[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fZOKrlLmiojyiII68-p6mY-1lWP8Es3j1RlCwXoxtTPU":3,"settings":114,"$fDTijMjIFNPoMQr9VuTlfYL7oqT_tkin4Hp-V2GkBOmo":243,"$fzNsru-J3R7sU9BHwwHkjMrSJohFEfFOTz_0ASaDtTDM":1785},{"id":4,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":8,"updated_at":9,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":13,"contributors":31,"article_framework_elements":37,"article_industries":69,"article_locations":93,"involved_organisation":101,"collections":102,"image":17,"view_count":12,"contents":103,"canEdit":113},"6EJT","blog","Learn More","https://circle-economy.com","2023-04-30T11:34:02.000Z","2024-02-23T16:26:30.000Z","ce","no-affiliation",0,{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":18,"owner":20,"profile":25},"organisation","JYOMLl","",null,{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},"Circle Economy",{"id":15,"auth0_sub":21,"first_name":22,"last_name":23,"email":24},"google-oauth2|114671157020972069139","Mathijs","Nelemans","mathijs@circle-economy.com",{"id":26,"link":27,"alt":28,"source":17,"created_at":29,"updated_at":30,"article_id":17,"image_profile_id":17,"banner_profile_id":10},"cmm374n1g0001sh01bspouxyc","https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/org-profile-avatar/HiKR8W326OYvfBij.jpg","CE logo","2026-02-26T08:23:13.828Z","2026-04-28T13:00:19.131Z",[32],{"contributor_id":10,"contributor":33},{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":34,"owner":35,"profile":36},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},{"id":15,"auth0_sub":21,"first_name":22,"last_name":23,"email":24},{"id":26,"link":27,"alt":28,"source":17,"created_at":29,"updated_at":30,"article_id":17,"image_profile_id":17,"banner_profile_id":10},[38,48,57,63],{"article_id":4,"framework_element_id":39,"created_at":40,"updated_at":9,"framework_element":41},"recycle","2026-04-28T12:52:22.993Z",{"id":39,"name":42,"framework_id":43,"created_at":44,"updated_at":44,"framework":45},"Recycle","10R","2026-02-27T04:05:30.859Z",{"id":43,"name":46,"created_at":47,"updated_at":47},"10R 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flows","2026-02-27T04:05:33.161Z",{"article_id":4,"framework_element_id":58,"created_at":40,"updated_at":9,"framework_element":59},"reduce",{"id":58,"name":60,"framework_id":43,"created_at":61,"updated_at":61,"framework":62},"Reduce","2026-02-27T04:05:29.139Z",{"id":43,"name":46,"created_at":47,"updated_at":47},{"article_id":4,"framework_element_id":64,"created_at":40,"updated_at":9,"framework_element":65},"reuse",{"id":64,"name":66,"framework_id":43,"created_at":67,"updated_at":67,"framework":68},"Reuse","2026-02-27T04:05:29.580Z",{"id":43,"name":46,"created_at":47,"updated_at":47},[70,76,82,88],{"article_id":4,"industry_id":71,"created_at":40,"updated_at":9,"industry":72},"construction_and_real_estate_services",{"id":71,"name":73,"description":74,"sector":75},"Construction and Real Estate Services","Providing residential and non-residential construction services, such as architectural, engineering, planning, real-estate, contracting, and inspection services","construction_and_infrastructure",{"article_id":4,"industry_id":77,"created_at":40,"updated_at":9,"industry":78},"food_and_beverage",{"id":77,"name":79,"description":80,"sector":81},"Food and Beverage","Processing and producing food and beverages for consumption","agri_food",{"article_id":4,"industry_id":83,"created_at":40,"updated_at":9,"industry":84},"waste_management",{"id":83,"name":85,"description":86,"sector":87},"Waste Management","Collecting waste from households and businesses by means of refuse bins, wheeled bins, containers, etc., and providing treatment, incineration, materials recovery and reclamation, and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste","societal_services",{"article_id":4,"industry_id":89,"created_at":40,"updated_at":9,"industry":90},"agriculture",{"id":89,"name":91,"description":92,"sector":81},"Agriculture","Producing and gathering crop and animal products from land and water through farming, hunting, and fishing",[94],{"article_id":4,"location_id":95,"created_at":40,"updated_at":9,"location":96},"6167865",{"id":95,"type":97,"name":98,"color":17,"parent_location_id":99,"created_at":100,"updated_at":17},"city","Toronto","CAN","2026-02-27T07:55:14.722Z",[],[],[104],{"id":105,"score":12,"body":106,"status":111,"article_id":4,"created_at":40,"updated_at":9,"published_at":112},"hSZk",{"image":107,"title":108,"content":109,"summary":16,"attachment":110,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380817732-Bg_04HPW.jpg","Lessons from North America: How Toronto is going circular","\u003Cp id=\"\">The transition to a circular economy is a global opportunity that can be leveraged by economies across the planet. The potential of countries like Canada to drive a global move to more circular and regenerative economies is clear, given its economic clout, investment capacity, abundance of natural resources and a desire to significantly reduce its environmental footprint. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">According to the World Bank's What a Waste global \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://datatopics.worldbank.org/what-a-waste/\">database\u003C/a>, Canada is the highest per capita \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.investopedia.com/articles/markets-economy/090716/5-countries-produce-most-waste.asp\">producer of material waste\u003C/a> and is the seventh highest per capita \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.worldometers.info/co2-emissions/co2-emissions-per-capita/\">emitter of greenhouse gases\u003C/a>. However, waste reduction, enhanced recycling, sustainable consumption and production and more recently circular economy strategies have been part of federal, provincial and municipal efforts and policies for decades. There is momentum and opportunity across Canada to accelerate efforts to decouple economic growth from material consumption and drive down both emissions and waste generation. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">This momentum is particularly strong at the local level, with several Canadian cities increasing their efforts to reduce waste and encourage circular, sustainable consumption. Such efforts are also helping inspire and, in some cases, drive action at higher levels of government from influencing fiscal investments, to regulating problem materials like plastics, to enhancing building and energy standards.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">This article will present what lessons can be learnt from how Toronto, Canada’s most populous city, is continuing its long-standing waste reduction efforts by undertaking research and analysis and multi-sectoral partnerships and collaboration. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In order to inform deeper, more systemic shifts that could open up solution pathways that can help increase circularity and sustainability, the City of Toronto took a snapshot the current state of some aspects of its material flows by asking these key questions:\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">What is the current context for circularity in Toronto?\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Which sectors have the greatest potential for circular economy impact?\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">How are materials being consumed and disposed of in key sectors?\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">What are the key considerations moving forward? \u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">To tackle these questions, the City of Toronto worked with Circle Economy and the David Suzuki Foundation to conduct a study – \u003Cem id=\"\">Baselining for a Circular Toronto –\u003C/em> throughout 2020 and 2021.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The study identified three material sectors as possible priority areas for circular innovation. These sectors could become the focus of innovative strategies that might lead the way in further reducing Toronto’s material footprint. The sectors that made up the focus of the baselining study were: construction, food systems and waste management. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Toronto: a city of grassroots action turning climate and waste challenges into action\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Toronto is growing fast—both in terms of population and economy. If no action is taken to transform the current consumption patterns of the city, its environmental impact will inevitably continue to exceed the regenerative capacity of both local and more distant natural systems. This is why shifting how all economic actors in Toronto utilise finite material resources from linear to circular approaches could be so beneficial: it can enable Toronto to thrive socially and economically, while living within the boundaries of our planet. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Toronto, and cities around the world, have a significant opportunity and ability to drive systemic changes that could transform society’s relationship to the environment from one that is extractive to one that is regenerative. Circular economy thinking offers a pathway to inspire. When supported collectively across the city landscape, from individual, household and neighbourhood action to city government, circular strategies can boost \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/blogs/can-circular-cities-boost-biodiversity\">biodiversity\u003C/a> (i.e be nature positive), can reduce pollution and can \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/blogs/with-the-circular-economy-we-can-avoid-climate-catastrophe\">cut greenhouse gas emissions\u003C/a>. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Cities are well positioned to drive circular innovation owing to their increased agility and their proximity to residents as compared to higher orders of government. The City of Toronto is actively engaged in multiple circular economy networks, such as the National Zero Waste Council (NZWC) and the Canadian Circular Cities and Regions Initiative; and fosters community level action through initiatives like the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/recycling-organics-garbage/long-term-waste-strategy/waste-reduction/community-reduce-reuse-programs/\">Community Reduce & Reuse Programs\u003C/a>. In Toronto, over \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/8da9-Technical-Memorandum-1-2020.19.10-FINAL-V2.pdf\">88 local business and community led initiatives\u003C/a> are operating in the circular economy space. The \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://knowledge-hub.circle-lab.com/article/7913?n=Zero-Waste-Hub-Toronto\">Zero Waste Hub Toronto\u003C/a>, for example, works with local organisations and green groups to promote waste reduction in the city through reuse training, DIY skill building, education and awareness programs, and more. Meanwhile, the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://knowledge-hub.circle-lab.com/article/9061?n=Toronto%27s-Repair-Caf%C3%A9\">Repair Cafe Toronto\u003C/a> organises free community gatherings that teach repair and upcycling skills, and under the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/pe/bgrd/backgroundfile-51558.pdf\">GrowTO Urban Agriculture Plan\u003C/a>, a network of over fourteen community-based sites that grow crops and diversify local food sources. The presence of these circular organisations and initiatives indicates that there is a strong foundation to support Toronto’s ongoing circular journey.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:780px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"780px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Baselining for a Circular Toronto\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/6287565fd95ec0880dd26bb0_9upXAT6DEvncAci_GdEPeFOpg1xNFv-5f2BpEwE4kiTLLYqW1CmdUurSi0D40Db0c5jGLhkczWq3nWZuSHYyBYr5Ac5ZEbPxy2VxiesKD8y9uS3htDFf3pZYFoaTDL5Pv4Aeo8m1h97Cz-xY5w.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\"> The ‘Baselining for a Circular Toronto’ study took a holistic approach to a circular Toronto, and spotlighted three sectors to drive circular change: waste management, construction, and the food system.\u003C/em>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Food system: strong potential for local innovation and impact\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">About 2.1 million tonnes of food is available for consumption in Toronto every year. Of that, about 70% is produced within Canada. Nationally, about \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://lovefoodhatewaste.ca/about/food-waste/\">60% of the food thrown away\u003C/a> by Canadians, could have been eaten and instead ends up wasted. In the Toronto economy, an estimated 30% (approximately 630,000 tonnes) of the food volume flowing through the city each year is disposed rather than consumed. Although there are some improvements when compared to historical trends (e.g. organic waste diversion; food rescue), the food system remains mired in inefficiencies that could prevent further improvements. If business as usual is maintained, annual food waste produced by Toronto's economy could climb to nearly 800,000 tonnes by 2030. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The food-related carbon footprint of Toronto’s food system, from production to distribution, consumption to disposal, currently stands at about 17 million tonnes CO2e per year. And if food waste levels continue to increase, the same could be expected in related carbon emissions. With current food waste carbon-emissions for Toronto high relative to other large cities, addressing food waste could both lead to significant social- and climate-positive outcomes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The study identified three potential avenues that Toronto could explore to work towards a more circular food system: \u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">Promoting healthy and culturally-appropriate food for all, sourced as locally as possible, and as sustainably produced, processed, packaged and distributed as possible. \u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Minimising avoidable food waste through food rescue and redistribution to interested partners and/or residents, \u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">Promoting food waste avoidance. \u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Construction: high levels of waste, high potential for recovery, reuse, and innovation\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The construction industry in Toronto is material-intensive and relies primarily on extracting virgin materials to build new projects, rather than utilising existing structures and materials to alleviate the environmental impacts of mining, forestry, aggregates and material processing. The sector consumes a total of about 17 million tonnes of materials per year in new construction, while approximately 366,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste is produced annually. Current estimates suggest that only 12% of Toronto's construction and demolition waste is diverted from landfill. With the construction sector sending thousands of tonnes of materials to landfill each year, enhancing circular principles in this sector could significantly mitigate the levels of wasted materials and related carbon emissions that would otherwise accompany Toronto’s population and economic growth.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">While some local businesses are exploring circular economy approaches such as design for modularity and disassembly—thereby signalling an appetite for change—the lack of available data on relevant material flows, amongst other factors, poses a challenge to understanding and improving the current system. This informs the future avenues that could be explored, including the following goals:\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">Toronto develops a future-proof built environment aligned with circular economy principles \u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Toronto increases the quantity and quality of data on construction and demolition materials to recover as many materials embedded in its building stock as possible\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Toronto promotes high value recycling and material recovery of construction and demolition waste\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Waste management: already attracting circular actions\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Toronto's economy generates approximately 2.1 million tonnes of solid waste each year which, under a business-as-usual scenario, could rise to as much as 2.5 million tonnes by 2030. This translates to 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents per year—about \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/98c7-TransformTO-Implementation-Update.pdf\">10% \u003C/a>of all community-wide greenhouse gas emissions. The City of Toronto already achieves a residential diversion rate of 53%, which is significantly higher than the Canadian \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2020/eccc/en14/En14-405-2020-eng.pdf\">national average (27%) and\u003C/a> in line with \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Municipal_waste_statistics\">European\u003C/a> averages (47%). This only represents a fraction of the picture, though as the City of Toronto manages less than half the waste generated in Toronto. Almost all institutional, commercial, and industrial waste is handled by the private sector, including some multi-residential waste. Only 17% of privately handled non-residential waste is diverted, and data on residential waste managed by these haulers is not publicly available.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The City of Toronto’s \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/recycling-organics-garbage/long-term-waste-strategy/waste-reduction/community-reduce-reuse-programs/\">Long-Term Waste Management Strategy\u003C/a> sets out an ambitious plan to operate an innovative and sustainable waste management utility for the residents, institutions, and businesses served by the municipal government. This indicates commitment and readiness for acceleration, and demonstrates growing momentum to innovate away from linear waste cycles.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">It will be beneficial to explore a comprehensive circular economy approach that further considers the upstream processes and decisions that are necessary to avoid generating waste in the first place, including interventions outside the waste sector in the realms of policy, design, and economic development. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Future pathways that could be explored include:\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">Minimise waste generation,\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Stimulate a thriving market for secondary materials\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Improve the transparency, accessibility and verifiability of waste data throughout the city. \u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Everyone has a role to play in building a circular Toronto\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The City of Toronto can play a leading role in the transition towards a more circular economy by creating an environment in which circular innovation can flourish, and by making changes within its own operations, policies, and practices. However, collaboration and partnerships between various local stakeholders will be key to enable successful change. Everyone has a role to play in a circular economy. The transition is also an opportunity to make space for different perspectives and to address historical and systemic injustices—and to create a more resilient, inclusive future. This study has also shed light on different roles the City of Toronto and other stakeholders such as other orders of government, businesses, academia and more could have on the journey towards circularity – insights that could inform approaches for cities across North America.\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Do you want to make your city more circular?\u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Learn more about what other cities are doing on our \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/programmes/cities/services\">website\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>",[],"published","2024-02-23T16:35:19.000Z",false,{"data":115,"meta":242},{"id":116,"documentId":117,"createdAt":118,"updatedAt":119,"publishedAt":120,"nav_primary":121,"nav_secondary":186},67,"cq0rcn2xoi5no1yfyvbgyln1","2025-06-22T14:25:01.818Z","2026-04-01T08:29:33.344Z","2026-04-01T08:29:34.626Z",[122,127,151,156,161,181],{"id":123,"label":124,"url":125,"disable_label_url":17,"children_links":126},622,"About","/about",[],{"id":128,"label":129,"url":130,"disable_label_url":17,"children_links":131},626,"Focus areas","programmes",[132,135,139,143,147],{"id":133,"label":129,"url":134},1483,"/programmes",{"id":136,"label":137,"url":138},1484,"Cities","/programmes/cities",{"id":140,"label":141,"url":142},1485,"Finance","/programmes/finance",{"id":144,"label":145,"url":146},1486,"Textiles","/programmes/textiles",{"id":148,"label":149,"url":150},1487,"Circular jobs","/programmes/jobs",{"id":152,"label":153,"url":154,"disable_label_url":17,"children_links":155},623,"Services","/services",[],{"id":157,"label":158,"url":159,"disable_label_url":17,"children_links":160},624,"Impact","/impact",[],{"id":162,"label":163,"url":164,"disable_label_url":17,"children_links":165},627,"CGR","/cgr",[166,169,173,177],{"id":167,"label":168,"url":164},1488,"About CGR",{"id":170,"label":171,"url":172},1489,"CGR Global","/cgr/cgr-global",{"id":174,"label":175,"url":176},1490,"CGR Nations","/cgr/cgr-national",{"id":178,"label":179,"url":180},1491,"CGR Regions & cities","/cgr/cgr-regions-cities",{"id":182,"label":183,"url":184,"disable_label_url":17,"children_links":185},625,"Resources","/knowledge-hub",[],[187,191,196,201,226],{"id":188,"label":189,"url":164,"disable_label_url":17,"children_links":190},628,"CGR ®",[],{"id":192,"label":193,"url":194,"disable_label_url":17,"children_links":195},629,"Circle Academy","/circle-academy",[],{"id":197,"label":198,"url":199,"disable_label_url":17,"children_links":200},630,"Clients","/clients",[],{"id":202,"label":183,"url":203,"disable_label_url":204,"children_links":205},631,"/resources",true,[206,210,214,218,222],{"id":207,"label":208,"url":209},1492,"Reports & publications","?page=1",{"id":211,"label":212,"url":213},1493,"Opinions","opinions",{"id":215,"label":216,"url":217},1494,"News","news",{"id":219,"label":220,"url":221},1495,"Knowledge Hub","knowledge-hub",{"id":223,"label":224,"url":225},1496,"Going Circular","going-circular",{"id":227,"label":129,"url":134,"disable_label_url":204,"children_links":228},632,[229,232,236,239],{"id":230,"label":137,"url":231},1497,"cities",{"id":233,"label":234,"url":235},1498,"Jobs","jobs",{"id":237,"label":145,"url":238},1499,"textiles",{"id":240,"label":141,"url":241},1500,"finance",{},[244,260,275,290,306,321,337,352,368,383,399,415,431,446,454,469,485,499,514,530,545,560,574,589,604,619,634,649,664,681,698,730,763,783,798,813,827,842,858,873,887,902,917,933,949,963,979,994,1009,1024,1039,1055,1070,1087,1102,1117,1133,1148,1163,1178,1193,1208,1224,1240,1255,1270,1285,1301,1317,1332,1347,1362,1376,1391,1406,1421,1435,1450,1465,1481,1496,1511,1526,1542,1558,1587,1631,1669,1685,1715,1748],{"id":245,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":246,"updated_at":247,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":248,"contents":250,"contributors":259,"image":17},"QCPA","2024-12-04T15:31:01.000Z","2025-02-14T08:28:17.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":249},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[251],{"id":252,"score":12,"body":253,"status":111,"article_id":245,"created_at":40,"updated_at":247,"published_at":247},"XXpk",{"image":254,"title":255,"content":256,"summary":257,"attachment":258,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380790135-2-Kt0Ly7.jpg","Further together: How the EU can work more closely with trade partners to achieve a sustainable and circular textiles economy","\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">The EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles shows great ambition. But failure to adequately consider the challenges faced by key trade partners to adapt to these ambitions risks jeopardising the success of the strategy. More inclusive approaches to circular economy (CE) policy design, broader stakeholder consultations and technical assistance programmes should be developed to ensure the EU’s sustainable and circular textile strategy works for all along the value chain. \u003C/em>\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">This article summarises the findings of a multi-country study into the potential effects of the European Union’s (EU) strategy for sustainable and circular textiles on key trade partners. Further detailed country-specific analysis can be found in the links below. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Introduction\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The textiles sector accounts for a significant share of global energy consumption and water pollution, with the global textiles value chain accounting for about 4 per cent of global emissions (2.1 Gt CO2e) in 2018 –about the same quantity of greenhouse gas emissions per year as the entire economies of France, Germany and the United Kingdom combined. The so-called 'fast-fashion' paradigm also relies on a production and consumption model dominated by buyer-driven global value chains, which involve human rights and labour violations that have long been the subject of international scrutiny. In addition to fuelling overconsumption in high-income countries, the industry status quo also perpetuates unsafe and inequitable working conditions.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In response to these challenges and in support of the wider EU Green New Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan 2.0, the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles was launched in 2022 by the European Commission. This strategy aims to transform the EU’s textile sector via a broad suite of policy measures, including the introduction of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), and revisions to the Waste Framework Directive (WFD) and Waste Shipments Regulation (WSR). With its multifaceted approach, the strategy aims to not only enhance environmental stewardship but also to foster economic growth within the EU’s textile and garment sector.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The ability for non-EU value chain actors to adapt to these requirements is fundamental to the success of the strategy given that the EU imports 80% of its textiles and that half of all EU textile imports come from low- and middle-income countries. Yet the introduction of this raft of policy measures will increasingly disrupt and reconfigure global textile value chains, resulting in complicated and context-specific challenges for textile and garment suppliers to the EU and post-consumer textile recipient trading partners – the majority of which are poorly understood. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Take Ghana and Bangladesh, for example, which are deeply integrated into the textile value chain and play vital roles as key partners to the EU. Ghana imports a large volume of Europe’s post-consumer textiles. In 2022 alone, nearly 30,000 tonnes of second-hand textiles were sent to Ghana, primarily from the Netherlands, Germany and Poland. Similarly, as the largest global importer of textiles and apparel, Europe is a major market for Bangladesh. The textile trade in both countries sustains a significant number of jobs and businesses in both countries, creating extensive socio-economic dependencies on Europe.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Ghana and Bangladesh will face several challenges as a direct result of the EU strategy. For example, there is likely to be a negative impact on employment, and a lack of transition pathways for workers that are operating in a largely informal environment (27–35 per cent of the global textile workforce, according to some estimates), and particularly for women, who are over-represented in the garment sector. In Bangladesh specifically, but also in other garment manufacturing countries, high compliance costs and short transition periods for businesses mean that small- and medium-sized enterprises that do not have the resources to adapt quickly enough risk being replaced with other larger suppliers. There is also a threat to the preservation of circular skills and knowledge, as overcapacity and declining quality make it harder to trade second-hand clothing in Ghana; in Bangladesh, informal workers who rely on access to post-production waste for their livelihoods, risk losing this access as factories divert these resources to large-scale recycling facilities.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1200px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1200px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"__wf_reserved_inherit\" src=\"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/67516a236c3a41e8c9b89669_67516632d4261a0afdd9896b_1730900685128.jpeg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Photo by Circle Economy\u003Cbr>‍\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">The EU is already facing pushback around the world regarding several ambitious green policies (such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and the Deforestation Act). There is a risk that demands the EU strategy will put on non-EU value chain actors will also face increasing pushback. Reforming the way EU green policy is designed, implemented and evaluated to better take account of the impacts on non-EU actors will therefore be critical going forward. Understanding the unique challenges non-EU textiles value chain actors will face due to the EU strategy will also help provide more targeted long-term support measures to assist the most impacted value chain actors (such as MSMEs and informal workers).\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">This article, based on the findings of a multi-country research project (for more information, see below), aims to demonstrate to EU policymakers that, although challenging, it is possible to evaluate, to a certain extent, the possible short-, medium- and long-term impacts on trade partners (and particularly the most vulnerable and marginalized communities). In doing so, we identify critical areas for strengthening the design of the policy packages and supportive measures to aim for a win–win situation for all as well as required areas for scaled-up support to trading partners. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">It is also worth noting as a point of clarity that there is currently no universal definition of what constitutes low- versus high-quality new textiles. As such, for the scenarios below, high-quality garments are considered those that will comply with future ESPR requirements (as outlined in the upcoming Delegated Act on textiles), whereas low-quality textiles are defined as those that do not comply, for example, they may exhibit the following characteristics:\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Material\u003C/strong>: Made from cheaper, lower-grade materials (e.g., synthetic fibres prone to pilling or breaking down). Contains chemicals and dyes which inhibit the recycling process.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Construction\u003C/strong>: Poor stitching, loose threads, or minimal reinforcement in high-stress areas (e.g., seams, pockets).\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Durability\u003C/strong>: Quickly loses shape, colour, or functionality after minimal wear or washing.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Fit and Comfort\u003C/strong>: Often lacks ergonomic or thoughtful design, leading to discomfort or ill fit.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Sustainability\u003C/strong>: Typically associated with fast fashion—short lifespan, high environmental impact, often involves exploitative labour practices.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Price\u003C/strong>: Usually lower, reflecting compromises in materials and labour standards.\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">There are also no universal sorting criteria for used textiles. As such, for the scenarios below this paper draws on the commonly used Grade A-D system.\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Grade A: \u003C/strong>Item that is in very good condition with minimal or no signs of wear. It is clean and fashionable. It has no major defects like stains, holes, or excessive fading. It is ready to be sold without the need for repair or heavy cleaning.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Grade B:\u003C/strong> Items with moderate signs of wear but still in good condition and have resale value.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Grade C:\u003C/strong> Clothing with noticeable wear, fading, or defects.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Grade D:\u003C/strong> Items in poor condition with significant wear, stains, tears, or other defects.\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Short-, medium- and long-term EU textile trade flow scenarios\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">In the short term (0–5 years), we predict that EU exports of both low- and high-quality used textiles, as well as unsold pre-consumer textiles, will increase, while waste textile exports to non-OECD countries will reduce. This is based on the premise that mandated separate textile collection and EPR schemes, combined with a ban on the destruction of unsold textiles, will lead to a rapid accumulation of used and unsold stock. It is likely that EU textile resharing, renewal and recycling infrastructure and systems will not scale fast enough to handle this growth, and hence there will be a strong incentive to export this used surplus stock to secondary markets and avoid costly domestic landfill or incineration fees. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The WSR will also begin to dramatically reduce waste textile exports to non-OECD countries. However, there is a risk this regulation may be circumvented by attempts to reclassify sorted post-consumer waste textiles as used textiles (the extent to which this is possible is subject to upcoming end-of-waste criteria for textiles). Imports of low-quality ‘fast fashion’ items will continue increasing prior to the ESPR delegated act for textiles coming into full force. \u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1600px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1600px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"\" src=\"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/67507357eeca487199f5cce7_AD_4nXd95-psFetvGFmNQfzqdu2IMIbqWM3FYJVX7jDPANFREuBaB2_OTWDNQ787HFb0eFh9iuotSxW157QU_1usEXF8cqYRxSBaOvFjYx7osKsgua4I83QoZdJDsXbpISRWKqZ7X85NOXW66wYChYJP6Q.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Figure 1: Predicted EU import/export trade flow changes for different textiles in the short, medium and long term\u003Cbr>‍\u003C/em>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">These short-term changes will impact major producer countries by restricting access to textile waste and used textiles, which are needed to provide the feedstock for recycled materials, while at the same time paradoxically increasing ecodesign market access requirements (including minimum recycled content requirements). They will also impact used-textile destination markets in the short term by increasing volumes of trade, bringing opportunities for additional sales but also potentially putting further pressure on local waste management systems already struggling to cope with current volumes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In the medium term (5–10 years), we expect exports of used and unsold textiles to begin stabilising and eventually plateau as domestic capacity to resell, repair and recycle used textiles within the EU improves. Volumes will remain high due to the continued collection of pre-ESPR low-quality legacy textiles. Exports will likely continue to reduce in quality (i.e. textiles that are too poor quality to extract economic value from in the EU). As such, destination markets for used textiles will increasingly receive lower-quality consignments leading to lower profit margins and higher levels of pre-sale discards to waste. Demand for imports of low-quality items will begin to plateau, while demand for higher-quality ESPR-compliant imports will begin to slowly increase. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In the longer term (10-plus years), we expect all exports of used textiles, unsold goods and textile waste to plateau or decline, while imports in high-quality textiles will rapidly rise and low-quality textile imports will rapidly drop. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">These medium- to long-term changes are likely to require large used textile and textile waste recipient markets to either transition away from used textile and textile waste activities or to attempt to source feedstock from alternative markets such as the US and China, where WSR is less stringent and domestic repair and recycling capability is limited. Suppliers in non-EU producer countries (particularly micro, small and medium-sized enterprises) will face a major challenge in transitioning from a fast-fashion industrial complex to producing high-quality, sustainable and circular textiles while at the same time demonstrating high levels of supply chain transparency and traceability.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As a result of these impacts, the EU strategy may lead to a series of unintended consequences. For example, market access requirements may simply become too challenging and costly and producers in non-EU countries choose to pivot to other growing but less stringent markets, particularly in the Global South. This may result in less market choice for EU textile procurers and increased average prices. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Second, simply restricting exports of EU textile waste and used textiles to secondary markets may have the counter-effect of increasing environmental and social impacts in these destinations and importers will be forced to source from countries and regions with weaker textile waste sorting and export regulations. As such, it is important for the EU to take a proactive approach to mitigating these potential consequences, which, if they become true, could threaten the overall success of the EU textiles strategy. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">A detailed overview for the potential short-, medium- and long-term impacts of the EU textiles strategy on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ce-public-documents.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/textiles-9e4ca4f0/Textile+Trade+Flow+and+Employment+Baseline+Analysis+Bangladesh+20241205.pdf\">Bangladesh\u003C/a> and \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ce-public-documents.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/textiles-9e4ca4f0/Textile+Trade+Flow+and+Employment+Baseline+Analysis+Ghana+20241205.pdf\">Ghana\u003C/a> will are available.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Recommended actions for EU policymakers to maximise EU textiles strategy success while ensuring a just and equitable textiles transition for all\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">1. Recognise the extent of EU circular policy success dependence on third-party trade partners. \u003C/strong>Engaging proactively with textile trade partners, both upstream and downstream, offers the EU significant opportunities to harness the benefits of global circular value chains and reduce the cost of transition. By collaborating with textile trade partners, the EU can tap into its expertise in upcycling, reselling and recycling textiles, helping to close the loop on textile production and consumption. This approach not only supports the EU’s sustainability goals, strengthens economic ties, and promotes innovation in circular practices. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In lieu of the imminent risk of increased tariffs being imposed by President-elect Trump and the growing risk of inflation in the EU, greater consideration should also be given to how the circular textile transition can be achieved in the most cost-effective manner. This involves exploring the synergistic benefits of closer cooperation with key trade partners, drawing on their competitive advantages related to textile repair, upcycling and recycling. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">2. Improve the EU policy impact assessment process.\u003C/strong> Impact analysis and consultation processes are currently insufficient to identify and quantify: (i) the level of EU dependence upon non-EU value chain actors to achieve EU circular economy (and broader environmental) policy goals; (ii) the willingness and ability of these value chain actors, with the support of the European Union, to adapt to new requirements; and (iii) the socio-economic policy impacts on the most marginalized value chain actors. It is, therefore important that the EU improves the ex- and post-ante policy impact assessment process by including evaluations of likely impacts on trade partners (similar to that conducted by this project). \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In tandem, it is important to improve the consultation process beyond ‘Have your say’, to ensure the trade partners the EU is most reliant upon for domestic policy success submit perceived challenges they may face and recommendations for policy improvement. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">3. Facilitate investments and access to finance to upgrade textile production facilities to enable circular solutions.\u003Cem id=\"\"> \u003C/em>\u003C/strong>The EU can facilitate investments by leveraging the European Investment Bank (EIB) and other European development finance institutions (e.g. KfW) to collaborate closely with local development banks, creating credit lines specifically tailored to circular economy initiatives in the textile sector. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">To support the smaller players that form a large part of the textile ecosystem, the EU should consider making microloans available through local banks, targeting very small businesses and cottage industries that use textile waste as resources but are excluded from traditional financing. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">By allocating grants and public funding to support informal actors involved in textile waste collection and sorting, the EU can promote inclusion and enable sustainable textile waste management practices, critical for achieving textile circularity on a broader scale.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">4. Improve working conditions and strengthen workers’ rights.\u003Cem id=\"\"> \u003C/em>\u003C/strong>The EU may consider providing ongoing support to improve working conditions and workers’ rights at all stages of the textile value chain. For an inclusive circular textile value chain, enabling decent working conditions for workers engaged in the collection, sorting, processing and recycling of secondary textile materials and waste is crucial. The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive includes ambitious measures for access to remediation and decent pay, but without adequate representation and the right tools to access these rights, the impacts will not be felt. This would not only benefit the local workforce but also, with regard to activities operating in reuse and recycling, ensure that circular textile practices are built on fair and equitable labour standards as well as ensuring the products produced by this workforce maintain long-term access to the EU market.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">5. Build technical capacity to implement digital product passports (DPP) for textiles upstream and downstream. \u003C/strong>This requires a phased approach, engaging key stakeholders such as manufacturers, suppliers, local governments, traders and recycling entities. In the first phase, which focuses on production, capacity-building should prioritize digital skills and data management for manufacturers and suppliers to track and document essential product information like material composition, carbon footprint, production processes and sourcing data. Training programmes and technical support in digital literacy, data entry and systems integration will be essential to ensure the accuracy and interoperability of DPPs across textile value chains. