Circularity for climate-resilient and equitable WASH (CIRCLE-WASH)

Climate resilience demands better integration of practice across Water Sanitation and Health (WASH) and related sectors. Circular economy approaches can support identifying and operationalizing linkages by taking a systems perspective. Circular economy ideas are increasingly influential across multiple sectors-including their strategy, planning and financing. They align well with sustainability initiatives in the WASH sector such as resource reuse. Nascent circular economy ideas on supporting climate resilience lack WASH and Gender, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) considerations are under-developed. With climate change as the operating context, there is opportunity to determine how inclusive resilient WASH systems and services can be strengthened by circular economy principles and practices.

This project will:
a) Strengthen inclusive, climate-resilient, safely managed WASH services by integrating circular economy principles and practices in WASH institutions and service delivery approaches.
b) Identify potential benefits and synergies where circular approaches strengthen the climate resilience and inclusivity of WASH services.
c) Assess potential trade-offs and perverse outcomes.