Design and first implementation experiences of circular textiles-oriented policy and legislation in the EU has inadequately considered direct and indirect social and socio-economic impacts, including impacts on employment, gender participation, the role of informal sector, on non-domestic value chain actors and states.

Failure to design circular textiles policies in a more collaborative, inclusive, and equitable way, not only risks undermining global human development and environmental goals but may serve to undermine the original goal of circular policies – ensuring a just, circular transition.

As the EU’s strategy for sustainable and circular textiles continues to develop, notably with the adoption of the proposal for the Directive on corporate sustainability due diligence, this session will explore the extent of the effects of EU circular textile policies on trading partner countries – including on trade flows, employment and policy shortcomings.

Organised in partnership with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Circle Economy Foundation, European Environment Bureau (EEB) and German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), it will focus on sharing initial research findings on the impact of these EU circular textiles policies on partner countries. Experts will look at how EU policy design can become more inclusive and consider ‘just transition’ processes for legislation affecting the EU, its trade relationships and non-EU stakeholders in discussion with participants.

Key questions covered:

• To what extent are trading partners aware of EU strategies and their implications?
• What are the current actions taken by trading partners to adapt to circular transition?
• How can EU policy supplement it?
• What are challenges and needs for (potential) trading partners?
• What collaboration mechanisms beyond existing development cooperation programmes are needed?
• What role should governments, development cooperation and the private sector play to facilitate a just circular transition?

This is an accelerator session at the World Circular Economy Forum 2024 (WCEF2024.com). WCEF2024 is guided by the latest scientific evidence on the most impactful circular solutions and explores how to turn them from theory to action.

This event is taking place from 15:00 – 16:30 CEST at GIZ Brussels, Rue du Trône 108 B – 1050 Brussels. Live streaming available for those unable to attend in person – please register your interest and we’ll be in touch with further information.