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As the textile DPP expands over time to incorporate end-of-life and recycling data, capacity-building efforts must extend to waste collectors, sorters, second-hand traders and recyclers, equipping them with digital tools and knowledge to input information on product disposal, reuse potential and recycling status.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">6. Establish EPR transboundary fee transfer.\u003Cem id=\"\"> \u003C/em>\u003C/strong>Used textiles will continue to be exported to non-OECD countries thereby transferring the cost burden of waste management. The expense of preparing items for reuse is a significant factor in material being discarded as waste as retailers and upcyclers cannot bear the cost of preparing increasingly poor-quality clothing for reuse (and these costs are not currently accounted for within EU EPR costing evaluation). Without funds to prepare unbaled garments for reuse, second-hand retailers report that the items are being sold at a loss or given up as waste.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">To address the ongoing risk of offshoring used textile and textile waste handling costs to secondary markets, the EU should consider embedding transboundary transfer payments within its guidelines for EU textiles EPR. This would ensure that the polluter pays principle – the goal of the EPR – is more likely to be fulfilled by ensuring sufficient funding is available to manage exported textile items at their end-of-life. This approach will help create a more accountable and sustainable system for handling textile waste beyond EU borders. Alongside EPR fee transfer, direct support for establishing domestic EPR schemes and producer responsibility organizations could also be provided. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">7. Facilitate technology transfer for textile renewal.\u003C/strong> The EU should strengthen commitments to facilitating technology transfer for key textile trade partners, along with improved access to recycling services. Enhancing local capacity for textile renewal and recycling will enable these countries to fully participate in circular value chains, driving global sustainability goals forward.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">8. Pursue international collaboration to identify pragmatic trade facilitation and regulation solutions for unsold, used and upcycled textile products.\u003C/strong> Recognizing that a global effort is required to transition to a sustainable and equitable textiles sector, the EU should take a proactive stance to support and coordinate at the global scale ongoing initiatives to identify pragmatic trade facilitation and regulation solutions for unsold, used, upcycled and waste textile products. This coordinated effort will help address systemic challenges and promote a just transition across the textile industry worldwide.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Currently, there is no clear distinction between unsold, used and upcycled textiles, all classified under the HS code 6309 (worn clothing). This lack of differentiation complicates trade, especially as bans on destroying unsold textiles increase, potentially harming local markets and repair industries. Upcycled textiles, which support circular economy goals, also face trade barriers due to ambiguous waste definitions.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1024px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1024px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"__wf_reserved_inherit\" src=\"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/67516a236c3a41e8c9b89666_6751692ff26f104ff8a8de26_Untitled%2520design.jpeg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Photo by Redowana Rashid Hridy on Unsplash\u003Cbr>‍\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">Technically, unsold and many upcycled textiles should not be classified under HS6309, as this category requires (i) visible wear and (ii) bulk packaging. However, without specific classifications, producers often use HS6309 for lower duties, risking significant penalties if customs audits determine non-compliance.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The lack of separate classifications for unsold and upcycled textiles hinders the development of circular textile value chains. Solutions could include revising HS codes or introducing new classifications in the HS2028 revisions, similar to the successful e-waste addition in HS2022. Alternatively, establishing production and traceability standards could prevent misclassification.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">A coalition involving the EU, key trading nations and institutions such as the World Customs Organization could drive these changes. Revising multilateral agreements, such as adding textile waste to the Basel Convention, may also help but could increase costs for recipient countries and potentially decrease second-hand trade while encouraging fast fashion consumption.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">9. Improving provisions within trade and economic agreements. \u003C/strong>The EU has an opportunity to strengthen existing economic and trade partnership agreements with key textile trade partners to include commitments supporting collaborative actions. This could involve enhanced commitments to facilitating technology transfer, necessary financial transfers, cooperation on innovative trade facilitation, and harmonization of policy and standards. Support for capacity-building, particularly for third-party auditing of recycling facilities in line with waste shipment regulations, would be valuable.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Additionally, the EU could establish partnerships with countries importing used textiles, enabling renewal and upcycling for reimport to meet shifting market demands. Consideration should be given to incentivizing this process under existing EU regulations, such as the ESPR and WSR.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Recommended actions to non-EU textile trade partners\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">Seek early support from the EU to comply with the evolving circular textile policy landscape, especially when it comes to new product standards, recycled content requirements and traceability requirements (in particular, the digital product passport for textiles).\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Seek further clarity from the European Commission on the predicted used and waste textile trade flow alterations likely to occur over the short, medium and long term.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Secure commitment from brands to support their suppliers through the transition, avoiding quick replacements with others who may already meet compliance standards.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Request support in implementation and the legislative implementation transition period to ensure that mechanisms are in place to guarantee all actors have a clear understanding of the opportunities and requirements that small and medium-sized enterprises aren’t left behind\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Seek active, inclusive involvement in consultations prior to future drafting of European legislation that impacts partner trading countries, including the perspectives of worker representative groups.\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Background to the project and funders\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Funded by Laudes Foundation and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), with the support of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ); and led by a consortium of globally leading circular economy organizations (Chatham House, Circle Economy Foundation, European Environment Bureau), this project aims to co-design an EU circular textiles policy framework that is informed by data and includes the perspectives of key stakeholders.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Ca href=\"https://ce-public-documents.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/textiles-9e4ca4f0/Textile+Trade+Flow+and+Employment+Baseline+Analysis+Ghana+20241205.pdf\">Textile Trade Flow and Employment Baseline Analysis Ghana\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ce-public-documents.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/textiles-9e4ca4f0/Textile+Trade+Flow+and+Employment+Baseline+Analysis+Bangladesh+20241205.pdf\">Textile Trade Flow and Employment Baseline Analysis Bangladesh\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Ca href=\"https://eeb.org/library/circular-textiles-policy-review-considerations-for-eu-trading-partner-countries/\">Circular textiles policy review Considerations for EU trading partner countries\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/socioeconomic-impacts-of-european-union-circular-textiles-policies-on-trading-partners\">Socioeconomic Impacts of European Union Circular Textiles Policies on Trading Partners\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://circulareconomy.earth/publications/impacts-of-eu-circular-textiles-policies-on-trade-partners-a-case-study-of-ghana\">Impacts of EU circular textiles policies on trade partners: A case study of Ghana\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Ca href=\"https://circulareconomy.earth/publications/impacts-of-eu-circular-textiles-policy-on-trade-partners-a-case-study-of-bangladesh\">Impacts of EU circular textiles policies on trade partners: A case study of Bangladesh\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https://youtu.be/9GwxArIddhQ\">Webinar recording: 'Impact of EU circular textile policies on European partner trading countries: the case of Bangladesh and Ghana'\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Further information on the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles \u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">In response to the social, environmental and economic challenges associated with the current linear and wasteful global textiles sector, and in support of the wider European Union (EU) Green New Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan, the Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles was launched in 2022. This strategy aims to transform the EU’s textile sector via a broad suite of policy measures. With its multifaceted approach, the textiles strategy aims to not only enhance environmental stewardship but also to foster economic growth within the EU’s textile and garment sector.\u003C/p>","This article summarises the findings of a multi-country study into the potential effects of the European Union’s (EU) strategy for sustainable and circular textiles on key trade partners. Further detailed country-specific analysis can be found in the links below. ",[],[],{"id":261,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":262,"updated_at":263,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":264,"contents":266,"contributors":274,"image":17},"ACrO","2023-04-17T14:03:24.000Z","2024-02-23T16:16:18.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":265},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[267],{"id":268,"score":12,"body":269,"status":111,"article_id":261,"created_at":40,"updated_at":263,"published_at":112},"vd7N",{"image":270,"title":271,"content":272,"summary":16,"attachment":273,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380792192-50sNAkFE.jpeg","G-Star Head of Sustainability exclusive: Is a circular fashion industry achievable? ‘Only if we’re all on board’","\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">This article was originally published by \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://fashionunited.com/news/business/g-star-head-of-sustainability-is-a-circular-fashion-industry-achievable-only-if-we-re-all-on-board/2022071948712\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Fashion United\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">‘We believe it’s just something you should do — not something you should brag about.’\u003C/em>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">This statement on sustainability in fashion comes from Rebecka Sancho, G-Star RAW’s new Head of Sustainability, who is quietly working to scale the denim brand’s circular economy initiatives. This is an ethos the fashion industry would do well to embrace — especially as cries for sustainability compete with greenwashing claims, both influencing how brands are making their clothes and marketing to their customers.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Many believe that a circular economy for the textiles and fashion sector is the only way to limit the rampant waste, resource use and pollution we’re seeing from today’s linear ‘take-make-waste’ economy — and help brands meet ambitious sustainability targets. The circular economy aims to create safe, durable and recyclable textile products — and keep them in use for as long as possible through repair, reuse and recycling. It’s the antithesis to the world’s obsession with new clothes: we produce a staggering \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://cleanclothes.org/fashions-problems/waste-and-pollution\" target=\"_blank\">100 billion garments\u003C/a> every year — a huge portion of which don’t even reach the consumer. Waste is all-too-often treated as an afterthought. A British luxury brand made headlines a few years ago after admitting to destroying nearly €102 million’s worth of unsold clothing in an effort to maintain the brand’s exclusivity, for example; while mountains of unsold goods have been dumped in \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2021/11/8/chiles-desert-dumping-ground-for-fast-fashion-leftovers\" target=\"_blank\">Chile’s Atacama Desert\u003C/a> — where they’ll sit for the next couple hundred years before eventually breaking down.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">G-Star aims to do things differently. It’s boasted prestigious Cradle to Cradle certification since 2018 for a continuously growing number of fabrics and products, which amongst other wins revolutionised the indigo dying process, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://asiafoundation.org/2022/03/30/lotus-leadership-awards-beyond-a-sustainable-supply-chain/\" target=\"_blank\">cutting chemical use by 70%\u003C/a>. It’s also working to build up repair and recycling programmes, recognising that designing for durability and cyclability is futile without the systems in place to ensure that its products are kept in use and kept in the loop. Following a successful pilot in the Netherlands, G-Star is now scaling its Certified Tailors programme: customers across Germany, Belgium, South Africa and the Netherlands can now benefit from free repairs for their denim — with worldwide expansion planned for next year. Those that are tired of their jeans can also opt to have them transformed into shorts, while G-Star’s Return Your Denim programme ensures that old products don’t end up clogging coastlines or landfills — and that some day, they’ll be recycled back into new clothing. But in spite of its efforts, G-Star is learning that the road to circularity is rocky: a full denim-to-denim closed loop could still be a couple of years off.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Now collaborating with Amsterdam-based impact organisation Circle Economy for team-wide training on circular apparel design, it’s working to further embed circularity in its ethos and product development processes. Over the past month, G-Star’s design and product development teams have been following a series of bespoke masterclass workshops, focussed on building a common understanding of circularity, and redesigning key products according to circular design principles, such as durability and recyclability. Together, they’re paving the way — but challenges still remain that demand attention from other brands, customers and governments alike.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">It’s time to overcome misconceptions about the circular economy: it’s not only about sustainable materials\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Caveats are abundant: for example, today cotton is primarily mechanically recycled, a process that shreds fabric back into fibre. Tightly woven fabrics — like denim — are generally harder to recycle than finely knitted fabrics, creating shorter fibres, which have reduced strength compared to virgin cotton. The higher the percentage of post-consumer recycled denim in the fabric, the more strength is reduced. To overcome this, recycled fibres can be blended with virgin fibres, such as cotton or polyester, with polyester adding more strength than virgin cotton fibres — but a polycotton denim is harder to recycle. Unfortunately, these paradoxes and trade-offs are common in the circular design space — and brands have to make difficult choices on what to prioritise. Is it better to use recycled cotton, which has the lowest impact of cotton fibres available on the market, while potentially compromising on durability and recyclability? Or is it better to use virgin cotton, with a higher material impact?\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Using virgin materials presents its own range of issues. A core tenet of circularity is using regenerative, non-toxic materials — such as organic cotton, which is grown without harmful chemicals that contaminate air, water and soil. Yet this is in short supply. ‘Only a tiny sliver of the cotton grown in the world is organic — \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ota.com/advocacy/organic-standards/fiber-and-textiles/get-facts-about-organic-cotton#:~:text=Organic%20cotton%20made%20up%20approximately%200.95%20percent%20of%20global%20cotton.\" target=\"_blank\">less than 1%\u003C/a>,’ Sancho says. ‘You see so many brands that have targets to use 100% sustainable materials but it just doesn’t match up with what we have the capacity for, globally.’ Demand from other brands is likely to drive up production, but converting all farms to organic practices worldwide isn’t possible. A focus on more sustainable materials isn’t enough by itself.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1400px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1400px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Pursuing circularity will entail certain tradeoffs — and will require looking beyond just material sustainability.\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/643d510a7f46b07d3c1e5a7a_image%202.jpeg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Pursuing circularity will entail certain tradeoffs — and will require looking beyond just material sustainability. Source: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/\">Circle Economy\u003C/a>.\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Clearly, going circular is complex. Based on G-Star’s experience, Sancho noted that failing to look at the big picture is a huge mistake for brands embarking on their sustainability journeys. ‘There’s a lot of focus on materials today. But it’s not just about materials, or just about design — it’s the whole system.’ For most of brands, a lack of knowledge about the nitty-gritty, often highly-technical details of circular economy is still a huge hurdle: that’s why working with experts in the field that can train employees and get \u003Cem id=\"\">everyone \u003C/em>on board — management and marketing as well as team members tasked with sustainability — is crucial.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">To really reach ambitious targets, everyone has to get on board to transform hardwired linear systems: governments, brands, customers and more…\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">What it comes down to: it’s incredibly challenging to go circular in a linear world, where the necessary logistics, infrastructure and mindset aren’t yet in place to support the transition. While the technology needed for fibre-to-fibre recycling exists, investment from key industry players has been sluggish — preventing scaling at the pace we’d hope to see. Regulatory support is also lax: ‘We’re not going to get far without government support — we need to see more extended producer responsibility schemes, more taxation, more funding — and stricter standards that will set the bar for brands that aren’t taking action.’\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The ultimate challenge: ‘We need reliable sorters and recyclers that can carry out processes at scale,’ Sancho explained, ‘and they need to be available in the right markets, because we don’t want to create more impact by shipping recycled materials around the world before the production process even begins.’\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Using post-consumer ‘waste’ to fashion new items also poses a challenge in this arena: until now, most recycled materials have come from post-industrial clipping waste from the factory floor, which is often collected, sorted and recycled within the country of origin. Launching consumer take-back programmes opens up the question of where sorting, recycling and reproduction should take place — and unless consumers get on board \u003Cem id=\"\">fast\u003C/em>, it’s likely there won’t be enough engagement to truly scale denim-to-denim cycling.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">‘We need them [customers] too,’ Sancho says. ‘So far the response has been overwhelmingly positive — but this kind of interaction is still coming from a relatively select group. For programmes for repair, recycling and resale to be successful we need our customers on board just as much as we need support from government and other industry players.’\u003C/em>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">We all know the prisoner’s dilemma: two prisoners, separated by guards, are both personally incentivised to turn the other in — but the biggest collective benefit comes from both staying silent. In other words: the biggest reward comes from cooperation. It’s a lesson the industry would do well to learn: for the infrastructure and technology critical to circular fashion to scale, other brands need to commit — and customers need to cooperate.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1400px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1400px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Collaboration is key: for a full denim-to-denim closed loop to become a reality, everyone needs to be on board\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/643d5179bcd5523d6ab6697b_image%203.jpeg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Collaboration is key: for a full denim-to-denim closed loop to become a reality, everyone needs to be on board. Source: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/\">Circle Economy\u003C/a>.\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">What’s next? Steps for brands looking to up their sustainability game\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">‘We’re all still learning,’ Sancho notes. She’s stressed before that overcoming knowledge barriers will be brands’ biggest challenge — but this doesn’t excuse inaction. ‘Don’t be afraid to do anything because you don’t know enough — jump in head-first and learn throughout the process or we’ll move too slow. With circularity it’s hard to find a “perfect answer” — it’s always going to be better to do something than nothing.’\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‘So far, progress throughout the industry has been too slow,’ she quips. But in spite of the challenges ahead, G-Star remains optimistic: customers are beginning to ask more questions and are turning a more critical eye to their consumption. Anecdotally, it seems that the onslaught of covid-19 has sparked a collective shift in priorities, prompting a so-called \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/dec/01/last-of-the-big-spenders-covid-new-frugality\" target=\"_blank\">‘new frugality’\u003C/a>: people are shopping less, or are at least increasingly questioning what they \u003Cem id=\"\">do\u003C/em> buy. Qualities like durability are being seen as \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-shopping-habits-kill-brands-2019-7?international=true&r=US&IR=T\" target=\"_blank\">increasingly attractive\u003C/a>. Is this the end of unfettered consumerism? Generation Z and Millennials are certainly \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.forbes.com/sites/gregpetro/2020/01/31/sustainable-retail-how-gen-z-is-leading-the-pack/\" target=\"_blank\">driving a change\u003C/a>: the majority of these consumers are eager to buy from sustainable brands, and most are willing to pay more to do so.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">One aspect of going circular may be simpler than we thought: mindset. When asked which one factor could make strategies like resale, repair and recycling work at scale for the industry as a whole, Sancho didn’t immediately call on government regulation or bolder collaboration. ‘The most important thing is understanding that this is important — given the fashion industry’s impact, we don’t have any other choice.’\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">Want to start your circular journey? Work with us\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Going circular in a world built for linearity can be overwhelming — but it must be done. Brands looking to go circular can work with Circle Economy’s Textiles Team to train their teams on circular design and circular business models, and determine the strategy and approach that is best for their product, customer and brand. Get in touch \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/programmes/textiles/contact\" target=\"_blank\">here\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":276,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":277,"updated_at":278,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":279,"contents":281,"contributors":289,"image":17},"ffqx","2023-04-30T10:55:19.000Z","2024-02-23T16:23:13.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":280},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[282],{"id":283,"score":12,"body":284,"status":111,"article_id":276,"created_at":40,"updated_at":278,"published_at":112},"4FUY",{"image":285,"title":286,"content":287,"summary":16,"attachment":288,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380793428-xR1VYTb6.png","How circular design can change the world","\u003Ch3 id=\"\">All our stuff and how it is designed causes most greenhouse gas emissions—a circular economy can combat this\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The circular economy has emerged as a strong tool to combat global warming by preserving and extending the functional lifetime of materials. This is significant as 70% of the 59.1 billion tonnes of annual total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are tied to the lifetimes of materials: extraction, processing, use and disposal.\u003Csup id=\"\">1\u003C/sup> Essentially, as consumption continues to rise—fuelled by the extraction and use of finite resources—so will global GHG emissions. The social and environmental footprint of a product or service is determined by the decisions taken during the design phase.\u003Csup id=\"\">2\u003C/sup> So, to truly reduce the level of greenhouse gas emissions in our atmosphere and live within planetary boundaries, we must look at how we use, dispose of and, most importantly, design all of our stuff. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The circular economy mimics nature as a model of ‘living within our means’. Just as living beyond our economic means can be risky and lead to issues that can affect our daily lives, living beyond our planetary means is threatening the planet and how safely it can function. By designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems, a circular economy allows us to collectively reimagine and redesign our systems to ensure a safe and just space for us all. Designing products and services with circularity in mind is therefore paramount for the transition to a circular economy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">This is why What Design Can Do (WDCD) teamed up with fellow Amsterdam-based impact organisation Circle Economy, and design research institution STBY, to challenge creatives from across the globe to design new circular innovations. The resulting WDCD and IKEA Foundation \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://makeitcircular.whatdesigncando.com/\">Make it Circular Challenge\u003C/a> is based on analysis conducted by Circle Economy and STBY, which outlines the criteria for winning projects aimed at envisioning and building a more circular society. By enlisting a holistic approach, the competition aims to provoke a circular transition that is not just good for the planet, but good for people.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">The circular transition will not be socially just or ethical by default\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circular economy strategies will not support social justice and equality by default. With the circular economy’s traditional focus on economic and environmental impacts—such as resource depletion, resource efficiency, innovation rates and air pollution—the link between circular economy and wider social and ethical issues are still considered weak, and blindspots should be addressed.\u003Csup id=\"\">3\u003C/sup> The circular economy is also often linked to green growth, a model which still supports infinite economic growth—albeit grounded in more sustainable practices. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The current global second-hand trade is an illustrative example of how the current circular economy transition, especially in higher-income nations, does not always deliver on a strong social foundation. Reuse and recycling efforts in high-income countries largely undermine the quality of jobs in lower-income countries, as well as their own capacity to become more circular—a phenomenon increasingly referred to as ‘waste colonialism’.\u003Csup id=\"\">4\u003C/sup> Circle Economy research has identified that circular business models can fall short on true pricing or be overly dependent on technology and data, thereby making circular products or businesses unequally accessible to all. Circular businesses can also mirror linear companies with their male-dominated leadership, non-inclusive processes, gender pay gaps and eurocentric knowledge bases.\u003Csup id=\"\">5\u003C/sup>\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1600px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1600px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"We can’t continue along the path the linear economy has forged\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/63b6b2287cca692c0ec9e9d5_JHnmNlHjdpQmfopRIQ38oKkBOn122XT6wkLjio5VJOxzOFY8bWPIITz-beSOFAroM3ZN_gOsPRHkrtHMpz2ilz6Y2dybsmXoBpAaYNgP-1tzWV-X0q_BNjVLORpkpHX87rge3f1ZMZhJYIHs79ugI5qlm1cSOl3GuJp28EaDZI6ZR8sa8UnAPIvk08tohw.jpeg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">We can’t continue along the path the linear economy has forged, framing our relationship with the world solely through production and profit—even if the initiatives are based on circular strategies. Photo credit: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://climatevisuals.org/asset/3689/\">Abir Abdullah / Climate Visuals Countdown\u003C/a>.\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Working towards an ethical and holistic circular economy \u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The circular economy can be a holistic concept. Besides its positive environmental impacts on material use, GHG emissions, and air, water and soil pollution, it can also help shape a more just, equitable world. If implemented in an integrated and thoughtful manner, it can bring more equal access to resources, equity within and between countries and a range of decent jobs.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Now, practitioners are crucially exploring this more holistic approach: a circular economy with social and ethical concerns. Doughnut economics, for example, aims to transform traditional capitalistic economics with a roadmap that utilises many circular strategies to satisfy all human needs within the means of the planet. The circular economy has also been found to support the implementation of many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as SDG1: no poverty and SDG5: gender equality—proving that when implemented holistically, it can bring benefits beyond the environmental and economical. Holistic circularity is closely linked to the concept of a just transition. This means boosting the social and economic opportunities of climate mitigation by carefully managing and minimising any challenges, especially through effective social dialogue among all groups impacted, with respect for fundamental labour principles and rights.\u003Csup id=\"\">6\u003C/sup>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The circular economy therefore benefits from considering legal systems, culture, quality of life, impact beyond borders, values and behavioural norms, and governance and political considerations. In this way, a fully circular approach should also embed holistic systems thinking: addressing growing inequalities, actively integrating social justice into its work, and leaving no one behind.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">How to get there\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circular design must seek to satisfy the needs and wants of the global population within planetary boundaries by utilising key, circular strategies. But it must also go further by embedding a social dimension in the process—as described above. Without this, we risk an economy that is circular, but repeats many mistakes of the current linear economy and perpetuates inequalities within and between countries—hardly a systems transformation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">WDCD is an international organisation that seeks to accelerate the transition to a sustainable, fair and just society using the power of design. Based in Amsterdam, with hubs in São Paulo, Mexico City, Delhi, Nairobi and Tokyo, WDCD started in 2011 and is initiated, curated and organised by creatives. Since 2015, WDCD has challenged the international creative community to tackle the world’s most pressing issues. Each \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.whatdesigncando.com/our-challenges/\">Challenge\u003C/a> provides creatives with the connections, resources, skills and funding needed to pilot, test and scale new innovations. WDCD has reached 126 countries with its Challenge programme. From 2017-2019 alone, the 33 winning projects attracted around ten million euros in funding and led to the creation of 96 full-time jobs.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Last January, WDCD embarked on a six-month journey to build the next big Challenge: how to embed circular economy principles in design? To do that, they partnered with STBY and Circle Economy. Together, they co-created robust and inclusive foundational research to better understand current challenges and solutions, looking at different perspectives from around the world. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circle Economy provided expertise and insight on the circular economy concept—including the societal changes needed to accelerate it—to build the local and global design briefs. Circle Economy drew inspiration from its dedicated programmes for cities, finance, textiles, jobs and skills, and the built environment, and its delivered projects in many sectors such as: agriculture, automotive and packaging. \u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1440px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1440px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/63b6b2281d6bf64362ba05d6_9E3ppZJHP6r_NOG-W8oGvsMQu_cGUesnnJARqib5aYWitNVvc8zQ8xq3OBmq0yOjZODzSDrG2SR_sCO68WSECLnTMozJWl-ZSEvPG1A2fOa2ASZdrYIQE_jpWhfs0s3H6qFcTVjZyMDChPN729l4obi9I6E844QifrIqOFkD-aUtX66APZybUMHtLwZf9Q.jpeg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Circular Design Jam, a co-creative workshop reimagining products and services, organised during the WDCD Live Amsterdam in October 2022. Source: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.whatdesigncando.com/\">WDCD\u003C/a>.\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circle Economy led in-depth analysis of the environmental and social footprints, barriers and circular opportunities across several of the most impactful value chains. Expert interviews were conducted with local and global stakeholders to inform and validate the findings. These findings were then translated into criteria and considerations for circular design and for building a ‘circular society’—a society that is not only regenerative and restorative by design, but also socially just and ethical. Case studies of existing initiatives that consider both the environmental and social dimensions were added to the design brief to spark designers’ inspiration. For example, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"http://www.miniwiz.com/solution_detail.php?id=54\">MINIWIZ\u003C/a> redefines the construction of hospital wards with innovative modular systems and sustainable materials to fulfil the demand from pandemic outbreaks.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1200px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1200px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"MAKE IT CIRCULAR\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/63b6b228d18bc210dcdcd38a_O88lxQdL34qx8gYXHyE1cpKGFEmBwNArZLy0oA5a9xjnKX2wbU45RsOuhPipng0mZBYif1SGOthFDkCajW54X9-e37rSca09hQu4lrf68Uyb-w36iQ4On9kw1V_ZEIbix0HbzqkC7Yi3r3SGpxg9jG6B2UbPNDa-W9y66WwD9JNw0nPHR_uS5mh4jbEnSQ.gif\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://makeitcircular.whatdesigncando.com/\">Make it Circular Challenge\u003C/a> calls on designers, creatives and startups from all over the world to envision and build a circular society. Until the 31st of January, you are invited to submit imaginative ideas that radically rethink the status quo across five areas in which design can make a big difference:\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">WHAT WE EAT |\u003C/strong> covers the ways we grow, distribute, shop for, consume and discard food. So much could be gained by rethinking farming practices, redesigning the modern diet, or creating initiatives that encourage food sharing within communities.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">WHAT WE WEAR |\u003C/strong> is about the clothes we put on our bodies and the textiles from which they are made. What if we could change the way we value these materials and make it easier for sustainable alternatives to be produced, used and reused? And how could doing so also address the social inequality that is rampant in the fashion industry?\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">WHAT WE BUY |\u003C/strong> refers to the countless consumer goods we use every day, from furniture to toys, home cleaning products and electronics. Here it’s also essential that we address why we buy in the first place. Could design help to repair people’s relationship with things?\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">HOW WE PACKAGE | \u003C/strong>asks you to rethink the flawed world of packaging. Because there are better ways to protect products using materials that are truly ethical and sustainable. Here we can think about innovating new materials, but also about making disposable things less desirable, and working with policymakers to enact change from the top.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">HOW WE BUILD | \u003C/strong>reimagines the built environment and looks at how we construct the places where we live, work and play. This includes making circular decisions in new buildings for the growing population but also exploring ways to adapt existing structures and save precious resources.\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Footnotes:\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">\u003Csup id=\"\">1\u003C/sup>Circle Economy. (2021). Circularity Gap Report 2021. Retrieved from: \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2021\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circle Economy website\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">\u003Csup id=\"\">2\u003C/sup>European Commission. (2014). Ecodesign your future - how ecodesign can help the environment by making products smarter. Retrieved from: \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/4d42d597-4f92-4498-8e1d-857cc157e6db\">\u003Cem id=\"\">European Union website\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">\u003Csup id=\"\">3\u003C/sup>Kirchherr et al. (2017). Conceptualizing the circular economy: an analysis of 114 definitions. Retrieved from: \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921344917302835?via%3Dihub\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Elsevier website\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\"> \u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">\u003Csup id=\"\">4\u003C/sup>Circle Economy. (2022). Thinking beyond borders to achieve social justice in a global circular economy. Actions for governments and multilateral bodies. Retrieved from: \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/thinking-beyond-borders-to-achieve-social-justice-in-a-global-circular-economy\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circle Economy website\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">\u003Csup id=\"\">5\u003C/sup>Circle Economy (2020). Avoiding blindspots: promoting circular and fair business models. Retrieved from: \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/avoiding-blindspots-promoting-circular-and-fair-business-models\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circle Economy website\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">\u003Csup id=\"\">6\u003C/sup>Circle Economy. (2022). Thinking beyond borders to achieve social justice in a global circular economy. Actions for governments and multilateral bodies. Retrieved from: \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/thinking-beyond-borders-to-achieve-social-justice-in-a-global-circular-economy\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circle Economy website\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">‍\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":291,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":292,"updated_at":293,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":294,"contents":296,"contributors":305,"image":17},"aC3q","2026-02-10T10:35:22.000Z","2026-02-11T11:15:03.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":295},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[297],{"id":298,"score":12,"body":299,"status":111,"article_id":291,"created_at":40,"updated_at":293,"published_at":293},"LiMg",{"image":300,"title":301,"content":302,"summary":303,"attachment":304,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380794724-Byd99nrK.jpeg","How Munich built the largest circular start-up ecosystem in Europe","\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Every ambitious city now has a start-up hub. While some focus on climate tech, AI, or agricultural innovation, Munich, Germany, has set its sights on building Europe’s largest circular start-up ecosystem. Just a few years after its establishment, it already holds the title of Germany’s largest circular hub—an achievement driven in part by the Circularity Gap Report Munich.\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https://www.circular-republic.org/\">CIRCULAR REPUBLIC\u003C/a> was founded in 2023 with an audacious goal: to build Europe’s largest innovation hub for the circular economy. While Munich already boasted one of Europe’s strongest innovation and startup ecosystems, the circular economy lacked public recognition and an evidence base at the city level.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‘To set a milestone early on, we asked ourselves: what can we do that really puts Munich on the circular economy map?’, says Matthias Ballweg, co-founder of CIRCULAR REPUBLIC, ‘And that’s how we came up with the idea: why don't we do a city-level \u003Cem>Circularity Gap Report\u003C/em>? We were all circular economy enthusiasts and practitioners, so we obviously knew about the \u003Cem>Circularity Gap Report\u003C/em>’. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>True to their innovative spirit, the founders of CIRCULAR REPUBLIC were undeterred by the fact that the \u003Cem>Circularity Gap Report(CGR)\u003C/em> had never been conducted for a city. On the contrary, blazing the trail for other cities only strengthened the statement they sought to make. In addition, CIRCULAR REPUBLIC approached the City of Munich with an offer to collaborate on the report. The city agreed, and the \u003Ca href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/munich\">\u003Cem>CGR Munich\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem> \u003C/em>was born.