Catalysing the Circular Transition in Asia Pacific: Jakarta, Kyoto, Shanghai
In partnership with Bank of America, the Embedding Circularity Programme aims to accelerate the shift towards circular economy practices within the entrepreneurial ecosystems of Indonesia, China, and Japan.
Did you know?
Asia’s path to circularity starts with design.
Around 80% of environmental impacts are decided at the design stage. However, most circular economy tools are designed for the Global North, making them less relevant for businesses in Asia.
The Embedding Circularity Programme addresses this by adapting a global circular economy toolkit into four local languages for the Asia-Pacific region. It provides Entrepreneur Support Organisations (ESOs) with region-specific resources and case studies to integrate circular practices into their programmes to promote a regenerative economy in Indonesia, China, and Japan.
Pioneering circular solutions in Jakarta
Jakarta faces significant waste and sustainability challenges as its urban growth accelerates. Through Peer Development Circles, local grassroots SMEs, university students, and Entrepreneur Support Organisations (ESOs) collaborated to rethink processes and embrace circular solutions. The initiative resulted in a custom toolkit with practical strategies to drive sustainable change and support Jakarta’s journey toward a greener future.
Driving circular innovation in Kyoto
Kyoto faces unique challenges in managing resources and waste from its textile industry & growing tourism. To address these, the program brought together businesses, government, and citizens in Peer Development Circles to foster multi stakeholder collaboration and co-develop sustainable solutions. With a focus on resource circulation, rethinking textile production, and mitigating tourism’s impact, the program is building a circular economy toolkit to support Kyoto’s transition toward a more sustainable future.
Advancing circularity in Shanghai
Peer Development Circles in Shanghai addressed gaps in sustainable practices within the food and beverage sector. By bringing together solution providers, industry leaders, and corporates, the process facilitated co-creation, explored challenges, and sparked multi-stakeholder collaborations to drive circular packaging innovations. These efforts culminated in a practical toolkit that equips businesses to implement sustainable solutions.