Circular economy key to achieving climate goals, driving growth, UNDP official says

The circular economy serves as a practical tool for implementing climate goals and promoting economic development, Nuri Ozbagdatli, Climate Change and Environment Portfolio Manager at UNDP in Türkiye, said at the 4th Climate Week (CW4) in Baku, Report informs.

According to him, the circular economy is not only a climate agenda but also a resource agenda, as it addresses climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution simultaneously.

"Now is not the time to discuss ambitions, but to demonstrate how we implement them. The circular economy provides a great opportunity to make it part of achieving climate goals by linking investment attractiveness and financing opportunities with economic development and job creation," he said.

Ozbagdatli noted that the circular economy is also becoming a matter of competitiveness, particularly in Europe and Central Asia, against the backdrop of raw material dependency, supply chain disruptions, commodity market volatility, and growing demand for critical materials.

"A circular approach can help address these challenges by extending product lifespans, increasing recovery and secondary material use, expanding repair and reuse, and strengthening domestic value chains," he added.