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3>Making a splash \u003C/h3>\u003Cp>The launch of the \u003Cem>CGR Munich\u003C/em> in November 2023 gave CIRCULAR REPUBLIC the publicity it needed. The report was the key topic of the first Circular Republic Festival, which has since become a bi-annual event. According to Matthias Ballweg, headline indicators presented in the report made it easier to convince policymakers, entrepreneurs, and the wider public of the importance of circularity. ‘The \u003Cem>CGR Munich\u003C/em> revealed that our material footprint of 32 tonnes per inhabitant was significantly higher than the German and European averages’, he recalls. ‘This number opens eyes. And once eyes are open, doors open. Then you can start talking about action’.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The report not only lent credibility to CIRCULAR REPUBLIC as a new organisation, but also identified priority sectors for the circular transition and established a baseline for measuring progress. Combined with the involvement of the city government and local businesses, this set Munich’s circular start-up hub up for success.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Furthermore, the Munich city government immediately embarked on developing the city’s first circular economy strategy following the report’s launch. Circle Economy was invited to contribute its research to the new policy document, which was published in December 2025. The \u003Ca href=\"https://stadt.muenchen.de/dam/jcr:e11d1ae8-a8f7-488c-801b-32cd1799437d/Muenchner%20Kreislaufwirtschaftsstrategie%20A%20MKWS%20Strategiebericht%20.pdf\">strategy\u003C/a> sets ambitious goals based on key indicators from the \u003Cem>CGR Munich\u003C/em>, such as a 30% reduction in material use by 2035, with a further target of 50% by 2045, as well as doubling the use of secondary materials (Circularity Metric) by 2035.  \u003C/p>\u003Ch3>Over 100 circular start-ups \u003C/h3>\u003Cp>Munich’s circular economy startup ecosystem has grown rapidly since the CGR launch. According to Matthias Ballweg, the number of circular economy startups in the city has roughly doubled over the past three years. It now includes 100 start-ups, working on everything from Product-as-a-Service to secondary materials. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>One of CIRCULAR REPUBLIC’s recent successes is a multi-stakeholder alliance that managed to recover 80% of the lithium from electric car batteries. As the EV industry grows, so does demand for lithium, a critical raw material. By demonstrating that most of this lithium can be extracted from old batteries and reused, CIRCULAR REPUBLIC and its partners helped address one of the industry’s biggest challenges.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Another start-up highlight from Munich is \u003Ca href=\"https://en.delicious-data.com/baecker\">Delicious Data\u003C/a>, which develops an AI algorithm for bakeries and other food companies, enabling them to forecast demand, produce more efficiently and thus reduce waste and cut costs. And the customers get fresher buns and pretzels—a win-win. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>These examples demonstrate that circularity is not only beneficial for the environment. For the City of Munich, it has expanded an already thriving innovation ecosystem and attracted top talent. For the companies that benefited from the solutions they developed, it reduced costs and addressed supply bottlenecks. And for everyone living in Munich, it delivered broader economic and social benefits, from climate resilience to new jobs and green spaces. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>","Every ambitious city now has a start-up hub. While some focus on climate tech, AI, or agricultural innovation, Munich, Germany, has set its sights on building Europe’s largest circular start-up ecosystem. Just a few years after its establishment, it already holds the title of Germany’s largest circular hub—an achievement driven in part by the Circularity Gap Report Munich.",[],[],{"id":307,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":308,"updated_at":309,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":310,"contents":312,"contributors":320,"image":17},"2k49","2023-05-01T11:16:35.000Z","2024-02-23T16:31:35.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":311},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[313],{"id":314,"score":12,"body":315,"status":111,"article_id":307,"created_at":40,"updated_at":309,"published_at":112},"KJqR",{"image":316,"title":317,"content":318,"summary":16,"attachment":319,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380797916-CL4cw4pt.jpg","How the circular economy can help us reach the Sustainable Development Goals","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">A short version of this article was originally published on the \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://sdg.iisd.org/commentary/guest-articles/more-than-just-sdg-12-how-circular-economy-can-bring-holistic-wellbeing/\">\u003Cem id=\"\">SDG Knowledge Hub\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As it's moved from the fringes of academia into the mainstream, the circular economy has been posited as a means to address ecological breakdown by cutting resource extraction and \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2021\">limiting warming to 1.5-degrees\u003C/a>. A transformational shift, circularity describes a system where waste is designed out, materials' value is preserved at the highest level possible and natural systems are regenerated. Now, practitioners are also crucially exploring how a more holistic approach could pave the way to a better and more inclusive future for all: a circular economy with social and ethical concerns at its heart. If managed well, the circular economy has the potential to create new and decent jobs, ensure a more equitable management of resources and combat inequalities and societal crises, by providing resilient and thriving local economies. This article will show how the circular economy can help governments achieve a crucial roadmap for sustainable development: the Sustainable Development Goals—and move toward a safe, just and peaceful world for all.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">The circular economy and sustainable development\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">2015 was a pivotal year for climate and social activism. It saw the signing of the landmark Paris Agreement—as well as the formation of a blueprint to end poverty, tackle inequality and protect the planet. This blueprint? The \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://sdgs.un.org/\">Sustainable Development Goals\u003C/a>: 17 overarching goals—and 169 targets—that governments are aiming to meet by 2030. With seven years past and eight years to go, the race is on. Recent progress reports show \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0313592621000217\">where we should focus our efforts\u003C/a>: while economy-related targets are close to being achieved, education, cities and communities' sustainability—and particularly climate change—lag behind. Significant progress has been made in terms of poverty, health and inequality, but there's still a way to go. This is where the circular economy comes in: by circulating resources multiple times, the circular economy tackles issues of scarcity and allows all to access what they need—without overburdening the earth. If it's implemented in a holistic way—affording attention to social considerations and the fair distribution of resources— it also offers a pathway for achieving the SDGs; and the link between the two is ever-growing. As research has shown, the link with some SDGs is evident:  \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jiec.12732\">SDGs 6, 7, 8, 12 and 15\u003C/a>, for example—clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, responsible production and consumption, and life on land.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-center\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"center\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/624d82981d6af3756eb9dc89_3yscfNOqNTLykPoyVFdIjPTiArZFZSPKWHM9UIXjkqsfqw_cmJjwyUJAXeQZDJ1YXsfepZdVtG34kLlP0IE0k2t_iiQmCf7FhzbCb58ZMtnlKLIcQwPT1SXSfEuyazBGTfw3V9tw.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">This visual depicts the ways in which circular economy strategies can contribute to various SDGs. Source: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/\">Circle Economy\u003C/a>. \u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">However: the circular economy's link to other, more socially-related goals—such as SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 3 (good health and wellbeing), SDG 5 (gender equality) and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities)—is less clearly defined. We're certain that a circular economy can drive positive social outcomes—but how?\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Is a circular world a world without poverty (SDG 1) and hunger (SDG 2)?\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">In addition to its clear environmental focus, the academic study of circular economy—and its real-world practice—has been largely focused on the economic sphere: the benefits it could bring for businesses and profits. More recently, scholars have been interested in amplifying the social side of the circular economy: also referred to as a \u003Cem id=\"\">circular society\u003C/em>.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The first two SDGs—no poverty and zero hunger—precisely target the kinds of inequality the circular economy is less known to take into consideration. More and more circular initiatives are appearing worldwide that are bettering livelihoods, spurring economic benefits and creating more and more decent jobs. Jakarta-based non-profit \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/indonesia-jakarta-xsproject-upcycling-plastic-wastes-bags-478396\">XSProject\u003C/a>, for example, collaborates with waste picker communities to create better work opportunities. The organisation buys rubbish from the waste pickers—preventing it from going to landfill—and sorts and washes it to safeguard hygiene and quality. The materials are then directly reused: community-members are hired by for-profit organisation XSProjek to manufacture a range of upcycled products, from tote bags to laptop cases. Around the world, waste pickers are commonly subject to very low incomes and poor working conditions: circular initiatives such as these dignify the work they do, provide decent remuneration and prevent masses of waste from sitting unused in landfill. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Empowering individuals in communities can also serve the purpose of reducing world hunger, in line with \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal2\">SDG 2\u003C/a>: Rosario, Argentina's UN-lauded \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://knowledge-hub.circle-lab.com/article/5923?n=Rosario%2C-Argentina-Programa-de-Agricultura-Urbana\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Urban Agriculture Program\u003C/em>\u003C/a>, launched two decades ago and still running today, has been awarded a \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://cities-today.com/rosarios-urban-farming-programme-wins-global-resilience-award/#:~:text=Rosario's%20urban%20farming%20programme%20wins%20global%20resilience%20award,-Twitter%20Facebook%20LinkedIn&text=A%20sustainable%20food%20production%20project,Ross%20Center%20for%20Sustainable%20Cities.\">global resilience award\u003C/a> to tackle both poverty and food insecurity. Early on, a number of local departments collaborated with the National University of Rosario, finding that \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://books.google.nl/books?id=Nx9xDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT43&lpg=PT43&dq=rosario+urban+agriculture+program+highways+railways+flooding&source=bl&ots=43u1poOmNi&sig=ACfU3U0sNcANPIlpnmbuCLs2IN4JR_3-5w&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi29Lnch6r2AhWKNOwKHRx0AdQQ6AF6BAgdEAM#v=onepage&q=rosario%20urban%20agriculture%20program%20highways%20railways%20flooding&f=false\">36% of municipal land was unused\u003C/a>: a golden opportunity. By equipping residents with the tools and knowledge needed to start their own sustainable, organic urban farms and gardens, the Program saw the transformation of previously degraded or abandoned spaces—from strips along railways and highways to low-lying land susceptible to floods—into fruitful green spaces. It was a resounding success: the city saw the formation of 800 gardening groups that provided food to 40,000 residents, cutting dependence on food imports and improving food security—while also slashing greenhouse gas emissions from vegetable delivery by 95%. And now, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.fao.org/agroecology/database/detail/en/c/1416707/\">more than 2,400 families\u003C/a> are practising sustainable agriculture in their own household gardens.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1400px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1400px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/644fa28afea96ce61d9cc0f6_markus-spiske-bk11wZwb9F4-unsplash.jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Rosario's \u003Cem id=\"\">Urban Agriculture Program \u003C/em>gave residents the knowledge and tools needed to start their own urban gardens. Photo by\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@markusspiske?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\"> Markus Spiske\u003C/a> on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/s/photos/urban-garden?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\">Unsplash\u003C/a>.\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">We throw away one-third of the food we produce—\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.riseagainsthunger.org/addressing-food-waste/\">four times what would be needed\u003C/a> to end undernutrition across the globe: so, circular economy strategies that tackle food waste and allow for its repurposing can be crucial to ending hunger. Hong Kong-based supermarket chain \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-10/documents/master_swmg_10-20-20_0.pdf\">PARKnSHOP\u003C/a>, for example, has partnered with local NGO Food Rescue for the Needy, which redistributes any surplus from the market to households in need. Between 2012 and 2018, the business donated more than 800 tonnes of food that otherwise would have gone to landfill. And more recently, as the covid-19 pandemic swept the globe and disrupted food supply chains and increased food insecurity for many, ReFED launched its US-based \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://covid.refed.com/covidsolutionsfund\">Covid-19 Food Waste Solutions Fund\u003C/a>: a 'streamlined, one-stop, rapid response vehicle for donors to deliver support for mind-sized organisations aiming to rapidly scale food waste reduction and hunger relief efforts. The impact: $3.5 million was raised and distributed to 37 for-profit and nonprofit organisations that managed to rescue 41.5 million meals in just three months—keeping edible food from going to waste and tackling hunger in the process.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Circular economy for good health and wellbeing (SDG 3)\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">SDG 3—good health and well-being—centres on ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all at all ages—and although the circular economy hasn't often been discussed for its benefits to good health or well-being the link is worth exploring. Its \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal3\">ninth target\u003C/a> states that by 2030, the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination must be reduced. This is particularly relevant to circularity  as one of its core tenets is the use of regenerative materials and the adoption of systems that imitate the natural cycles of ecosystems. But what does this mean in practice? At its heart, it's about choosing non-toxic, natural materials and processes that respect and strengthen  ecosystems—protecting the health of water, air and soil.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">With our current global food systems spewing emissions, relying on growing quantities of harmful synthetic chemical additives, and increasingly damaging soil health and harming biodiversity, this looks like a good place to start. Producing food regeneratively—in other words, in a way that nourishes the soil and nurtures biodiversity—is a crucial aspect of the circular economy: and it'll bring benefits far beyond the ecological. The type of foods we produce matter, too: recent research found that upwards of \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/meat-production-leads-to-thousands-of-air-quality-related-deaths-annually#:~:text=Growing%20corn%20for%20food%2C%20fuel,a%20result%20of%20toxic%20air.\">16,000 deaths\u003C/a> occur each year from agriculture-related air pollution in the United States—80% of which are the result of meat, dairy and egg production. Animal farming has emerged as more than just a health and environmental issue: it's deeply linked to themes of social justice and environmental racism. \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2021/10/29/legal-battles-over-pollution-from-hog-waste-environmental-racism-havent-changed-much/\">North Carolina's pig farms\u003C/a>, for example, have reached new heights of infamy in recent years: 10% of the state's population—largely low income and African American—live within five kilometres of an industrial hog farm, which store pigs' waste in open air cesspools to eventually spray on fields in massive quantities. This causes \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/sep/20/north-carolina-hog-industry-pig-farms\">severe respiratory conditions and asthma \u003C/a>among children and confines residents to their homes in the summer months when the stench becomes 'unbearable'. In a circular economy, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/blogs/does-eating-meat-have-a-place-in-the-circular-economy\">animals in agriculture have a limited role to play\u003C/a>: a circular food system could involve some livestock, but in radically fewer numbers—just enough to give value to infertile land where growing crops wouldn't be possible, and where effluent would be manageable.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In this kind of circular food system, manure becomes a resource: a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilisers.  Spanish livestock feed manufacturer \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circ4life.eu/demo4\">Alia\u003C/a> is integrating circular economy strategies in its business model to make this a reality: its pilot project, launched in 2020, transformed by-products from the agrifood sector to turn into animal feed, while also converting farm waste into organic fertiliser. Embracing this kind of balanced agricultural system benefits air, water and soil—and human health, to boot. A circular food system that overhauls our current modes of production can also enhance peoples' social lives and wellbeing: Brussels' \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://document.environnement.brussels/opac_css/elecfile/BRO_GoodFood_Strategy_ENGL.pdf\">Good Food Strategy\u003C/a>, for example, promotes urban fruit and veggie autoproduction through collective and family gardens—and aims to evoke pleasure and conviviality by creating shared moments among friends, family and neighbours. To date, more than 260 collective and family gardens have sprung up in Brussels—and more than one-quarter of households are growing some of their own food. While it's unlikely that these kinds of initiatives will fully replace our industrial agriculture systems, they present a regenerative alternative that reconnects people with their food.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1680px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1680px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/644fa25e372ea72408dd739d_steven-weeks-w_cSBsncdzg-unsplash.jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Industrial pig farming contributes to numerous air-pollution-related deaths worldwide. Photo by\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@sweeksco?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\"> Steven Weeks\u003C/a> on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/s/photos/pig-farm?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\">Unsplash\u003C/a>.\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Regenerative, non-toxic materials and processes can and should be used far beyond the food sector: they can also make a substantial impact on health and well-being when applied to construction. In Finland a \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://procuraplus.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Procura__case_studies/Procuraplus_case_study_Hyvink%c3%a4%c3%a4.pdf\">circular public procurement\u003C/a> design and building approach for a new preschool building was implemented, with an emphasis on zero-emissions and non-toxic materials—its outdoor play equipment, for example, was manufactured with FSC timber, and its climbing ropes were made with all natural fibres.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">How circularity works to diminish inequalities (SDG 5, SDG 10)\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">More equality—between genders, as outlined in \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal5\">SDG 5\u003C/a>, or between and within social groups and communities, as in \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal10\">SDG 10\u003C/a>—isn't inherently linked to circular initiatives. However, practitioners have emphasised that the transition to circularity must not repeat the mistakes of the linear economic model, which has bred \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/rising_extreme_inequality_is_a_concern_for_us_all/\">extreme inequality\u003C/a>. There's also a huge opportunity to do better: the systematic \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.oecd.org/env/GFE-Gender-Issues-Note-Session-5.pdf\">inclusion of a gender lens\u003C/a> in the circular economy, for example, could empower women and ensure a just transition. Absorbing lessons from traditional and Indigenous sustainable practices held, in great part, by women, could have a key role to play in accelerating the transition to circularity, too. In lower-income countries, women are also disproportionately affected by the negative impacts of linear production—such as pollution and the destruction of rural communities—and often fall into informal work in the waste management sector. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Creating a more circular, more sustainable world could have a largely positive impact on the lives of women—especially outside of higher-income nations. But circular initiatives and policies should still be designed with equity front of mind. In India, the Philippines and Vietnam, for example, the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://knowledge-hub.circle-lab.com/cities/article/11331?n=Gender-Equality-in-Plastics-Circularity-program-in-Asia\">Incubation Network\u003C/a> launched a programme in late 2021 to \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.incubationnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/The-Incubation-Network-Equality-in-Plastics-Circularity_Cohort-Brochure.pdf\">advance gender equality\u003C/a> within plastic waste management and recycling systems, which largely rely on women working in the informal sector. The programme aims to support women-led, circular initiatives across Southeast Asia, offering financial assistance to get projects off the ground, largely centred around supporting female waste pickers and helping them achieve better social and economic integration, while creating better opportunities for recycling. The \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://indonesia.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/Youth_Book_II_v11.1_RGB__0_0.pdf\">SiDalang Living Project\u003C/a>—launched in Jakarta—also works to improve gender equality while championing the circular economy: low-income women are provided with intensive training in upcycling plastic waste through workshops and tutorials, with the aim that they'll eventually form their own businesses.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circular initiatives can be designed with other forms of inequality in mind, too: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://knowledge-hub.circle-lab.com/cities/article/7032?n=Robedrijf---Segregating-tasks-for-inclusive-jobs-\">Rotterdam-based Robedrijf\u003C/a> connects people distant from the labour market to employers through the outsourced services they offer in the assembly, packaging and repair of products. Those hired have physical or mental disabilities and may struggle in traditional job roles—and through Robedrijf learn circular skills like disassembly and repair while working in a supportive environment.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1229px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1229px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/644fa1f999edf888fd081d5a_kilian-seiler-PZLgTUAhxMM-unsplash.jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Those with distance from the labour market taught skills for disassembly and repair at Robedrijf. Photo by\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@kilianfoto?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\"> Kilian Seiler\u003C/a> on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/s/photos/repair?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\">Unsplash\u003C/a>.\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">The bottom line: circular economy isn't just about better material management\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The circular economy is a holistic concept: going beyond material use, it can positively impact greenhouse gas emissions, and pollution of our air, water and soil. If implemented in an integrated manner, it can also help shape a more just, equitable world, bringing more equal access to resources, equity among minorities and a range of safe, decent jobs. We can't continue along the path the linear economy has forged, framing our relationship with the world solely through resource extraction, production and profit. While circularity has a clear link with some SDGs—especially those in environmental or economic spheres—its connection to others is less implicit. But its potential is enormous: when applied in a holistic manner, putting both people and planet at the fore, a global circular economy can drive the achievement of the SDGs. And while a circular economy on its own cannot ensure peace and justice, it can allow us to reimagine our economy and international relationships in such a way that they are not dependent on the exchange of fossil fuels. Going circular and eschewing the oil, gas and coal that spur international conflicts could create more stable, peaceful and regenerative economies and nations—a hard truth that Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine has served to illustrate.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">We must be mindful in applying circular initiatives and maintain a bird's eye view to preempt and address potential tradeoffs, as strategies that may work towards one goal may pause or reverse progress on another. This only emphasises the need to foster greater awareness and skills and knowledge development for the lesser known social dimensions of the circular economy: it should encompass a \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/blogs/why-we-need-to-rethink-the-technical-circular-economy\">circular society\u003C/a>, a vision of an economy creating harmony between the eco-, techno- and sociosphere. When designing and applying circular strategies, don't just consider how to close loops on material resources: think outside the box and ask deeper probing questions—how can we meet the needs of \u003Cem id=\"\">all\u003C/em> with the resources we have? Ultimately: how can we ensure that circular solutions allow for all people —as well as the planet—to thrive?\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003Cem id=\"\">Learn more\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Here at Circle Economy we're working to ensure the transition secures wellbeing for all and positively impacts work and workers through our \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/circular-jobs-initiative\">Circular Jobs Initiative\u003C/a>, while our \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://assets.website-files.com/5d26d80e8836af7216ed124d/623c30175a2fed2a7d81db84_Thrive!%20CE%20Cities%20Brochure.pdf\">Thrive!\u003C/a> initiative develops transformative circular action plans for cities, based on the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.kateraworth.com/doughnut/\">Doughnut model\u003C/a> and with social concerns front and centre. Explore the circular society in \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/blogs/why-we-need-to-rethink-the-technical-circular-economy\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Why we need to rethink the 'technical' circular economy\u003C/em>\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":322,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":323,"updated_at":324,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":325,"contents":327,"contributors":336,"image":17},"LzE0","2026-02-10T10:35:21.000Z","2026-02-11T11:07:45.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":326},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[328],{"id":329,"score":12,"body":330,"status":111,"article_id":322,"created_at":40,"updated_at":324,"published_at":324},"gebP",{"image":331,"title":332,"content":333,"summary":334,"attachment":335,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380799472-boH1UUyU.jpeg","How the Netherlands became a circular frontrunner","\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Try googling ‘circular frontrunner countries’, and the Netherlands comes out on top. Today, the country’s reputation as a leader in the global shift to a circular economy is undisputed. Yet few people know it all began as a daring proclamation, a classic case of ‘fake it till you make it’.\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Perhaps declaring the Netherlands a circular frontrunner in 2013 was not such a crazy idea after all. The Dutch tradition of \u003Cem>zuinigheid\u003C/em> (frugality) suggests a nation adept at doing more with less. This is evident in the country’s status as the world’s second-largest food exporter (after the US), despite occupying a territory only slightly larger than the US state of Maryland. The idea of a circular future for the Netherlands was already ‘in the air’—and it was Guido Braam, then Executive Director of Circle Economy, who seized it.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>His reasoning was straightforward. The Netherlands is not a country rich in natural resources, with the notable exception of water, which is so abundant that it can just as easily become a problem. To remain prosperous, it must therefore use what it has wisely and for as long as possible. Just as the Dutch once learned to deal with water and went on to export that expertise worldwide, circular economy know-how could become another valuable export product. Both water management and the circular economy emerged from necessity—and both have become poster children of Dutch innovation. Well, the circular economy hadn’t reached that status in 2013. Not yet, anyway. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>According to Guido Braam, the best way to develop this expertise was to self-declare the Netherlands a circular frontrunner—a self-fulfilling prophecy designed to rally politicians, businesses, and citizens around the shared goal of making it a reality.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3>Setting up the first Circular Hotspot\u003C/h3>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The idea was pitched to then Prime Minister Mark Rutte—and resonated immediately. Whether convinced by Circle Economy’s arguments or intrigued by its estimate that circularity could generate €17 billion in additional value for the Dutch economy, Rutte called key figures in his government right after the meeting. On the other end of the phone line were Wiebe Draijer, then Chairman of the Social and Economic Council (SER), Minister of Economy Sharon Dijksma, and Prince Carlos of the Dutch royal family. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>To support the Netherlands’ new role on the global stage, a trade mission was organised, bringing international delegations, governments, and companies to experience Dutch circular innovation first-hand. At the same time, Holland Circular Hotspot (HCH) was launched to serve as a central platform connecting businesses, knowledge institutions, and governments working on circular solutions. Circle Economy played a crucial role as a knowledge partner in this early phase, helping shape the narrative, supporting the trade mission, and leading the launch of HCH. Guido Braam describes the contribution of the HCH in accelerating the circular movement in the Netherlands: \u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>‘The concept of a circular economy, especially at that time, opened many eyes. I heard entrepreneurs say, “How strange it is that we waste so much. How strange it is that we invest so much energy, labour, and materials into products, only to discard them instead of extending their life”’.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3>The prophecy fulfilled\u003C/h3>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The model of circular hotspots proved contagious: inspired by the Dutch example, 26 local Circular Hotspots emerged across the globe. Today, \u003Ca href=\"https://hollandcircularhotspot.nl/events/ifat-saudi-arabia-2026/\">Holland Circular Hotspot\u003C/a> remains a thriving force behind the global transition to a circular economy. For over 10 years, it has been connecting forward-thinking businesses, knowledge institutions, and governments to foster international collaboration and share circular expertise globally.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>In 2016, the Netherlands adopted the world's first circular economy roadmap, \u003Cem>Nederland Circulair 2050\u003C/em>, aiming to build a fully circular economy by 2050. The roadmap’s goals are no less ambitious than the ‘self-fulfilling prophecy’ of global circular leadership. For example, it aims to halve virgin resource use by 2030.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>A few years later, Circle Economy’s \u003Cem>Circularity Gap Report Netherlands\u003C/em> confirmed what Guido Braam and his colleague long suspected: the country is more circular than the world on average. Its circularity rate has not yet been surpassed by any nation for which Circle Economy calculated this figure. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‘Why has the Netherlands really become a circular frontrunner? I think we have just the right scale: we are big enough to matter on the global stage but small enough to embrace the change, to bring all parts of the society together and move towards a common goal’, says Wiebe Draijer, the Chairman of the Social and Economic Council (2012-2014). \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>","Try googling ‘circular frontrunner countries’, and the Netherlands comes out on top. Today, the country’s reputation as a leader in the global shift to a circular economy is undisputed. Yet few people know it all began as a daring proclamation, a classic case of ‘fake it till you make it’.",[],[],{"id":338,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":339,"updated_at":340,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":341,"contents":343,"contributors":351,"image":17},"KVRg","2023-04-30T11:38:03.000Z","2024-02-23T16:27:21.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":342},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[344],{"id":345,"score":12,"body":346,"status":111,"article_id":338,"created_at":40,"updated_at":340,"published_at":112},"f5hz",{"image":347,"title":348,"content":349,"summary":16,"attachment":350,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380802365-ZwG0JQ1J.jpg","Pioneers of the future: the countries leading the way with circular economy policy","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">This article was originally written by and published on \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularonline.co.uk/features/the-circular-economy-who-is-leading-the-way/\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circular Magazine\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">, and features an interview with our Matthew Fraser (Head of Research and Development).\u003C/em>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">When it comes to the global circular economy, how do we measure progress and who is leading the way? Is it even possible, or worthwhile, to compare countries​​—and can the metrics we do have really paint the whole picture? Phil Lattimore reports in this cover article from the March/April edition of \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularonline.co.uk/magazine-archive/\">Circular Magazine\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Global action on the circular economy has been growing over the past decade, and the concept is now established in many countries as a key component in addressing issues such as waste, pollution, resource depletion and climate change.  With circularity now part of the conversation at senior government and board levels – as well as among many consumers—it appears progress on circularity is accelerating. When it comes to national action, however, who is really leading the way, and how do we measure how—and where—progress is happening?\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The circular economy is based on a fundamentally different concept to the linear model of economic activity with which we are all familiar. The circular economy is, essentially, a production and consumption system that relies on recycling, reuse, repair, remanufacturing and sharing of products – so, by definition, it demands a change in consumption patterns, new business models, and circular systems of production and resource allocation. As a result, our usual ways of judging national economic performance in a linear system—with indicators such as gross domestic product, productivity and inflation rates—are not sufficient or adequate for measuring circular activity.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">At the moment, estimates suggest that only 8.6% of the world’s economy is circular. However, assessing which nations are ahead of the pack on circularity is not as straightforward to measure as with a linear economy model. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">According to a recent EU eco-innovation action plan, while there is no indicator that can be a single measurement for the circular economy, a number of existing indicators can help measure performance in several areas that directly, or indirectly, contribute to circular economy development. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">These involve metrics in areas such as sustainable resource management (lowering resource demands), societal behaviour (engagement, behavioural change and consumption patterns), and business operations (adapting business models to the principles of a circular economy, including material sourcing, design for durability, remanufacturing and recycling). \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Measuring success\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Helen Burdett is head of circular economy at the World Economic Forum (WEF). She agrees that there are no simple, one-size-fits-all metrics that enable us to definitively rank nations in a ‘circular economy league table’, and that such assessments of circularity require greater nuance. ‘It’s complicated,’ she says. ‘But a lot of smart people are working on it.’  Not-for-profit organisation Circle Economy, for example, has, for many years, come up with a global circular economy metric; the Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy has a working group looking at metrics; while the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) is also looking to devise them. ‘One of the challenges is not only about measurement – it is also about identifying the right indicators,’ says Burdett.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">It is a broad, dynamic topic, she adds: ‘If we look at policies, metrics, design, reuse and recycling rates, EPR [extended producer responsibility] schemes, business models, and innovation, they each present a complex picture—and there isn’t one easy answer about which nation is “leading the way”. Every actor committed to working on the circular economy is probably leading the way somewhere, and all are contributing to the conversation. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‘So much is being done through partnerships – no one company or government is going to solve this by themselves. The circular economy requires a systemic change, and so much happens at a local scale, as well as at the national or international level.’\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">This is clearly not only about one or two developed regions, Burdett stresses. ‘Some countries in Europe have been talking about circular for longer, but it’s gaining a lot of traction across the globe,’ she says. ‘For example, here is the African Circular Economy Alliance [ACEA], and the World Circular Economy Forum 2022, to be held in Rwanda later this year, showing how countries are working together on a regional level.’\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">ACEA is largely public-sector focused, while the Africa Circular Economy Network is more private-sector focused, and they work closely together, says Burdett. Similarly, in Latin America, the United Nations Environment Programme, UNIDO and national governments have come together to create the Latin America and Caribbean Circular Economy Coalition.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Burdett highlights the growing number of national and regional circular economy roadmaps over the past two years, and a significant increase in policies directed towards circularity goals. From the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act—which puts forward a definition of circular in the US for the first time—to the first circular policy that launched last year in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Chile’s 2021 circular economy roadmap, the list continues to grow. ‘We’ve seen more and more governments coming up with plans, and those plans can be a precursor to policy.’\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Circle Economy methodology\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circle Economy, based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, aims to accelerate practical and scalable solutions to put the circular economy into action. Recognising the need to accurately measure the circular economy to understand how we can move towards circularity or monitor progress effectively, it developed the first Circularity Gap Report, which was published in January 2018. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Reports have been published each year since, and these efforts have grown into the organisation’s Circularity Gap Reporting Initiative (CGRi). This delivers an annual global circularity metric that measures the state of the world economy and identifies key levers to transition to global circularity.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‘Our consumption-based measurement—which measures all resources, materials and products used to provide for societal needs—extracts a single measurement of circularity that reflects where a country, or the globe, is in its circularity journey. This also produces the Circularity Gap—the measure of materials that are wasted, lost, built into long-lasting stock or not usefully cycled back into the economy,’ explains Matthew Fraser, CGRi lead. The methodology used in its analysis takes the ‘socioeconomic metabolism’ of the country—how resources flow through the economy and are in long-term use—as the starting point for measuring and capturing its level of circularity. It also considers the importance of reducing total consumption, with impact prevention through reduced demand considered an important step to take before exploring other mitigation options in a circular economy scenario.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">So, which countries are getting particular traction on their circular activities, and what initiatives, policies or strategies are driving this? While ranking nations in such a dynamic and complex area is problematic, Circle Economy researchers have highlighted encouraging progress in several diverse countries.