Inclusive EPR for circular livelihoods: Lessons from Africa

Inclusive EPR for circular livelihoods: Lessons from Africa

18 Sep 2026 at 18:30–20:00 (UTC+2:00)
online, online, South Africa
Session type: Online only
Focus: Employment, Governance, People, System change, Waste, Africa, Asia
Related Sustainable Development Goals
Decent work and economic growth Industry, innovation and infrastructure Partnerships for the goals Reduced inequalities Responsible consumption and production

Who ultimately benefits when EPR systems are introduced? Drawing on African evidence-based experience in plastics and e-waste, this session explores how EPR can boost reuse, refurbishment and recycling of these obligated waste streams while protecting and improving informal workers’ livelihoods.

Climate innovation clusters to scale circular economy solutions

Climate innovation clusters to scale circular economy solutions

18 Sep 2026 at 15:30–17:00 (UTC+5:30)
Online, Online, India
Session type: Online only
Focus: Employment, Materials, People, System change, Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean
Related Sustainable Development Goals
Decent work and economic growth Gender equality No poverty Responsible consumption and production Sustainable cities and communities

How can we move circular economy pilots from isolated projects to system-wide change? You’ll hear from practitioners and leave with frameworks, real evidence from sectors like e-waste, and partnership opportunities to help build circular economies that are competitive, inclusive and resilient.

Circular economy: From evidence to transformation

Circular economy: From evidence to transformation

18 Sep 2026 at 11:00–12:30 (UTC+5:30)
Mahatma Mandir convention center, Gandhinagar, India
Session type: In person in Gandhinagar and online
Focus: Employment, Finance, Governance, Materials, System change, Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia / Australasia / Oceania, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America
Related Sustainable Development Goals
Climate action Decent work and economic growth Industry, innovation and infrastructure Partnerships for the goals Responsible consumption and production

What does the evidence really say about the economic case for circularity? Three new PAGE-supported studies trace the story from secondary materials markets to 121–142 million circular jobs to economy-wide impacts — tested live by policymakers, business and finance. Turn evidence into decisions.

Building inclusive textile circularity in India

Building inclusive textile circularity in India

17 Sep 2026 at 15:00–17:00 (UTC+5:30)
online session, bangalore, India
Session type: Online only
Focus: Employment, Industry, Materials, People, System change, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America
Related Sustainable Development Goals
Climate action Industry, innovation and infrastructure Responsible consumption and production Sustainable cities and communities

Organiser(s): Enviu

Expect:
A grass-roots view of how a post-consumer textile waste ecosystem is built and lessons learned.

Why it matters:
Textile waste is a global issue. With EPR evolving and infrastructure gaps widening, this session offers practical insights from people on ground building scalable solutions.

Breaking the toxic cycle: Opportunities for circular economy

Breaking the toxic cycle: Opportunities for circular economy

18 Sep 2026 at 13:30–15:00 (UTC+2:00)
Online, Online, Netherlands
Session type: Online only
Focus: Employment, Industry, Materials, People, System change, Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia / Australasia / Oceania, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America
Related Sustainable Development Goals
Decent work and economic growth Good health and well-being Industry, innovation and infrastructure Responsible consumption and production

Organiser(s): Circle Economy

How can we close material loops without locking in toxic exposures? This panel explores how circular strategies can be leveraged to reduce toxicity in the linear and circular economy and protect workers and consumers. Learn from experts working in textiles, e-waste and plastics sectors.

Skills and reskilling for circular industries​

Skills and reskilling for circular industries​

16 Sep 2026 at 14:30–15:30 (UTC+5:30)
Session type: Parallel
Track: People
Focus: Education, Employment, People, Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia / Australasia / Oceania, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals
Decent work and economic growth Industry, innovation and infrastructure Partnerships for the goals Quality education Responsible consumption and production

The session discusses the critical need for circular economy skills in emerging economies, particularly India, to address resource efficiency and job creation.

It highlights the risks of increasing resource extraction and e-waste, alongside the transformative potential of new skills in repair, refurbishment and circular entrepreneurship.

The session aims to connect global evidence with India-specific opportunities for a just and inclusive green transition.

Organiser(s): International Council for Circular Economy (ICCE), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, NetZero Energy Transition Association (NETRA)

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Inclusive circular economy and growth​

Inclusive circular economy and growth​

16 Sep 2026 at 11:30–12:30 (UTC+5:30)
Session type: Parallel
Track: People
Focus: Employment, People, Resilience, Waste, Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals
Decent work and economic growth No poverty Reduced inequalities Responsible consumption and production Sustainable cities and communities

This session explores how inclusive circular economy policies, business models and partnerships can empower waste pickers and other informal workers as key agents of resource recovery, decent work, and equitable economic growth while advancing a just transition to circularity.

Informal workers are central to material recovery and circular value chains across emerging economies. The session will demonstrate how to strengthen their integration into the circular economy, drawing on India’s experience alongside perspectives from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean as well as examine pathways to improve livelihoods, social protection and resource efficiency through a just transition.

Organiser(s): United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Alliance of Indian Wastepickers (AIW)

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Employment potential in the circular economy​

Employment potential in the circular economy​

15 Sep 2026 at 15:00–16:00 (UTC+5:30)
Session type: Parallel
Track: People
Focus: Education, Employment, People, Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia / Australasia / Oceania, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals
Decent work and economic growth Industry, innovation and infrastructure Partnerships for the goals Responsible consumption and production

As circular economy strategies gain momentum, new jobs are emerging, linear economy jobs are being displaced and existing circular economy jobs are being transformed, creating both opportunity and urgency around engagement in a circular economy.

This session examines how these changes are unfolding, and addresses the policies, investments and business models needed to make circular economy employment economically viable, technologically advanced and socially inclusive. It offers participants evidence-based insights into good, sustainable work in the circular economy.

Organiser(s): Circle Economy, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW)

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