Fryslân Leads the Way at the World Circular Economy Forum

Province of Fryslân is a global leader in the field of circular economy. This is confirmed in a report published today by Circle Economy, an independent global organization specializing in monitoring circularity. The report shows that Fryslân performs remarkably well both nationally and internationally, making it a model for others. The research findings are being presented today during an accelerator session at the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) in São Paulo, where Fryslân is showcasing its circular achievements on the world stage.

World Circulair Economy Forum

The Northern Netherlands is well represented at the World Circular Economy Forum, taking place this year from May 13 to 16 in São Paulo. The northern delegation includes policymakers from the provinces of Friesland (Fryslân) and Drenthe, working together to showcase the regional circular approach. In collaboration with the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Province of Fryslân, the Municipality of Leeuwarden, the Circular Friesland Association, and Wetterskip Fryslân will present “The Frisian Model” in Brazil—a unique regional monitoring system designed to support circular transition efforts in regions.

For more than a decade, the region has embraced the Triple Helix model, in which businesses, governments, and knowledge institutions work closely together to develop circular solutions. And the approach is paying off: research by Circle Economy reveals that Fryslân’s circularity metric—the percentage of reused materials in total material consumption—stands at 10.6%, compared to a Dutch national average of 9.8% and a global average of 6.9%.

These findings not only highlight the progress being made in Fryslân, but also offer a practical and scalable model that other regions around the world can use to accelerate their own circular transitions.

 

 

 

Strategic Recommendations for a Circular Future

Curious about our recommendations to accelerate Europe’s circular transition?
In our position paper on the Clean Industrial Deal, we present concrete proposals to help realize the ambitions of the CID. By fostering strategic collaboration between regions, national governments, and the European Commission, the circular economy can become a strong foundation for a sustainable and competitive European future.