Latin America is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world but exceptionally high urbanisation rates and a commodity-based economy leave it particularly vulnerable to system shocks.
The region can find significant benefits in the transition to a circular economycircular economyA systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. It is based on three principles, driven by design: eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature. that offers opportunities to create regenerative value from its abundant natural resources and boost innovation.
Regional momentum is already building around a circular economy approach, as leading businesses and governments are turning to it as a means to secure long-term prosperity while also tackling the root cause of global challenges such as plastic pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss.
For Latin America, the circular economy offers a positive way forward with opportunities to create regenerative, inclusive and distributed value from its incomparable biodiversity and build thriving local economies.
Luísa Santiago - Latin America Lead
Our work in the region
Since establishing our Latin American office in 2015, we’ve seen significant momentum building around the circular economy, with leading organisations starting to move from idea to action.
As business innovation continues to grow, institutions, governments and cities are also taking a leading role in moving towards a circular economy. We are working with leading cities, including São Paulo, and countries such as Chile - the first in the Americas to join our Plastics Pacts network - to help accelerate this shift. As a strategic partner of the Circular Economy Coalition for Latin America and the Caribbean, we are collaborating with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and other international institutions and national governments to create a common vision and concerted efforts towards a circular economy transition in Latin America.
Building and scaling a circular economy in the region will require action from all stakeholders. Register your organisation to be part of our open community, to share insights, join events, and learn from other circular economy practitioners from across the globe.
Latin America & the Caribbean's Shared Economic Vision | The Circular Economy Show Highlights
Published: 23rd February 2021
The circular economy has gained a great deal of momentum in the Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) region, with many national and city governments developing and scaling policies, strategies, and roadmaps. As a response, eight institutions have launched the LAC Circular Economy Coalition, aiming to support countries and foster multi-stakeholder collaboration. These are the highlights of the discussion panel that was streamed live on our channels on 16th February. We discussed the coalition with representatives from three of the strategic partners, Adriana Zacarias Farah from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Rose Mwebaza from the United Nations Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), Luisa Santiago, Latin America Lead at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, and Rolando Castro, Vice Minister from the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) of Costa Rica.
Circular economy for food in São Paulo
Published: 29th April 2021
How would a circular economy for food be in practice? In this documentary, the city of São Paulo is the scenery where several actors from the food sector contribute to an economy in which food is grown regeneratively, locally and in which organic byproducts are valued, returning nutrients to the ground.
