# Low-Carbon and Circular Systems

A call for solutions that drive the decarbonization and circular transformation of economic systems, addressing emissions, material use and resilience in an integrated and systemic way.


## Overview

Decarbonization and circularity are deeply interconnected. Circular strategies are a critical lever for upstream and downstream Scope 3 decarbonization, while also enhancing resource efficiency, resilience to supply disruptions and long-term competitiveness and growth. Scope 3 emissions are a key priority for businesses, including those of the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders, where they account for about 87% of Alliance aggregate emissions (~4.6GT). While investment in the green economy now exceeds $5 trillion annually and low-carbon technologies are scaling, emissions remain deeply embedded in complex, material-intensive value chains. Addressing them requires not only technological deployment, but a stronger understanding of market dynamics, economics and regulatory conditions.  At the same time, global economic systems remain resource-intensive and inefficient, with most materials not cycled back into the economy, driving environmental impact and economic loss. Circular approaches, such as reducing material use, extending product lifecycles and increasing secondary materials, can improve resource productivity, lower emissions and strengthen supply chain resilience. The World Economic Forum’s Circular Economy Transformation (including the Circular Transformation of Industries and the Global Plastic Action Partnership) focuses on scaling these solutions through cross-industry collaboration.   The Low-Carbon and Circular Systems Challenge aims to identify and scale solutions that unlock decarbonization and circular transformation across value chains and supports start-ups driving integrated transformation and measurable impact across climate, materials and economic performance. While a significant share of emissions can be reduced with existing and emerging technologies, adoption remains uneven and circular approaches are still under-deployed. Advanced technologies, including AI, can accelerate this transition by enabling greater visibility, optimization and decision-making. This Challenge is part of the UpLink Innovation Challenge Series – Spring 2026, a global call for early-stage solutions ready to move from innovation to real-world deployment at scale, shaping the markets, industries and systems of tomorrow.


## Focus areas


### Intelligence, data anddecision-making

Solutions that enhance visibility, traceability and decision-making across emissions and material flows to enable more efficient, low-emission and circular systems, including through AI-enabled tracking and optimization platforms, digital infrastructure linking carbon, materials and operations, and decision-support tools that drive emissions reduction and resource efficiency.


### Low-carbon products, processes and operations

Solutions that reduce emissions across production, sourcing and distribution through process innovation, energy efficiency and system optimization, including low-carbon production technologies, energy and resource efficiency improvements, and low-emission transport and logistics solutions (e.g. electrification, modal shift, and low-carbon fuels).


### Circular products, materialsand systems

Solutions that reduce material use, extend product lifecycles and increase the recovery and use of secondary materials, including through low-impact or recycled materials, product design for durability and recyclability, circular business models (e.g. reuse, resale, product-as-a-service), and reverse logistics and material recovery systems.


## Selection criteria


## Frequently Asked Questions

*Common questions and answers*


### This challenge is now closed for new applications.

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## Benefits for selected UpLink Ventures

Approximately 10 submissions will be selected as winners, recognized as UpLink Ventures and become part of the UpLink Innovation Ecosystem, a curated programme designed for Founders, CEOs, Executive Directors, etc.,which provides:


### Access

Participation in World Economic Forum and partner-led events, projects and communities.


### Visibility

Global exposure via the Forum’s and UpLink’s digital media channels.


### Connections

Strategic introductions to select organizations across the Forum’s networks.


### Targeted support

Access to expert insights and evolving market perspectives.


## Expectations of selected UpLink Ventures

Once selected, UpLink Ventures are expected to actively contribute as members of its Innovation Ecosystem, including:Events: Participating in UpLink and partner-led programming and events.Marketing and media: Sharing relevant information and assets for marketing campaigns and media requests.Impact reporting: Engaging in regular communication touchpoints, including meetings and surveys, to assess needs and impact.


## Challenge timeline


## Timeline

*Chronological events and milestones*


## In collaboration with the World Economic Forum's Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders and the Circular Economy Transformation initiatives