Today during the WeMakeThe.City festival, Circle Economy launched the ‘City-as-a-Service’ publication, which offers a first glimpse into the ‘circular city of the future’. This publication is an initial and practical exploration of how service models will shape the way in which societal needs can be met in a future urban environment and how cities can take a leadership role in a transition towards a circular economy. The publication builds upon the concepts of the ‘City-as-a-service’ report, as initiated by ABN AMRO.[cta link="https://insights.abnamro.nl/en/2018/06/city-as-a-service-1-out-of-3-dutch-consumers-believes-city-as-a-service-to-become-a-reality/"]ABN AMRO - City-as-a-Service[/cta]Service Models Applied to four essential productsHousing, nutrition, mobility, and clothing are primary human needs and directly linked to material extraction. For each of these needs, Circle Economy has examined the potential impacts that service models can have. By subscribing to a car-sharing service, for example, consumers are able to choose smaller, cheaper and more efficient cars when driving solo. In the Netherlands alone, this would save 2,200 kton of CO2 annually and will reduce annual spending on motoring by 10%. For textiles, a service model could potentially help us avoid "bad buys" that are never worn, which would result in a 15% cost saving for consumers and 23 kton of CO2 in the Netherlands.
"Cities are more and more demonstrating their leadership role in the necessary transition towards human-centered, low-emission and prosperous living environments. They will help to close the global circularity gap which is now still higher than 90%. Circle Economy and its partners are providing the know-how and tools how to make this transition happen. - Harald Friedl, CEO Circle Economy The vital role of cities in achieving systemic change In an increasingly urban world, cities have to play a leading role to drive sustainable transitions and will lead the way on delivering the positive effects of a circular economy - and hence help to close the circularity gap. The circular economy offers a clear roadmap towards realizing the low-carbon, human-centered and prosperous circular city of the future. The ‘City-As-A-Service’ vision is a key next step into this promising future. Ultimately, service models could be a game changer for cities. In fact, city governments can influence this by providing the right boundary conditions and incentives in their policymaking. Circle Economy is committed to play a proactive role in driving the design of future cities and delivering the on-the-ground implementation of (pilot) projects.
Moving towards service models is a great way to ensure that high-quality products are rewarded and our resources are utilised more efficiently. Cities are the ideal hotbed for innovation and we provide them with the right tools to accelerate the implementation of service-based business models. - Annerieke Douma, Director Program and Business Development, Circle Economy
Creating a future vision for our cities Circle Economy empowers cities and regions by providing them with the tools, knowledge and on-the-ground support to create resilient and liveable cities. This way we guide cities on their way to circularity by understanding local resource metabolisms, identify the most impactful intervention points and provide practical roadmaps for implementation. Download the full publication below. [hr] [cta link="http://www.circle-economy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/City-as-a-Service-Circle-Economy-2018.pdf"]City-as-a-Service [/cta][hr]For questions and press inquiries please contact: melanie@circle-economy.com
