Skip to content

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Selected to Join National Circular Economy Initiative

By Christine Drage
Graphic announcing Circular Cities & Regions Initiative P2P Network Member

PETERBOROUGH, ON: The City of Peterborough, Peterborough County, together with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED), have been accepted to the Circular Cities & Regions Initiative Peer-to-Peer Network Initiative (CCRI). Ten communities across Canada will complete an immersive year of circular economy knowledge sharing, opportunity identification, and action planning. Community leaders learn and share best practices for implementing circular economy strategies and policies through this prestigious network. 

The CCRI provides important access to mentorship and support from advisors representing leading Canadian and international circular economy educators and practitioners. By the end of this program, the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County will develop their circular economy roadmaps and action plans for their corporate plans and policies.

The Peterborough & the Kawarthas region has a long and celebrated history of pursuing sustainable and innovative initiatives through Sustainable Peterborough and Green Economy Peterborough. Participating in the CCRI will shift towards greater circularity and reduce the region’s ‘embodied carbon’ footprint, thus supporting the local Climate Change Action Plan and vision to build a strong economy based on partnerships, innovation, and a commitment to sustainability.

About the Circular Economy

According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the effects of our current ‘take-make-waste’ linear economy are largely being felt in our cities and regions. Currently, cities consume 75% of natural resources, produce over 50% of global waste, and emit between 60-80% of greenhouse gases. This provides a tremendous opportunity for local governments to lead the way in the transition to a circular economy, where waste is designed out, natural systems are regenerated, and products and materials are kept at their highest utility and value.

Accelerating the transition to a circular economy is recognized as an opportunity for new jobs and environmental sustainability – at a time when governments and communities are in critical need of both. The circular economy provides a framework for achieving climate action commitments and nurturing a prosperous and equitable future for residents and businesses.

Partner Quotes:

“The City of Peterborough is committed to climate action. We worked with our County partners through Sustainable Peterborough on the Climate Change Action Plan and continue to build on that partnership to advance our region’s sustainability goals. We are excited to join the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative and expand our collaboration with other leaders in sustainability and best climate practices nationwide.”

Mayor Diane Therrien, City of Peterborough

“We are very excited about being selected as one of the ten communities to participate in this national initiative that will enhance our well-established sustainability initiatives. Working with our peers from across Canada and right here alongside the City of Peterborough and PKED will give us the tools we need to learn, build and share with our businesses and community throughout the greater Peterborough area and support us in building our own circular economy roadmap and action plan.”

Warden J. Murray Jones, Peterborough County

“The Peterborough & the Kawarthas region is aspiring to be the most sustainable and innovative community and economy in Ontario as part of the Future Ready Economic Development Strategy. Our participation in the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative will bring us closer to that vision and position us to attract like-minded businesses that will realize economic benefits while creating a more sustainable future for the destination.”

Rhonda Keenan, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development

Learn more about the Circular Cities & Regions Initiative and the Peer-to-Peer Network

-30-