The CCRI was launched by the European Commission and focuses on implementing circular economy in Europe’s cities and regions. In the selection process, Munich was chosen as the only German city along with eleven other European cities and regions to become a pilot city.
Supported by the CCRI support offices and their associated partners, Munich as a pilot city will design, implement and scale circular systemic solutions. Additionally, collaboration with a broader network of stakeholders is being promoted to contribute to the introduction of circular economy approaches throughout Europe through knowledge transfer.
“Circular economy is an elementary building block on the path to climate neutrality”
Christine Kugler, Director of Climate and Environmental Protection, comments:
“It’s wonderful that Munich is the only German city participating in this EU project. Circular economy is an absolutely essential building block on the path to climate neutrality, and Europe-wide exchange supports the necessary transformation process.”
The CCRI pilot cities and their partners (Fellows) form a network of over 30 European cities, regions and territorial clusters implementing the transition at local and regional levels. The initiative’s goal is to strengthen cities and regions through this network by coordinating, bundling and promoting joint efforts towards circular ecosystems. The initiative offers technical and financial support throughout all phases of introducing and implementing a functioning circular economy.
The topic of circular economy is becoming increasingly relevant in the startup world as well. During a visit by the US ambassador to Colab in May of this year, several Munich startups presented their solutions on this topic. These included Libcycle, which recycles old or defective electric vehicle batteries, and Hey Circle, which advocates for fewer disposable cardboard boxes in online shipping. Numi presented its software for supply chain logistics, and Supplyz showcased Wi-Fi-enabled food containers that use algorithms to forecast consumption and automatically order replenishments.
Munich’s climate neutrality by 2035
Collaboration within the CCRI provides Landeshauptstadt München support in the “Circular economy” action area anchored in Munich’s climate ordinance. It is thus an important building block on the path to Munich’s targeted climate neutrality by 2035.
The coordination of this Europe-wide collaboration as well as city-wide projects and measures to develop a comprehensive strategy for circular economy in the city (Circular Munich) is undertaken by the Department of Climate and Environmental Protection.
