This session highlights India’s leadership in developing scalable circular economy solutions for a resource-constrained world, while positioning the Global South as a key driver, rather than a follower of the global circular transition.

Drawing on India’s long-standing traditions of resource efficiency alongside modern industrial innovation, the session explores the country’s steady shift from a ‘take-make-dispose’ linear economy model to a resource-efficient, circular design, and extended producer responsibility.

The session will provide a science-based global perspective on the state of the circular economy while examining how national and state-level circular economy initiatives are transforming India’s growth model and reducing its global material footprint.