Examples Area of transformation: Circular economy

Germany is actively committed to the transition to a circular economy at national and international level. The holistic approach underlying a circular economy offers solutions to current geopolitical, social and environmental crises caused, among other things, by the overexploitation of natural resources and livelihood bases.

What Germany has done in the period covered by this report:

Germany is committed to a National Circular Economy Strategy, recognising that linear economic models are neither economically nor environmentally viable on a global scale in the long term.
At national and international level, Germany is working to ensure that the transformation to a circular economy is mutually beneficial, socially equitable and geared towards protection of the climate and the environment.

Cooperation in action

PREVENT Waste Alliance – Together for a circular economyInternal link

The PREVENT Waste Alliance is a platform for international cooperation and networking for stakeholders from the private sector, academia, civil society and public institutions in the Global South and the Global North. It supports the transition from a linear to a circular economy at the global level.
The Green Button – the government-run certification label for sustainable textilesInternal link

The Green Button – the government-run certification label for sustainable textiles – was launched in 2019. It evaluates whether companies are taking responsibility on a systematic basis for compliance with human rights and environmental standards in their textile supply chains.
Reducing waste together: the Waste Prevention ProgrammeInternal link

In order to reinforce Germany’s lead role in waste prevention, the German Government, with the participation of the Länder, set up a comprehensive Waste Prevention Programme (AVP) for the first time in 2013.
Achieving more with less: The German Resource Efficiency Programme (ProgRess)Internal link

In adopting the German Resource Efficiency Programme (ProgRess) in 2012, Germany was one of the first countries to establish targets and measures for the conservation of natural resources. The German Government is obliged to report to the German Bundestag every four years on the development of resource efficiency in Germany and to update the Resource Efficiency Programme.

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As at: 17.06.2025