As urban populations continue to grow, production and consumption patterns will be increasingly affected and demand for resources will rise. At the same time, cities and regions offer ideal environments for developing, testing, replicating and scaling up innovative circular solutions, as local and regional administrations hold responsibilities in many areas that are key to the circular economy.

For Gothenburg, transitioning from a linear to a circular economy is a central piece in the puzzle of creating a sustainable, healthy, and climate-neutral city. This is why the city is actively driving the transition towards more circular production and consumption patterns both within its own organisation and in collaboration with local stakeholders.

The Circular Cities and Regions Initiative

To strengthen its strategic work on the circular economy and benefit from tailored support, Gothenburg was selected in 2022 as one of twelve frontrunner cities and regions within the EU’s Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) . With a community of twelve frontrunners and 25 fellows, the initiative supports peer-learning and capacity-building by encouraging collaboration, the exchange of knowledge and best practices between the participating cities and regions.

We also receive technical expert support – as well as financial support - from the initiative to implement circular systemic solutions in Gothenburg; solutions that use innovative circular models to generate positive sustainability outcomes at the local level. These holistic solutions bring together multiple actors, value chains and levels of governance to deliver environmental, economic and social benefits.

The Circular Customer

Gothenburg has focused on two circular systemic solutions as part of its participation in the CCRI: the circular customer and collaboration for a Circular Gothenburg.

To meet its ambitious targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from purchasing 90% and cutting waste from the city’s operations by 40%, Gothenburg needs to move from being a traditional linear customer to a circular one by 2030. To achieve this, the city has adopted a governance approach focused on developing and implementing new methods of working, routines, management practices and roles across all operations. The goal is to make the entire use phase of resources circular – from procurement through ownership and disposal.

The city has already taken several steps in this direction, such as updating its procurement and purchasing guidelines and improving the efficiency of its internal reuse and furniture-sharing system. In addition, a collaboration platform has been established to support city departments and municipally owned companies in adopting more circular practices.

Collaboration for a Circular Gothenburg

Gothenburg is also fostering collaborations with local actors, such as companies, academia, and civil society, to accelerate its transition to a circular economy. For example, the city is working with Chalmers University to map urban resource flows, identify and engage with key local stakeholders, and develop circular economy action plans. In addition, the city has developed a preliminary study on the market potential of Industrial Urban Symbiosis and is currently exploring the city’s role in IUS development.

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