Promoting the circular economy in Latin America and the Caribbean

Context

Economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean is driven mainly by raw material extraction, agriculture and related exports. This is putting pressure on the population and the environment. Global requirements for resources are increasing and so too is the demand for socially responsible and environmentally friendly development models.

At present, less than one per cent of materials used in the local economy are reused or recycled in the region. Forerunners such as Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru and Uruguay have national action plans or strategies for a circular economy. However, the skills, knowledge and data for developing integrated strategies are lacking.

Objective

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, ECLAC (Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe, CEPAL) and selected member countries have the necessary technical and institutional conditions to successfully implement inclusive, climate-friendly and resource-efficient circular economy models.

Approach

The project supports ECLAC in assisting its member countries on the path towards a circular economy and in implementing circular economy strategies in line with requirements. ECLAC also provides advice on defining metrics and on monitoring in order to include environmental, social and economic aspects in the strategies. The project also develops knowledge of financing, incentivising and regulatory instruments. Finally, actors from public institutions and the private sector exchange ideas on inclusive, climate-friendly and resource-efficient circular economy solutions for selected value chains and productive clusters. This provides companies with international and intraregional networks.

Last update: February 2025