In recent years, Glasgow has looked to move beyond its heavy manufacturing past and post-industrial challenges towards a vision for a more sustainable, net zero carbon future.

The circular economy has been pivotal to this vision, thanks to the significant potential it holds for climate mitigation and resilience through rethinking and redesigning our socio-economic system, regenerating the natural world, reducing the need for virgin materials and reusing and recovering resources to avoid waste.

In light of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) and the ongoing drive for nations, cities, and businesses to reach ‘zero’, Glasgow is now looking to link its circularity ambitions with its netzero carbon targets and to empower local businesses to effectively achieve both goals.

This latest report, created by Circle Economy and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, aims to help Glasgow businesses understand the links between the adoption of circular strategies and business models and reaching net-zero carbon.

We highlight key opportunities for businesses in five sectors—food and drink, textiles, manufacturing, events and conferences and the built environment—whereby circularity meets net-zero carbon. We also outline ways forward for Glasgow to effectively leverage and enable the identified circular opportunities for climate change mitigation— including how to safeguard positive impacts on people and the planet along the way.