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">The Netherlands\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The Dutch government’s goal of full circularity by 2050, and 50% circular by 2030, makes it a clear frontrunner in Europe, according to Circle Economy. This includes the interim objective of a 50% reduction in the use of primary raw materials minerals, fossil fuels and metals—by 2030. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Transition agendas for five priority areas of the Dutch economy have been implemented, covering: construction; plastics; consumer goods; biomass and food; and manufacturing. Interventions include an emphasis on resource efficiency, a shift to renewable and recycled resources, and creating new markets and business models.  \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Complementing this policy with on-the-ground action is a business support network project Het Versnellingshuis Nederland Circulair (The Netherlands Circular Accelerator)—an intervention founded by a collaboration that includes the government’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Amsterdam has also attracted headlines around the world for combining socioeconomic considerations with the circular economy and the adoption of ‘Doughnut Economics’. As part of the circular construction economy, the Netherlands government has committed to ensuring only circular contracts are procured from 2023 onwards (see ‘Sweet spot’ in May/June 2021 Circular).\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">China\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">China was a very early adopter of the technical circular economy, and a leader in driving legislative packages that explicitly targeted the circular economy. As far back as 2006, its 11th Five-Year Plan mentioned the circular economy and, in 2008, it adopted its Circular Economy Promotion Law. Today, according to Circle Economy, the circular economy is presented as a viable economic reform model and as a central building block of China’s vision of a harmonious society. It is centrally planned, focuses on cleaner production, and resonates with industrial ecology principles. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Japan\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Japan is another early circular economy innovator, with a number of policies introduced since the early 2000s to reduce, reuse and recycle. A densely populated, highly industrial and resource-constrained country, Japan adopted ambitious waste-management policies early. Today, it boasts impressive recycling rates, empowered by a culture of collaboration and continuous industrial innovation. While its policies have not always been explicitly linked to the circular economy, they are a source of inspiration for many practitioners. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Its latest Circular Economy Vision 2020 policy roadmap encourages industries to shift to new business models with higher circularity and to improve resource efficiency. It has also introduced a Resource Circulation Strategy for Plastics, to tackle the waste problem from single-use plastics.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Chile\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Since hosting COP25, Chile has made great strides in environmental areas and its Roadmap for a circular Chile by 2040, published in June 2021, is an important pillar. It aims to generate 100,000 green jobs by 2030. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">WEF global circular initiatives \u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The WEF is involved in a number of global initiatives to promote the transition to a circular economy, acting as a forum for public- and private-sector collaboration to drive the shift. These include the Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy, which was launched in 2017 as a platform for public- and private-sector leaders to take commitments and accelerate collective action towards the circular economy. It consists of 80 public, private, international and civil society executive leaders, and more than 200 members, championing 18 projects across the globe since early 2019. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The WEF also hosts a series of major value chain action partnerships that work along global material value chains to advance circular models – from plastics (Global Plastic Action Partnership), electronics (Circular Electronics Action Partnership), batteries (Global Battery Alliance) and cars, to fashion and textiles. In addition, it has launched initiatives such as Scale360°, which aims to mobilise action among innovators, governments, civil society and private-sector stakeholders to grow the ecosystem for circular fourth industrial revolution technology innovation, with a focus on plastics, electronics, food, and fashion and textiles.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The WEF’s Circular Economy for Net Zero Industry Transition initiative aims to raise the decarbonisation ambition for harder-to-abate materials—steel, cement, chemicals and aluminium—and help those industries realise a 1.5-degree pathway by catalysing scalable circular economy solutions, taking in stakeholders from the material supply side and key demand-side industries to facilitate collaborations along value chains on circular economy solutions.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Government level\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">At a governmental level, Burdett believes the approach an administration takes towards integrating a circular strategy within government itself will have a direct impact on how effectively it can develop and implement policy. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‘In some, the ministry of the environment owns the circular economy topic, while, in others, the topic is prioritised by a ministry of economic affairs equivalent,’ she says. ‘Where it fits for a particular country can make a difference to how the topic is addressed.’\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Burdett points to an example, in the UAE, of how an integrated approach can be most effective: ‘The WEF’s Scale360° circular innovation initiative’s national advisory board became the UAE Circular Economy Council, where there are now four ministries involved, in addition to private sector leaders.’\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Burdett also gives an example of how regulations can impact on how materials are allowed to be used in the design of remanufactured products. ‘In Chile, another Scale360° initiative hosted co-creation sessions with leaders from the largest industrial corporations to identify 150 opportunities for industrial symbiosis,’ she explains. ‘Surfaced opportunities included solutions such as redirecting mining tyres and pork [meat] slurry into asphalt production, and replacing construction aggregate with copper slag. In studying materials inputs and outputs, a new challenge emerged: some outflow materials that could become inputs in another industry cannot be reused because they are classified as waste.’\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">This, again, highlights the importance of partnerships across the public and private sectors to ensure a more joined-up approach to initiatives and policies to foster circularity. Burdett also emphasises the importance of action on a smaller scale, as well as at global, regional and national levels: ‘Working together internationally doesn’t negate the need for local action.’ \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":353,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":354,"updated_at":355,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":356,"contents":358,"contributors":367,"image":17},"-eiu","2025-06-03T08:20:37.000Z","2025-06-03T08:40:02.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":357},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[359],{"id":360,"score":12,"body":361,"status":111,"article_id":353,"created_at":40,"updated_at":355,"published_at":355},"Oj9h",{"image":362,"title":363,"content":364,"summary":365,"attachment":366,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380804477-1OK1C-M4.jpg","Huge potential for a global circular economy going unleveraged","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">This article was first published by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.renewablematter.eu/en/circularity-gap-report-2025\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Renewable Matter\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">Beginning to write this year’s Circularity Gap Report, we were driven by a simple question: why, despite so much effort and innovation, is global circularity steadily declining?\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Year after year, we’ve watched the Circularity Gap grow while material use soars to new heights. This year’s iteration concludes that circularity—measured as the share of secondary material use out of the total—has dropped to a new low of 6.9%, down from 9% when we launched the first Circularity Gap Report in 2018. This is in spite of a slight growth in secondary material use, offset by the growing global extraction of virgin materials. Without rewiring deeply entrenched modes of production and consumption, attempts to scale up recycling will be endlessly outpaced by swelling consumption, leaving a truly circular economy just out of reach.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Our \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://global.circularity-gap.world/\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">report\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>, launched at this year’s World Circular Economy Forum in São Paulo, warns of the severe consequences of stripping Earth’s natural materials—and emphasises that we must expand our perception of circularity beyond recycling. Global extraction has more than tripled in the last half century, bringing us past a landmark threshold of 100 billion tonnes annually. Without reversing current trends of production and consumption, this is \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.unep.org/resources/Global-Resource-Outlook-2024\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">set to rise by 60%\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> by 2060. We need new levers to pull to improve material management at the global level.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">So, where do we go from here? The Circularity Gap Reports \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.renewablematter.eu/en/Circularity-Gap-Report-2024-a-roadmap-to-lead-the-world-towards-the-circular-economy\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">have always held firm\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> that a speedy global transition to a circular economy can deliver the deep reductions in material use necessary to reverse the overshoot of our planet’s safe limits: this means shifting to a system where waste is designed out, products and materials are kept in use for as long as possible, and nature is regenerated through the use of renewable, non-toxic materials. But doing this requires a macro-level understanding of how materials are currently contributing to circularity, or how we’re squandering their value and generating waste across their lifetime.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">We intended this report to serve as a bird’s-eye view of the state of global circularity, scoring various aspects of the transition across a range of indicators. It reveals a wellspring of unleveraged potential, opening up the business case and risk mitigation potential of the transition—and highlights just what needs to change for the circular economy to move off the page and onto the global stage.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Nearly one-fifth (18.1%) of global material use is represented by virgin, largely non-renewable materials destined for landfill: think heavy industrial wastes, vehicles and construction materials reaching their end-of-life—and yes, the consumer goods we collectively toss in the bin each year, although these are minuscule in comparison. If all these materials were diverted from landfill and instead transformed into secondary materials, we found that global circularity could theoretically swell to 25%—but we must also note that a large portion of this is made up of waste from mining and quarrying, such as waste rock and soils.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">These lower-value materials are difficult—and costly—to recycle, emphasising the importance of extraction methods that minimise waste in the first place, alongside better managing easy-to-recycle waste streams. There’s significant potential to improve recycling rates for municipal solid waste, for example: global collection rates average around 80%, but only 15% makes its way back into the cycle, the report found.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">More than one-tenth (13.3%) of global material use is fossil fuels combusted for energy—inherently incompatible with a circular economy, as emissions released into the atmosphere cannot be captured or reused at the speed, scope and scale necessary to limit warming to 1.5-degrees.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Decarbonisation is part and parcel of a resource-light circular economy: the current system is sustained by a constant flow of fossil fuels, while a system built on renewables—although initially material-intensive—will cut material use in the long run. While we are scaling up renewables, total energy demand is also rising: and we’re becoming less efficient, with global average energy use per person increasing by over 10% in the last two decades.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">We need to tackle this to ensure that the renewable energy transition replaces—rather than supplements—fossil fuels. At the same time, demand is also surging for numerous critical raw materials essential to the energy transition—marred by human rights abuses and severe environmental impacts of their own. A circular economy approach that shortens supply chains, optimises how these materials are used and eventually recycled, and minimises waste will be essential.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Nearly one-quarter (23.7%) of global material use is the biological matter we use for food, feed, and fuel. As the bioeconomy gains traction around the world, we must issue a warning: biomass being renewable is not synonymous with being sustainable. The \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.renewablematter.eu/en/energy-from-biomass-yes-but-wisely\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">way we use biomass\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> at the global level is currently a major blindspot: while the majority (90%) of this is likely carbon-neutral—a bare-minimum proxy we use for sustainability—numerous other environmental impacts go uncaptured. The 10% already surpassing the threshold for carbon neutrality puts us in the danger zone: without overhauling land management practices and conservation efforts, this is set to worsen, with compounding effects on soil health and biodiversity in addition to climate.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.renewablematter.eu/en/why-proceed-cautiously-bio-based-material-transition\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">upsurge in interest in the biobased materials market\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> is set against the backdrop of the ‘age of extinction’, with collapsing wildlife populations nearing the point of no return. Currently, around half the world’s habitable land is used for agriculture—with 80% of this dedicated to livestock, which provides a far smaller share of the global calorie supply.  The way we farm, rear livestock, and grow fuel crops could contribute to a circular economy if we rebalance global land use and prioritise regenerative farming practices—but we’re far off from this being the case.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The lion’s share (38%) of global material use pours into long-term stocks: buildings, infrastructure, heavy equipment and machinery, and vehicles represent the vast majority of this category. Stocks offer a vast well of potential. If designed for a circular economy now, they can stay in use for longer and be ‘mined’ for materials when they reach their end-of-life years down the road.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Currently, buildings globally last an average of 54 years, and vehicles just 17 years (compared to EU averages of 87 and 21 years, respectively): there’s significant potential to improve this through better management, circular design, and material recovery at end-of-life as stocks continue to grow year on year.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">This is incredibly pertinent given the rate we’re depleting stores of critical resources, many of which will remain essential for the construction of buildings and infrastructure and manufacturing of machines and electronics. Being mindful of the types and quantities of materials used for stock—largely non-metallic minerals (approximately 87%) and metals (approximately 10%)—and their potential for high-value reuse is critical to ensure stocks contribute to—rather than hinder—the global circular economy transition.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">While the report centres on indicators to guide the transition, we mustn’t fall prey to indicator tunnel vision: increasing the rate of secondary material use is important, but so is better-managing stocks, switching material sources, and designing differently—all of which have a significant impact on circularity.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">These actions must be matched by deep reductions in virgin material use across the board. Ultimately, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.renewablematter.eu/en/issue-54renewable-matter-materials-mmlx\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">the impact of material use\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> must be made visible in mainstream sustainability discussions and gain traction in policymaking—not just as an environmental concern, but as a clear economic opportunity and a way to manage global risk.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">While the circular economy is gaining ground—especially in Europe—the stakes are rising everywhere, regardless of political direction. Without global coordination, we risk positive efforts remaining piecemeal. Governments looking to spearhead the transition should work to incentivise circularity in their own countries while collaborating on the global stage—while frontrunning businesses should take action now to stay ahead of the (inevitable) regulatory curve and reap the benefits circularity has to offer.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">If there’s one thing we want readers to take away from this year’s Circularity Gap Report, it’s this: all economies—across regions, sectors and supply chains—depend on materials. This dependency comes with risk, but also with opportunity. By introducing a wide set of indicators, we've endeavoured to make this connection clearer—giving businesses and governments the tools they need to understand their own state of circularity and seize the economic, social and environmental benefits it offers. The time for half-measures is over; the path forward is circular.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>","This year’s Circularity Gap Report acts as a report card for the global economy. We’re not yet receiving a passing grade",[],[],{"id":369,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":370,"updated_at":371,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":372,"contents":374,"contributors":382,"image":17},"YynF","2024-01-08T08:52:51.000Z","2024-02-23T15:43:44.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":373},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[375],{"id":376,"score":12,"body":377,"status":111,"article_id":369,"created_at":40,"updated_at":371,"published_at":112},"ICiQ",{"image":378,"title":379,"content":380,"summary":16,"attachment":381,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380806714-ejENbzm8.jpg","Informal work may be a cornerstone of the circular economy—but in Latin America and the Caribbean, its contribution is hidden","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">This article was originally published by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://nextbillion.net/latin-america-caribbean-new-report-hidden-role-informal-workers-circular-economy/\">Next Billion\u003C/a>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is 1% circular—a far cry below the global average of 7.2%. This means that of all the materials flowing through its economy, less than 1% re-enter the economy for a second life.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">This is an incendiary statement—and not an entirely true one. The\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/lac\"> \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report Latin America and the Caribbean\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">, \u003C/em>recently released by impact organisation Circle Economy Foundation, cautions against taking its trademark ‘Circularity Metric’ at face value in this instance. Although official statistics benchmark circularity at less than 1%, the region is home to a bustling informal economy—a network of street vendors, waste pickers, unregistered businesses and more, totaling 130 million workers and representing around 60% of the workforce. This level of informality means that there’s a range of ‘hidden’ activities that could impact the region’s circularity, as well as unknown material and carbon footprints.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Informal jobs lack official employment contracts or registration, meaning access to social protection is sparse and labour rights can go unrespected—but they’re also a hidden norm, employing an estimated \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/the-future-of-work--forging-an-inclusive-economy/ng-interactive/2021/nov/16/more-than-2-billion-workers-make-up-the-informal-economy\">2 billion people\u003C/a> worldwide. In some sectors, these roles represent the vast majority: in LAC, a \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.ilo.org/americas/temas/sector-rural-y-desarrollo-local/lang--es/index.htm\">staggering 86%\u003C/a> of agricultural workers are informal, for example. But how does this relate to the circular economy?\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Making the invisible visible, with data \u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">As a result of the work being informal, collecting data to understand its contribution is challenging: many informal workers directly contribute to the circular economy—through the resale of consumer goods, waste management and repair, for example—without it being picked up in formal databases. Worldwide, sectors associated with the circular economy often have high rates of informality. The informal economy has, at times, acted as an antithesis to the ‘more, newer, cheaper’ ethos of our current take-make-waste economy. Often stemming from necessity, activities carried out by informal workers are often highly efficient, maximising products’ and materials’ value and taking on circular activities that are largely overlooked or undervalued. Because of the role these workers play in recycling goods and materials—or selling second-hand products, for example—they have an unknown but potentially large effect on circularity. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The outcome? That LAC is actually only 1% circular is unlikely—but without a more accurate benchmark, it’ll be difficult for the region’s 33 nations to set targets, leverage the skills and expertise held in its informal sector and roll out more formal circular economy initiatives at scale. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As circular initiatives are often labour-intensive in certain sectors, the report points to the huge potential for job creation in LAC: nearly 9 million formal new jobs could be created if the agrifood, built environment, mobility and waste management sectors were to go all-in on circularity. But the high prevalence of informality in these sectors means that the transition’s impact on jobs could vary wildly—without clear data, it’s tough to tell how the policies driving the circular transition will affect work and workers, both formal and informal. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">How people, planet and business can thrive within an informal economy\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Shifting to a circular economy offers an opportunity to overhaul more than just our modes of production and consumption. If designed with social justice in mind, it can improve workers’ livelihoods: for example, under an inclusive circular economy, those currently working as informal waste collectors, dismantlers and recyclers could be better \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/thinking-beyond-borders-to-achieve-social-justice-in-a-global-circular-economy\">involved in dialogues \u003C/a>to transform economies for the better: from what is needed to ensure circular economy policies are fit for purpose to how to promote better working conditions. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">While addressing informality (especially within ‘circular’ sectors) will be critical, formalisation isn’t necessarily the end goal: many initiatives across LAC are already providing valuable examples of how informal workers can be protected and uplifted within current systems. Cataki, for example—an app dubbed ‘\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://atlasofthefuture.org/project/cataki/\">Tinder for Brazil’s street recyclers\u003C/a>’—matches local waste collectors (or \u003Cem id=\"\">catadores\u003C/em>) to those with waste to discard. The average Brazilian produces around 380 kilogrammes of solid waste each year, only 3% of which is recycled—the vast majority by waste pickers. The app helps these workers decide what recyclables to pick up, based on type and location, while fostering greater social awareness of and appreciation for \u003Cem id=\"\">catadores\u003C/em>. Policy efforts are also giving protection to informal workers: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.iea.org/policies/16005-law-20920-establishment-of-a-framework-for-waste-management-extended-producer-responsibility-and-recycling\">one Chilean law\u003C/a> has legitimised grassroots recyclers as essential waste management actors, also mandating that businesses must contribute to the formalisation, training and funding of these workers. \u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1920px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1920px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/659bc0d14e9ee13c24676d55_hermes-rivera-R1_ibA4oXiI-unsplash.jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Photo by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@hermez777?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash\">Hermes Rivera\u003C/a> on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/boy-holding-cardboard-box-R1_ibA4oXiI?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash\">Unsplash\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">LAC countries can also look beyond their borders for inspiration: the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.weforum.org/impact/data-benefits-ghana-fight-against-plastic-pollution/\">World Economic Forum’s Global Plastic Action Partnership\u003C/a>, for example, is using technology to measure the type and quantity of plastic waste pickers are collecting in Ghana—bringing transparency to value chains that can benefit \u003Cem id=\"\">all\u003C/em> stakeholders. Waste pickers could be uplifted through fairer wages, while socially-responsible companies will pay a premium for so-called ‘\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://plasticbank.com/social-plastic-program/\">social plastics\u003C/a>’. This benefits businesses as well as people, as research shows that consumers are \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://engageforgood.com/zenos-2020-strength-of-purpose/\">four times more likely\u003C/a> to buy from brands making a positive social impact. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Ultimately, the partnership could serve to bridge data gaps, too: new data collected will help inform public authorities and policymakers on where to build new recycling plants. \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.weforum.org/press/2022/09/ecuador-partners-with-world-economic-forum-in-fight-against-plastic-pollution/\">Ecuador\u003C/a>, the first country in Latin America to join the Partnership, will also be supported in capacity-building through access to global knowledge and practice networks—hopefully with the added benefit of uplifting informal workers. Apps, digital platforms and partnerships like these can also be leveraged to collect and put data to work, slowly bridging gaps to clarify current benchmarks and set targets. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Addressing the region’s blind spots \u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Data gaps associated with LAC’s informal economy perpetuates a vicious cycle: lacking statistics on large parts of the working population makes it hard to get a true picture of the circular economy in the region and how existing activities can be scaled. With a huge portion of economic activities invisible to policymakers, developing tailored strategies to bolster circularity is challenging—so while the informal economy is likely a hidden goldmine of circular practices, without recognition and support, its potential will remain untapped and workers within it risk being uncut by policies designed without data on where these jobs exist. Luckily, this may be set to change, with new standards to help countries collect better data on the informal economy adopted at \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_899692/lang--en/index.htm\">this year’s International Conference of Labour Statisticians\u003C/a>. Before we manage, we must measure: bringing the informal economy’s contributions to the circular transition to light will be a crucial piece of the puzzle in building a sustainable, resilient and socially just circular economy in LAC. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Informal workers can be uplifted in a way that boosts circularity in the region through actions including:\u003C/p>\u003Col id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Ensure that the contribution of the informal sector is not overlooked\u003C/strong>, and give these workers and their activities the recognition and protection they deserve. This could include working through cooperatives that spur collaboration and build up informal workers’ bargaining power.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Change the narrative around informal work and workers.\u003C/strong> These workers are not actually invisible: many formal companies actually rely on informally-source inputs for their operations to cut costs. Acknowledging the vital role they play in value chains of today and tomorrow is vital.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Bring informal workers to the table,\u003C/strong> by giving them a say in the policymaking process and thereby ensuring new policies do not knowingly undercut these workers. Give skilled informal workers recognition and accessible opportunities for further skills development.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Form data partnerships\u003C/strong> that can shine more light on the contribution informal workers make to the circular economy and working conditions. New standards—like those adopted by statisticians internationally this year—will help governments and businesses alike create a clearer picture of the world of work today and tomorrow.\u003C/li>\u003C/ol>",[],[],{"id":384,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":385,"updated_at":386,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":387,"contents":389,"contributors":398,"image":17},"yaou","2025-02-26T10:40:10.000Z","2025-02-27T09:03:31.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":388},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[390],{"id":391,"score":12,"body":392,"status":111,"article_id":384,"created_at":40,"updated_at":386,"published_at":386},"_elv",{"image":393,"title":394,"content":395,"summary":396,"attachment":397,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380809325-rtAkd-_n.jpg","Ireland’s booming economy is ruining its nature. Can it restore the balance?","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">This article was first published by \u003Ca href=\"https://www.renewablematter.eu/en/ireland-booming-economy-ruining-nature-restore-balance\">Renewable Matter\u003C/a> \u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">Ireland has every reason to be proud of itself. The global financial crisis of 2007 to 2009 dealt a severe blow to its economy, causing unemployment to soar and public debt to bloat. Today, the country boasts the EU’s second-highest per capita GDP, historically low unemployment and one of the highest Human Development Index (HDI) ratings. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Ireland has successfully expanded from its traditional agricultural roots to become a dynamic, service-oriented economy and a global leader in fields such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, and medical technologies. The young and talented of the world are flocking to the newly established tech hub, with Dublin \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://publicpolicy.ie/papers/data-centres-in-ireland/\">emerging\u003C/a> as the biggest data centre cluster in Europe. Over half (54%) of Ireland’s population aged 25 to 34 holds tertiary qualifications, compared to the EU average of 40%. Against the backdrop of ageing Europeans, the republic enjoys one of the youngest populations in the EU. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Ireland's economy is flourishing, leaving one to wonder if there's \u003Cstrong id=\"\">a hidden cost behind its remarkable success\u003C/strong>. There is. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">The country’s economic growth is devouring resources at an unprecedented rate. \u003C/strong>Its material consumption is at its \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/ireland\">highest point in five years\u003C/a>, accompanied by increased carbon emissions. Carbon emissions generated in Ireland grew by 8.1% between 1990 and 2021, making it one of the few EU countries where territorial emissions have not fallen compared to 1990. And this is only a part of the picture. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The country’s famed \u003Cstrong id=\"\">tech industry has a gargantuan appetite for energy\u003C/strong>. At 27%, the services sector, which includes tech, is Ireland’s \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/ireland\">second-largest\u003C/a> material consumer and the largest contributor to the carbon footprint at 36%. What’s more, roughly 58% of Ireland's carbon footprint is made up of emissions generated abroad and embodied in the products imported and consumed in the country—so-called ‘carbon leakage’. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Ireland at a crossroads\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Ireland’s rapid economic and population growth has driven the demand for housing, infrastructure, food, services, and manufactured goods. \u003Cstrong id=\"\">Meeting the needs\u003C/strong>—and growing expectations—\u003Cstrong id=\"\">of an increasingly affluent population comes at a significant environmental cost\u003C/strong>, both at home and abroad. High levels of material consumption are \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2023\">linked\u003C/a> to an array of environmental harms, including water scarcity, air pollution, nutrient overload in terrestrial and marine ecosystems, and climate change.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Although this economic profile is hardly unique to high-income nations, where environmental impacts grow alongside affluence, it does not free Ireland of its responsibility to address the harm inflicted on domestic and global ecosystems. But \u003Cstrong id=\"\">can it ever be in balance with nature again\u003C/strong>, and without compromising its high living standards? \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">The circular economy offers a solution to Ireland’s dilemma\u003C/strong>. By prioritising bio-based and recycled materials, extending product lifespans and ensuring effective recycling after use, economies can align environmental sustainability with societal wellbeing. Additionally, keeping materials in circulation reduces reliance on imports, including critical raw materials, which enhances economic resilience. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Transitioning to a circular economy can also drive investment in green technologies, reinforcing Ireland’s standing as an innovation hub. Crucially, the circular economy, with its focus on sustainable agriculture, could rectify the economic imbalance between rural areas and the cities, creating quality jobs where they are needed most. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Of course, the circular economy is not a silver bullet, and nor would the Irish economy ever aim to be 100% circular. The \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report Ireland, \u003C/em>written by impact organisation Circle Economy, estimates that\u003Cstrong id=\"\"> the Irish economy is \u003C/strong>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2023\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">2.7% circular\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> and suggests that reforms in key sectors could bump this to 8.4%. This would place Ireland slightly above the global circularity rate, currently measured at 7.2%. Still, the circular economy transition could reduce the country’s material consumption and carbon emissions by around one-third each—an impact worth the effort. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Winning the game by changing the rules\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Policies play a crucial role in the circular economy transition. By reforming the taxation system, realigning economic incentives, and updating labour policies, \u003Cstrong id=\"\">governments can create the conditions for circular businesses and practices to flourish\u003C/strong>. And the Irish government has already taken important steps towards this goal.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Ireland \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/the-circular-economy-in-ireland_7d25e0bb-en.html\">has shown commitment to the circular transition \u003C/a>since the early 2000s, for example, by imposing levies on plastic bags and reducing landfilling. However, Ireland’s approach has historically largely focused on waste management rather than transforming the entire economy, while circular practices work best when they are introduced across sectors. In this way, sectors can collaborate and exchange resources, creating closed-loop systems. What’s more, Ireland’s early measures prioritised recycling and recovery over more impactful strategies like prevention, repair, and reuse. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In December 2021, Ireland introduced its first \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b542d-whole-of-government-circular-economy-strategy-2022-2023-living-more-using-less/\">Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy\u003C/a>, outlining \u003Cstrong id=\"\">a more comprehensive approach to the circular economy\u003C/strong>. It acknowledged the public sector's role in supporting circular economy initiatives, for example, through green public procurement. It also highlighted the importance of involving diverse stakeholders, developing sectoral roadmaps and raising awareness about circular practices. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The initial circular economy strategy lacked sector-specific goals and roadmaps, but it set the ball rolling. Building on this foundation, the Irish Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications commissioned \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://circularity-gap.world/ireland\">the \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report \u003C/em>(CGR®)\u003C/a>. This study analysed the nation’s material flows and circularity levels, benchmarking them against international standards. \u003Cstrong id=\"\">The \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report Ireland\u003C/em> informed the development of the second Whole of Government Circular Economy strategy\u003C/strong>, which will establish statutory, sector-specific targets and tackle implementation barriers, driving progress across key areas.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Ireland's spectacular growth over the past decades has demonstrated the nation is more than capable of rapid economic transformation. Today, the country stands on the brink of another momentous change. The government, businesses, and citizens must act decisively to implement the reforms outlined in the circular economy strategy—or risk falling behind in the global shift toward a greener economy.\u003C/p>","Ireland's economy is flourishing, leaving one to wonder if there's a hidden cost behind its remarkable success. There is.",[],[],{"id":400,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":401,"updated_at":402,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":403,"contents":405,"contributors":414,"image":17},"Ng6n","2024-09-20T11:56:17.000Z","2024-09-26T07:24:07.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":404},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[406],{"id":407,"score":12,"body":408,"status":111,"article_id":400,"created_at":40,"updated_at":402,"published_at":413},"hEvA",{"image":409,"title":410,"content":411,"summary":16,"attachment":412,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380811141-lhM4CK3H.jpg","It's time to get specific on how circular economy strategies can service just transitions","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">This article was first published by Renewable Matter\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cbr>\u003Cem>Photo by \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@tanusree_1710?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash\">\u003Cem>Tanusree Mitra\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem> on \u003C/em>\u003Ca href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/a-couple-of-people-in-a-warehouse-G2P85397im8?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash\">\u003Cem>Unsplash\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cbr>‍\u003Cbr>As climate change’s impact on people becomes increasingly clear, calls for a ‘just transition’ are growing—but what issues this seemingly self-explanatory term sets out to tackle varies widely due to differences in the social and ecological challenges faced by governments and social partners embracing it. Originally coined by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://climatejusticealliance.org/just-transition/\">labour unions and environmentalists\u003C/a> and largely applied to workers in the context of the energy transition, and later formalised in \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.ilo.org/media/435091/download\">guidelines\u003C/a> from the International Labour Organization (ILO), the meaning of ‘just transition’ has broadened in recent years to include those most affected by—but least responsible for—the climate crisis, including women, communities of colour, and Indigenous people. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">New York Climate Week—kicking off today—centres on the energy transition, highlighting that it must be carried out with urgency while foreseeing and tackling the new challenges that arise.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">But as the energy transition picks up speed—and with it demand for materials to drive it—we must be clear on how circular economy strategies can be used to create a balanced, coordinated and just transition.