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Circular economy

Accelerating a circular global economy to promote sustainable growth

Our linear economic system consumes 75% more resources annually than the Earth can regenerate. Only 7.2% of used materials are reintegrated, highlighting the inefficiency of our production and consumption model. In contrast, a circular economy promotes sustainable growth and resource conservation. With 2.01 billion tonnes of waste produced yearly, transitioning to a circular model can minimize waste and emissions, while offering $4.5 trillion in global economic opportunities by 2030.

New

AI Innovation for Resilient Supply Chains 

A call for integrated, next-generation solutions that harness AI and advanced technologies to redesign supply chain architectures, enhance resilience and adaptability, reduce systemic fragmentation and dependencies and strengthen reliability amid geopolitical, climate and technological disruption. 

Collaborating for impact

In 2023, UpLink and the Forum’s Centre for Nature and Climate partnered with Accenture to advance circular innovation. This collaboration has since evolved into a new innovation ecosystem focused on applying artificial intelligence to strengthen supply chain resilience. By convening early-stage innovators, corporates, policymakers and experts, the partnership identifies scalable AI solutions, supports responsible adoption and translates innovation into practical guidance that helps organizations anticipate, adapt to and manage growing supply chain disruptions.


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Scaling Traceability Innovation to Unlock the Value of Informal Waste Management

Guided by insights from industry, innovators and policymakers, this paper examines how traceability innovations make waste flows visible, empower informal workers and enable smarter investment and policy decisions. It also presents a practical framework and roadmap for scaling impact through shared digital infrastructure and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

Food Loss Prevention Playbook

This playbook highlights the urgent need to address food loss and waste across the global food system, emphasizing technology and improved tracking as key enablers of change. It explores how innovation can enhance supply chain efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and build more resilient food systems. Designed as a call to action, the report encourages collaboration between industry leaders and innovators to scale solutions that prevent waste, unlock value,
and drive lasting impact.

The circular economy is a key lever to reinvent the way we produce and consume; it’s become increasingly apparent that innovation plays a critical role in the transformation to a circular economy.

Wesley Spinder

MD Global Sustainability Leadership, Accenture

A global ecosystem

UpLink builds innovation ecosystems that help early-stage, purpose-driven entrepreneurs scale solutions for markets and economies vital to a resilient, sustainable and prosperous future. UpLink Ventures operate across regions worldwide.

Partners


Thematic funder

Ecosystem partners

Anglo American
AWS
Circularise
Circulate Capital
Closed Loop Partners
Ericsson
GIB Asset Management
Gobi Partners
H&M Foundation
HSBC Asset Management
PepsiCo
Salesforce
Schneider Electric
University of Glasgow Adam Smith Business School
Yale University, CBE

VENTURE SPOTLIGHT

CleanHub: Combating plastic pollution through sustainable waste management

CleanHub is dedicated to combating plastic pollution through sustainable waste management solutions. By partnering with businesses and communities, it creates local networks for collecting, sorting and recycling plastic. Committed to the circular economy, CleanHub promotes upcycling and responsible practices, empowering stakeholders to take meaningful action against plastic waste. With a vision for a cleaner future, the company advocates for environmental stewardship and collaborates on initiatives that contribute to a sustainable planet.

Person stands holding a device while two panelists sit in green chairs against a wood-slat wall; a screen shows a blue presentation slide.

Past Innovation Challenges

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Traceability for Circularity Challenge

A global call for data and traceability solutions that provide business insights on value chain data and/or bring value to new circular business models focusing on common everyday materials and consumer goods.

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The Circulars Accelerator 2023

A six-month accelerator program for early- to growth-stage companies advancing the global transition to a more circular economy through innovation.

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The Circulars Accelerator 2022

A six-month accelerator program for early- to growth-stage companies advancing the global transition to a more circular economy through innovation.

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The Circulars 2021

A six-month accelerator program for early- to growth-stage companies advancing the global transition to a more circular economy through innovation.

Explore solutions and insights  

This company makes supply chains more transparent and circular
This start-up is making supply chains more ethical and sustainable
This Brazilian start-up helps companies track their climate goals
This company is helping to build a circular economy for India's plastic waste

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