The Circular Economy in Groningen, the Netherlands

Description

This case study presents the state of the art of the circular economy in Groningen, the main challenges for designing a circular economy strategy and the ways forward for the city's circular transition. Preface Foreword Acknowledgements Abbreviations and acronyms Executive summary 1 Towards a circular economy in Groningen, Netherlands Introduction: The circular economy in cities and regions The drivers for the circular transition in Groningen, Netherlands Socioeconomic data and trends Overview of environmental data and trends References Notes 2 Assessing and unlocking the circular economy in Groningen, Netherlands An ongoing agenda on the circular economy at the national level Circular initiatives at the subnational level Circular economy initiatives in Groningen, Netherlands The analytical framework People and firms: Towards a circular economy ecosystem Policies: Identifying sectors holding potential for the circular economy Waste Food Energy Building sector Places: Fostering urban-rural synergies for the circular economy Governance challenges to design and implement the circular transition References Notes 3 Policy recommendations and actions for a circular economy in Groningen, Netherlands Introduction Promoting a vision and a strategy for the circular economy Make the city a role model Key actions: Develop a circular economy strategy Key actions: Urban metabolism analysis Map existing circular initiatives in various sectors Define goals and actions Engage stakeholders Identify links and synergies Develop a financial plan Monitoring, evaluation and communication Promote a circular economy culture Key actions: Promote labels and certifications Key actions: Create demand by being a launching customer Key actions: Facilitating multilevel co-ordination for the circular economy Facilitate co-ordination across municipal departments and across regional and provincial governments Key actions: Co-ordination across municipal departments Co-ordination across levels of government Facilitate practice exchange amongst public, not-for-profit actors and businesses Key actions: Facilitate the connection between businesses and universities Key actions: Establish a single window for circular businesses and support entrepreneurship Key actions: Strengthen the existing networks to pick the “low-hanging fruits” from co-operation of local businesses Key actions: Facilitate the connection between urban and rural areas Key actions: Enabling the economics and governance conditions for the uptake of the circular economy Identify the regulatory instruments that need to be adapted to foster the transition to a circular economy Key actions: Identify financial and economic conditions and opportunities for circular economy initiatives Key actions: Implement Green Public Procurement Key actions: Develop training programmes on the circular economy Key actions: Create spaces for experimentation Key actions: Develop an information, monitoring and evaluation system Key actions: References Notes Annex A. List of stakeholders consulted during the policy dialogue Blank Page