The Municipality of Lima, the Southern Scientific University and Enel present a study for transforming Lima into a "circular" city

Enel Peru has presented a study on "The Circularity Potential of the City of Lima.” It aims to provide information on the current status of the implementation of the circular economy, existing regulations and the sectors for greatest development. It also provides a perspective on what it means to become a circular city, as well as recommendations on how to make this happen in Metropolitan Lima.

This study grew out of the collaboration of Enel Peru with the Municipality of Lima and la Universidad Científica del Sur (the Scientific University of the South). This was part of a process of analysis and exchange of relevant information that led to the conclusion that cities are of real importance as key players in the development of more sustainable, inclusive and leading economic and social models in the fight against climate change.

"Cities are a fundamental focus for achieving decarbonization and resource efficiency in productive processes which, by being enhanced, can make a just and sustainable energy transition possible. The circular economy is a lever for accelerating the transition toward sustainable and people-friendly cities, a new economic paradigm to redesign the entire value chain and make the economic system more competitive, sustainable and resilient," said Alessio Fasano, Head of Sustainability at Enel Peru.

Enel presented the study together with representatives from various institutions. They included ECLAC (the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean) whose spokesperson Estefani Rondón invited cities to join the transformation of development models toward a circular economy, which offers opportunities for more resilient and inclusive growth, with fewer emissions and more jobs.

Pamela Taboada, speaking on behalf of the Metropolitan Municipality of Lima, emphasized that "this is the beginning of a series of actions that the Municipality of Lima will carry out jointly with all sectors. In this way, a gradual transition of all economic activities can be achieved, and this will help us in the fight against climate change. We must all align towards a circular economy."

Finally, Ingrid Rabitsch, a lecturer in Environmental Engineering at the Universidad Científica del Sur (the Scientific University of the South), emphasized that, for the university, the challenges start by defining what exactly the circular economy means. "From this we can generate the rules of the game so that the people making decisions and those carrying them out can work together. It is also our duty to train professionals who will develop activities related to the circular economy, in order to obtain proposals and make the right decisions in different contexts.”

The study’s recommendations include:

• Establishing a comprehensive vision of the circular economy not only in terms of waste management, but also in terms of redesigning the economic model from its earliest stages.
• Developing plans of action and establishing consistent, across-the-board metrics and indicators for all relevant sectors.
• Promoting the inclusion of stakeholders in the definition and achievement of circularity objectives, in addition to developing competencies through education and knowledge sharing.

The study also examined the role of the circular economy as a lever for decarbonizing Lima and supporting a transition to sustainability.