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Just transitions around the world\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Increased attention for the just transition is certainly a positive development: it provides an opportunity for us all to begin to fully comprehend and address contextual and structural constraints that stand in the way of sustainable development. But it also comes with challenges—ensuring that ‘just’ solutions are not just talked about but actually realised through proactive social dialogue and the development of locally-relevant measures.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Europe’s just transition is strongly linked to supporting workers transitioning out of carbon-intensive industries—those working in coal-powered energy, for example—and the concept of ‘social fairness’, while Latin America’s just transition calls for profound systemic change for and by people and nature. In Latin America, it’s often used to advocate for the rights of historically affected communities fighting \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://25176774.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/25176774/GLOSSARY-FOR-CLIMATE-JUSTICE.pdf\">economic dispossession and environmental degradation \u003C/a>from different national and international projects. Such as the I\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.sei.org/features/wind-energu-wayuu-la-guajira/\">ndigenous communities negotiating the distribution of benefit-sharing\u003C/a> from wind energy projects in Colombia. In some African countries, the just transition is now aimed at reducing inequalities between countries in the Global North and South by ensuring reparations for the negative social and environmental impacts of export-led industries: such as for the \u003Cem id=\"\">Kayayei,\u003C/em> translated as \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://atmos.earth/kantamanto-market-ghana-clothing-waste-women/\">‘she who carries the burden’\u003C/a>, referring to ‘head porters’ in Ghana’s secondhand clothing markets that transport heavy bales of textiles—largely imported from the EU—on their heads. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">The circular economy is a means—social and ecological justice is the end\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) in Brussels in April was \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.sitra.fi/en/publications/wcef2024-summary-report/#results-from-wcef2024\">awash with calls for a just transition\u003C/a>, signalling the global circular economy community’s readiness to change the conversation.  With the next WCEF set to take place in Brazil in 2025, leading up to what is being coined \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.iddri.org/en/publications-and-events/blog-post/g20-cop30-pathway-climate-ambition-and-just-transition\">the ‘just transition COP\u003C/a>’, now’s the time to get clear on what the circular economy means for just transition.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The circular economy’s link to climate justice can be seen as implicit, given its core aim of providing sustainable access to resources and regenerating living systems. Unfortunately, how this plays out in industrial policy and economics—where circularity has largely taken hold—has often left its justice-related elements lagging behind. In \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/decent-work-in-the-circular-economy\">our 2023 report\u003C/a>—a collaboration between Circle Economy, the ILO, and the World Bank— we found that out of more than 30,000 academic reports published on the circular economy between 1995 and 2022, only 1.4% focused on its social impact. When looking at circular economy roadmaps and strategies that are emerging around the world, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.unido.org/news/1st-study-national-circular-economy-roadmaps-unido-and-chatham-house\">Chatham House and UNIDO\u003C/a> recently found that policy areas vital for an inclusive transition—like workers’ rights, consumer rights, trade policy and international governance—were rarely included. \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://bankwatch.org/project/just-transition\">Bankwatch\u003C/a> has echoed similar findings related to financing in the EU, with circular economy projects receiving little or no attention in 28 Territorial Just Transition Plans reviewed. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The lack of explicit social measures within circular economy research, funding and policy is a barrier to progress. For circular economy strategies to truly and effectively bring about the systemic transformation it is pegged to, we need evidence of how they can be used as a means to tackle both environmental impacts and entrenched socioeconomic inequalities. This is something we encountered early on in the development of our \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/circular-jobs-initiative\">Circular Jobs Initiative\u003C/a>: city stakeholders made it clear they needed to know what a ‘circular city’ would mean for their residents—and these residents’ jobs—before they could get serious about scaling the approach. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In essence? The circular economy will not contribute to just transitions by default—we must make sure it does so. By getting explicit about what the circular economy offers a just transition in different countries, industries and communities and by identifying which measures are needed to make sure circular strategies are ‘just’ by design. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">This could imply a simple shift in thinking for circular economy practitioners: instead of exploring what is needed for a just transition to the circular economy—where a ‘circularity’ is the end goal—we can consider how circular initiatives can help bring about a broader just transition: towards a system that operates within our planet's safe limits that leaves no one behind. With this framing, the circular economy can be seen as a tool for sustainable development: one that can be leveraged widely to achieve sustainable development goals, provide sustainable livelihoods in countries adapting to new policies and the emergence of new green industries and technologies, or help \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.un.org/en/land-natural-resources-conflict/\">build resilience to climate change and conflict\u003C/a>, for example. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Circular economy strategies are already serving just transitions\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circular economy strategies are already presenting \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/660e6ab397d018af5707c94a_20240325%20-%20CGR%202024%20-%20Policy%20briefs%20-%20Finance%20(1).pdf\">opportunities for local and national stakeholders looking to boost social and economic development \u003C/a>in ways that also tackle environmental issues. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Italy’s 2018 \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://just2ce.eu/case-studies/ex-ilva-taranto/\">Taranto Plan\u003C/a>, for example, details the city’s shift from a linear, steel manufacturing-based economy to a restorative and regenerative circular economy. The plan emphasised the need for concerted solutions for economic and social transformation, with \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/whats-new/newsroom/20-12-2022-eu-cohesion-policy-eur1-billion-for-a-just-climate-transition-in-italy_en\">just transition funds being used to retrain 4,300 workers\u003C/a> for green jobs in the clean energy transition and circular business models amongst SMEs, enabled by the EU’s Just Transition Fund. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Chile’s industry association, ChileAlimentos, has been working with the processed food sector in two main areas to revalorise \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.espaciofoodservice.cl/en/los-productos-organicos-representan-un-impulso-para-las-exportaciones-chilenas-de-alimentos/\">organic waste \u003C/a>while providing accreditation schemes for both formal and informal organic waste workers. \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.centroevaluacionchilealimentos.cl/quienesomos\">ChileAlimentos’ Labour Skills Assessment Center\u003C/a> has provided sector-specific certifications since 2006, with recent offerings including certifications in organic waste valorisation and optimisation. The Centre recognises workers' skills and abilities regardless of how they were acquired—including skills learned informally—and provides certification, following the National System for Certification of Labour Skills.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The circular economy has a lot of potential to create alternative livelihoods in regions that have experienced industrial decline, drive local revitalisation and valorise skills and knowledge held in informal economies. This can help to ensure that changes made at the industry, city or national level lead to widely shared economic benefits and minimise environmental impacts. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Putting the circular economy at the heart of sustainable development\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">As demand for materials to drive the energy transition grows, circularity is a much-needed tool for ensuring a balanced, coordinated and just transition. This is thrown into sharper focus when put in the context of \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.un.org/en/land-natural-resources-conflict/\">the words of the former UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon\u003C/a>: ‘the challenges associated with preventing, managing and resolving natural resource-induced conflicts may well come to define global peace and security in the 21st century.’\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The setting of WCEF and COP in Latin America in 2025 means the rights of workers must and will be centre stage. The challenge we pose to ourselves and other circular economy advocates in the run-up to and aftermath of these milestone events: Make climate justice an explicit aim of your initiatives. In the process, help develop, capture and share examples of the circular economy’s social benefits, as well as the challenges that need to be addressed to unlock them. Use this evidence to, in turn, inform measures that support a just transition, from the inclusion of social conditionalities in national circular economy roadmaps and international trade agreements to educational reform and strengthened social protection for workers in circular sectors. This will be fundamental to the circular economy’s adoption on the broader global stage—as a tool for just transition towards a system that operates within our planet's safe limits and that leaves no one behind.\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Learn more about the Circular Jobs Initiative\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">Learn more about how we are promoting better evidence of decent work in the circular economy through our \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/circular-jobs-initiative/initiatives\">Jobs in the circular economy initiative\u003C/a> with the International Labour Organization and the Solutions for Youth Employment Programme at the World Bank Group \u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Interested in understanding the socioeconomic impact of circular economy policies? Get in touch with the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/circular-jobs-initiative\">Circular Jobs Initiative\u003C/a>. \u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Feeling curious? Explore our flagship digital map of circular jobs around the world: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circular-jobs.world/\">Circular Jobs Monitor\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>",[],"2024-09-26T07:24:14.000Z",[],{"id":416,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":417,"updated_at":418,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":419,"contents":421,"contributors":430,"image":17},"CgqU","2024-03-27T08:46:59.000Z","2024-03-27T08:55:06.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":420},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[422],{"id":423,"score":12,"body":424,"status":111,"article_id":416,"created_at":40,"updated_at":418,"published_at":418},"GGMI",{"image":425,"title":426,"content":427,"summary":428,"attachment":429,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380813176-GhOK5wic.jpg","Less is more? Degrowth, green growth and the future of our economy","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">This article was first published by \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.renewablematter.eu/articoli/article/less-is-more-degrowth-green-growth-future-of-our-economy\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Renewable Matter.\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">‘We don’t need a new growth model—we need a new economic model,’ says Álvaro Conde, Researcher at Circle Economy Foundation\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Imagine a world where overwhelming narratives on climate change are a thing of the past, with healthy air, clean water and fertile soil. And no one’s had to suffer for it—people around the world live good lives. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">This isn’t a pipe dream. According to the recently launched \u003Ca href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2024\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report 2024\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">,\u003C/em> we can fulfil the world’s need for basic societal needs—housing, food, transport and manufactured goods, for example—with just 70% of the materials we use now. This highlights the massive volume of materials wasted by the global economy: the way we extract, process, use and dispose of materials is riddled with inefficiencies—and in addition, we’re consuming far too much. Now, academics from all corners are calling for an overhaul of the system.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Degrowth—an answer to our calls for environmental action—is now seeping from the fringes of political thought into the mainstream. Last May, for example, saw European MPs convening at the Beyond Growth conference, which brought together more than 2,000 participants to create an action plan for our addiction to consumption. But what does degrowth really mean—and what other alternative economic narratives are gaining steam? \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14747731.2020.1812222?journalCode=rglo20\" target=\"_self\">Defined\u003C/a> as a ‘planned reduction of energy and resource use to bring the economy back into balance with the living world’, degrowth is inherently centred on wellbeing. The movement aims to \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ontgroei.degrowth.net/policies-for-degrowth/\" target=\"_self\">upend the engine of capitalism\u003C/a>—by, for example, rolling out basic income grants and four-day work weeks, and restricting advertising—while exempting the Global South. In essence, its goal is to lessen the activities driving socially-unnecessary growth—and the environmental damage these cause. This means shifting away from the ubiquitous use of GDP as the North Star of development, replacing it with a new, well-being-centred model that brings human activity back within planetary boundaries. Once disparaged or deemed utopian, the concept has shot to relative fame in the wake of rigorous scientific attention—now, it’s the subject of around 600 studies, with the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2023-2024/wp-8-climate-energy-and-mobility_horizon-2023-2024_en.pdf\" target=\"_self\">EU funding further research\u003C/a> on the topic through its Horizon 2020 programme.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Degrowth was born as a reaction to green growth—championed by some as a way to green business as usual, without rethinking the current economic system. Opinions of the merits of each differ vastly, however. Last year, we \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://open.spotify.com/episode/1dAznXCuH983EJdNkBvTgm?si=17dd19b780ca46d8\" target=\"_self\">sat down to chat with\u003C/a> researcher Álvaro Conde about all things degrowth, green growth and circular economy. This conversation busts degrowth and green growth myths, exploring how—and whether—they could become a reality. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">It’s time to redefine prosperity and put people and planet above profit\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">In the minds of many, a shrinking economy invites wariness, bringing to mind skyrocketing costs of living and pay that falls well below inflation. But although a reduction in GDP may be a side effect of the concept, degrowth isn’t a recession—and nor does it need to \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800923002409\" target=\"_self\">threaten livelihoods\u003C/a>. Instead of centring its definition on a shrinking GDP, we have to remove the goalposts of GDP completely, according to Álvaro. The concept takes a wholly different approach and aims to redefine prosperity: it’s about building an economy that works for people and planet, rather than one in which people work to build a growing economy. Beginning to question how this economy is structured and who it benefits is also key.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">This is especially relevant as economic growth continues to be conflated with prosperity—and continually pushed for despite ample evidence to the contrary, even against the backdrop of the fading American dream. While increased material use—and economic growth along with it—have long propelled human affluence, this progress has come at a staggering cost; and while some nations massively overconsume, others still fail to meet basic living standards. And despite growth around the world, inequality \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.un.org/en/un75/inequality-bridging-divide\" target=\"_self\">within countries is worsening\u003C/a>, with nearly three-quarters of the world population living in countries where this is the case. This means that while a country may get richer, it doesn’t always say a lot about the state of its residents: the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.ft.com/content/ef265420-45e8-497b-b308-c951baa68945\" target=\"_self\">richest 10% of Americans\u003C/a>, for example, have the world’s highest top-decile disposable incomes, while the poorest 10% have lower living standards than the poorest residents of 14 European countries. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Ultimately, growth has long been built on a foundation of exploitation, becoming unmoored from wellbeing. So why is it still being used as the gold standard for development?\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">What about green growth?\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-dangerous-myth-of-degrowth/\" target=\"_self\">Degrowth naysayers\u003C/a> tout another solution: green growth. Here, the GDP focus remains: proponents claim economic output can be decoupled from its environmental impact, citing evidence of some Global North countries that have \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lanplh/PIIS2542-5196(23)00174-2.pdf\" target=\"_self\">cut consumption-based emissions\u003C/a> while growing their economies. Emissions, however, aren’t everything—research proves that material use is a \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1162/1088198043630432\" target=\"_self\">proxy\u003C/a> for a range of environmental blights, of which excess carbon is only one. In spite of the progress made to decouple emissions and economic growth, along with other promising reductions in air and water pollution, for many countries, consumption simply remains too high. Although \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/sweden\" target=\"_self\">Sweden\u003C/a>, for example, has grown its economy at a higher rate than its material consumption, this \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/sweden\" target=\"_self\">remains staggeringly high\u003C/a>—more than three times the estimated sustainable level.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1920px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1920px\">\u003Cdiv>\u003Cimg alt=\"__wf_reserved_inherit\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/6603dc82792866b6f24b76a3_chris-leboutillier-TUJud0AWAPI-unsplash%20(1).jpg\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption>In spite of the progress made to decouple emissions and economic growth, for many countries, consumption simply remains too high. Photo by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@chrisleboutillier?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash\">Chris LeBoutillier\u003C/a> on \u003Ca href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/white-and-black-ship-on-sea-under-white-clouds-TUJud0AWAPI?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash\">Unsplash\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Green growth advocates envision a world where we have it all: economic growth and a livable planet. Here, Hickel’s ‘\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.jasonhickel.org/less-is-more\" target=\"_self\">less is more\u003C/a>’ is flipped into the pithy ‘\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-why-degrowth-is-the-worst-idea-on-the-planet/\" target=\"_self\">more from less\u003C/a>’: a nod to green growth’s focus on efficiency improvements and technological solutions instead of an absolute reduction in material consumption. According to Álvaro, however, the tenet leaves out a crucial challenge in the race against climate breakdown: time. And time is exactly what we lack most.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Green growth’s success would depend on the decoupling of growth from \u003Cem id=\"\">all\u003C/em> environmental pressures—from emissions and material use to biodiversity loss—in all countries, at a quick and continuous enough pace to prevent ecological collapse. ‘All’ is the key word here: while many countries have decoupled emissions and growth, others have emitted more year on year—in Spring 2023, atmospheric carbon reached the highest level ever recorded. Even countries successfully cutting their emissions are also moving \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Imagining-Europe-Beyond-Growth-May-2022.pdf\" target=\"_self\">far too slowly\u003C/a>, at a rate of 1–2% per year—a far cry from the 8–10% needed to limit warming to 1.5-degrees. Time is in short supply: with the need to take concerted action \u003Cem id=\"\">now\u003C/em>, de-prioritising GDP growth is essential, degrowth advocates urge. Climate experts agree: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01198-2\" target=\"_self\">recent research\u003C/a> nods to growing scepticism of green growth’s potential.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Where the circular economy comes into play\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Although degrowth has been criticised as ‘mythic’, many of the strategies we need to operationalise it and sharply reduce material use are already in place. This is where the circular economy comes into play: with its toolbox of strategies that design out waste and keep products and materials in use for as long as possible at their highest possible value, the circular economy can be the vehicle for degrowth’s practical realisation. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">By tackling sectors that use vast quantities of virgin materials—think energy, construction and agriculture—sufficiency-based circular strategies can help us both boost efficiency and cut material demand and consumption, in a way that benefits people. This will mean rethinking how we provide people with the things and services they need. While some changes will impact the way we live and work (eating less meat or not owning an SUV, for example) others will hardly be felt in our day-to-day lives: prioritising wood over concrete in building, for example, or ensuring that heavy machinery and capital equipment is made to last and can be repaired and remanufactured. Ultimately, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-04412-x\" target=\"_self\">policies for degrowth\u003C/a>—better public services, from transport to education, green jobs guarantees to tackle unemployment and even shorter working weeks—will be overwhelmingly positive.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">These solutions aren’t new and aren’t overly reliant on technology, but rolled out at scale their \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2023\" target=\"_self\">impact could be massive\u003C/a>. Take Ecopower, the biggest energy cooperative in Belgium, as an example: contrary to the average energy business, its aim is for customers to use the littlest energy possible—and benefits members by reinvesting profits in local communities. Renewable energy is supplied in a way that puts the prosperity of users and the planet—rather than shareholders—front and centre.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">It’s time for a new economic paradigm to shepherd us through this time of transition—and circular economy strategies will underpin this: ‘We want to end up with a thriving, regenerative and distributive economy, and degrowth is the means for getting there,’ notes Álvaro.\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003Cem id=\"\">‍\u003C/em>\u003C/h1>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Learn more\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circle Economy Foundation advocates for sharp reductions in material use, and we work with cities and nations to make this a reality. \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/contact\" target=\"_self\">Get in touch\u003C/a> to learn how your city or nation can cut its consumption and lessen its environmental impact. Curious to learn more about the role of policy, finance and labour in enabling the circular transition? Read the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2024\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report 2024\u003C/em>\u003C/a> to learn more about how we can make this a reality. Want to learn more about all things degrowth? Listen to our podcast Talking Circular \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://open.spotify.com/episode/1dAznXCuH983EJdNkBvTgm?si=17dd19b780ca46d8\" target=\"_self\">here\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>","We don’t need a new growth model—we need a new economic model",[],[],{"id":432,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":433,"updated_at":434,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":435,"contents":437,"contributors":445,"image":17},"YLrd","2023-05-15T13:34:38.000Z","2024-02-23T16:07:39.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":436},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[438],{"id":439,"score":12,"body":440,"status":111,"article_id":432,"created_at":40,"updated_at":434,"published_at":112},"KPno",{"image":441,"title":442,"content":443,"summary":16,"attachment":444,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380815143-GWLiEJic.png","Lessons from nature: how biomimicry can help us ‘build back better’ and shape a sustainable built environment","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">This article was originally published by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.greenbiz.com/article/biomimicrys-role-shaping-sustainable-built-environment\">GreenBiz. \u003C/a>‍\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Nature has had \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fOhYK3Y_hI7hPvB-uI4gzMi1G2QPuZeA/view\">3.8 billion years\u003C/a> to learn not only what works, but what works best. Mimicking the natural world to solve the complexities and challenges of the built environment isn’t new: we’ve let nature guide and inspire design and architecture for millenia, from ancient Indian \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ehistory.osu.edu/exhibitions/biomimicry-a-history#:~:text=Silk%20is%20one%20of%20the,learn%20from%20the%20brilliant%20worm.\">rock-cut architecture\u003C/a> in 6000 BCE to gothic cathedrals. Now, attention is turning to biomimicry once again for its sustainability benefits: with growing realisation of how urbanisation, industrialisation, and unfettered economic growth are impacting our world, we’re looking to nature for solutions. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Our current way of building is material-intensive and polluting—it’s responsible for around one-quarter of land system change and 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, for example, and barrels past \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2023\">multiple planetary boundaries\u003C/a>. And we’re not slowing down anytime soon: on a global scale, we’re \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.vinzero.com/post/with-a-city-the-size-of-paris-constructed-every-week-driving-circularity-is-now-critical\">building up an area the size of Paris each week\u003C/a>. Amidst all this growth, we need to think smarter. The latest \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.ipcc.ch/assessment-report/ar6/\">IPCC report\u003C/a> issued yet another dire warning, and calls out the critical role of the built environment in climate change mitigation. The industry has the power to shape a more resilient, nature-positive economy, and nature can show us how: from the city level to the building design level to the material and component level, there’s a wealth of examples from which to learn.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Cities for the future: biomimetic design at the city level\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.iguana-architects.com/the-mobius-project\">Mobius project's\u003C/a> futuristic-looking greenhouse showcases just what cities need now: a way to manage a city’s infrastructure system—from waste treatment to the water system, for example—through a closed-loop circular economy approach. Iguana Architects, the project’s creator, modelled this after the oak tree, which is one of nature’s brilliant examples that has the potential to reuse its output resources such as materials, energy and water therefore acting as a closed-loop system and conserving resources. By mimicking a natural ecosystem, Mobius rethinks water treatment, energy generation and waste management.  Biological waste, for example, is turned into locally grown food, cutting down on the food miles—or it’s turned into methane to generate electricity for the greenhouse. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1600px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1600px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Computer model for the Mobius project\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/64623450d4102a7ab75aff5e_80370b03.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Computer model for the Mobius project. Source: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.iguana-architects.com/the-mobius-project\">Iguana architects website\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">Many cities struggle to plant their own food, especially those in drier regions. While the desert has long been thought of as lifeless, the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"http://www.exploration-architecture.com/projects/sahara-forest-project\">Sahara Forest Project\u003C/a> is trying to create life in one of the most inhospitable environments on Earth. Once again, nature had many lessons: researchers studied how the Namibian fog-basking beetle has always survived in such an arid environment, finding that it attracts and collects water droplets from fog and wind to drink. The beetle’s hydrophilic shell allows it to survive in a climate that only receives one centimetre of water per year. Based on this finding, the idea of the seawater-cooled greenhouse was born. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">That’s not all—solar panels were also arranged to receive light reflected from a mirror to harvest the sun’s power at an exponential rate. Exploration, the architectural firm behind this project, created a one hectare pilot project—such a success that they claim that ‘a facility with 60 hectares of greenhouses could provide all the cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers and aubergines currently imported into Qatar.’ The project has now been scaled and successfully implemented in Jordan and Tunisia. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1600px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1600px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Computer model of the vision for the Sahara Forest Project.\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/64623450ec4cb68728b1eff5_2167ac9c.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Computer model of the vision for the Sahara Forest Project. Source: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"http://www.exploration-architecture.com/projects/sahara-forest-project\">Exploration architecture website\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">Single creatures may have a lot to teach us, but so do entire ecosystems. Inspired by the concept of ecological succession, in which \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.britannica.com/science/ecological-succession\">the structure of a biological community evolves over time\u003C/a>, Jan Kudlicka and his team came up with a plan to regenerate the low-income Rio settlement \u003Cem id=\"\">favela da Rocinha\u003C/em>. His plan: organising the region in vertical levels, with the ground floor for stores, medical offices and other services, the middle layer for living, and the rooftops destined for playgrounds, open air cinema and gardens. This optimises the use of space in a crowded area that cannot grow out but must grow ‘up’, as space is limited by the mountains above and the city below. The project also seeks to \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://architecturemps.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/mc_london_jimc3a9nez_salvador_oscar1.pdf\">regenerate the structure of existing buildings\u003C/a> instead of tearing them down to build new ones—thus saving on materials and minimising pollution. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1600px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1600px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"At the first level is the zone for services, in the middle the living area, and above the recreation zone\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/6462344ebecc06df3fe2dd97_c13ab33e.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">At the first level is the zone for services, in the middle the living area, and above the recreation zone. Source: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://issuu.com/yann.kuto/docs/presentation_favelas\">issuu website\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Biomimetic buildings: how nature has inspired centuries of architecture\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Renowned architects—from Antonio Gaudi (1852–1926) to Buckminster Fuller (1895–1983) to Frei Otto (1925–2015)—have drawn inspiration from nature when dreaming up their buildings. Even the Eiffel Tower is said to have been based on the structure of the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.thenatureofcities.com/2016/11/30/from-biomimicry-to-ecomimicry-reconnecting-cities-and-ourselves-to-earths-balances/\">human femur\u003C/a>. Biomimicry has been on architects' minds for a while, but now it is being explored at a new level.  \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Recently, inspiration has been garnered from something that appears fragile at first glance. The \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"http://www.exploration-architecture.com/projects/the-eden-project-biomes\">Eden project\u003C/a>, a giant greenhouse inspired by the biblical Garden of Eden, was designed to resemble soap bubbles—optimally positioned in the sun to allow for complete self-heating. Dragonfly wings served as inspiration for the best way to assemble pieces of steel—allowing for a lightweight structure that required fewer carbon emissions to transport from place to place. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1600px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1600px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"The Eden Project, which was inspired by soap bubbles.\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/64623451e02d293e82a08fa6_4a62e063.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">The Eden Project, which was inspired by soap bubbles. Source: Photo by\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@benjaminelliott?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\"> Benjamin Elliott\u003C/a> on\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/s/photos/eden-project?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\"> Unsplash\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Lightweighting is a primary concern in designing the built environment: doing more with less. While hemp and bamboo are stand-out options, we can also draw inspiration from the abalone shell. Chemically, its composition is similar to that of blackboard chalk, although there’s a key structural difference between the two—the manner in which the shell’s calcium carbonate discs are layered make the formation 3,000 times stronger. By mimicking the discs, we can create strong structures with half the volume of materials, reducing the need for virgin materials in construction. Inspired by these abalone discs, scientists are working towards developing \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://cee.engin.umich.edu/2018/05/30/bendable-concrete-with-a-design-inspired-by-seashells-can-make-us-infrastructure-safer-and-more-durable/\">bendable concrete\u003C/a> that can extend infrastructure’s service life while reducing costs. Nature is an ingenious engineer! \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1600px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1600px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"The abalone-shell inspired design by Exploration Architecture\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/6462344ee00a1c222adf1e4b_de0d0303.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">The abalone-shell inspired design by Exploration Architecture. Source: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"http://www.exploration-architecture.com/projects/abalone-house\">Exploration Architecture website\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Biomimicry for building materials: zooming in to the microscopic level\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">We can narrow down to a microscopic level to learn which other tricks nature has up her sleeve. The lotus leaf, for example, boasts tiny \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://nanografi.com/blog/lotus-effect-in-nanotechnology\">hairs\u003C/a> covered with a waxy coating that allows it to stay dry. The lotus leaf’s structure has inspired a protective coating for external areas that is water—and dirt—repellent, decreasing buildings’ need for maintenance. When it \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.archiexpo.com/prod/sto-ag/product-56990-945670.html\">rains, the droplets just roll off\u003C/a>, picking up dirt on the way down. This decreases the need for protective finishings, which are usually toxic and can be harsh on the environment. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1600px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1600px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/64623454becc06df3fe2e56a_ae2a6e39.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Lotus leaves are water repellent. Photo by\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/ja/@gmalhotra?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\"> Gayatri Malhotra\u003C/a> on\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/0-cVk3W0SGY?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\"> Unsplash\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Limestone-producing bacteria have also served as inspiration to cut maintenance costs by millions of euros while extending buildings’ lifespans. Hendrick Jonkers, a researcher from TU Delft, was fascinated by the way bones regenerate themselves after being broken, and wanted to translate this into regeneration in the built environment. He discovered that certain bacteria can produce limestone, filling the gaps and cracks that affect concrete structures over time. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1600px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1600px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Self healing concrete containing bacteria.\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/6462344fda4c44c69d10a672_ef7ff534.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Self healing concrete containing bacteria. \u003Cem id=\"\">Image: \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.flickr.com/photos/uclnews/8518049675\">\u003Cem id=\"\">UCL, Institute of Making/Robert Eagle via flickr\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">  \u003C/em>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">From the micro to macro level, nature has the power to inspire\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Nature can be used to guide urban planning for sustainable cities, shape individual buildings and even act as a muse for material innovation. We already have an expansive library of solutions—we just have to roll them out at scale.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Given the built environment’s impact, it’s time to get serious about building in a way that harmonises with, rather than harms, nature. While biomimetic design is definitely not the holy grail towards achieving a regenerative built environment, it could become a source of inspiration. We like to think of ourselves as the most intelligent species—but Mother Earth has many more years of experience and she is happy to share her free intellectual property. \u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Learn more\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">At Circle Economy, we believe that it is essential to design a built environment that regenerates and restores the natural environment. We advise cities around the world on how to adopt and apply \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://knowledge-hub.circle-lab.com/frameworks/9?n=Key-elements-of-the-circular-economy\">frameworks\u003C/a> for a circular and regenerative economy. Read our report on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/the-amsterdam-city-doughnut-a-tool-for-transformative-action\">The Amsterdam City Doughnut: A tool for transformative action\u003C/a> to find out more. If you would like to work with us, don’t hesitate to send a message through our \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/programmes/built-environment\">website\u003C/a>. \u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":4,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":8,"updated_at":9,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":447,"contents":449,"contributors":453,"image":17},{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":448},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[450],{"id":105,"score":12,"body":451,"status":111,"article_id":4,"created_at":40,"updated_at":9,"published_at":112},{"image":107,"title":108,"content":109,"summary":16,"attachment":452,"imageCaption":16},[],[],{"id":455,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":456,"updated_at":457,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":458,"contents":460,"contributors":468,"image":17},"-lyZ","2023-05-03T10:02:07.000Z","2024-02-23T16:34:51.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":459},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[461],{"id":462,"score":12,"body":463,"status":111,"article_id":455,"created_at":40,"updated_at":457,"published_at":112},"Jm19",{"image":464,"title":465,"content":466,"summary":16,"attachment":467,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380821662-zMI6OMJ-.JPG","Measuring what matters: The indicators needed to drive social benefits with the circular economy","\u003Cp id=\"\">The circular economy can result in a social transformation and improve the way we live and work if embraced—and measured!—with this intention. While the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.ipcc.ch/assessment-report/ar6/\">latest IPCC report\u003C/a> issues a dire warning, it also notes the circular economy’s potential to improve human well-being and create jobs, in addition to delivering environmental benefits. But for this to become a reality, we need to \u003Cstrong id=\"\">capture, measure and report on the change we want to see\u003C/strong>. Primarily, we must better use employment and work-related indicators to monitor progress towards our goal. For these reasons, Circle Economy and PACE have joined forces on the Circular Economy Indicators Coalition (CEIC) to identify and increase the use of a more holistic set of indicators by decision makers engaging with the circular economy. