The International Labour Organization, Circle Economy Foundation, and the Solutions for Youth Employment Programme of the World Bank put humanity at the centre of the circular economy on 15 April 2024, in Brussels, at the 8th World Circular Economy Forum. The discussion ‘The people driving change today’, supported by PAGE, explored the circular economy’s potential to drive innovation, economic growth, and decent job creation. Speakers included entrepreneurs, policymakers, trade union leaders, and UN officials actively involved in advancing the circular economy.
The panelists included people from different fields engaged in circular economy practices from all over the world. These included Mayri Tiido, Co-Founder, Materjalivoog; Karen Pflug, Chief Sustainability Officer, Ingka Group, IKEA; Beatrice Cyiza, Director General of Environment and Climate Change, Ministry of Environment, Rwanda; Vidyadhar Rane, General Secretary, The Alang Sosiya Ship Recycling & General Workers’ Association. Esther Goodwin Brown, Programme Lead of Circular Jobs Initiative, Circle Economy Foundation, moderated the discussion.
In her opening remarks, Namita Dutta, Program Manager, Solutions for Youth Employment (S4YE), for the World Bank Group highlighted a concerning trend: only 1.4% of studies based on circular economy acknowledge the importance of jobs and decent work, with 85% focusing on the global north. She emphasized the necessity of prioritizing people in environmental strategies, stressing that what is good for the environment may not always benefit people. Dutta called for the intentional embedding of the people dimension and emphasized the crucial role of youth in driving innovation.
Today's youth are much more concerned about the environment. As millennials are going to be 75% of the workforce in a year, there is a need for their involvement in the policy table. Youth are allies in the area of circular economy and can be a source of innovation if provided with the skills.
Namita Dutta, Program Manager, Solutions for Youth Employment (S4YE), for the World Bank Group
Rie Vejs-Kjeldgaard, ILO Director of Sustainable Enterprises, Productivity, and Just Transition and Member of the PAGE management board, delivered the keynote speech emphasizing the potential of the circular economy to create millions of jobs globally. She said, “The ILO conservatively estimates that the circular economy could bring 6-7 million new jobs globally. However, the actual impact could be much bigger, with projections of creating 78 million new jobs with 72 million jobs being potentially lost. Thus, people are and must be at the heart of the circular economy”.
The panelists provided insights into their respective countries’ efforts to promote a circular economy, sharing valuable experiences and strategies. Additionally, they highlighted innovative approaches from diverse sectors, showcasing initiatives fostering sustainability and driving positive environmental impact.
Karen, representing IKEA, shared initiatives addressing climate change and inequality, including operational strategies to reduce waste and promote gender diversity in management positions.
Rwanda’s efforts to integrate women and youth into the circular economy, as highlighted by Beatrice, emphasize the importance of capacity building and formal business support. Beatrice Cyiza mentioned: “Rwanda supports women in the informal sector, such as the waste collection sector, by implementing capacity-building policies, facilitating networking by building partnerships with other sectors, and providing grants to transition into formal businesses. These initiatives empower women to grow their enterprises, eventually integrating into the SME and organized sectors, contributing to economic development and gender equality”.
The ILO conservatively estimates that the circular economy could bring 6-7 million new jobs globally. However, the actual impact could be much bigger, with projections of creating 78 million new jobs with 72 million jobs being potentially lost. Thus, people are and must be at the heart of the circular economy.
Rie Vejs-Kjeldgaard, Director of the Sustainable Enterprises, Productivity and Just Transition Department, International Labour Organization (ILO)
Mayri Tiido emphasized the importance of self-education in mastering the circular economy concepts. She stressed the need to focus on future literacies, enabling individuals to envision and contribute to an alternative sustainable future.
Vidyadhar Rane underscored the significance of amplifying the worker’s voice within the workplace, advocating for improved working conditions and enhanced bargaining power. By prioritizing worker involvement and addressing their concerns, Rane emphasized the potential to foster a more equitable and sustainable work environment.
He recalled, “The hazardous [shipbreaking] industry has been converted into a green industry. More than 90% of plots in Alang are Green Plots. The requirement of workers is around 30 – 40 thousand. The involvement of ILO has helped us to engage with all stakeholders (employers, governments, workers) and promote safety and health”.
The discussion concluded with a call to action from Elisa Tonda, Chief of the Resources and Markets Branch, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), emphasizing the collective effort required to make the circular economy work for all.
“We have a lot of allies,” she remarked, “including youth, coworkers, customers, and clients. Together, we can ensure that the magic of the circular economy benefits the environment, the economy, and the people.”
The eighth World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) highlights solutions to tackle our societies’ over-dependence on natural resources. WCEF2024 emphasises the circular economy as a key source of future well-being and the premier post-fossil fuel investment frontier. The forum takes place in Brussels, Belgium from 15-18 April, and convene thousands of experts to explore the vast opportunities presented by the circular economy.
The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) is a prominent alliance of five UN agencies, funding partners, and partner countries that work together to transform economies into drivers of sustainability by supporting nations and regions in reframing economic policies and practices around sustainability. PAGE convenes green economy stakeholders, including policymakers, champions and thought leaders at global events to share ideas, best practices and opportunities for further development.