Various cities worldwide are implementing the circular city model because of its contribution to decarbonizing supply chains and promoting innovation in new business models. Various Enel publications account for this vision and analyze different aspects of the development of circular cities. The first edition, published in 2018, focused on new technologies associated with smart cities. The second edition of 2019 addressed the genesis of new business models that use the circular economy. The third 2020 edition, called "Circular Cities: the cities of the future," combines the vision of the previous editions to explore another key aspect of the transition to circularity: public-private collaboration and open governance. The latter reflects a holistic view of the urban context, where economic, environmental, and social challenges are addressed in a multidisciplinary manner and in consideration of all stakeholders to achieve a common goal of a new urban model for sustainable development.
The most recent document, "Circular Cities: the impact of decarbonization and beyond" is a study conducted by Enel Global in collaboration with ARUP, which focuses on four cities that have shown a solid commitment to the circular transition: Bogota, Genoa, Milan and Glasgow, the latter two hosting the Pre-COP and COP26 events respectively.
The study analyzed three critical sectors for decarbonization: the built environment, mobility, and sustainable energy systems, to identify the circularization opportunities in each city -for these sectors- and propose interventions that contribute to the development of a low-carbon economy, environmental sustainability, and the quality of life of its inhabitants.
Along the same lines, in collaboration with public and private actors, civil society, and academia, Enel is developing a series of studies to contribute to the knowledge and progress of the circular economy in the Latin American region and its main cities. Argentina took the first step with the launch of its diagnostic study "Circular Economy and Decarbonization in the City of Buenos Aires" and Chile on July 28 with "Circular Cities for Chile ," which proposes a vision and circular measures for three cities in the country.
"Circular Cities for Chile" is a document that provides information, vision, and proposals for applying the circular economy in Chile in the cities of Antofagasta, Gran Santiago, and Gran Concepción, located in the north, center, and south of the country. The analysis focuses on three sectors: energy for mobility and residential buildings, materials and construction waste, and food and organic waste. These sectors contribute more than 50% of global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and are strategic for the functioning of cities.