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Inclusive circular economy decision-making needs quality employment and social impact indicators \u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Policymakers and businesses interested in designing and implementing circular economy interventions require data and tools that showcase potential benefits and allow them\u003Cstrong id=\"\"> to monitor their progress and evaluate employment and social impacts\u003C/strong>. However, given the topic's novelty, the quality and scope of circular employment indicators needed for sound evidence-based policymaking and strategising are limited. Moreover, their connection to specific social indicators is yet to be mapped. This identified gap is imperative to address if these interventions are to be ‘truly’ good alternatives to our ‘take-make-waste’ (linear) economy. This is particularly important for those interested in assessing circular interventions for their employment potential, creating decent jobs, successfully managing the redeployment of workers affected by the transition to low-carbon industries and ensuring the inclusion of disadvantaged groups in changes underway in labour markets and economies around the world.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">For the reasons mentioned above, the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://pacecircular.org/circular-economy-indicators-coalition-0\">Circular Economy Indicators Coalition\u003C/a> has added an employment track to provide an overview of the existing circular employment and related social indicators. To achieve this, we interviewed many leading institutions, such as the ILO, IndustriALL, OECD, or Rreuse, on the challenges they face in using existing indicators to monitor circular economy interventions' working and social context. This is what we found:\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Measuring employment in circular economy interventions\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The circular economy can potentially empower existing sectors, enhance local employment through the repair and reuse sectors and create new opportunities for entrepreneurs in new circular business models. Quality data and indicators are needed to design circular strategies that bring the potential for social impacts into the decision-making room. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Yet, current circular activity is captured inadequately. For example, it is hard to differentiate between maintenance from repair activities or volunteer-based circular activities such as repair cafes or reuse exchange platforms. This is partly due to the lack of a standardised circular economy taxonomy and the rigidity of industrial sectoral classification codes, making it very challenging to get a good overview of the breadth and depth of circular activity. Also, it is tough to disaggregate non-circular activities in sectors deemed ‘circular’. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In databases, some circular economy interventions, such as recovering and recycling, are overrepresented and more detailed than others. Meanwhile, more novel ones such as rethinking, reusing and repairing are less represented and can also be hard to distinguish from one another. One crucial barrier that hampers these issues being addressed is the extent to which structural adjustment to national accounts statistics would have to be made and coordinated across agreeing parties. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Capturing circular activity and related employment is tricky \u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">A recycling company is easily recognised in existing databases as it is a category in industrial classification codes. However, a company that sells product A but also offers take-back and repair or remanufacturing services for that product is classified in these databases as a retailer of product X. Thereby, based on the existing classification codes, it is impossible to know which companies in a certain retail category engage in circular activities and which do not.\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Nevertheless, awareness and efforts to improve the granularity of circular economy data relating to employment are growing. Yet less effort is put into sound social indicators to monitor the social impacts of circular economy interventions and the progress towards the overall transition. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Maximising the social dimension of the circular economy\u003C/em>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circular economy practitioners often view the concept as a response to environmental challenges, therefore overlooking the social implications of circular interventions. Such preconceptions could explain the struggle among the interviewed to link the social dimension of work to circular economy indicators. As identified in our \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://pacecircular.org/sites/default/files/2021-04/CircularIndicatorsForGovernments_FINAL.pdf\">Circular Indicators for Governments\u003C/a> report, circular economy indicators are still relatively young. Most efforts so far have focused on measuring transition (and overcoming the challenges in doing so) and less on measuring its social and environmental impacts. The next frontier is measuring the impact of that transition; however, few successful quantitative linkages between circular employment and related social indicators have been established. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As our latest position paper, ‘\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cKPgVrY1t_ejCJqvP2n6VT_j3ajS62RK/view\">Thinking Beyond Borders to Achieve Social Justice in a Global Circular Economy\u003C/a>’, put forward, circular jobs are not decent or good by default. Embracing a social lens could, therefore, ensures that circular economy interventions do not perpetuate or exacerbate the same social shortcoming of our existing linear system. Yet, this requires nuanced insights provided by quality data and indicators that capture and track the quality of work, decent working conditions, and skills development in the current and future workplace. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As the field is developing, there is a need to establish a comprehensive selection of social indicators to monitor and assess the effectiveness of job-to-job transition and overall redeployment strategies in circular economy interventions. Coordinated efforts are needed to develop a taxonomy for circular economy skills competencies and vocational training for circular sectors or jobs. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Watch and learn: Pioneering initiatives in the field\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Things are changing and this field is slowly gaining steam. Our initial scoping and expert interviews have revealed promising initiatives and organisations are finding rigorous and creative ways to measure circular activity despite the above mentioned limitations. \u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">CBS, the Dutch Statistics Office, has creatively explored the extent to which companies are conducting circular activity beyond their industry classification. The methodology employed was a ‘web crawl’ with assisted text analysis, which consisted of systematically going through online/job advertisements. \u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Circle Economy’s Circular Jobs Initiative has developed the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/circular-jobs-methodology\">Circular Jobs Methodology\u003C/a>, a corresponding indicator measuring the number and range of jobs contributing to the circular economy, and a digital tool: Circular Jobs Monitor. \u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Scant, yet present, are organisations trying to address the methodological or data challenges that relate to capturing key social aspects tied to circular activity. \u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">Statistics Finland has developed comprehensive circular economy employment-related indicators by sector, which include not only the # of jobs but also wages, education and location of these jobs. \u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">CEDEFOP has also been actively developing the European Database on apprenticeship schemes or mapping out specific skills related to core circular economy sectors, for example, their latest \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/publications/9175\">Too good to waste\u003C/a> report on waste management skills.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">RREUSE, a European network of social enterprises in the repair sector, is developing comprehensive indicators capturing the sector’s economic and social contribution. At the same time, based on its membership base, it is mapping out the skills needed for the repair sector. \u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">WIEGO statistical exercise aimed at collecting survey data on informal waste recyclers in Brazil and workers in the repair sector in India. \u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Learn more!\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">With initial findings from this CEIC track, we have identified the need to improve the quality and breadth of circular employment indicators usage for various stakeholders. Moreover, we soon realised that besides enhancing circular employment indicators, there is a need to improve and develop indicators revealing the quality of these jobs. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">For these reasons, we have developed a digital public tool that will provide a comprehensive overview of indicators, methodologies, and associated relevant resources for decision makers engaged in designing, implementing, and monitoring circular economy interventions. This digital tool will enable them to set ambitious targets and effectively measure the progress and impact of the circular economy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Finally, we also established an Exchange Platform with the aim of facilitating knowledge exchange among key stakeholders and initiatives, increasing alignment in circular economy indicators, and building partnerships in collaboration with CEIC partners to overcome critical barriers that are too complex to be solved by one stakeholder alone. \u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">Coming soon: Discover our comprehensive CEIC Indicator repository. It showcases curated circular indicators with varied tracks; businesses, financial institutions, and labour market stakeholders. \u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Be part of the solution and join our Exchange Platform. Get in contact with the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/metrics/circular-economy-indicators-coalition\">CEIC\u003C/a>.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Interested in quantifying circular jobs at the city or national level? Get in touch with the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/circular-jobs-initiative\">Circular Jobs Initiative\u003C/a>. \u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">Feeling curious? Explore our flagship digital tool, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ganbatte.world/cities/\">Ganbatte\u003C/a>/\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circular-jobs.world/\">Circular Jobs Monitor\u003C/a>\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":470,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":471,"updated_at":472,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":473,"contents":475,"contributors":484,"image":17},"erOF","2025-07-02T10:14:07.000Z","2025-07-02T12:24:27.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":474},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[476],{"id":477,"score":12,"body":478,"status":111,"article_id":470,"created_at":40,"updated_at":472,"published_at":483},"e4WG",{"image":479,"title":480,"content":481,"summary":16,"attachment":482,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380822889--VMO93am.jpg","Money isn’t flowing to the most impactful circular solutions: We’re funding waste management over waste prevention","\u003Cblockquote>This article was first published by \u003Ca href=\"https://worldcommercereview.com/\">World Commerce Review\u003C/a>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">Since 2018, Amsterdam-based impact organisation Circle Economy has analysed the circularity of the global economy—singling out the share of secondary materials flowing into the economy in a single figure. Their latest \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report\u003C/em>, released earlier this year, found that just 6.9% of global materials are cycled back into use—down from 9.1% in 2018. It’s a sobering figure, especially in a world increasingly grappling with the consequences of supply chain shocks, resource scarcity, and climate breakdown. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Materials have always been at the centre of this story—but it’s becoming increasingly clear that they’re only a part of it. If capital is not effective in scaling the most transformative applications of circularity—for key business models in key value chains—then it is unlikely this downward trend will reverse. However, just as we once lacked a global view on material flows prior to 2018, until now we have not had a comprehensive understanding of capital flows to the circular economy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The recently-launched \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report Finance\u003C/em>, authored by Circle Economy, in collaboration with KPMG and with support from the International Finance Corporation, provides this insight. It shows that a strikingly low share of capital is directed towards circular business models: just 2%* of tracked investment is supporting the kinds of solutions that keep products and materials in use longer, reduce dependency on finite resources, and offer a roadmap for more resilient economies. Of the businesses that \u003Cem id=\"\">do\u003C/em> receive funding, the bulk reflect conventional applications of circularity—the second-hand sale and repair of vehicles, for example—rather than those that truly rethink our relationship with resources. This is more than just a missed environmental opportunity: it’s a wasted economic one.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">A trillion-euro opportunity lying dormant\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Despite slow uptake in many parts of the world, the circular economy could offer a major macroeconomic opportunity: in Europe alone, circular strategies applied across sectors like construction, food, and transport could generate \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/financing-the-circular-economy-capturing-the-opportunity\">€1.8 trillion\u003C/a> in economic benefit by 2030. These strategies aren’t utopian—they already exist, but often lack capital, and struggle to compete on an uneven playing field. More accurately valuing resources and understanding where—and why—these opportunities aren’t being leveraged is essential to bridging the finance gap, ultimately driving progress towards a more circular economy. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The last six years saw a surge in investment in businesses engaging with the circular economy, according to the report’s analysis: it peaked at US$42 billion in 2021 before dropping back down to US$28 billion in 2023. While some of this fluctuation mirrors global economic uncertainty—including pandemic-related disruptions and ongoing inflationary pressures—the underlying trend is more worrying: we aren’t scaling the models that best revert our over-reliance on scarce materials. Despite some improvements, the \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report Finance \u003C/em>reveals a disconnect: while the circular economy is one of the most promising routes to broad value generation and risk mitigation, financial systems are spurning the opportunity to unlock its full potential.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">We’re funding the familiar, not the transformative\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Between 2018 and 2023, nearly half (49%) of all circular economy investment went to recovery-based business models: recycling, composting, and waste management. While necessary, these strategies offer limited gains in resource efficiency. More transformative approaches—like designing products for durability, reuse, and modularity—received just 8% of investment in circular business models. These strategies offer potential to minimise waste and get the most out of materials from the outset, offering greater value retention than the end-of-pipe solutions currently receiving funding.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1920px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1920px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"__wf_reserved_inherit\" src=\"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/68650612167064593ded9002_luba-glazunova-0MWNRKufOzM-unsplash%20(1).jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Circular business models focused on prolonging the products' lifetime, such as repair, are more impactful than recovery models. Photo by Luba Glazunova.\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Investment patterns also reveal a sectoral mismatch. Within the priority sectors identified in the report, the business models receiving the bulk of investment reflect conventional applications of circularity that have existed for decades: car rental and repair dominates the Transportation sector, refurbishment and second-hand sales dominate in the Electronics and IT sector, and Agrifood investment is heavily centred on organic waste recovery. Although a good start, none of these activities have been sufficient in driving a circular economy transition—yet together, they receive over one-third of all investment in circular business models. This is in part because these sectors deal in products that retain economic value over time—such as cars and electronics—making them more attractive for resale, repair, or reuse.  Transport, for example, accounts for 5% of global resource use but receives a quarter of circular investment, driven by the dominance of high-value consumer products in secondary markets. By contrast, the construction industry—responsible for nearly \u003Cem id=\"\">half\u003C/em> of global resource extraction—receives just 8% of funding. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Put simply, we’re not funnelling capital where circular impact can be made.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Growth in private finance signals increased recognition of the business case—but the ‘Valley of Death’ remains a particularly pronounced challenge\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Breaking down the origin of tracked circular investments proves the circular economy’s business case: the lion’s share of commercial circular economy investment—around 73%—comes from private actors. Commercial banks lead (providing 39%), followed by private equity firms (12%), asset managers (9%), and investment banks (7%). This is a promising signal, as private finance typically follows expected profit—counter to public finance, which largely prioritises social goals. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Digging deeper into the numbers tells a different story, however. Most equity investment is flowing into large-scale buyouts, where investors acquire circular businesses outright—usually at a later stage of maturity. Here, the average deal size is large—around US$573 million. In contrast, growth-stage ventures and early-stage startups—which are critical for innovation and transformation—receive far less. Despite making up half of all equity deals, early-stage circular businesses only captured 9% of equity capital. This reveals a familiar pattern in startup ecosystems: the so-called ‘valley of death’, where early-stage companies can secure seed funding but struggle to raise capital to scale. This phenomenon isn’t unique to the circular economy—although it’s particularly pronounced for circular businesses.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Why might this be the case? Circular ventures often involve either material innovation—which is costly and slow to commercialise—or business model innovation, which isn’t seen as disruptive enough. Neither fits the typical venture capital model: VC investors usually seek fast, high returns—typically 100x within a few years—and so gravitate towards digital sectors like software and AI, where products are scalable, resource-light, and clearly disruptive. Circular startups, in contrast, are often seen as slower, riskier, and harder to exit profitably. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Policy drives investment, but don’t have time to rely on it as the sole engine\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Of total tracked investment, Europe stands out as the frontrunner, attracting 57% of total circular investment—an average of US$15.5 billion annually. North America and Asia lag behind, receiving US$5.8 billion and US$3.6 billion, respectively. Notably, European investment surged following the 2020 launch of the EU \u003Cem id=\"\">Circular Economy Action Plan \u003C/em>(CEAP). In the three years after the CEAP was introduced, circular investment in Europe was 70% higher than that in North America—compared to a 47% difference in the three years prior to the Plan’s implementation. In the EU alone, investment volumes were 62% higher in the three years following the CEAP’s introduction than in the three years prior. \u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:441px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"441px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"\" src=\"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/6865066f2a65cdb3dd3d7ab9_AD_4nXdG-1to8W8ZueAOu1tBcUH174u80-Do3LUa0-CfTT9rOYJ1-b34kUei3Gf8te5k6k_V0ORaoLQM7sUbUBMTSzLbX-H5NL2er5X2QkWNGILvDhfsNFILgAK3GF2UgjCOFyAJiOGRBQ.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">This graph shows private sector investment in businesses operating a circular economy business model before and after the 1st of January, 2021, when the CEAP was first introduced in the EU.\u003C/em>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">While causality can’t be definitively proven, the trend is hard to ignore. Targeted policies—like the upcoming Digital Product Passport regulation, extended producer responsibility schemes, mandatory recycled content requirements, and right-to-repair legislation—are helping to de-risk investment and create market certainty. The Netherlands’ Green Deal for Circular Procurement, for example, has mobilised public and private buyers to invest over \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://switchmed.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/07-THE-NETHERLANDS-Fact-Sheets.pdf\">€100 million\u003C/a> in circular goods and services—shifting demand at scale and giving investors confidence in the long-term viability of circular business models. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">A wave of \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://blogs.law.columbia.edu/climatechange/2024/10/25/the-anti-esg-movement-has-not-fared-well-in-court-but-critical-decisions-are-pending/#:~:text=The%20Republican%2Dled%20%E2%80%9Canti%2D,decisions%20connected%20with%20government%20funds%2C\">anti-ESG legislation\u003C/a> in Republican-led US states is having the opposite effect, triggering capital outflows and cautious repositioning by major asset managers. ESG equity funds suffered a net outflow of \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.ft.com/content/cf9001ab-e326-4264-af5e-12b3fbb0ee7b?emailId=9cf15b57-98c7-43c8-8b18-ac76155a1133&segmentId=13b7e341-ed02-2b53-e8c0-d9cb59be8b3b\">US$40 billion\u003C/a> in 2024—the vast majority stemming from US investors. At the same time, the 2024 revival of the Trump administration heralded a new wave of \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-will-declare-national-energy-emergency-incoming-administration-official-2025-01-20/\">deregulatory policies\u003C/a>, rolling back on environmental protections. Ultimately, this points to investors’ reactivity to market volatility and need for policy predictability—and reminds us of the inherent instability of relying solely on policy for progress. The message is clear: when governments set the direction, capital follows.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Yet globally, policy still fails to reflect the true cost of resource depletion. Without pricing these externalities, linear models remain artificially cheap—and circular alternatives struggle to compete. At the same time, most financial models continue to undervalue materials, treating them as waste once used rather than appreciating their retained or recoverable value. This is especially true in sectors like construction, where materials like steel and concrete can be recovered at high quality—but, for example, depreciation models fail to capture this, making circular strategies less appealing to investors on paper, despite their practical benefits. What’s more, circular service-based business models can experience slower and unusual revenue streams, deterring investors seeking immediate returns. The problem: often-outdated \u003Cem id=\"\">perceptions\u003C/em> of the business case, bogged down by prevailing market conditions such as the artificially cheap pricing of virgin resources.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Resource risk is proving a blind spot\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Mainstream financial assessments largely fail to factor in ‘resource risk’—the growing threat of supply disruptions, price volatility, and geopolitical instability affecting critical materials—the report says. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine exposed Europe’s dependence on fossil fuels, with the rest of the continent spending an \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221462962300261X\">estimated €643 billion\u003C/a> in excess market costs between 2021 and 2022. Tensions over rare earth minerals between China and the West are rattling tech and defence industries, with \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1drqeev36qo\">China’s recent export controls\u003C/a> laying bare the United States’ dependence. What’s more, escalating \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.transnationalmatters.com/the-impact-of-trade-tariffs-on-global-supply-chain-strategies/\">tariff regimes\u003C/a> are adding another layer of volatility, as abrupt trade barriers disrupt global supply chains and inflate costs for critical materials. And still, financial institutions largely ignore resource scarcity in their risk modelling. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">According to the report, this blind spot helps explain why circular economy investment currently aligns more with climate-related risks than with actual resource use. In sectors like Agrifood, where climate and resource concerns overlap—such as methane emissions from organic waste or fossil fuel substitution through alternative proteins—circular investments are more easily justified. But in other resource-intensive sectors, such as Construction, the lack of standalone resource risk modelling leads to underinvestment, despite major circular opportunities.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">What’s more, this blind spot makes resource-intensive, linear business models appear more attractive than they are—leaving investors exposed to future shocks. Recognising the circular economy as a de-risking strategy is critical for the financial sector, the report urges: if financial institutions continue to neglect resource risk and fail to recognise the potential of circular value chains, they’ll continue funnelling capital into vulnerable industries instead of redirecting it to the very businesses that can proactively address these risks. Circular investments provide a clear opportunity for decreasing resource risks \u003Cem id=\"\">and\u003C/em> generating returns: by reducing dependency on volatile raw material supply chains, they not only mitigate long-term risk but also unlock cost savings and new revenue streams through more efficient, resilient business models.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">The circular economy isn’t just an environmental imperative—it could be good business\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">We know and have long since written about the environmental benefits the circular economy brings: it’s an effective means to stave off climate breakdown, bolster biodiversity, and (if well-designed) support social well-being. But it’s also an economic transformation that helps businesses do more with less, buffer themselves against volatility, and unlock long-term value. From remanufacturing and rental models to material recovery and circular design, these solutions are proven, profitable, and poised for scale—but this won’t happen by itself.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">What’s needed now is a shift in perception and policy. Policy makers must price in resource risk, and disincentivise wasteful practices to support circular business models through regulation, public investment, and targeted incentives. This will help appreciate the true value of resources. Financial sector regulators must support the standardisation of definitions around materials, resources and the circular economy to create more insights into resource risk through reporting. Investors must look beyond outdated financial assumptions and start seeing the long-term value of circular businesses in achieving their climate, biodiversity and social targets. Importantly, they shouldn’t rely on policy to act—when regulation lags or changes course, investors have the agency to set a new course. Market leaders that act early can reshape the playing field, set new norms and future-proof their portfolios in an increasingly resource-constrained world.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As global leaders prepare for the next round of climate and biodiversity summits, one thing is certain: we cannot afford to ignore the money trail. If we want a circular economy, we need the economics to work and the financial sector’s ambitions to grow so that finance flows to where impact can be made. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">* Based on the in-scope finance sources of this report and the associated timeframe of 2018–2023 in tracked investment in businesses engaging with the circular economy\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Learn more\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report Finance\u003C/em>, launched by Circle Economy with support from IFC and in collaboration with KPMG, offers a wellspring of analysis on the state of circular finance globally with valuable insights for financial market participants, financial sector regulators, and policymakers. Read the full report \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/finance\">here\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>",[],"2025-08-05T13:55:48.000Z",[],{"id":486,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":487,"updated_at":487,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":488,"contents":490,"contributors":498,"image":17},"7krH","2024-05-27T13:40:42.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":489},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[491],{"id":492,"score":12,"body":493,"status":111,"article_id":486,"created_at":40,"updated_at":487,"published_at":487},"LFC-",{"image":494,"title":495,"content":496,"summary":16,"attachment":497,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380825093-wgwMuLxz.jpg","Montréal taking concrete steps towards circular economy transition","\u003Cp id=\"\">Last summer, Montréal, Canada was making headlines for all the wrong reasons. As wildfires ravaged Québec's forests, the city was awarded the title of \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2023/08/11/exp-montreal-mayor-climate-plante-intv-081102pseg1-cnni-world.cnn\" target=\"_self\">‘world’s worst air quality’\u003C/a>, even if only for a few days. Unexpected, perhaps, given its notably more positive superlative of \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/north-america/canada/montreal-north-america-quebec-sustainability/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Global%20Destination%20Sustainability%20Index%2C%20Montr%C3%A9al%20is%20North,seldom%20without%20a%20playful%20edge.\" target=\"_self\">‘North America’s most sustainable city’\u003C/a>; but of course, climate change is nothing if not indiscriminate. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">While summer 2023 may have gone up in smoke—literally—there’s hope for summer 2024, following the recent adoption of the Ville de Montréal’s new circular economy roadmap. The circular economy, which involves cutting material use, recycling products and materials, and regenerating nature, is increasingly linked to the climate agenda and beyond. \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2024\" target=\"_self\">Research indicates\u003C/a> that worldwide adoption of circular strategies could limit global temperature rise to well below 2-degrees while also reducing pressure on the planet’s other limits. At the city level, circular initiatives show immense promise: this is highlighted by the recently released \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/montreal\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report Montréal\u003C/em>\u003C/a>, from Circle Economy in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Before we can manage, we must measure\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">It’s a simple adage but a ubiquitous one in the sustainability space: before we can manage, we must measure. Measuring a baseline state—and modelling the benefits various circular interventions could bring—are crucial processes for cities to set targets and ensure progress is being made in the right direction. The Ville de Montréal recognises this, with \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2023/08/11/exp-montreal-mayor-climate-plante-intv-081102pseg1-cnni-world.cnn\" target=\"_self\">Mayor Valérie Plante\u003C/a> noting that ‘It’s really important to base our decisions—even the difficult ones, and the less popular [ones]—on data.’ This provides a jumping-off point and showcases potential positive impacts, which can help sway voters and other stakeholders—both the weary (those suffering climate fatigue) and the wary (sceptics and denialists). \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Montréal took the ‘measure’ route, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/circular-montreal-baseline-assessment\" target=\"_self\">first working with Circle Economy in 2022\u003C/a> to uncover its baseline and highlight key action areas and stakeholders, guiding the content of its draft circular economy roadmap. In \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ehq-production-canada.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/23f8f9c339dde7cf6dcf68b28bafabb792e0fa2d/original/1675280895/913ab6e9f5d7bea6808e25073780487c_Document_de_consultation.pdf?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIA4KKNQAKIOR7VAOP4%2F20240417%2Fca-central-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20240417T132709Z&X-Amz-Expires=300&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Signature=ae69a466eb9737062f31e729b0542b881d5ae0329f43b8f315f32b0a65bb0c06\" target=\"_self\">consultation for the roadmap\u003C/a>, the Ville de Montréal referenced the world’s circularity—then 8.6%—as well as that of its home province, Québec, which lagged behind at 3.5% when measured in 2021. These benchmarks—coined the ‘Circularity Metric’ by Circle Economy—measure the proportion of secondary materials (out of total materials) flowing into an economy and take a consumption-based approach. This means, for the case of Québec, that products produced elsewhere—whether food or fuel, clothing or cars—but consumed within provincial boundaries are accounted for by the analysis. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report Montréal\u003C/em>, launched in May, followed 2022’s City Scan and revealed a Circularity Metric of 3%. This is slightly below that of Québec (3.5%) but slightly above the Circularity Metric of Munich (2.4%), the only other city for which Circle Economy has conducted this analysis. Montréal’s residents consume around 27 tonnes of materials per capita each year—well below the Canadian average of 36 tonnes per capita (perhaps helping cement its reputation for sustainability) but leagues beyond the estimated sustainable global target of 8 tonnes per capita. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Importantly, the report quantified the impact of circular economy measures, allowing the City to finalise its roadmap and set priorities and targets accordingly. The construction sector emerged as the most impactful lever for change, with measures like reusing and prolonging the lifespan of buildings having the potential to cut material use by 12% and reduce carbon emissions by 9%. Armed with these figures, Montréal now has a starting point—as well as a viable target: it aims to double circularity to 6% by 2030 and 17% by 2050.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1920px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1920px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"__wf_reserved_inherit\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/66548b7960b1a1b17816bdea_matthieu-joannon-SnTxeUW6jtY-unsplash.jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Photo by Matthieu Joannon on Unsplash\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‘With even more tools at our disposal, Montréal is heading towards a more circular economy,’ said Natacha Beauchesne (Economic Development Commissioner for Circular Economy, Ville de Montréal), presenting the report’s results at the World Circular Economy Forum 2024 (WCEF) ahead of the roadmap’s launch. ‘In the coming weeks, we will officially launch Montréal’s circular economy roadmap—the first comprehensive planning document specifically tailored to drive the circular transformation… And we will continue our efforts to equip Montréal with additional indicators to better understand and track our progress in the circular economy.’\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The roadmap, now freshly launched, nods to Circle Economy’s crucial role in shaping the City’s plan of action: ‘... the City of Montreal has collaborated with Circle Economy to assess the state of circularity in the urban agglomeration of Montreal by providing a portrait of the current situation… this first step to diagnose circularity has allowed the City to identify opportunities and guide solutions for the circular economy transition.’\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Beyond measuring circularity in terms of material use, the City of Montréal is also exploring how many ‘circular’ jobs are present in the city, with results expected by autumn 2024. It’s using Circle Economy’s \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/circular-jobs-methodology\" target=\"_self\">Circular Jobs Methodology\u003C/a> to break down how many jobs directly or indirectly contribute to circularity in each sector. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Transformative goals for a circular transformation\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The City’s goal of becoming 6% circular by 2030 was informed by the report, too: it’s close to the Circularity Metric Montréal \u003Cem id=\"\">could\u003C/em> achieve (7%) if it rolls out circular solutions to cut material use across key areas, including the built environment, food, mobility, manufacturing and lifestyle. Achieving 6% may not seem like a huge leap: it would be nearly on par with the current—and worryingly low—global average of 7.2%. Crucially, however, these strategies could reduce material use by more than a third and cut Montréal’s carbon footprint nearly in half.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The City’s loftier 2050 target of 17%—which aligns with Circle Economy’s mission of \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/circularity-gap-report-2021\" target=\"_self\">doubling global circularity\u003C/a> to limit global temperature rise—is expected to bring even greater benefits and tie into climate goals such as carbon neutrality by 2050. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‘The fruit of a rigorous process, this \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report\u003C/em> provides us with our first quantifiable portrait of Montréal’s economy,’ notes Marie-Andrée Mauger, who’s responsible for the ecological transition at the Ville de Montréal. ‘It is an essential tool for mobilising Montréal's entrepreneurial forces around our ambitious goals for an ecological and economic transition.’ \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">A legacy of circular Canadian cities\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">While Montréal is certainly a circular frontrunner, it’s not the only Canadian city interested in making the transition. Circle Economy and the David Suzuki Foundation worked with the City of Toronto—the only city more populous than Montréal in Canada—in 2021 to \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/baselining-for-a-circular-toronto\" target=\"_self\">uncover its circular landscape\u003C/a>. Highlighting Toronto’s active participation in multiple circular economy networks and initiatives, as well as its foundation of grassroots community-led initiatives, the report also points out \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/blog/lessons-from-north-america\" target=\"_self\">key leverage points for improvement\u003C/a> in the areas of food, construction and waste management. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Now, Toronto is developing a roadmap of its own: ‘Like Montréal, establishing a baseline for the circular economy was a critical first step to help us build towards this strategy and policy framework,’ Meaghan Davis (Manager, Circular Economy and Innovation, City of Toronto) noted at WCEF 2024. ‘One of the benefits of the baseline for a circular Toronto is that it really helped us to articulate a compelling vision of potential circular goals that the City of Toronto can work towards.’\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Other cities eager to uncover where they stand and where they should be heading are following suit, with a \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report\u003C/em> for Richmond—part of Metro Vancouver—expected later this year. A growing ecosystem of circular cities is emerging—and Montréal’s roadmap recognises the importance of collaborative learning, noting that ‘collaborations with…Circle Economy as part of the development of the Montréal Circular Economy Roadmap have enabled Montréal to benefit from other cities’ experiences.’\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">And here at Circle Economy—we’re excited to continue working with Montréal as it becomes a circular city!\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Cp id=\"\">Read the full \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report Montréal \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/montreal\" target=\"_self\">here\u003C/a>, and get in touch to request a \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report\u003C/em> for your city, region or nation \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/contact\" target=\"_self\">here\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":500,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":501,"updated_at":502,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":503,"contents":505,"contributors":513,"image":17},"thyK","2023-04-30T10:47:04.000Z","2024-02-23T16:22:15.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":504},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[506],{"id":507,"score":12,"body":508,"status":111,"article_id":500,"created_at":40,"updated_at":502,"published_at":112},"Zqjx",{"image":509,"title":510,"content":511,"summary":16,"attachment":512,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380826470-xAwo_L-O.jpg","New legislation coming, but only 22% of companies ready to report quantitatively on circular economy","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">This article was originally published on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.edie.net/new-legislation-coming-but-only-22-of-companies-ready-to-report-quantitatively-on-circular-economy/\">Edie\u003C/a>.