1. The context :
At the 2022 United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2), the resolution on “Enhancing circular economy" was adopted, underscoring the urgency to accelerate a structural transformation of the way we manage our natural resources, consume and produce. Transitioning to a circular economy model was viewed as a contribution to achieving sustainable consumption and production. Furthermore, the concept of Circular Economy has been integrated in the new Global Strategy on Sustainable Consumption and Production 2022-2030 to contribute to the achievement of several international commitments such as the 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement.
The traditional model of a linear economy of 'take-make-dispose' is no longer viable in a world of finite material resources. It must be replaced with a circular economy model aiming at closing the loop of resources and reducing the environmental impact of the product life cycle at all stages of the process. A circular economy (CE) requires a complete rethinking of the economy with the goal of retaining the value of products and materials for as long as possible. It is a holistic approach to socio-economic growth that maximises resources efficiency through sustainable consumption and production practices and operates at various levels, namely at micro, meso and macro level with the aim of achieving sustainable development. A broad set of interventions across all economic sectors and activities focussed on the 9 R's is required, namely Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture, Repurpose, Recycle and Recover.
While Mauritius has achieved remarkable economic and social progress, the current linear economic model results in deepening dependencies and vulnerabilities. In this context, the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change (MOESWMCC), with the support of UNEP and the European Union, initiated in October 2022 the process that led to the development of this comprehensive Roadmap and Action Plan on CE for Mauritius for the period 2023 to 2033. The objective of this roadmap and action plan is to support the transition from a linear economy, generating dependencies and vulnerabilities, to a circular and resilient economy. It is a tool for change and presents a vision, defines objectives and targets, has a clear strategic plan and includes concrete actions in focus areas that can accelerate the transition. The roadmap and action plan mainstreams circular economy principles into policy making and inform all stakeholders about short, medium and long-term actions and the parts they have to play.
2. Roadmap and Action Plan for a Circular Economy in the Republic of Mauritius (2023-2033)
The transition to a circular economy is not a choice, but a necessity. The transition will result from a multitude of initiatives, small steps, pilots and decisions which together will place the country on an alternative development path.
While Mauritius has achieved remarkable economic and social progress, the current linear economic model results in deepening dependencies and vulnerabilities. In this context, the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change (MOESWMCC), with the support of UNEP and the European Union, initiated in October 2022 the process that led to the development of this comprehensive Roadmap and Action Plan on CE for Mauritius for the period 2023 to 2033.
The objective of this roadmap and action plan is to support the transition from a linear economy, generating dependencies and vulnerabilities, to a circular and resilient economy. It is a tool for change and presents a vision, defines objectives and targets, has a clear strategic plan and includes concrete actions in focus areas that can accelerate the transition. The roadmap and action plan mainstreams circular economy principles into policy making and inform all stakeholders about short, medium and long-term actions and the parts they have to play.
Circular Economy Roadmap
Strategic pillars for a Circular Economy
There is a need to develop a clear strategy and a multitude of solutions that enable the circular economy and remove the above-named barriers that are hampering its development. The following five strategic pillars are key to enable the circular economy:
1. Circular economy through product design and sustainable production
2. Circular economy through sustainable consumption
3. Circular economy through better waste management
4. Circular Economy through circular business models32 and innovation
5. Circular Economy through a circular culture
80 actions in the priority focus areas (agri-food, construction and real estate, consumer goods, mobility and logistics and waste management) and in cross-cutting areas (governance, education and awareness raising, research and development, business support, public procurement, and greening of fiscal policies and financing) have been identified to support the transition to a circular economy in Mauritius. The 80 actions, which fall under the five strategic pillars, will contribute to put in place a CE enabling framework in the next 10 years.
3. Best practices on Circular Economy in Mauritius
4. E-library
a. Report on National Conference on Circular Economy 14.10.22
b. The MCCI Roadmap for a Waste Plastic Free Mauritius (2022)
c. Republic of Mauritius: Industrial Waste Assessment: Opportunities for Industrial Symbiosis (April 2017)
d. The Circularity Gap Report 2025 (chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://circulareconomy.europa.eu/platform/sites/default/files/2025-09/CGR%202025%20complete%20document.pdf)
e. Continental Circular Economy Action Plan for Africa (2024-2034)
Click here to follow link: EU-DEL-AU_Continental_Circular_Action-English-Africa-Circular.pdf
Ø Reading materials for the priority focus area of 'Construction and Real Estate'
· Circularity in the built environment. A Reading Guide
ECESP Leadership Group Circular Construction & Infrastructure, March 26th 2025
Click here to follow link: Reading Guide on circularity in the built environment 2025
The past 5 years we have seen significant advancements in adopting circular principles within the construction and infrastructure sectors. The focus has shifted towards minimizing waste, maximizing material efficiency, and integrating sustainable practices at every stage of the building lifecycle. Key trends include the rise of modular construction, increased use of recycled and reused materials, and the development of policies that support circular economy initiatives. This reading guide is designed to help architects, building companies, real estate developers, material suppliers, policymakers and other stakeholders navigate the wealth of information available on circular principles in the built environment.
