India Poised to Lead Global Circular Economy Transition: Highlights from ICEF2024
The New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration at the G20 highlighted India’s increasing influence and aspirations to contribute positively to global governance and stability. India’s role in the evolving geopolitical landscape is underscored by its efforts to balance national interests with global responsibilities. This declaration marked a significant milestone in showcasing India’s leadership on the global stage, emphasizing the importance of strengthening multilateral institutions amid growing concerns about unilateralism and protectionism worldwide.
Global circularity has decreased from 9.1% in 2018 to 7.2% in 2023, a 21% decline over five years. A shift from traditional linear processes (cradle to grave) to circular processes (cradle to cradle) is crucial, ensuring all outputs become inputs for other processes. India’s unique combination of geopolitical significance, sustainable practices, and dynamic diplomatic engagements positions it to play a pivotal role in facilitating a global circular transition. As the world’s largest democracy and one of its most populous nations, India’s policies and initiatives carry significant weight. Its historic ties with countries in the Global South, reinforced through platforms like the Non-Aligned Movement, BRICS, and vaccine diplomacy during the pandemic, give it a unique standing.
“We can leverage these relationships to promote the circular economy model, emphasizing mutual benefits in terms of sustainable growth, job creation, and environmental preservation,” said Shalini Goyal Bhalla at the opening plenary of the third edition of the India Circular Economy Forum (ICEF2024) in New Delhi. Bhalla is the Managing Director at the International Council for Circular Economy, an Indian think-tank. Recent initiatives to foster relationships with African, Southeast Asian, and Latin American countries demonstrate India’s commitment to strengthening ties with the Global South. These engagements serve as platforms for knowledge sharing, technological collaboration, and financial mechanisms supporting circular economy transitions, she added.
“India can provide momentum towards achieving global development, environmental, and climate goals while respecting the diverse national circumstances and capabilities of countries, especially developing ones. Our dual identity as a developing economy with global influence uniquely positions us to drive a balanced approach to development, environment, and climate goals. Now is the right time to advocate actions that resonate with developing countries, making India a significant player in shaping the global agenda,” said Bhaskar Chatterjee.
The two-day India Circular Economy Forum (ICEF2024) concluded with resounding success, marking a pivotal moment in India’s journey toward becoming a global leader in circular economy practices. With insightful discussions, innovative showcases, and strategic collaborations, the event underscored India’s potential to lead the Global South in the circular transition.
Michael Bucki, Head of Department at the EU delegation to India, emphasized the industry’s need to identify gaps in the application of circularity. He introduced the Indian concept of “Jugaad” as a driving force for circularity in India, highlighting its innovative and resourceful nature.
Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, stressed the need for new technologies in carbon capture and storage that are market-relevant and cost-effective. She highlighted her ministry’s efforts in responsibly closing mines to restore reclaimed sites for nature, flora, and fauna, supporting Just Transition. She shared that 32 out of 39 coal sites have been converted into water bodies and tourist sites in India.
Rohit Kansal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, mentioned the presence of 900 dedicated textile recycling units, with recycling hubs in Panipat and numerous others in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra that have regular recycling mechanisms. He highlighted the role of women entrepreneurs in leading these initiatives and the importance of reuse and upcycling in fashion through craftsmanship. “We must focus on four R’s: Reuse, Reduce, Recycle, and Redesign to transition the highly polluting textile industry to a sustainable sector,” said Kansal.
Amit Verma, Director at NITI Aayog, highlighted the challenges and opportunities associated with circularity in India. He noted how Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directly engaged with critical aspects of the circular economy, underlining the government’s commitment to this sustainable approach. Verma discussed the establishment of committees by NITI Aayog in 2021, with preparatory work starting as early as 2019, to specifically address circularity. He emphasized the comprehensive involvement of various ministries, with a regulatory role played by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), focusing on 11 key sectors including scrap metal, lithium-ion batteries, gypsum, and solar panels.
Kimmo Lahdervita, Ambassador of Finland, emphasized the transformative potential of the circular economy, highlighting Finland’s leadership in this domain. He outlined Finland’s commitment to fostering innovation, economic growth, and sustainability through circular practices. Lahdervita detailed Finland’s ambitious goals for achieving a low-carbon economy by 2035, showcasing the country’s pioneering efforts in integrating circular economy principles into various sectors.
The forum saw participation from almost 500 delegates with over 70 speakers from the industry, highlighting and showcasing Indian innovations and technology. It successfully set the stage for emphasizing strategic collaborations and regulatory frameworks as key drivers of circular practices in India and on the global stage.