The Global Circularity Protocol for Business (GCP) is a business-led initiative spearheaded by the WBCSD in collaboration with the One Planet Network Secretariat (OPN) which presents a comprehensive framework to accelerate the transition towards a circular economy. It is a voluntary framework that aims to address key accountability and policy gaps currently impeding the scaling of circularity globally. The Global Circularity Protocol for Business aims at providing companies with a standard corporate performance accountability system for circularity, resulting in harmonized circularity methodologies and accounting metrics for reporting and disclosing their circularity performance, target-setting, assurance, and communication. It aims to provide policymakers with practical policy levers to address the roadblocks that impede leading companies from scaling and speeding up their circular transition. The development of the GCP seeks to ensure active engagement of partners from academia, cross-sectoral businesses, NGOs, and policymakers to address accountability and policy gaps currently impeding the scaling of circularity.

Recognizing the need for inclusive and diverse perspectives, regional consultations are proposed to further refine and localize the development of this protocol and harness the collective wisdom and expertise of diverse stakeholders. By fostering dialogue, collaboration, and action, these consultations will contribute to unlocking the full potential of circularity in driving sustainable development and prosperity. The target audience for regional consultation will include representatives from government, international institutions, businesses, academia, NGOs, and communities to exchange perspectives and experiences.

This concept note outlines a framework for regional consultations that build on the momentum being generated by the ongoing development of the Global Circularity Protocol for Business by WBCSD and OPN. The regional consultations will leverage on already planned strategic events for the GCP, for instance the HLPF July 2024 (NY), OPN Forum September 2024 (Brazil), Tokyo Connect in Japan, on the margins of strategic events for the GCP.

Objectives of regional consultations

1. Awareness: Raise awareness about the importance of circular economy principles and the role of the GCP in achieving sustainable development goals.
2. Regional Engagement: To engage regional/global south voices from diverse sectors in discussions on the development of the Global Circularity Protocol for Business
3. To gather insights, feedback, and suggestions for enhancing the relevance and eventual effectiveness of the protocol at regional levels.
4. Collaboration: Foster collaboration and partnerships among businesses, policymakers, and other stakeholders towards advancing circular economy practices in respective regions.
5. Business commitments: To mobilize businesses to make commitments towards implementing sustainable consumption and production practices, through the GCP under development.
6. Identify and share obstacles and opportunities for the circular transition, including sharing good examples of policy interventions that can facilitate an enabling environment for the circular transition.
7. Gathering the views of policy makers and their inputs into the development of the GCP

Expected Outcomes:

1. Stakeholder Engagement: Enhance stakeholder engagement and commitment towards circularity for businesses through the GCP.
2. Knowledge Sharing: Foster knowledge sharing, and best practices exchange among regional actors to drive sustainable business practices.
3. Policy Recommendations: Gain insights into actionable policy recommendations for inclusion in the GCP, concerning business’ circular transition at the regional level.

Eletrobras Premises Quitanda Street, 196, 2nd floor, Rio de Janeiro, 1400-1710hrs

Join the live session stream online, and watch the youtube upload after the event

How to get to the venue, Eletrobras Premises Quitanda Street, 196, 2nd floor, Rio de Janeiro

For participants who come by taxi or uber, please provide the company's address: Rua da Quitanda, 196 – Centro - Rio de Janeiro. The building is on the corner of Rua da Quitanda and Rua Conselheiro Saraiva, being the main entrance on this street (Rua Conselheiro Saraiva, 143).

For those coming by public transport, the best option is the VLT, line 1 (Santos Dumont x Terminal Gentileza), getting off at the São Bento stop. Coming by subway, the station is Uruguaiana, with a 10-minute walk. For those who come by bus, opt for a line that passes through av. Rio Branco and get off at the first bus stop of the avenue (near Mauá square).

For high-level delegates requesting access to the venue with a vehicle that requires parking, please provide the car number plates to corra.magiya@un.org so that we can enable the access.

Please ensure to arrive 15 minutes in advance to ensure enough time to go through the registration and security procedures.