\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In November 2022, the European Commission officially adopted the CSRD, a new corporate sustainability reporting directive that aims to provide a more comprehensive picture of companies’ sustainability performance. In short, the CSRD will:\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">Increase the number of companies in Europe that need to report on sustainability from 11,000 to nearly 50,000 companies.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Require businesses to cover a greater number of sustainability topics in their yearly reports, ranging from climate to biodiversity and labour rights.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Introduce the concept of double materiality: the need to report both on the risks companies introduce to society and the environment, and on the risks that sustainability issues pose to the company.\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">And crucially—for the first time—\u003C/strong>one of the key mandatory topics for companies to disclose will be related to their \u003Cstrong id=\"\">resource use and circular economy performance\u003C/strong>. However, the recent \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.worldbenchmarkingalliance.org/nature-benchmark/\">Nature benchmark\u003C/a> from the World Benchmarking Alliance shows that few companies are ready for this new obligation. Whereas 77% of European companies touch upon the topic of circular economy in their sustainability reports, only 22% of them include one or more of the quantitative indicators that are included in the CSRD. Even worse, no company covers all the required topics and describes a company-wide circular strategy in their sustainability report.  \u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:768px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"768px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Box 1\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/63d1471473fbb98010b17b5e_Capture9.JPG\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003C/figure>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Little time left to prepare\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Companies that are affected by the CSRD will have to report on their circular economy performance in 2025, which implies that the first year for which companies will have to disclose their performance is 2024. This requires them to start preparations in 2023 to identify their circular economy related risks and opportunities, develop strategies and performance, and start data collection to track performances.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The complexity of reporting on circular economy performance should not be underestimated. ‘Looking at the hundreds of companies we have assessed so far at the World Benchmarking Alliance, we see little consensus on circular economy-related reporting, when it’s reported at all,’ says Timothée Pasqualini, Research Lead of Nature Benchmark. ‘Relative to other topics, such as greenhouse gas emissions, methodologies, definitions and strategic approaches on circularity vary quite considerably from industry to industry but also within specific sectors’, he adds. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‘However, it is encouraging to see an emerging pattern that leading companies are starting to draw as circular economy principles become embedded in companies’ strategies.’ As a relatively new and holistic concept, the circular economy is perceived as a more complex topic to many stakeholders, further complicating implementation of circular economy reporting in businesses.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Some will struggle more than others\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">It is not surprising that Brussels is setting a new standard by including disclosure requirements on circular economy in the CSRD, as both European policy makers and corporate headquarters have been leading the pack on this topic. This is also shown by the WBA benchmark, in which European businesses far more often included circular economy topics in their sustainability report than their Asian or American counterparts. This suggests that companies with their headquarters in the EU will struggle less with implementing circular economy reporting than non-EU companies with branches or subsidiaries in the EU for whom the CSRD will also apply. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">However, vast differences remain among industries in the EU—as illustrated by WBA data. For instance, the pharmaceutical industry or rubber industry are the least prepared for the upcoming reporting standards with none of the companies including (quantitative) indicators on their resource inflows, while the packaging industry and suppliers of construction materials are already performing better with 36% and 30% of them, respectively, including such indicators. \u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:773px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"773px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Some will struggle more than others\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/63d1470ae96cffd5af463180_Capture7.JPG\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">How can you prepare your business? \u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">‘Even though we are happy to see the level of ambitions shown by the EU, we are very aware of the challenges that the CSRD will pose for businesses,’ says Jacco Verstraeten-Jochemsen, Lead Business Solutions at Circle Economy. ‘From onboarding colleagues from other departments such as procurement and design, to setting up proper data collection and material flow analysis for your business, businesses will really need to use 2023 to prepare their business, their value chain partners and their waste managers  for what’s to come.’\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circle Economy very much welcomes this new reporting requirements and also provided feedback on the public consultation together with our partners in the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.dnb.nl/en/green-economy/sustainable-finance-platform/\">Sustainable Finance Platform\u003C/a>. Circle Economy is working with partners such as the World Benchmarking Alliance and others to provide CSR experts the insights and tools that they need. We invite everybody to stay tuned for a CSRD self-assessment tool, first case studies of implementation of CSRD disclosure requirements and a “how to prepare for the CSRD” check-list. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ousM6x7rDLc\">Click here \u003C/a>to watch our recent webinar on circular economy reporting under the CSRD. If you have questions on which data to collect and which KPIs to focus on in order to be prepared, do not hesitate to reach out to jacco@circle-economy.com.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":515,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":516,"updated_at":517,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":518,"contents":520,"contributors":529,"image":17},"t2kC","2024-12-19T13:10:08.000Z","2024-12-19T13:21:42.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":519},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[521],{"id":522,"score":12,"body":523,"status":111,"article_id":515,"created_at":40,"updated_at":517,"published_at":528},"em5P",{"image":524,"title":525,"content":526,"summary":16,"attachment":527,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380828000-PhV8VDTE.jpg","Onwards to a workers-oriented Plastic Treaty in 2025","\u003Cp id=\"\">Negotiations between Parties to reach a consensus on ending plastic pollution have closed without a resolution in Busan, South Korea and are scheduled to resume early next year. Negotiations thus far have failed to live up to the expectations of the countries, organisations, and people anticipating an urgent and ambitious Treaty to address plastic pollution, with several disagreements muddying the process—the issue of whether the text should impose a cap on production or merely address plastic pollution among them. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Regardless of the outcome, workers are at the forefront of catalysing this transformation—and any multilateral agreement on plastics will significantly impact these workers. More than 4 million workers are employed in the plastic manufacturing industry, and about 34 million waste pickers recover close to \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/cambridge-prisms-plastics/article/human-face-of-the-un-plastics-treaty-the-role-of-waste-pickers-in-intergovernmental-negotiations-to-end-plastic-pollution-and-ensure-a-just-transition/8AFA653D53C5B771373AF7DC5E520B62\" target=\"_self\">60% of the post-consumer plastic waste\u003C/a> recycled globally. In most countries, informal workers are primarily responsible for plastic waste management, with women comprising the majority of this workforce in lower-income countries. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Workers’ agenda on the road to Busan \u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The fifth round of negotiations in Busan followed the UN Environment Assembly Resolution 5/14, adopted in March 2022 in Nairobi, which called for an international and legally binding instrument to eliminate plastic pollution. Although minimal attention was afforded to the social dimension in this process, the March 2022 Resolution was historic for the waste pickers movement, with workers’ contribution to the collecting, sorting, and recycling of plastics recognised for the first time in a UN Environmental Resolution. By the third round of negotiations, there was an unprecedented agreement to incorporate the terms ‘waste picker’ and ‘just transitions’ in a plastics context. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">An independent Article 10 on ‘just transitions’—with a focus on formal and informal workers across the full lifecycle of plastics—was agreed upon by all Parties. Despite positive progress, the Article remains underdeveloped and ambiguous: there is no mention of living wages, social protection, and occupational safety and health of workers, or guidance on occupational exposure limits for hazardous chemicals used in the production of plastics or released during waste management, and Parties are encouraged to undertake their own national initiatives and self-report on progress. As the draft Treaty remains unratified in line with the principle that ‘nothing is agreed upon until everything is agreed upon,’ another opportunity to advance the rights and working conditions of waste workers has been delayed. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">The need for scientific, collaborative, and inclusive multilateral processes\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Plastics are ubiquitous—they are present in the air, rain, and snow, and more than 5 trillion pieces of plastic, weighing more than 250,000 tonnes, are floating in the oceans. Microplastics have been found in human blood samples in more than 80% of tests, and studies have reported on the presence of microplastics in the placenta, indicating that plastic exposure begins in utero. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The impact of plastics on workers is equally pervasive. Over \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/chemical-safety/infogr-he5-chemical-safety-20082019-web-spreads.pdf?sfvrsn=bff32856_4&utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_self\">two million workers\u003C/a> lose their lives each year due to exposure to toxic chemicals, including those found in plastics. Plastics-related diseases such as immune, endocrine, and reproductive system dysfunction, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, as well as cancers and birth defects, are often diagnosed long after exposure and often not reflected in the Global Burden of Diseases measures. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Occupational safety and health and occupational exposure limit considerations are essential throughout the lifecycle of plastics, particularly in the post-use stages in lower-income countries, where workers are largely informal, come from marginalised communities, and lack social protection or protective gear. Women waste workers suffer from worse health outcomes than men, including a greater prevalence of hypertension and bronchitis. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Addressing safe handling issues requires transparency in the volumes and chemical components of plastics produced, as well as their impact on the workers who handle them. Establishing formal mechanisms for integrating transparent and high-quality data, scientific advice, and workers’ issues to be at the forefront of the negotiation process will be crucial for evidence-based and viable solutions at the multilateral level. Informal workers and informal cooperatives in the plastic sector can also offer valuable lessons and best practices, enabling governments to accelerate solutions. An equal partnership between decision-makers and plastic sector workers must be based on the dignity of their work and recognition of their public service with environmental, social, and economic benefits. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Towards a Plastic Treaty in 2025\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Plastic sector workers’ organisations worldwide are calling for a binding, worker-centric approach to the Plastics Treaty, focusing on the rights of impacted workers and communities, in \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.ilo.org/resource/news/ilo-advocates-decent-work-and-social-justice-historic-un-plastics-treaty?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_self\">line with International Labour Organization’s Guidelines for a Just Transition\u003C/a>. Caps on plastic production and bans on targeted products and chemicals of concern have been a longstanding demand of workers’ groups.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As the International Negotiating Committee continues to build upon the draft Treaty in early 2025, it is essential that aspects related to informal workers and waste pickers are retained, along with strengthening Article 10 on Just Transitions by adding a definition. The inclusion of International Labour Standards for formal and informal settings in the plastics sector and the need for social dialogue are equally important. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In retrospect, lessons learned from the negotiations at the Plastic Treaty must guide efforts to advance workers’ issues in circular sectors beyond plastic, where progress on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/decent-work-in-the-circular-economy\" target=\"_self\">decent work\u003C/a> has been lacking. For the integration of the workers’ agenda in the Plastic Treaty to be successful, there’s a need for protracted work by local organisations and regional coalitions to ensure that workers’ voices are heard at national and multilateral levels. For instance, the African Circular Economy Alliance \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.switchtocircular.eu/news-and-events/morocco-hosts-international-dialogue-pan-african-collaboration-end-plastic?back=/news-events%7Ctype=news\" target=\"_self\">(ACEA)\u003C/a> is now considering an Africa-wide standard for recycled plastics along with a focus on decent employment generation. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As negotiations resume next year, we must craft a Plastic Treaty that uplifts workers as much as it protects the environment. This effort calls for a bold commitment to an equitable global partnership that fosters cooperation amongst nations, sectors, societies and people—an aspiration rooted in  the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development 1992. Done well, the Treaty has the potential to foreground future just transitions spanning sectors and geographies. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>",[],"2025-01-16T14:45:27.000Z",[],{"id":531,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":532,"updated_at":533,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":534,"contents":536,"contributors":544,"image":17},"_VJq","2023-04-17T14:20:27.000Z","2024-02-23T16:17:54.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":535},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[537],{"id":538,"score":12,"body":539,"status":111,"article_id":531,"created_at":40,"updated_at":533,"published_at":112},"BQep",{"image":540,"title":541,"content":542,"summary":16,"attachment":543,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380829294-CJW5sIfY.jpeg","Preparing to go circular? Harness this often overlooked resource","\u003Cp id=\"\">Some time ago I read about the \u003Cem id=\"\">Overview Effect\u003C/em> that some astronauts experience when they are in space. Seeing the Earth, that colourful ping-pong ball, hanging in an infinite black void, protected only by a thin layer of atmosphere, creates nothing less than a revelation. This insight led many astronauts — once back on Earth — to become environmentalists, and even made the late Dutch astronaut Wubbo Ockels dream of a new religion: Humanity. A belief in which Human, Nature and Earth are inseparable and in harmony with each other.‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Although I do not have the illusion that I will experience the Overview Effect to that extent, pivoting careers from the corporate field to a circular economy not-for-profit, Circle Economy, has given me a fresh perspective. After nine months of working in this new field, I can see that the Earth is one integrated whole: an ecosystem with natural cycles and a natural balance. And that balance — that harmony — is crucial in order to not destroy our planet, and with that ourselves. Positive insights you would say, but it’s a shame that a career switch was necessary for this revelation. But this is unsurprising: despite alarm bells ringing for decades, companies and governments are only now waking up to the threat of climate breakdown. This year marks 50 years after the publication of \u003Cem id=\"\">Limits to Growth \u003C/em>by the Club of Rome, so we have been — or \u003Cem id=\"\">should have \u003C/em>been — aware that our planet is not an infinite source of raw materials. The reality, alas, is that the Earth and nature are still too often seen as production factors.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As the latest IPCC reports confirmed, there is still enough to be saved if we — including government, businesses, social partners and citizens — act now. This is the decade of action. So let’s start doing it! This article will outline why it’s already directly beneficial for businesses to move towards action and how they harness an untapped resource to support a circular and sustainable transformation: their HR departments.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">THE VERY REAL THREAT OF BUSINESS-AS-USUAL FOR BUSINESS: LINEAR RISKS\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Although awareness for and policy related to the circular economy is rising, progress on the business side is not moving fast enough. The Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (\u003Cem id=\"\">Planbureau voor de Leefomgeving\u003C/em>) recently published a \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.pbl.nl/publicaties/voortgangsbericht-circulaire-economie-2022\" target=\"_blank\">report\u003C/a> in which it calls for more ‘pressure and coercion’ from the government for a national circular economy. Aside from some front-running companies, most businesses seem to hide behind this call and wait for the government before taking action. To a certain extent, this is understandable and justified, as a level playing field through legislation and (true) pricing (on a national, European or even global level) is indispensable for a just and scalable transition. However, it’s already in companies’ best interest to adopt circular business models. As the old saying goes: snoozers are losers, and this would apply here too. With no less than \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/02/circular-economy-business-model-operations/?mc_cid=ed886aef4e&mc_eid=UNIQID\" target=\"_blank\">half of all executives expecting circularity to become the new standard\u003C/a> in the next ten years, businesses should feel the pressure and start moving. There are already major ‘linear risks’ associated with continuing with business as usual; businesses simply can’t afford to hit the snooze button and should start planning for the circular economy to mitigate climate change and maximise the talent at their fingertips.‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">These linear risks roughly cover four dimensions, which are closely related and often the result of each other:\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Market\u003C/strong>. Shortage of raw materials, price volatility, boycotts, inflation…the newspapers are full of these stories on a daily basis. Although there has already been an increasing scarcity of raw materials, the horrid situation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine has spotlighted the dependence we all have on powers beyond our borders and the resources they can exploit. Dependence on natural resources such as gas should be kept to a minimum, both to reduce our vulnerability and the environmental impacts that come with the use of fossil fuels in general. By switching to circular business models, in which raw materials will be kept longer in the chain, businesses will remain more resistant to price volatility and supply chain disruptions.‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Operational\u003C/strong>. Current labour market shortages are already a major problem for many businesses, for both white- and blue-collar jobs. More companies are experiencing a lack of labour, resulting in technological lags, supply chain issues and factories that simply have to close. Experts predict that these shortages will increase in the coming years due to an ageing population and the economy continuing to grow, so the problem will only get worse for businesses if they stick to old business processes and don’t invest in the development and retention of their workforces, and R&D for new production technologies. Investments that are already being made to make supply chains more circular and efficient, for example logistics to collect used materials, ensuring safety and good quality of work, will provide businesses with a huge competitive advantage.‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Business\u003C/strong>. Much has changed since Corporate Social Responsibility was first coined at the start of the 21st century. Large, well-established corporations can no longer rest on small sustainability initiatives and schemes and are feeling the threat of young start- and scale-ups with circular strategies and business models that cater to environmentally-conscious demographics and are more agile to pivot according to new legislation or technologies. \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/02/circular-economy-business-model-operations/?mc_cid=ed886aef4e&mc_eid=UNIQID\" target=\"_blank\">One-third of executives think their business will be disrupted\u003C/a> by these new trailblazers in the upcoming years. Examples that already flourish in the Netherlands are Swap (bike leasing), Greenwheels (carsharing) and Vinted (second-hand clothing marketplace).‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Legal\u003C/strong>. New legislation and regulations will increasingly force businesses to change from polluting, linear business models to circular ones. Companies tend to have a wait-and-see attitude when it comes to legislation and regulations and are often late in their preparations as a result. However, although not in full effect yet, the measures resulting from the Green Deal and the Dutch Klimaatakkoord, for example, will have huge consequences for the entire business line, from design to financial reporting. At the end of March already, the European Commission submitted new proposals that should lead to products having better quality, becoming easier to fix and lasting longer: the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12567-Sustainable-products-initiative_en\" target=\"_blank\">sustainable products initiative\u003C/a>. There has always been scepticism about the EU meddling in product qualifications (think of the maximum allowable curvature of a banana!), but the latest developments on sustainability standards and reporting can only be praised. Moreover, this all paves the way to higher quality, longer-lasting products: what’s not to like?\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍It speaks for itself that the flip side of these risks is that businesses that are already serious about the transition will take a leading position — well worth the costs it may take to take action now. Switching to a circular business model is therefore not so much a non-committal choice, but strategically and financially vital.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">HOW TO GET THERE? UTILISE YOUR HR DEPARTMENT\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">By delivering practical support and insights, the Circular Jobs Initiative at Circle Economy helps businesses in their shift to a circular economy. Above all, we know that the workforce is an essential lever for the transition: people must be put first in a circular business model and strategy design for their to be real business, not to mean environmental and social payoffs. As a linking pin between management and operations, we believe HR has a key role to play. Through the following actions, outlined earlier in our \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/how-hr-professionals-can-play-an-active-role-in-the-circular-economy\" target=\"_blank\">briefing for HR professionals\u003C/a>, HR can create the right organisational culture and build the human capital needed for a business to thrive in the circular economy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍1. \u003Cstrong id=\"\">Provide support through a long-term strategy\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Good leadership is key, and especially in the current war on talent, it is essential that HR attracts the right talent and, above all, keeps it in-house. The Dutch labour shortage is currently at its highest level ever, which means that many technical and managerial talent can make high demands on their employer. Many young talents expect that sufficient attention is paid to the development and growth paths within the organisation, which is of course also to the benefit of the company itself. Employees must continue to be well supported so that they keep abreast of all the latest developments. The circular transition as a continuous process and a long-term strategy is crucial for building a strong pipeline, setting an inspirational organisational vision and staying ahead of the curve.‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">2. Bridge the skills gaps\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circular activities are particularly cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary. This requires different — especially transversal — skills and even new types of jobs. HR needs to have a clear overview of these new qualifications and ways of working, so they can adjust their hiring and training policies accordingly, and ensure that the current workforce has the right skills at the right time through re- and upskilling. Involving everyone, including employees who themselves have critical knowledge and skills, is essential for the transition.‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">3. Manage projects and mentor workers\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">With the transition to circular business models generally taking place across several departments and with multi-disciplinary teams, organisations and governments experience difficulties getting started with the transition because they are often not equipped to deal with such a transversal strategy. Work processes and systems are set up per silo. HR, therefore, has a major role in ensuring that overarching ambitions and processes are put in place and that the staff can continue to thrive in the new way of working. HR can also initially take on the role of a circular project manager for both internal and external stakeholders. This way there is a central point of knowledge in the organisation and someone who keeps an eye on the course.‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">4. Promote circular values\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Younger generations, in particular, are making increasingly higher social demands on their employer. A big bag of money is no longer enough for the purpose-driven millennials and Gen Z, and there is also a shift going on among the older generations. Companies that do good for people and the environment are therefore popular. It is up to HR to ensure that the circular values like focussing on using regenerative materials and minimising waste, are integrated into the core values ​​of the organisation and that these are also communicated and operationalised.‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">5. Build and contribute to a circular HRM network\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Throughout the transition, we see that collaboration is essential, and that also applies to the HR community. The circular economy is a relatively new and diffuse concept about which much still needs to be worked out through learning by doing. HR professionals will therefore need to find each other to share experiences, exchange information about circular jobs, best practices, etc. Even employees can be ‘shared’, for example by being part of a circular pool. This might lead to new contract forms that may have to be drawn up together with other companies.‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">6. Promote industry 5.0\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Last but not least: promote industry 5.0, which basically strives for harmony between people, nature and the planet. People-oriented and focused on the balance between environmental and social needs to boost resilience and innovation. This should be the basis of everything, the starting point of all strategies and business activities. HR must offer the workforce opportunities to develop themselves, in areas that go beyond their own tasks and responsibilities. It’s about empowering the employee, giving them self-confidence and thus preparing them for meaningful work in the long term. Shouldn’t this be all that HR is about!?\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">TO BE FUTURE-PROOF, WE NEED TO START TODAY.\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Although it’s clear that the tide will not turn in time without stricter government regulation and legislation, we’ve seen that a call to companies to work on the circular economy goes further than ‘just’ a moral appeal. Sooner rather than later the circular economy will be in full swing, and it is up to us, to you, to decide how soon it will become reality. As a business, you should be prepared for the future. With all recent global developments, it has become even clearer that success is largely dependent on agility. Organisations that stick to current, linear, processes and business models will eventually miss the boat. To be future-proof, we need to start today and start with your people.‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">While I close my eyes I try to imagine that I view Spaceship Earth just like Wubbo Ockels did. When I see all living things as passengers on this ship, I also realise we as human beings can and must be crewmembers at the same time. We are the last generation to stop the climate crisis so let’s take responsibility! Let’s change the narrative and the way we do business for good. It’s not so much a sacrifice as it is an imperative and an opportunity… An opportunity to restore the balance between Human, Nature and Earth.\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">About the Circular Jobs Initiative\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">The Circular Jobs Initiative (CJI) defines and identifies circular jobs, analyses the environment needed to create them. We produce research, training and advocacy to champion circular strategies that governments and businesses can use to have a positive social impact.‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">We work with employers, workers, governments, multilateral organisations, education institutions and research organisations to realise this ambition. Get in touch with us \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/circular-jobs-initiative\" target=\"_blank\">here\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":546,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":547,"updated_at":548,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":549,"contents":551,"contributors":559,"image":17},"BEOF","2023-05-29T12:19:29.000Z","2024-02-23T16:05:25.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":550},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[552],{"id":553,"score":12,"body":554,"status":111,"article_id":546,"created_at":40,"updated_at":548,"published_at":112},"ulqG",{"image":555,"title":556,"content":557,"summary":16,"attachment":558,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380831340-X3FHBF59.jpg","Putting people back in the frame to win the hearts and minds of decision-makers","\u003Cp id=\"\">How we talk about issues affects how other people feel about them and, crucially, whether they pay attention or even take individual action. When the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/feed/#\">FrameWorks Institute reframed poverty\u003C/a> in the UK to highlight the lived reality of people, the root causes of their situation and, ultimately, that poverty is a solvable issue, they tapped into people’s emotions. Feelings of justice, compassion and a drive to take action. In another project, they reframed the planet as a body, connecting the expansive ocean to a human and delicate system in the public’s minds.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">‘We can solve poverty by loosening its grip on people. Benefits help release people from the restrictions our economy places on them, such as low pay and high housing costs.’ (\u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.jrf.org.uk/file/52048/download?token=6e9SPqjU&filetype=download\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Joseph Rowntree Foundation & Frameworks Institute, 2018\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">)\u003C/em>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">‘Just as parts of the body are interconnected and dependent on one another, the ocean plays a vital role in regulating the health of our planet. (\u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.frameworksinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/FRAJ7735-UK-Oceans-Impact-Brief-191119.pdf\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Frameworks Institute & Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, 2019\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">).\u003C/em>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">At Circle Economy, we work to make the global economy more circular: one where waste is designed out, everything is used at its highest possible value for as long as possible and natural systems are regenerated. To \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2021\">reduce global greenhouse gas emissions\u003C/a> and reach climate goals, the global economy must become more circular. However, it is important to consider and show how changing the way materials are used in our economy will not only impact the climate but also how it will be reflected in everyday life. \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/circular-economy/people-in-a-circular-economy\">People\u003C/a> must be at the centre of the circular transition.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Are we using the right framing to encourage climate action?\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Images, like words, can be visceral. We like to share them; they can stick with us and can help us make sense of complex dynamics. A recent episode of the Climate Question podcast from the\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/feed/#\"> BBC World Service Trust\u003C/a> struck a similar chord. It looked at the images we associate the most with climate change and whether we should instead use images that demonstrate and galvanise support for the opportunities that can come with mitigating it.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The guests on the podcast heard vox pops of people interviewed on the street about their perceptions of climate change. They consistently described the polar bear struggling to survive on melting ice caps. The polar bear has become the unwitting poster child of climate change, but does it really help people understand the severity of the situation and humankind’s role in both getting us to this point and now in getting us out? The consensus was that although it is a powerful image, it may not be the best framing for igniting targeted action. Likewise, images of wind farms and solar panels increasingly populate the billboards of our minds when it comes to sustainability. This\u003Cem id=\"\"> is\u003C/em> a step in the right direction — it helps people, from policy-makers to the public, to better understand the solutions that come with doing things differently. But with the need to tackle the intertwined issues of conflict, unemployment, social inequity and climate change now at the top of our minds, catalysed by the covid-19 pandemic, do these images inspire decision-makers to take the needed action?\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:4272px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"4272px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/64749ad71683a38315bdb337_hans-jurgen-mager-qQWV91TTBrE-unsplash.jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Photo by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@hansjurgen007\">Hans-Jurgen Mage\u003C/a>r on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/qQWV91TTBrE\">Unsplash\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Putting people back in the frame\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">We all know that connecting big and complex issues with stories of real people in real-life situations strikes the deepest chord with us. At Circle Economy, we also know that \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/circular-jobs-initiative\">people and their skills are an essential lever for transforming our economies\u003C/a> so that we can mitigate climate change and achieve a healthy and just space for people. After all, without people, solar panels cannot be installed, and \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/closing-the-skills-gap-vocational-education-and-training-for-the-circular-economy\">climate targets will be missed.\u003C/a> So which frames and supporting evidence and tools can we use to show the opportunities that come with sustainable and inclusive economies and how this impacts how people will act?\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">We have been working with \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/news/over-100-new-cities-added-to-the-circular-jobs-monitor\">the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) under our Circular Jobs Initiative to do just this\u003C/a>: create evidence that paints a picture of circular economy activities happening in sectors and how this translates into jobs. As part of this work, we are excited to have evidenced the number and range of jobs that already exist and contribute to the circular economy in over 100 cities across 30 countries. These are freely available on our \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circular-jobs.world/\">Circular Jobs Monitor\u003C/a>.\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">We encountered the need for a social approach to the circular economy time and time again through our collaborations with local and national governments and agencies. To get on board with designing transformative sustainability strategies, decision-makers need to know how this will impact local jobs. What jobs do different strategies involve? What know-how and skills do we already have in our workforces that could be leveraged to achieve a circular economy at scale?\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The Circular Jobs Monitor is designed to engage decision-makers in what the circular economy looks like by showing how cities and countries engaging in circular economy activities, like repair, rental and Product-as-a-Service, translate into real jobs. The \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/circular-jobs-methodology\">Circular Jobs Metric \u003C/a>that we developed with UNEP drives this tool and shows how sectors that provide circular goods and services interact, taking into account the number of people they employ and the materials imported into the country.\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">We believe \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-QrS9yoToI&feature=youtu.be\">tools and evidence like this are essential for creating a compelling picture of how the circular economy \u003C/a>could not only reduce waste and increase resource efficiency but also help with other pressing issues decision-makers have on their plate, from infrastructure to employment and emissions. We need to show how changing the way materials are used in our economy is reflected in everyday life.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:800px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"800px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/64749b499447e1a442f4bb4a_6225e65ae30092d7a0c5a788_0_DlTJfr-MS6M1HZNl.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption>Explore the number and range of jobs that already exist and contribute to the circular economy in over 100 cities from across 30 countries on our \u003Ca href=\"https://www.circular-jobs.world/\">Circular Jobs Monitor\u003C/a>.\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Prioritising people is an essential part of climate action plans\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The importance of work is something we can all relate to: jobs as livelihoods, a means of meeting our basic needs and, if we’re lucky, providing fulfilment and purpose in life. We know that (un)employment is high on the priority lists of politicians around the world — and that the big issues we’re facing now — including covid and both conflict- and climate change-induced migration — are only pushing it higher. The \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://report.ipcc.ch/ar6wg2/\">IPCC’s latest report on impacts, adaptation and vulnerability \u003C/a>to climate change is another heavy reminder that millions of people are already experiencing the effects of climate change with little training or guidance on how to deal with them. Yet we still see that considerations over the people and skills needed to make climate action plans a reality are an afterthought.\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Although frameworks are available for training staff in developing these plans, the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) set out by countries currently include\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342446868_Girls%27_education_in_climate_strategies_Opportunities_for_improved_policy_and_enhanced_action_in_Nationally_Determined_Contributions\"> little to no reference to the skills or training needed\u003C/a> to implement the strategies or promises. Continuing to treat both the social impacts and the human capital requirements of putting climate plans into action as an — at best — secondary consideration comes with big risks. It risks that strategies are adopted to tackle environmental issues without adequate measures to upskill or safeguard people and their jobs. This could not only risk jobs but also see countries fall short of their targets altogether if they don’t consider the people and training needed to make them a success. Here we can learn valuable lessons from the just transition movement ignited as part of the energy transition. The energy transition has demonstrated the need for a social justice perspective, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.energymonitor.ai/policy/just-transition/investment-in-skills-is-key-to-realising-the-clean-energy-transition\">foresight and strong skills pipelines\u003C/a>, as well as the role of curriculum and industry in developing the right skills at the right time.