Publications & tools

Search Result ( 1 - 9 from 26 )

Policy brief
Published: 2025

Circular Cities Frontrunner Group Policy Brief on Accelerating the Circular Economy for a Prosperous and Competitive Europe

This policy brief supported by over 40 cities and networks, outlines nine proposals from 16 European circular frontrunner cities to strengthen EU circular economy policy. It is structured around three priorities: raising circular ambition, enabling local action and mobilising economic instruments. The brief draws on city experiences to offer practical recommendations and is intended to support the Circular Economy Act, Clean Industrial Deal and related EU policy processes.
Handbook / Guide
Published: 2025

Feeding people, not landfills: using social norms to tackle food waste in cities

This practical guidance, developed by ICLEI and CSCP as part of the CHORIZO Horizon Europe project, supports local governments in reducing food waste by working with social norms. Drawing on behavioural science and city case studies, the document outlines an 8-step method to plan, implement and evaluate interventions. It highlights how unwritten rules and shared behaviours influence food waste, and offers cities tools to harness these dynamics in areas such as procurement, public awareness, wast...
Case study
Published: 2025

Reusable packaging at events: testing reusable packaging systems in cities

Cities worldwide are increasingly prioritising sustainability, with waste management and packaging reuse gaining prominence as critical issues. Events such as festivals, concerts, and conferences generate significant amounts of single-use packaging, contributing to the generation of great quantities of waste. In response, several cities have implemented or supported initiatives aimed at reducing event-related waste by promoting the reuse of packaging materials. These efforts not only minimize wa...
Report
Published: 2025

Benchmarking Circular Hubs

The document details the key outcomes derived from the benchmarking service provided in the context of the Definite-CCRI project.

ICLEI Europe’s Position Paper on the EU’s 2040 Climate Target

In February 2024, the European Commission proposed an EU-wide 90% net emission reduction target by 2040, following the recommendation from the European Scientific Advisory Body on Climate Change (ESABCC) to set a 2040 climate target of 90- 95% emission reductions. While presenting the 2040 target in the European Parliament, Commissioner Hoekstra highlighted the need for a dialogue and an extensive outreach to discuss how to reach this crucial intermediary target of 2040.
We welcome the Commissi...
Research paper
Published: 2024

Resource-Oriented Sanitation: Closing the Gap Between Fork and Farm for Circular Nutrient Flows

This briefing note explores resource-oriented sanitation as a solution to the disruption of nutrient cycles, water pollution, and climate change. It highlights the potential of recovering and reusing nutrients from human sanitary waste, addressing key pillars of the European Green Deal such as climate neutrality, sustainable food production, and zero pollution. The note calls for adapting wastewater policy frameworks, creating markets for recycled nutrients, and aligning practices with circular ...
Research paper
Published: 2024

Enhancing Industrial(-Urban) Symbiosis at the local scale

The aim of this briefing note is to provide local and regional authorities with insights on how to support the development of Industrial(-Urban) Symbiosis initiatives in their territory, through case studies and experience sharing. In addition to the knowledge developed by participating in several projects, data on case studies has been collected via desk research and interviews with representatives of local and regional authorities and facilitators of I(-U)S hubs.
ICLEI is involved in several ...

Case Study Guides on Shared Actions for the Green Deal

Collecting experience from 24 local actions across Europe to highlight how communities can help advance European Green Deal objectives, this guide presents concrete ideas on different topics of the European Green Deal.
Report
Published: 2024

CCD Report 2024

The Circular Cities Declaration team is excited to announce the release of the CCD Report 2024, the most comprehensive record offering a unique insight into the implementation of the circular economy across European cities.
In the summer of 2023, signatories of the Circular Cities Declaration (CCD) were asked to report on their progress in transitioning towards a circular economy. As a result, the CCD Report 2024 “Insights on implementation, measurement, and nature”&n...