UNICA · UNravelling the socioeconomic and environmental Impacts of Circularity in Latin America

UNravelling the socioeconomic and environmental Impacts of Circularity in Latin America

The UNICA project is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Global Fellowship that explores the socioeconomic and environmental implications of the transition to a circular economy in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). This topic is highly relevant for the European Union (EU), as the LAC region is a key supplier of critical materials needed for the global energy transition, such as lithium for electric vehicle batteries, as well as an important producer of agricultural commodities. Understanding the impacts of a circular transition in this region can therefore contribute to strengthening global supply chains and enhancing resilience in the EU through deeper collaboration between the two regions. The UNICA project examines this transition by analysing current narratives and policy discussions around circular economy in the LAC region, identifying key sectors and actors involved in the transition, and applying modelling approaches to assess potential impacts. In particular, the project uses Industrial Ecology tools to evaluate the possible socioeconomic and environmental implications of circular economy strategies at the regional scale. The results aim to support policymakers and industry stakeholders in designing more sustainable and inclusive circular economy pathways. In line with the spirit of the MSCA programme, the project also contributes to strengthening research collaboration between the Global South and the Global North, while helping to advance a research agenda on circular economy in the LAC region. The project is supported by collaborations with key European partners, including the Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) at Leiden University and the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL). It also engages with several partners in Latin America, including Academia de Centroamérica (Costa Rica), Universidad de los Andes (Colombia), and Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (Peru). These collaborations foster knowledge exchange and contribute to building a stronger international network for circular economy research between the EU and the LAC region.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union