Glasgow becomes first UK city to sign Circular Cities Declaration

Glasgow has become the first city in the UK to sign the Circular Cities Declaration after receiving support from the council’s City Administration Committee earlier this year.

Last week, Glasgow City Council also announced that its climate plan had been approved unanimously. It sets out the council’s ambitions around how it will achieve net-zero carbon by 2030 in response to the climate and ecological emergency, which was declared by the council in May 2019.

The declaration, which was developed by ICLEI Europe in partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, recognises the city of Glasgow as one of the leading European cities working in the circular economy.

Unified network

By signing the declaration, Glasgow will become a member of a unified network of over 50 cities across Europe, working together to raise awareness of the environmental, economic and social benefits of the circular economy.

The network also includes leading strategic partners in the United Nations Environment Programme, European Investment Bank (EIB), Circle Economy and Metabolic.

“Over the last month, Glasgow City Council has taken major steps as we look towards net-zero carbon by 2030. The Glasgow Climate Plan was unanimously approved at committee, and we launched the new business charter and website alongside our Sustainable Glasgow partners,” said city convenor for sustainability and carbon reduction for Glasgow City Council, Anna Richardson.

She added: “This signing further cements our commitment to supporting Glasgow’s businesses helping them to adopt sustainable business practices, by encouraging them to reuse and repair goods previously destined for landfill.”

“A circular economy supports a more inclusive and resilient Glasgow. By encouraging self-sufficiency, we will be able to stimulate local business growth for a more inclusive society.”

“A circular economy supports a more inclusive and resilient Glasgow. By encouraging self-sufficiency, we will be able to stimulate local business growth for a more inclusive society”

“This is yet another key moment in the city’s journey to tackling the climate emergency.”

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce is committed to supporting and enabling actions to tackle climate change and has been doing this through the Circular Glasgow initiative for five years now.

"Through a partnership approach with Zero Waste Scotland, Glasgow City Council and Circle Economy in the Netherlands, our business community has been embracing circular economy business models to become future proof by delivering closed-loop value chains and driving innovative solutions; ultimately, reducing their climate impact,” added Alison McRae, senior director at Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.

“We know that moving to renewables will address around 55 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, but it is through a circular economy approach that we will deliver long-term sustainable solutions across all sectors. It is ultimately good business.

“This is fantastic for Glasgow and a milestone moment as the host city for COP26 later this year.”

Glasgow’s work to date has already been used as a case study by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

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