, Berlin Low-carbon urban development in Asia, Africa and South-America: Contributions from Circular Economy Dr. Henning Wilts

The CE concept With that level of political and business interests, its not surprising that already the definition of the concept is highly contested. Douzens of definitions are circulating in Brussels with very different foci... Here for example the illustration by the EEA to which we contributed – a life cycle perspective,... Highly controversial because it states to minimize shipments and incineraton. Considering that Germany invested round about 10 billion euros in waste incineration capacities you can imagine the discussions we had about such a simple figure... 09.10.2017 Henning Wilts

Circular Economy as emerging policy field European Commission “…much brighter future for the European economy (…)”, “prospect of sustainable growth that will last (…)“ ProgRess II „Closing material cycles and preventing waste are key in attaining sustainable resource use.” SDG 12.5 for waste reduction “By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse” Circular Economy 09.10.2017 Henning Wilts

The Circular Economy provides three different types of dividends: Economic Dividend Ecological Dividend Social Dividend Innovation and reduced material and energy costs can generate competitive advantages for companies and regions Reduced consumption of resources and recycled waste in production reduce the environmental impact locally As a result of integrated product cycles, it is possible to reduce negative environmental impacts on the population and decouple economic growth from the use of resources Decoupling economic growth from a raw material extraction: Protection against price increases and volatility, against delivery problems in the area of resource procurement and reduces ecological footprint More customer benefits through extended value chain (development, production, sales and redemption) Circular value added + Energy revolution + Industry 4.0 = Driving force for economic growth, innovation and sustainability 09.10.2017 Henning Wilts

Challenge 1: Closing urban dumpsites 09.10.2017 Henning Wilts

Challenge 1: Closing urban dumpsites 3,5-4 billion people without access to controlled landfills ISWA 2017: If the situation follows the business as usual scenario then dumpsites will account for 8-10 % of the global anthropogenic GHG emissions by 2025. “It´s about people, not about waste!” 09.10.2017 Henning Wilts

Bo City, Sierra Leone Bo City, 2007 to 2018 09.10.2017 Henning Wilts

Financial affordability of SWM Source: Wilson 2016 09.10.2017 Henning Wilts

Challenge 2: A new plastics economy Source: EMF 2016 09.10.2017 Henning Wilts

Challenge 2: A new plastics economy Source: EMF 2016 09.10.2017 Henning Wilts

Including the informal sector: Delhi Enabling sustainable plastic recycling in the informal sector: simple and effective methods to segregate plastics containing hazardous additives Hazardous plastic additives include brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and heavy metals, exposure to which can have considerable health effects, such as cancer. www.sustainable-recycling.ch 09.10.2017 Henning Wilts

Challenge 3: Waste as a resource Kalundborg 265.000 t CO2 http://www.symbiosis.dk 09.10.2017 Henning Wilts

Eco-Industrial Parks, Vietnam www.unido.org 09.10.2017 Henning Wilts

Eco-Industrial Parks, Vietnam 09.10.2017 Henning Wilts

Thank you very much for your attention! This is the agenda for 2017 and we´re now very much looking forward to your feedback, your thoughts – as you heard the Unit is undergoing an ex-post open evaluation. and as you can imagine we´re extremely eager to hear if we can continiue in 2018 and under which framework conditions. Dr. Henning Wilts henningwi@wupperinst.org 0202 2492 290