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Scaling the circular built environment

Pathways for business and government



Hoe versnellen bedrijfsleven en overheid de circulair gebouwde omgeving?


The circular economy has great potential to help meet global sustainability targets and the Paris Agreement's goals in particular. The built environment, consuming almost half of the world's resources extracted every year and responsible for a massive environmental footprint, is a fundamental sector in the transition from a linear to a circular, more sustainable world.

Moving towards a circular built environment involves a shift in roles and business models for stakeholders active in this sector. However, barriers related to culture, regulations, market, technology and education are slowing down the transition.

The private and public sector need to create a level playing field in order for circular materials, products and services to become the new normal in the built environment. This requires bold leadership from both companies and policy-makers who have to transform the market (e.g. by introducing new valuation methods) and implement long-term policies that encourage the scaling of circular solutions (e.g. through circular procurement). Standardization, new forms of collaboration and co-creation processes are essential elements in the transition. Digital innovation, education and information sharing can further drive the change in mindset and culture that is needed to turn the circular built environment into reality.


1. What is the circular built environment and how the circular economy can help us meet crucial sustainability challenges?

2. What change is needed to transition from linear to circular business models?

3. What is holding us back and what can stakeholders do?

4. How can the private and public sectors create a level playing field and drive the scaling of the circular built environment?

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