Enel Peru presented the study "Circularity Potential of the City of Lima," providing information on the circular economy's current status, existing regulations, sectors with significant development, and a perspective of what it means to become a circular city, as well as recommendations to achieve it in Metropolitan Lima.
This study arose from a collaboration between Enel Peru, the Municipality of Lima, and Universidad Científica de Sur, with analysis and exchange of information relevant leading to the conclusion that cities are of fundamental importance as critical players for more sustainable, inclusive, and leading economic and social models in the fight against climate change.
"Cities are a fundamental focus for achieving decarbonization and resource efficiency in production processes which, by reinforcing themselves, make a fair and sustainable energy transition possible. A circular economy emerges as a lever to accelerate the transition towards sustainable and citizen-friendly cities, a new economic paradigm to redesign the entire value chain and make a more competitive, sustainable, and resilient economic system," said Alessio Fasano, Sustainability Manager of Enel Peru.
The study’s presentation included representatives from different institutions. Among them, ECLAC, who, through its representative, Estefani Rondón, invited cities to join transformative development models towards a circular economy, which offers opportunities for more resilient and inclusive growth, with fewer emissions and more jobs.
Pamela Taboada, a Metropolitan Municipality of Lima's representative, emphasized that "this is the beginning for the Municipality of Lima to carry out jointly with all sectors a gradual transition of all economic activities towards the fight against climate change. We must all align ourselves towards a circular economy."
Finally, Ingrid Rabitsch, professor of Environmental Engineering at the Universidad Científica del Sur, emphasized that, in academia, challenges start by defining what a circular economy is about, "from this, we can generate the game rules so that decision-makers can work together. Likewise, we must train professionals to develop activities related to a circular economy for proposals and good-decision making".
Some study recommendations include the following:
· Establish a comprehensive vision of a circular economy as waste management and redesign the economic model from its earliest stages.
· Articulate action plans and establish coherent and transversal metrics and indicators for all relevant sectors.
· Promote stakeholder inclusion in defining and achieving circularity objectives and developing understanding through education and knowledge sharing.
The study also analyzed a circular economy's role as a lever to decarbonize Lima and support a sustainable transition.
The study is available online: https://www.enel.pe/es/sostenibilidad/AnalisisdPotencialCircularidadCiudaddeLima.html.