INDIA LAUNCHES MULTI-NATION ALLIANCE FOR COLLABORATION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

India launched the Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3), a multi-nation alliance focused on city-to-city collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and private-sector partnerships for sustainable urban development.

  • The initiative aims to promote waste management and resource efficiency in economies across the Asia-Pacific region.

Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3)

Key Objectives of C-3

  • Provide a platform for policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and development partners to discuss sustainable solutions.
  • Facilitate collaboration between cities to exchange best practices on circular economy principles.
  • Promote the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3R) approach for sustainable waste management.
  • Encourage public-private partnerships to enhance urban sustainability efforts.

India’s Commitment to Circular Economy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized India’s Pro-Planet People (P3) approach, advocating for the 3R principles. India has been proactive in sharing its experience and best practices with other nations in transitioning towards a circular economy.

Circular Economy

What is a Circular Economy?

  • A Circular Economy (CE) is an economic system where products are designed for durability, reuse, and recyclability, ensuring minimal waste.
  • It emphasizes remanufacturing, recycling, and resource recovery instead of the traditional linear “take-make-dispose” model.
  • The 6 R’s of Circular Economy:
    • Reduce – Minimize resource consumption.
    • Reuse – Extend product life through repeated use.
    • Recycle – Convert waste into new materials.
    • Refurbish – Restore old products for further use.
    • Recover – Extract useful materials or energy from waste.
    • Repair – Fix damaged goods instead of discarding them.

Need for a Circular Economy in India

  • Resource Efficiency: Maximizing the use of materials while reducing waste generation.
  • Economic Growth: Encourages sustainable production and consumption patterns, supporting industrial development.
  • Environmental Concerns: Addresses rising pollution, climate change impacts, and waste management issues.
  • Cultural Alignment: India has a traditional culture of reuse and recycling, making CE a natural fit.
  • Global Sustainability Goals: Aligns with India’s commitments under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs).

Global Responses to Circular Economy

  • Germany & Japan: Incorporated CE as a binding principle for economic reorganization.
  • China: Implemented a Circular Economy Promotion Law, making CE a legal obligation.

India’s Circular Economy Initiatives

  • Budget 2022-23: Recognized CE as crucial for sustainable economic growth.
  • Regulatory Framework:
    • Battery Waste Management Rules 2022 – Regulates battery disposal and recycling.
    • Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2022 – Strengthens plastic waste reduction and recycling measures.
    • e-Waste Management Rules 2022 – Sets disposal targets for electronic waste producers and importers.
  • Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR):
    • Mandates producers and importers to take responsibility for managing waste disposal.
    • Enables stakeholder transactions through EPR certificate mechanisms.
  • Sector-Specific Action Plans:
    • Formulated across 10 key sectors, including:
      • E-waste
      • Lithium-ion batteries
      • End-of-life vehicles
      • Scrap metal
      • Municipal solid waste
    • Focuses on reusing secondary materials and reducing reliance on primary resources.

CITIIS 2.0 and Financial Commitments

  • A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for CITIIS 2.0 (City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain 2.0) was signed at the launch event in Jaipur.
  • Union Minister announced agreements worth ₹1,800 crore under this initiative.
  • 18 cities across 14 states will benefit, serving as lighthouse projects for other urban centers.

Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum

  • Established in 2009, the forum focuses on:
    • Sustainable waste management
    • Resource efficiency
    • Circular economy principles
  • Recognizes challenges such as:
    • Rapid economic growth
    • Resource depletion
    • Increasing waste generation

Key Milestone: Hanoi 3R Declaration (2013-2023)

  • Outlined 33 voluntary goals for achieving a resource-efficient and circular economy.
  • Strengthened commitments toward waste reduction, recycling, and sustainable resource use.

India’s leadership in circular economy efforts is reinforced through the C-3 coalition, benefiting cities globally. The initiative aligns with international sustainability goals and fosters urban innovation for a greener future.

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