In a bid to accelerate Europe's transition to a circular economy, a coalition of European cities has written an open letter to newly elected Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). Known as the Circular Cities Frontrunner Group, the coalition, led by the City of Amsterdam and supported by ICLEI Europe and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, is calling for stronger policies to reinforce the role of cities in the circular transition and enable sustainable urban practices across the continent.
Signed by representatives from Copenhagen, Turku, Malmö, Leuven, Porto, Vitoria-Gasteiz, and Milan, with endorsements from a growing number of European cities, the letter delivers a clear message: cities play a fundamental role in achieving a circular economy, where resources are reused, waste is minimised, and nature is regenerated. They argue that Europe is at a critical juncture in addressing environmental, economic, and social challenges. The circular economy offers a solution to slow down and reverse climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, while boosting Europe’s competitiveness and self-sufficiency, as recently advocated by Mario Draghi in his latest report on EU competitiveness.
The letter highlights the significant progress made by the EU in recent years, including the Circular Economy Action Plans and the Right to Repair. Such policies have positioned Europe as a global leader in circular economy policy and practice. However, despite these efforts, the group warns that structural challenges remain. Local economies are still reliant on unsustainable material consumption and struggle to scale up circular businesses due to competition from traditional linear models.
‘Circular economy requires a paradigm shift that redefines success, moving beyond GDP growth as the measure of progress. (...) We must redefine prosperity, placing emphasis on well-being, equity, and ecological value and resilience. This shift will require bold policy measures, innovative and more holistic business models, and a reimagining of our collective values.’ Dirk de Jager, Deputy Mayor for Sustainability.
The Frontrunner Cities Group calls on the new Commission and European Parliament to take specific actions, including:
1. Leveraging the circular economy to enhance Europe’s strategic autonomy, competitiveness, and resilience, with binding targets on material footprint and circularity.
2. Broadening the use of economic incentives and fiscal reforms to support circular business models and attract investment.
3. Strengthening support for cities to scale up circular initiatives and ensure a multilevel governance approach.
As a next step, the group will release a set of policy recommendations and case studies in December 2024 to provide further guidance on the circular economy transition. The cities remain committed to collaborating with the new European Commission as well as with the European Parliament to create a more sustainable and competitive Europe.
Authors: City of Amsterdam, City of Vitoria-Gasteiz, City of Milan, City of Turku, City of Copenhagen, City of Leuven, City of Malmö, and City of Porto.
Coordination: Christiaan Norde.
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Header afbeelding: Wikimedia Commons - green
Icon afbeelding: Circulair Stairs - Canva.png