The UN Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP) takes place annually, bringing together global leaders to drive forward climate action. The next COP will be COP30, taking place in Brazil from 10 to 21 November 2025.
Eliminate. Circulate. Regenerate.
The 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. has a key role to play in delivering on climate goals. The transition to renewable energyrenewable energyEnergy derived from resources that are not depleted on timescales relevant to the economy, i.e. not geological timescales. is critical and can help tackle 55% of emissions, but alone it is not enough. 45% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from the way we make and use products and food. We need a new model for how we produce and consume the things we need. That means we need to redesign our economy — by eliminating waste and pollution, circulating products and materials, and regenerating nature — to build economic opportunities and resilience, reduce emissions, and meet the targets set out in the Paris Agreement. We need a circular economy to complete the picture.
COP29
The most recent COP, COP29, took place in Azerbaijan from 11 to 22 November 2024.
The Foundation’s China and Latin America teams participated in a number of events, taking this opportunity to demonstrate that the transition from a linear economylinear economyAn economy in which finite resources are extracted to make products that are used - generally not to their full potential - and then thrown away ('take-make-waste'). to a circular economy is a vital part of what is needed to tackle climate change and other global challenges, including biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. Key moments included:
Launching a new paper, The circular economy: a ‘triple play’ solution for achieving China’s climate objectives, highlighting the fundamental benefits of the circular economy for climate action in China
Engaging with key stakeholders on Brazil’s plans for circular economy leadership ahead of COP30, which will take place in Brazil from 10 to 21 November 2025
Our presence at COP29 was followed by the publication of an insights paper, Improving climate emissions accounting to accelerate the circular economy transition, aimed at ensuring businesses can fairly and accurately assess the emissions impact of their circular economy activities and thereby strengthen the business case.
Circular economy events from COP28
COP28 events we participated in
2nd December
10:30 GST | UN SDG Pavilion with ClimateWorks Foundation and the National Centre for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation, China | Circular economy: a path to climate solutions and sustainable development | Event website | Watch event
3rd December
18:30 GST | UN Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) | Circularity as a game changer for climate action: upscaling applied research and economic solutions | Event website | Watch event
4th December
10:45 GST | China Pavilion with the China Association of Circular Economy | How the circular economy can support China’s carbon emissions reduction
5th December
12:25 GST | UAE Pavilion with the UAE Ministry of Economy | UAE circular economy forum: shaping and funding circular futures | Watch event
15:00 GST | Global Climate Action Al Wakri room with UNFCCC Fashion Charter | Pathway to Paris goals: runway to net zero in the fashion industry | Watch event
6th December
13:00 GST | China Pavilion with the National Centre for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation, China | 9th global climate change think tank forum
15:15 GST | Al Waha room with COP28 Presidency | No time to waste: closing the climate loop | Event website | Watch event
8th December
16:30 GST | Brazil Pavilion with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development | Circular economy, decarbonisation, and the challenges for Brazilian industry | Watch event
16:30 GST | Future Economy Forum Pavilion | Circular design for food: six short stories | Event website
9th December
09:50 GST | Swedish Pavilion | Closing the loop: How does food circularity enhance climate and nature action? | Event website | Watch event
10 December
12:30 GST | German Pavilion with IRP and UN One Planet Network | Time to act: raising ambition in climate change mitigation through resource efficiency and the circular economy | Watch event
13:30 GST | Italy Pavilion with Intesa Sanpaolo | Circular economy and climate change: the role of financial institutions and the private sector in accelerating the transition towards a regenerative economy | Watch event
Circular economy events from COP27
COP27 events we participated in
9th November
UN PAGE event - Accelerating circularity as a holistic response to the triple planetary crisis: the economic case. Watch event
9-10th November
UNFCCC - Global Stocktake.
11th November
Canada Pavilion - Circularity for climate: making the case for the net-zero, circular transition.
Sweden Pavilion - System-thinking and circular economy for decarbonisation. Watch event
12th November
Sweden Pavilion - Technological innovations accelerating circularity within the food value chain. Watch event
Denmark Pavilion - Circular systems for a net positive fashion industry.
14th November
Buildings Pavilion - Creating a circular built environment: the why and how. Watch event
17th November
Minderoo Pavilion - How can greater transparency in the supply chain help end the plastic pollution crisis.
Benelux/EIB Pavilion - Launch of circular finance roadmap for International Financial Institutions. Watch event
