- The study was conducted by the Circular Economy team of Enel Chile's Sustainability department in conjunction with UC Davis Chile and with collaboration and sponsorship from the Environment Ministry. The document offers information, insights and proposals on how to implement circular economy practices in Antofagasta, Greater Santiago and Greater Concepción.
Santiago, August 02, 2022 - As part of its efforts to promote a national debate on the circular economy and how to implement it, the Circular Economy team of Enel Chile's Sustainability department conducted the study "Circular Cities for Chile." The document compiles public information from three sectors: construction materials and waste; food and organic waste; and energy for mobility and residential buildings. Combined, these sectors contribute more than 50% of global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and, by applying new circular economies policies, have great potential to decarbonize our cities.
The study proposes measures on how to advance circularity in the cities of Antofagasta, Concepción and Santiago and presents successful examples of how other cities around the world have been pioneering the concept. The document was presented during a virtual conversation, which included Enel Chile's general manager Fabrizio Barderi and Natalia Correa, the company's head of Circular Economy.
"This study, which analyses three sectors that are responsible for 54% of emissions in the global economy, demonstrates how committed Enel Chile is to implementing the circular model in the energy industry and other industries directly linked to energy consumption," said Fabrizio Barderi, general manager of Enel Chile. "We hope that the information and analysis contained in this report will serve as a useful basis for redesigning our cities around the circular model, for redefining the flow of energy and resources in the urban environment, and prioritizing those sectors that have the greatest impact on climate change," Barderi said.
During the virtual event, a panel of experts discussed the different circular economy initiatives that are being implemented in Chile and the main findings of the study. Participating in the panel were Estefani Rondón from the Sustainable Development and Human Settlements Division of ECLAC, Rubén González from the Circular Economy Office of the Environment Ministry, Camila Fernández from the Life Sciences Innovation Center of UC Davis Chile and Mauricio Fabry, coordinator of Environment and Biodiversity and Climate Action of the Regional Government of Santiago.
"With the publication of this study we hope to continue contributing to circularity in all of its aspects. We also hope that our research and development on the matter will encourage authorities to prioritize mitigating the impact of human activities and work towards building more resilient cities with a better quality of life for their inhabitants," said Natalia Correa, head of Circular Economy at Enel Chile.
This study compiles experiences and success stories from public and private institutions and local inhabitants who have implemented the principles of the circular economy. The research was sponsored by the Environment Ministry and was conducted by Enel Chile in collaboration with the Life Sciences innovation Center of UC Davis Chile.