Circularity and Public Procurement

Activities in the pipeline 2023 - 2024:

1)  The social dimension of circularity in the built environment. This work is being developed with support of Habitat for Humanity International. The aim is to highlight solutions that elevate the role of social aspects of circularity, as well as policy mixes that will advance social aspects of circularity, and identify the gaps in metrics needed to elevate the social value of circularity.

2)  Initiating and steering key projects of CBE partners related to circular built environment and promoting synergies between them.

a)  National Circularity Assessment Framework for Buildings: A National Circularity Assessment Framework for Buildings was developed in partnership with UNOPS and UN-Habitat. The framework serves as a comprehensive toolkit to support countries in assessing circularity within their building sectors. It provides both quantitative and qualitative assessments through a set of indicators and a structured questionnaire, helping to identify gaps and priorities for improving circular material and waste flows, reducing environmental impacts, and enhancing economic and social benefits.

b)  Flagship Initiative: Mainstreaming circularity in the construction sector leveraging the power of sustainable public procurement (UNEP, UNOPS). CBE is part of the Strategic Group to provide feedback and at a later stage supported the alignment with the Buildings Breakthrough Priority Action 2 on Demand Creation.

c)  Transforming the Built Environment through Sustainable Materials funded by the BMZ (UNEP, UN-Habitat, UNOPS). A strategic partnership with the project to find synergies on the circularity work. A training activity on circularity is being planned with CBE.

d)  Circular Transition Indicators for Buildings (WBCSD). Support and align with the CTI indicators for buildings, by providing feedback and attending to workshops and meetings. WBCSD is part of the CBE Action Group.

3)  The 10 Whole Life Cycle Recommendations for the Buildings Breakthrough and its case study platform, a consensus driven set of actions for decision makers to consider, to meet the challenge of whole life cycle impacts in the building sector.

4)  Participation in events and webinars, including COP28, COP29, World Circular Economy Forum 2025, World Urban Forum 2024, Buildings and Climate Global Forum.