PAGE, though the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), is supporting a study and consultations on preparing a framework for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence on Circularity in India. The discussions took place during a consultation held on 15 September 2022.
It is expected that the framework and guidance on establishing a Centre of Excellence on Circularity will contribute to aligning India’s economic policies and investments more closely with SDG12 and the country’s 2070 net zero target. While the specific services that the Centre should offer, will be defined based on national context and priorities, market demand and stakeholder consultations, it is expected that the Centre will provide a range of analytical, policy design, training, and advocacy services for establishing and upscaling circular economy models across sectors.
To ensure that a wide range of viewpoints are taken on board, the most recent consultation held in September 2022 witnessed the participation of representatives from UNEP, UNITAR, Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, EU, GIZ, Industry associations, academic institutes, and government departments.
It was discussed to develop a framework that would support and enable expert technical guidance to implement circular economy models across sectors through knowledge sharing, providing sector agnostic advice and training. The need, role and relevance of a Centre with institutional architecture including financial sustainability was also deliberated.
The consultation provided an opportunity to receive valuable inputs from the distinguished participants, who stressed on the need for devising such framework which would also support in building capacities for implementation of the sectoral actions for circular economy.
India joined the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) in 2018.