By identifying potential impacts of EU policies beyond Europe, this study—Socioeconomic Impacts of European Union Circular Textiles Policies on Trading Partners—uncovers challenges in understanding extra-EU effects and highlights significant blind spots, positioning itself as a foundation for continued research. The report further examines the likely social and economic effects of these policies across five themes: Competitiveness and transition costs, Labour market and sectoral transformation, Work reallocation and skills development, Informality and the circular economy, and Decent work and social equity.
This report is a part of a series which explores both the upstream and downstream aspects of the textiles value chain. The project is led by Circle Economy Foundation, Chatham House, and the European Environment Bureau, together with organisations in two trading partner focus countries, BUILD (Bangladesh) and The Or Foundation (Ghana).
See other reports in the series here.
This study—Textile Trade Flow and Employment Baseline Analysis: Bangladesh—aims to shed light on the trade and employment dynamics in Bangladesh as a key upstream trading partner to the EU. This enables a better understanding of the context within which recent EU policies, including the Sustainable and Circular Textiles Strategy, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and the Corporate Due Diligence Directive (CDDD), will take place.
This report is a part of a series which explores both the upstream and downstream aspects of the textiles value chain. The project is led by Circle Economy Foundation, Chatham House and the European Environment Bureau, together with organisations in two trading partner focus countries, BUILD (Bangladesh) and The Or Foundation (Ghana).
See other reports in the series here.
• Socioeconomic Impacts of European Union Circular Textiles Policies on Trading Partners
• Textile Trade Flow and Employment Baseline Analysis: Ghana
• Circular Textiles Policy Review Considerations for EU Trading Partner Countries
• Circular textile trade scenarios between the EU and Ghana
• Circular textile trade scenarios between the EU and Bangladesh
This study—Textile Trade Flow and Employment Baseline Analysis: Ghana —seeks to understand the reverse textile value chain between the EU and Ghana. Through analyses of trade flows and employment, it sheds light on how post-consumer textiles are managed, especially in the context of the EU policy landscape, including the Sustainable and Circular Textiles Strategy, the Waste Framework Directive, and the Waste Shipment Regulation.
This report is a part of a series which explores both the upstream and downstream aspects of the textiles value chain. The project is led by Circle Economy Foundation, Chatham House, and the European Environment Bureau, together with organisations in two trading partner focus countries, BUILD (Bangladesh) and The Or Foundation (Ghana).
See other reports in the series here.
This report from the SWITCH to Circular Economy Value Chains (SWITCH2CE) program focuses on key global value chains in Morocco, Bangladesh, and Egypt. It highlights opportunities for integrating circular practices in plastic packaging, textiles, and ICT sectors to boost competitiveness and sustainability.
By addressing current challenges and analysing case studies from Morocco, Bangladesh, and Egypt, the report offers solutions such as shifting to bioplastics and improving recycling systems. The circular economy not only helps mitigate environmental impacts but also enhances innovation and competitiveness, particularly for producers in lower-income countries. Through strategies of regeneration, reduction and reuse, the report outlines pathways for creating resilient, sustainable value chains that are crucial for future global markets.
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Read moreThis report presents the findings from a review of definitions, databases, methods and models that are used globally today to measure or model employment in the circular economy. The review outlined in this report was led by Circle Economy, with technical inputs from teams at the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Bank Group (WBG) in close partnership and with support from Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE).
This review lays the groundwork for a global report with the first authoritative global modelled estimates of employment in the circular economy, which will be produced under the Initiative from 2024 to 2025. It was produced under Jobs in the Circular Economy, a joint initiative of the ILO, Circle Economy and the WBG, which aims to put data and practical tools in the hands of policymakers and decision-makers to inform and support pathways towards more socially fair and just environmental and economic policies and interventions.
This white paper is designed to enhance understanding of the informal sector’s role within the circular economy—a group of actors that are often overlooked. Additionally, it aims to foster dialogue on how to empower informal workers and their collaborators, particularly social entrepreneurs, in advancing circular practices. It is based on insights recorded from a series of learning circles—generative conversations that involve genuine inquiry and sharing, leading to expanded understanding and shared meaning. They brought together social entrepreneurs, Ashoka Fellows, UNDP Labbers, and other stakeholders.
The goal of the Design for Transformation (D4T) pilot was to demonstrate a system of technologies capable of processing mixed textile waste, while generating biomimetic outputs based on textile waste streams arising in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
As the result of the pilot project, cellulosic component of the mixed textile sample was successfully converted into glucose through enzymatic hydrolysis. The textile-derived glucose was not only found to be comparable to commercial grade glucose in performance, but in some cases outperformed it. The residual stream from the enzymatic hydrolysis step contained primarily synthetic fibres, such as polyester and nylon, as well as some remaining cellulose due to incomplete hydrolysis. This stream was successfully gasified into syngas.
This report contains the pilot’s experimental setup and results.
This study commissioned and led by UNESCO-UNEVOC, analyses the main barriers and enablers to mainstreaming aspects of the circular economy in the curricula and training of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions and developing the knowledge and skills needed to make the value chain of jobs and occupations circular. The goal is to inform and push the global discourse towards enhancing TVET’s contribution to the green transition and spotlight lessons relevant to the international TVET community.
The study examined TVET curriculum planning and delivery in three countries: Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. It involved a sample size of 27 different actors, relevant bodies and institutions of TVET that helped estimate the current status quo and identify areas of future action.
The study reveals four key factors that play a crucial role in driving the integration of skills and competencies for the circular economy in TVET: 1) policy and regulatory frameworks, 2) industry engagement and partnerships, 3) curriculum development and updates, and 4) TVET authorities and industry stakeholders working together to identify and encourage public and private investment in TVET.
Ensuring economic and social development without exceeding our planetary boundaries is an important challenge of the 21st century. Circular economy represents a transformative systemic approach to addressing this challenge.
Discover “A shared MDB’s Vision for the Circular Economy” presented by AfDB, EBRD, EIB, and World Bank Group during the World Circular Economy Forum 2024. Circularity is important for advancing the sustainable and just development agenda. This document articulates how these MDBs are dedicated to helping public and private sector stakeholders to introduce circular economy approaches. They are drawing on their cross-sectoral experience, technical assistance and advisory services to support existing and pioneering solutions for circular economy approaches.
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