An Inclusive Circular Economy

Priorities for Developing Countries

Research paper

Published 22 May 2019

Updated 11 December 2020

ISBN: 978 1 78413 338 2

‘In Season’ farm uses the hydroponic method to grow vegetables and herbs on the rooftop of a residential building in Johannesburg, South Africa. Photo: Getty Images
‘In Season’ farm uses the hydroponic method to grow vegetables and herbs on the rooftop of a residential building in Johannesburg, South Africa. Photo: Getty Images
— ‘In Season’ farm uses the hydroponic method to grow vegetables and herbs on the rooftop of a residential building in Johannesburg, South Africa. Photo: Getty Images

Laura Wellesley

Former Senior Research Fellow, Environment and Society Centre

Felix Preston

Director, Research and Programs, Climate Arc

Developing economies will struggle to grow sustainably without significant investment in recycling, reusing and repairing used raw materials and products. This paper looks at opportunities to coordinate regional trade policies and investment programmes to rapidly scale up the circular economy in the developing world.