The National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa (NCPC-SA) in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and international sustainability think-tank, adelphi, launched the preparatory phase of the Climate and Biodiversity Action through Circular Economy Solutions (CB-ACES) project last month in Pretoria. CB-ACES is a five-year initiative funded by the German government through its International Climate Initiative (IKI), aimed at supporting the country’s transition to a more resource-efficient and climate-resilient economy.

 As the project’s implementing partner in South Africa, the NCPC-SA will play a key role in driving the initiative locally. According to NCPC-SA Principal Project Manager Lee-Hendor Ruiters, “The CB-ACES project aims to work with stakeholders across sectors to identify circular economy opportunities, strengthen capacity, and support the implementation of sustainable production practices that can help businesses become more resource-efficient and competitive.” Ruiters explains that the South African project is assessing three manufacturing industry sectors on which to potentially focus during the implementation phase: food and beverage, textiles, and electronics and machinery.

The CB-ACES project, which is also being implemented in Mexico and Brazil, aims to reduce negative impacts on climate and biodiversity by assisting change in selected sectors in the target countries towards a socially just circular economy. It will achieve this by tackling policy development and implementation; financial mechanisms and investment promotion; technical cooperation with businesses; and capacity building and knowledge management, including inter-country learning.

The 5-year project is funded by the German government through its International Climate Initiative (IKI), which has invested EUR 14.6 million for project implementation in the three countries. It is implemented by UNIDO and adelphi, together with local implementing partners, such as the NCPC-SA in South Africa.

The South African launch event brought together representatives from government, industry, academia and development partners to introduce the initiative and explore opportunities for collaboration.

Speaking on behalf of the German government, Verena Stöckigt, Head of Environmental Affairs and Climate Action, said: “CB-ACES forms part of broader international cooperation between South Africa and Germany on climate and sustainable development, supporting national efforts to advance a just transition toward a low-carbon and resource-efficient economy. The preparatory phase of the project includes engagement with industry to help guide decisions in key sectors”.

“Through its holistic design, CB-ACES integrates policy development, capacity building, knowledge exchange and the piloting of circular business models, while also promoting and incentivising investment in circular economy solutions,” Stöckigt added.

Over the next five years, the project will focus on identifying opportunities for circular economy solutions that contribute to climate mitigation and biodiversity protection while supporting inclusive economic development across the selected industrial sectors.

Speaking at the launch, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) principal researcher Professor Linda Godfrey highlighted the broader significance of the circular economy transition for South Africa.

“Transitioning to a circular economy is not an environmental agenda, but a social and economic agenda,” said Godfrey.

According to Godfrey, circular economy approaches are essential for addressing South Africa’s development challenges, particularly in the context of high unemployment and increasing pressure on natural resources.

The CB-ACES preparatory phase will wrap up by June 2026, and the implementation should commence before October 2026. Anyone interested in more information should email ncpc@csir.co.za.