The guide is structured around key themes, followed by a detailed list of the publications for further reading. This approach ensures that readers can quickly grasp the essential concepts and then delve deeper into specific topics of interest. In addition to providing a comprehensive overview of key publications, this guide highlights the significance of the R strategies—Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture, Repurpose, and Recycle—as a foundational framework for the circular economy. These strategies offer a systematic approach to minimizing waste and maximizing resource efficiency, which are essential principles for achieving sustainability in the built environment. By understanding and implementing the R strategies, stakeholders can make informed decisions that contribute to a more resilient and regenerative construction sector.
· Building Prosperity
Ellen Mac Arthur Foundation, 2024
Click here to follow link: Building-Prosperity-July-2024.pdf
Shifting to a circular economy, which is nature-positive by design, can build prosperity while tackling climate change and other global challenges. This study shows that a targeted set of investable and scalable actions in the built environment sector represents a signifcant economic opportunity for Europe, increasing resilience, competitiveness, and the vibrancy of its cities. This report is written for policymakers, business leaders, investors, and industry experts with a vested interest in improving the competitiveness of Europe's economy while delivering benefts to business, individuals, society, and nature. It highlights the importance of the circular economy transition for a prosperous and resilient economy and a thriving natural world. It outlines the potential benefits that are ready to be realised, and the actions that can deliver these positive outcomes now and in the long term. In this report, the nature-positive impact and economic potential of the circular economy framework has been demonstrated through the lens of the built environment, with the report's research, analytics, and modelling focusing on the European Union. Specifically, this publication aims to activate key players in the built environment sector, by identifying the most impactful and nature-enhancing strategies to accelerate the transition to a nature-positive, circular economy. The report's broad recommendations for key stakeholders will help to set direction for how these strategies can be harnessed and implemented in context-specifc settings, and will serve as a springboard for the Foundation's programme of activation and engagement following this publication.
· Sustainable and circular construction A Policy Brief from the Policy Learning Platform for a greener Europe, March 2024
Click here to follow link: Policy brief on sustainable construction
The following pages provide an overview of EU initiatives to inspire local and regional authorities and showcase practical examples of stimulating the transition to a circular and sustainable building sector. These include instances of innovative policies, actions concerning the recycling and reuse of construction materials, and demonstrations of potential for using recycled and bio-based materials. Furthermore, there is a selection of Interreg Europe good practices from various projects, KARMA, INERTWASTE, CONDEREFF, POTENT, REPLACE and REDUCES, with a high degree of replicability in other municipal contexts. The knowledge, solutions and good practices showcased in this policy brief come mainly from Interreg Europe projects.
· Facilitating the Circulation of Reclaimed Building Elements: a review of 5 years of methods and experiments in North-West Europe
Click here to follow link: vb.nweurope.eu/media/21449/fcrbe_final-report_ve.pdf
The review of five years of methods and experiments in North-West Europe under the FCRBE project highlights the significant progress made in facilitating the circulation of reclaimed building elements. The project, which ran from January 2019 to January 2022, aimed to enhance visibility for existing operators and create common methodologies. Key achievements include:
A comprehensive online directory of over 1500 specialized operators engaged in construction material reuse.
An exhaustive market research report on the quantities of reused construction materials in the North-West Europe region.
The introduction of a "Truly Reclaimed" label to authenticate the provenance of reused materials.
Development of innovative specification methods for the prescription of reused materials in public markets.
A catalog of freely accessible products of commonly reused construction materials.
The project's success is attributed to its focus on creating a framework for international collaboration among specialized trade and professional bodies, research centers, architecture faculties, and public administrations. It has tested and funded 36 case studies in the construction and demolition sector, resulting in the recovery of 360 tons of material. The project's emphasis on increased communication towards the interests groups of the construction industry, including authorities, ensures a smooth integration of its findings into practice.
