The UN Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP) takes place annually, bringing together global leaders to drive climate action. This year’s event, COP31, is taking place in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9-20 November 2026.
The circular economy is key to driving climate action
To tackle climate change and build resilience into our economies, we need an energy transition. And we also need a transition in how we produce and consume. 45% of emissions come from how we use materials. This is where 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. comes in. One that eliminates waste and pollution, circulates products and materials, and regenerates nature.
The Foundation at COP31
This year, zero waste and circular economy is a priority Presidency theme and central pillar of the Action Agenda. Following our landmark 2019 report, Completing the picture: How the circular economy tackles climate change, the Foundation has been part of increasing this understanding, helping to galvanise action at COP and elsewhere.
The opportunity at COP31 is to determine how all actors — policy, finance, business, and community — can accelerate circular economy implementation. The Foundation will contribute by showcasing solutions that are driving climate action across sectors, sharingsharingThe use of a product by multiple users. It is a practice that retains the highest value of a product by extending its use period. real-world examples from our Network and beyond, and our insights on supporting the measurement and reporting of emissions from circular economy activities. In particular, we will focus on delivering a circular economy for critical minerals, which is also key to the Presidency’s other priority theme, electrification.
The Foundation is a systems change organisation — identifying systemic barriers to market transformation, mobilising action to overcome them, and driving breakthrough solutions that benefit the economy, people, and the planet.
Connect with us
Are you attending COP31? We encourage circular economy leaders to showcase their solutions to inspire others and secure support for these solutions as part of climate action.
The Foundation’s team will participate in a number of events, taking this opportunity to demonstrate that systemic problems need systemic solutions. Further event details will be added as they are confirmed.
10 November | 15.00 | China Pavilion, Blue Zone | Circular economy for climate action
10 November | Brazil Pavilion, Blue Zone | From industry to mobility: Brazilian solutions for battery decarbonisation and circularity
11 November | 12.00 | German Pavilion, Blue Zone | High level dialogue: Circularity as a strategic enabler to climate action
