Conserving resources, promoting the circular economy and securing green jobs

Context

Colombia is laying the foundations for the transition from a linear system of waste management to a circular economy. A circular economy gives rise to new business models, creates green jobs, ensures resources are used and managed more efficiently, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. To harness this potential, the country must advance circular economy policies and strategies at national level and ensure their implementation at local level. Cooperating with industry, the goods-producing sector and service providers is essential in order to achieve this.

Objective

The technical and institutional capacities of government and private-sector actors have been improved, enabling Colombia to implement a local and national circular economy effectively.

Approach

In cooperation with its Colombian partners, the project is improving how waste-pickers are organised, strengthening business models and establishing training programmes in Colombia’s skills-development system.

To this end, it is pursuing three approaches:

1. The project cooperates at national level with the Colombian Ministry of Housing, City and Territory (Minvivienda) in order to provide advice and implement the zero waste programme. It is working with the Colombian Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (Minambiente) to develop measures to eliminate single-use plastics.
2. The project supports four municipal administrations in incorporating the topics of the circular economy and green jobs in planning and implementation processes. Together with local stakeholders, it is developing partnerships in Bogotá, Cali, Cartagena and Cúcuta which establish business models and promote green jobs in the circular economy.
3. The project is creating a space for joint dialogue by working with the National Planning Department, the Colombian Association of Capital Cities (Asocapitales) and the National Business Association of Colombia (ANDI) to enable cities to engage in knowledge management and share practical experience via the Conversápolis platform.

Last update: August 2024