Opinion Jaipur Declaration: Asia-Pacific’s commitment to circular economy is a move towards a cleaner, greener future

The declaration promotes sustainable actions and measures for transitioning to a circular economy and achieving a resource-efficient, clean, resilient, material cycle, and low-carbon society in Asia and the Pacific by 2035.

It recognises the enormous social, economic, and environmental benefits of moving towards a circular economy. These include more efficient use of finite natural resources, maintaining resource consumption within planetary boundaries. The transition will also help to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, limiting the depletion of natural capital and the loss of biodiversity and ecological assets. Further benefits include enhanced economic resilience by reducing dependence on material imports, and creation of new employment opportunities.

The declaration calls for integration of 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) and circular economy principles across economic sectors — including manufacturing, construction, transport, energy, forestry, agriculture, food, water, coastal and marine ecosystems, tourism, trade, and commerce.

It stresses the importance of securing critical minerals and materials while reducing pressure on primary natural resources, ensuring circularity throughout supply chains. Additionally, the declaration aligns with key global and regional sustainability frameworks, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement, the New Urban Agenda, and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

It acknowledges the unique challenges faced by Small Island Developing States in achieving sustainability and emphasises the role of nature-based solutions in addressing environmental concerns.

The declaration recognises the urgent need to tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. It affirms that a circular economy, which emphasises resource efficiency, waste reduction, and the elimination of hazardous substances, is crucial for achieving a sustainable future.

Achieving these goals requires partnerships, technology transfer, research and development, financing and investment, institutional capacity building, and knowledge sharing. The declaration calls for voluntary efforts to implement policies, programs, and projects that advance the 3R and circular economy agenda, focusing on sustainable resource management, a low-carbon society, and circular material flows to achieve zero waste. It also highlights the critical role of the private sector in driving innovation and fostering sustainable business practices.

In addition to the above, a fundamental pillar of the efforts to achieve a circular economy is the integration of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) at all levels. ESD empowers individuals, communities, and organisations to make informed choices and take responsible actions that support environmental sustainability, economic resilience, and social equity.

By embedding circular economy principles into education and public awareness initiatives, the declaration aims to cultivate a culture of sustainability that encourages long-term behavioral change.

The goals of the Jaipur Declaration are ambitious but achievable. The declaration is a call to action for all stakeholders, including governments, businesses, civil society, and individuals to embrace the principles of 3R and circular economy and work towards a common goal of a sustainable future. Nevertheless, the success of the declaration rests on how countries will translate its ambitious goals into concrete policies and real change for communities in the region.

The Jaipur Declaration serves as a beacon of hope for a sustainable future. It reminds us that everyone has a part to play in creating a world in which future generations can thrive. By embracing the principles of 3R and a circular economy, we can build a more resilient and sustainable future for all.

Khajuria is research fellow and academic associate, United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS), Tokyo, Japan, and Mohanty is environment programme coordinator, United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) – DSDG/UN DESA, Nagoya, Japan