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">To mitigate these risks and maximise the opportunities that can come with transforming economies from linear to circular, we are trying to make it as easy as possible for decision-makers to access evidence that they can use to place social considerations more centrally to their national climate actions plans and in local strategy development.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Circle economy’s frames, data and digital tools to inspire action\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">We aim to use data, evidence and digital tools to frame the circular economy around the issues that most concern our stakeholders. By doing this, we hope to build awareness around what a powerful tool circularity is in addressing today’s major challenges and how people today and in the future are making the big changes we need in this \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://blog.worldfavor.com/agenda-2030-what-does-decade-of-action-mean-for-businesses#:~:text=What%20is%20the%20%27Decade%20of,%27\">decade of action\u003C/a>.\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circular-jobs.world/\">Circular Jobs Monitor \u003C/a>demonstrates how circular activities translate into jobs to show which sectors have the most ongoing circular activity and potential and support the design of evidence-based interventions. In the coming months, we will be combining this existing tool with Ganbatte, our new \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsjHJObR0tI\">digital product\u003C/a> that will support pioneering organisations with knowledge, data-driven insights and tools to activate local circular development planning and implementation and the networks they need to connect to peers around the world. In advocating for the circular economy, we want to uncover the opportunities and risks that come with taking bold steps to transform the way we live and work. We want decision-makers to have all the evidence they need to make joined-up action. By putting people back in the frame, we hope to capture not only the hearts and minds of decision-makers but also members of the public so that everyone can understand their role in the circular economy and the real opportunities it presents for economic transformation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Learn more about the Circular Jobs Monitor\u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circle Economy and the United Nations Environment Programme recently launched data on the number and range of circular jobs in over 100 cities on the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circular-jobs.world/\">Circular Jobs Monitor\u003C/a> as part of the organisations’ \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-QrS9yoToI&feature=youtu.be\">ongoing partnership on the transformative potential of the circular economy\u003C/a>. This is the first time that data of this kind on employment generated in cities engaging in circular economy activities has been made available. This evidence can be used alongside other social, economic and environmental metrics to help cities build back better and chart a course towards a more sustainable future for their people and the planet.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":561,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":562,"updated_at":562,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":563,"contents":565,"contributors":573,"image":17},"6i3X","2026-01-26T14:29:21.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":564},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[566],{"id":567,"score":12,"body":568,"status":111,"article_id":561,"created_at":40,"updated_at":562,"published_at":562},"NI-O",{"image":569,"title":570,"content":571,"summary":16,"attachment":572,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380834285-9HiEp9SB.jpg","Regulated, reported, still linear: The illusion of circular progress","\u003Cp>We are living through a sustainability paradox. On paper, the transition seems to be in full swing: new regulations have been rolled out, reporting standards are in place, and a thriving ecosystem of consultancies, start-ups, and frameworks promises greener (and more circular) business practices. From the \u003Ca href=\"https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong>Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> and \u003Ca href=\"https://navigator.sasb.ifrs.org/login\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong>Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB)\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> standards and to \u003Ca href=\"https://ecovadis.com/\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong>EcoVadis\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> and \u003Ca href=\"https://www.cdp.net/en\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong>Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>, the infrastructure for sustainability accountability has never been stronger. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>Yet, beneath the surface, systemic change is lagging behind. The heavy lifting of redesigning products, rethinking business models, and transforming supply chains remains slow and fragmented. As the \u003Ca href=\"https://pdf.circularity-gap.world/?report=CGR_Global_2025_Report_0c90048033&page=1\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong>Circularity Gap Report\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> 2025 reveals, global circularity has fallen again, from 7.2% to 6.9%. This contradiction points to a sobering truth: the circular economy today is more about measurement than transformation. We have perfected the art of tracking the linear economy, but we have fallen short of disrupting it—and this must change.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>This disconnect between record-level sustainability reporting and real-world stagnation is further reflected in recent global reviews. According to the \u003Ca href=\"https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2025/The-Sustainable-Development-Goals-Report-2025.pdf\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong>UN’s Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>, only about 18 per cent of SDG targets are on track, while nearly half are stagnating or regressing. This proves that increased transparency can sometimes mask a widening \"credibility gap\" between stated goals and actual policy and implementation.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3>Regulation: Compliance over transformation\u003C/h3>\u003Cp>Regulation is intended to shift incentives, yet the rapid expansion of reporting obligations has inadvertently given rise to a 'compliance industry'. Firms are pouring resources and funding into disclosures and 'box-ticking' rather than the uncertain work of value-chain redesign.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>This risk is being amplified by recent political shifts. In December 2025, \u003Ca href=\"https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/12/09/council-and-parliament-strike-a-deal-to-simplify-sustainability-reporting-and-due-diligence-requirements-and-boost-eu-competitiveness/\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong>the European Parliament adopted an 'omnibus package'\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> that substantially narrowed the scope of sustainability accountability, including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). While the EU argues this change is to cut complexity and increase competitiveness, by raising thresholds so only the largest firms are captured and removing mandatory climate transition plans, these changes have diluted the potential 'trickle-down' effect that would have driven better circular practices among SMEs.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Against this background, recent legislative measures, such as the \u003Ca href=\"http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/40/oj\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong>Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> and the \u003Ca href=\"https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/summary/single-use-plastics-fighting-the-impact-on-the-environment.html?fromSummary=20\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong>Single Use Plastics Directive\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>, the EU will soon launch its \u003Ca href=\"https://environment.ec.europa.eu/news/commission-launches-consultation-upcoming-circular-economy-act-2025-08-01_en\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong>Circular Economy Act\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> in 2026 to address structural barriers, create a Single Market for waste and secondary raw materials, and foster demand for circular products, services and solutions. As a first step, \u003Ca href=\"https://environment.ec.europa.eu/publications/communication-accelerating-europes-transition-circular-economy-boosting-circularity-plastics_en\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong>a pilot focused on the plastics recycling industry\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> has been established.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>While such recycling initiatives are welcome and offer a useful way to “test the waters” before scaling up to more complex R‑strategies higher in the circularity hierarchy, a narrow focus on these low-tier circular measures risks reinforcing a system where progress is tracked through increasingly detailed reporting rather than meaningful change. As research from the \u003Ca href=\"https://ris.utwente.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/479692612/Vegter-2025-Effectiveness_of_CSRD_to_measure_circular_transitions.pdf\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong>University of Twente\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> shows, current EU disclosure regimes often emphasise low-impact, end-of-life activities such as recycling and waste diversion. This emphasis does little to address the root causes of overproduction and poor product design, leaving the underlying linear nature of the system largely intact.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3>A counter-model: Radical transparency\u003C/h3>\u003Cp>Against this backdrop of regulatory dilution, Patagonia’s recent '\u003Ca href=\"https://www.patagonia.com/progress-report/\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong>Work in Progress\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>' report stands out. Rather than offering a glossy success story, the company foregrounds failures, trade-offs, and unresolved problems.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>This approach amounts to a form of 'radical transparency'. By openly discussing where the company falls short, including the structural limits of what a retail brand can achieve in isolation, Patagonia reframes this progress as an iterative, often uncomfortable process rather than a sequence of certifiable wins. This contrasts sharply with the broader industry trend of strategic omission, such as reporting only easily quantifiable Scope 1 and 2 emissions while downplaying the complex realities of Scope 3 supply chain impacts. Patagonia demonstrates that internal honesty can be a more powerful driver of change than meeting the minimum requirements of a weakened regulatory floor.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>A recently released \u003Ca href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/towards-circular-hospitality-transforming-the-tourism-system\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong>whitepaper\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> authored by Circle Economy and the Iberostar hotel group, in collaboration with UN Tourism, is another example of industry transparency. It examines key challenges in the circular transformation of the hospitality industry and invites industry stakeholders to join forces in overcoming them. By openly communicating not only its successes but also the barriers it encountered, Iberostar provided a realistic roadmap for peers walking along the same path.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3>A roadmap for systemic impact\u003C/h3>\u003Cp>To move from the illusion of progress to real-world impact, the policy and corporate architecture must evolve:\u003C/p>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Prioritise meaningful outcomes over disclosure\u003C/strong>: Policy must move beyond mere transparency. Liability frameworks and standards should reward upstream circular interventions such as design for durability, modularity and reuse, rather than just calculating waste reduction or recycling rates, which should be seen only as a starting point for higher-order circular R-strategies, not the end goal.\u003C/li>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Measure value, not volume\u003C/strong>: Circularity metrics should shift from “tonnes collected” to measures of service intensity, material productivity and product lifetime. Standards bodies must prioritise these higher-order indicators to incentivise high-impact strategies such as remanufacturing and product-as-a-service models. Metrics should be comparable, auditable and aligned with wider environmental and social objectives to ensure they drive genuine systems change.\u003C/li>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Normalise corporate honesty\u003C/strong>: Radical transparency should be viewed as a governance practice, not a PR stunt. Funders, investors and procurement processes should reward reporting that acknowledges setbacks, inviting the scrutiny necessary to accelerate collective learning and course-correct. Reporting requirements must be robust enough to deter greenwashing while enabling constructive, verifiable disclosure.\u003C/li>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Make natural capital non-negotiable\u003C/strong>: Policy and corporate frameworks should treat biodiversity, water and land impacts as must-have considerations. Circular strategies must be assessed for effects on natural ecosystems, freshwater resources and land use, with indicators and safeguards that prevent the externalisation of environmental harm across geographies and supply chains.\u003C/li>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Strengthen Scope 3 measurement and embed socio-economic inclusivity\u003C/strong>: Stricter, standardised measurement of scope 3 emissions is essential to capture true supply-chain climate impacts. Equally, circular policy must incorporate socio-economic dimensions, including employment quality, wage gaps, gender equity and the rights and participation of Indigenous and other disadvantaged groups. Procurement, investment and regulatory incentives should favour interventions that deliver both environmental benefits and inclusive economic outcomes.\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Ch3>Conclusion\u003C/h3>\u003Cp>We stand at a critical juncture where the 'reporting ceiling' is rising just as the 'regulatory floor' is dropping. We are currently better at counting than at changing, a predictable outcome of a system that rewards clear, auditable outputs over messy, systemic outcomes. Until we align regulation, metrics, and corporate culture to privilege high-value circular strategies, we will continue to advance fastest on paper while remaining frustratingly linear in the real economy. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>To this end, local governments have a pivotal role to play: moving beyond compliance to create enabling policy and investment frameworks that steer and de-risk circular business models, from zoning and permitting to public procurement and finance instruments. In doing so, they can encourage and crowd in private investment into circular transition initiatives rather than treating circularity as a reporting exercise alone. Businesses, in turn, need to work in symbiosis with government—co-designing policies, sharing data, and piloting new models—so that a nurturing ecosystem emerges in which meaningful circular change can actually take root.\u003C/p>\u003Ch1>–\u003C/h1>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Learn more\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Circle Economy equips stakeholders to put circular strategies into action through expert guidance, training, and collaboration. Our programmes—ranging from advisory support and coalition building to train‑the‑trainer initiatives—build capacity across sectors. In 2025, under the \u003Ca href=\"https://advisory.eib.org/about/circular-city-centre.htm\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong>Circular City Centre (C3)\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> project for the European Investment Bank, we supported 30 EU cities in developing circular strategies, roadmaps, and investment‑ready projects. If you’d like to learn more about our projects or explore how we can support your circular transition, \u003Ca href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/contact\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong>get in touch\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":575,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":576,"updated_at":577,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":578,"contents":580,"contributors":588,"image":17},"Qwvf","2024-02-05T15:43:44.000Z","2024-02-23T15:36:49.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":579},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[581],{"id":582,"score":12,"body":583,"status":111,"article_id":575,"created_at":40,"updated_at":577,"published_at":112},"Lc-r",{"image":584,"title":585,"content":586,"summary":16,"attachment":587,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380835391-g91XInT7.jpg","Six trends in circular economy legislation to watch out for in 2024","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">This article was first published by \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.socialeurope.eu/six-ways-to-tighten-the-circular-economy\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Social Europe\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">.\u003C/em>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">The close of 2023 confirmed what many have feared: the year was the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/08/2023-on-track-to-be-the-hottest-year-on-record-say-scientists\" target=\"_self\">hottest on record\u003C/a>—and climate talks in Dubai provided little in the way of satisfaction, with European representatives calling a \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-67679732\" target=\"_self\">draft deal\u003C/a> on fossil fuels ‘unacceptable’ and ‘disappointing’. The globe’s extraction and consumption of materials—heavily linked to greenhouse gas emissions—has also continued to spiral, with consumption over the last six years nearly on par with that of the entire 20th century. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The circular economy has been posited as a solution to our climate woes, offering a toolbox of solutions to do more with less, slashing emissions, pollution and material use. But although it’s reached ‘megatrend’ status—the volume of discussions, debates and articles on the topic nearly tripled over the past five years—the world is becoming less circular year on year. This is according to the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2024\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report 2024\u003C/em>\u003C/a>, launched by Circle Economy Foundation. The report calls for bold action to heavily reduce material consumption, noting the pivotal role of policymakers in the transition: although some burgeoning policies are nudging us in the right direction—the EU’s upcoming \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.euronews.com/2023/09/05/eu-green-claims-directive-will-tackle-greenwashings-crafty-cousin-circular-washing-too\" target=\"_self\">Green Claims\u003C/a> directive and ecodesign regulation, for example—more are needed worldwide to drive the circular transition.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">It’s time to ‘walk the talk’, the report urges, outlining six policies governments around the world must explore to advance the global transition to a circular economy:\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Set strict environmental product standards.\u003C/em> \u003C/strong>This covers all manner of policies: from mandating material- and energy-efficient manufacturing processes, to banning planned obsolescence and designing for durability, repairability and—if necessary—recycling. Banning the destruction of unsold and returned goods should also be front of mind: Amazon grew to (even greater) infamy, for example, after the reveal that the company destroys millions of items of unsold stock each year—with goods poignantly described as being sent ’\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.itv.com/news/2021-06-21/amazon-destroying-millions-of-items-of-unsold-stock-in-one-of-its-uk-warehouses-every-year-itv-news-investigation-finds\" target=\"_self\">straight off the production line and into the bin\u003C/a>’. The EU’s \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20231204IPR15634/deal-on-new-eu-rules-to-make-sustainable-products-the-norm\" target=\"_self\">recent ban\u003C/a> on the destruction of unsold clothing, set to kick off in 2025 for big businesses, is a step in the right direction and paves the way to widen the ban to other product groups. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Role out environmental ‘scores’ for all products on the market.\u003C/em> \u003C/strong>Today’s consumers have been shown to increasingly favour sustainable products, with \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.forbes.com/sites/gregpetro/2022/03/11/consumers-demand-sustainable-products-and-shopping-formats/?sh=f93627f6a062\" target=\"_self\">nearly 90% of Gen X consumers\u003C/a> willing to pay more for them. Environmental ‘scores’ that help consumers choose between product offerings—and stave off companies’ rampant greenwashing efforts—can nudge shoppers in the right direction: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.wur.nl/en/research-results/research-institutes/economic-research/show-wecr/first-steps-towards-european-eco-label-for-food.htm\" target=\"_self\">food labels\u003C/a>, for example, may include environmental and social impacts in addition to nutritional information. However, current labelling and certification schemes are highly fragmented—with hundreds existing across Europe, and many centring on just one aspect of sustainability. Launched decades ago, the EU’s \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/circular-economy/eu-ecolabel-home/product-groups-and-criteria_en\" target=\"_self\">Ecolabel programme\u003C/a> represents an early effort to harmonise this, although many product groups still aren’t covered—and recognition outside of Europe may be limited. A unified, life-cycle-based approach to ecolabelling may still be yet to come for many countries worldwide. In the EU, the upcoming \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.wbcsd.org/Pathways/Products-and-Materials/Resources/The-EU-Digital-Product-Passport\" target=\"_self\">Digital Product Passport\u003C/a> will hopefully boost transparency in a harmonised system that shares product information for each step of the value chain, from extraction to production to end-of-life.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1920px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1920px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/65c1f42a129f935d83170506_nik-vbFC9BCo95M-unsplash.jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Photo by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@helloimnik?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash\">Nik\u003C/a> on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/group-of-person-with-signage-vbFC9BCo95M?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash\">Unsplash\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Develop and mainstream certifications and warranties for recycled materials.\u003C/em> \u003C/strong>Recycled materials can boast significantly lower environmental impact than their virgin counterparts—but due to our current political and financial landscape, other incentives are often lacking. This is all too common in the materials- and emissions-intensive construction sector, for example, where opting for recycled materials seems to many like more trouble than it’s worth—and is extra expensive to boot. Developing certifications for these materials can help validate their safety and quality, putting them on par with their virgin counterparts and lessening the stigma around their use.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Strengthen universal ‘Right to Repair’ legislation.\u003C/em> \u003C/strong>We’re all familiar with the frustration of a year-old washing machine, vacuum or dishwasher inexplicably grinding to a halt, while your mother’s appliances—purchased circa 1970—dutifully plough on. ‘Planned obsolescence’ now seems ubiquitous, affecting 99% of products and costing each European consumer \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.activesustainability.com/sustainable-development/battle-against-planned-obsolescence/?_adin=02021864894\" target=\"_self\">up to €50,000\u003C/a> over their lifetime. Many common products—think laptops and mobile phones—are \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://greenspector.com/fr/lobsolescence-programmee-par-apple-expliquee-pour-les-nuls-et-plus/\" target=\"_self\">designed to prevent users from repairing them\u003C/a>, or even from replacing their worn-down batteries, limiting products’ lifespans to that of its shortest-lived component. This creates mountains of waste: electronic waste is the EU’s fastest-growing waste stream, and \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/society/20201208STO93325/e-waste-in-the-eu-facts-and-figures-infographic\" target=\"_self\">less than 40%\u003C/a> of it is currently recycled. While bans on planned obsolescence are certainly on the menu, ‘Right to Repair’ legislation will also have a crucial role in tackling this problem. The EU’s proposed directive—the result of considerable lobbying efforts from advocacy groups and EU Member States themselves—will facilitate this through a Europe-wide quality standard for repairs, ensuring consumers are up-to-date on producers’ repair obligations and even setting up online platforms to matchmake consumers with retailers and repair services. The goal: ensuring repair is more attractive, simple and affordable than buying new, so products can be kept in use for as long as possible. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Tighten producer responsibility regulations.\u003C/em> \u003C/strong>Imagine if responsibility for the disposal of obsolete or broken products was shifted upstream: falling on producers rather than individuals or municipalities, in theory incentivising them to design lasting, easy-to-recyle products. This is what Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes aim to do; but although successful at improving waste collection and recycling, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://recyclingnetwerk.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/EPR-Position-Paper-Final.pdf\" target=\"_self\">current iterations have failed\u003C/a> to meaningfully extend product lifetimes or prevent waste. With new schemes rolling out around Europe—the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/blog/extended-producer-responsibility-isnt-enough-to-tackle-the-global-fashion-waste-mountain-heres-why\" target=\"_self\">Dutch EPR for textiles\u003C/a>, for example, went into effect mid-2023—legislators have the chance to tweak regulations so that EPRs’ full potential is unlocked. Better governance, greater transparency and enforceability and the systemic inclusion of product design in schemes \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://recyclingnetwerk.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/EPR-Position-Paper-Final.pdf\" target=\"_self\">will all be\u003C/a> crucial starting points.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Cut taxes on circular products and services—and increase them on linear ones. \u003C/em>\u003C/strong>Policymakers should look to level the playing field and give planet-healthy products and services a fighting chance. Incentives like bonus cheques and reduced or zero tax on repair services and refurbished goods can help consumers make more sustainable choices: Sweden, for example, has already cut VAT rates for repair, while Austria, Germany and France now offer partial reimbursements to customers who take this route. In tandem, taxes can be leveraged to shift consumption patterns, especially amongst the ultra-wealthy: a tax on luxury goods, for example, could curb excess consumption while channelling extra revenue into public goods, from improved public transportation and healthcare to urban green spaces. Subsidies could also be shifted away from particularly high-impact activities and products: think meat, air travel and fast fashion, for example. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Not just policy: action on financial, social dimensions needed to drive true systemic change\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">This list was far from exhaustive—as explored in the \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report 2024\u003C/em>, effective policies will vary broadly by sector and country, and what’s more: while talking about legislation is all well and good, rigorous implementation and monitoring will be key. Making policy work for planet and people can’t happen in a vacuum, either. The increasingly financialised economic system across the globe often means governments’ abilities to drive change and direct funding to the right places can be limited: although policy can set the right incentives in place, concerted action from international financial institutions and development banks, for example, will be crucial to practically enable the transition to a circular economy. The social dimension mustn’t be forgotten, either: millions of workers trained in circular skills will be needed around the world to take the circular economy from theory to action.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The biggest paradigm shift of the 21st century calls for all hands on deck.\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Learn more\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circle Economy Foundation’s ‘report card’ for the global economy launches yearly in January. Learn more about how policy, finance and labour can accelerate the transition to a circular economy in the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2024\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report 2024.\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":590,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":591,"updated_at":592,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":593,"contents":595,"contributors":603,"image":17},"nO2Z","2023-04-30T11:13:07.000Z","2024-02-23T16:24:12.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":594},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[596],{"id":597,"score":12,"body":598,"status":111,"article_id":590,"created_at":40,"updated_at":592,"published_at":112},"BH75",{"image":599,"title":600,"content":601,"summary":16,"attachment":602,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380836847-y-ecK1-q.jpg","Sustainability in the Global South isn’t one-size-fits-all—here’s why","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">This article was originally published by the \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://thegreenforum.org/blog/sustainability-global-south-isnt-one-size-fits-all-heres-why-2\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Green Forum\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">.\u003C/em>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The circular economy, a crucial means to an end to achieve sustainable development, offers an opportunity to change the way we live and work. It provides a pathway to live within our planet’s limits by making the concept of ‘waste’ obsolete, and drastically lowering emissions and material use. While the idea behind a circular economy is not new, it’s growing in popularity: circular economy strategies, action plans and agendas are increasingly making their way into policy and business strategies. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">However, these strategies lack inclusion of the social component and it is unclear if and how current circular economy principles address widespread societal challenges. Without action towards formulating a circular economy \u003Cstrong id=\"\">that puts people's well-being as its explicit goal\u003C/strong>, we risk amplifying existing societal challenges and exacerbating inequalities both \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/thinking-beyond-borders-to-achieve-social-justice-in-a-global-circular-economy\">between and within countries\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Circularity is more prevalent than we think—but it’s not always known as such\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">As businesses and policies with strategies rooted in the circular economy become more prevalent in the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2021/09/28/what-or-where-is-the-global-south-a-social-science-perspective/\">Global South\u003C/a>, the lacking social aspect becomes even more apparent. While the circular transition is promoted as a necessary means for countries to address their climate goals and contribute to a green economy, tools and discourses are often framed around European ideas of sustainability. These put high-tech solutions on a pedestal but do little to challenge the production and consumption status quo. They fail to factor in the Global South’s structural economic conditions: resource intensiveness, informality, highly integrated linear global supply chains, and export-oriented economies that also import masses of waste from the Global North. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">To thrive, circular solutions should draw from practices that are compatible with local contexts and cultures. Let’s consider, for example, Indigenous approaches such as \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://academicjournals.org/journal/JMCS/article-full-text-pdf/23201BA11281\">‘ubuntu’\u003C/a>, a moral and ethical framework that stresses collective agency, or ‘\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://link.springer.com/article/10.1057/dev.2015.24\">ecological swaraj\u003C/a>’, a framework that respects the limits of the Earth and the rights of other species, while pursuing the core values of social justice and equity. The ‘\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.researchgate.net/publication/46678556_On_the_Middle_Path_The_Social_Basis_for_Sustainable_Development_in_Bhutan\">Buddhist middle’ \u003C/a>path may also provide inspiration: a balance between materialism and spiritualism, equal distribution of responsibilities and integrated management. These ideologies have existed for centuries and already centre on building \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/regenerative-system\">regenerative systems\u003C/a> that restore the Earth’s natural cycles. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">The lowest rung of the circular economy ladder: we need to shift away from the recycling tunnel vision in the Global South\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Currently, most of the circular economy approaches and financing geared towards the Global South revolve around activities with low-value retention—recycling, for example. This contradicts the reality of current practices: activities such as reuse and repair, which retain materials’ value to a far greater extent, are prevalent in many countries in the Global South—often, but not always, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S095937802200111X\">due to necessity\u003C/a>. Take for example,  as presented in the recent World Circle Economy Forum Side event about \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cO1APscMPo\">Achieving Social Justice in a Global Circular Economy\u003C/a>, in Ghana, many Ghanians grow up with a tradition of buying fabric that is tailored to create bespoke garments that are repaired and restored over their lifetime. This may be about necessity in some cases, but it is also a culture of creating your own clothes and taking care of them. These options are more culturally relevant, affordable and functional over the long term—so why focus on recycling so much within policy? This may stem from the dominant resource efficiency narrative among some circular economy proponents, who advocate for \u003Cem id=\"\">better\u003C/em> production processes. In that logic, recycling is seen as the \u003Cem id=\"\">lowest-hanging fruit, \u003C/em>lending itself as a profitable extension of existing operations. Recycling may also be appealing because it does not question the growth imperative: an increase in production is seen as ‘good’ as long as it’s done in a circular manner, with fewer materials and less waste. \u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1240px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1240px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"The lowest rung of the circular economy ladder\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/637cd37fc29fd66b009142c9_5184.webp\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Image source: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/05/sewing-machines-still-wanted-in-africa\">The Guardian\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In the Global South, the implementation of circular policies and strategies can often be in direct opposition to these existing \u003Cem id=\"\">circular activities\u003C/em>; this can lead to the marginalisation—rather than transition—of informal circular activities to formal enterprises.  For example, in Tunisia, the national government formalised the recovery and recycling of post-consumer packaging waste through the creation of ECO-LEF. This has been operated by ANGeD (Agence Nationale de Gestion des Déchets), the national body for waste management, since 2001. Although it is often spoken about in terms of its successes, the ECO-LEF circular strategy fails to acknowledge the important role played by the informal waste pickers in Tunisia, known as Barbechas. The \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ps.boell.org/en/2020/10/05/plastic-waste-management-tunisia-towards-shared-responsibility\">8,000 Barbechas collect 80% \u003C/a>of the recyclable waste provided to the ECO-LEF system however, they have been systematically excluded. Not only are the Berbechas \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://prevent-waste.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Tunisia.pdf\">not allowed to sell their materials directly to ANGeD\u003C/a> and thus must involve an intermediary to sell on their collection, but they are also not recognised under formal employment and therefore work \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://middle-east-online.com/en/tunisia%E2%80%99s-waste-pickers-seek-government-recognition\">without rights or health insurance\u003C/a>, often in dangerous conditions. This leads to the marginalisation of informal waste pickers rather than their inclusion in formal enterprises and hinders the uptake of the circular economy in Tunisia.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:4308px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"4308px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Lots of fabric\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/637cd42a4bdeb2a4f425264e_francois-le-nguyen-pouTfHUG430-unsplash.jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Image source: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/pouTfHUG430\">Unsplash\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">And what’s more: promoting circular approaches without acknowledging current inequalities and without reframing current consumerist narratives can drive domestic opposition towards circular strategies. For example,  as Liz Ricketts, Director of The OR Foundation stated in our World Circle Economy Forum Side event, \"\u003Cem id=\"\">In 2020, Ghana was the\u003C/em> la\u003Cem id=\"\">rgest importer of second-hand clothing. Clothing sent to Ghana by the Global North ... in the name of circularity.\u003C/em> \u003Cem id=\"\">Retailers in Kantamanto market in Ghana, which is the largest second-hand clothing market in the world, call their job a 'gambling job' because when they buy a bale, they have no idea what is inside. Because fast fashion has lowered the quality of clothing overall,  when a retailer sifts through a bale and adds up all their expenses, they are already $2 USD in debt per item! As a result, 40% of the imported bale leaves the market as waste\u003C/em>.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">The circular economy isn’t socially just by default\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circular policies don’t ensure socially just outcomes by default: they \u003Cem id=\"\">must be co-designed and co-implemented\u003C/em> in an integrated manner to achieve \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://static.resourcetrade.earth/2022-05-23-stockholm50-circular-economy-roadmap-FINAL.pdf\">needs’ satisfaction and well-being\u003C/a>, within our planetary boundaries. This requires a deep interrogation of interdependent systems, starting from the local and scaling up to the global level. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">These emergent issues are embedded in pre-existing deep-rooted dynamics between the Global North and South which have existed for decades and it is important that organisations working towards the circular transition acknowledge this. \u003Cem id=\"\">How can we embed the circular economy within socially just principles? How can we imagine and design a circular economy that considers the realities of the Global South? \u003C/em>These are some of the questions that the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/circular-jobs-initiative\">Circular Jobs Initiatives\u003C/a> team in Circle Economy explores. This blog series will continue to explore this topic. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":605,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":606,"updated_at":607,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":608,"contents":610,"contributors":618,"image":17},"335s","2023-04-17T14:32:55.000Z","2024-02-23T16:18:54.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":609},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[611],{"id":612,"score":12,"body":613,"status":111,"article_id":605,"created_at":40,"updated_at":607,"published_at":112},"KZCd",{"image":614,"title":615,"content":616,"summary":16,"attachment":617,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380838177-dajV1NBl.jpg","Sustainability policy can worsen global inequalities","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">This article was first published by the\u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/06/sustainability-policies-global-inequalities/\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cem id=\"\"> World Economic Forum\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">.\u003C/em>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">National policies and commitments in higher-income countries to cap greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reduce waste, among other aims, are absolutely vital — but overwhelmingly short-sighted in practice. They’re often formed to reach local targets, with no thought of the impact they may have beyond borders. Especially the case in higher-income countries, such policies may deliver environmental — and sometimes socioeconomic — benefits at home — but they can exacerbate global power imbalances in lower-income countries, such as exploitative labour practices.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">New research published by Amsterdam-based impact organisation Circle Economy at the Stockholm+50 conference — \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/thinking-beyond-borders-to-achieve-social-justice-in-a-global-circular-economy\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Thinking beyond borders to achieve social justice in a global circular economy: actions for government and multilateral bodies\u003C/em>\u003C/a> — presents a clear roadmap of action as sustainability policy rightly continues to be a prime governmental focus and national climate commitments are revised ahead of COP27 in November. Unless the world rallies around a socially responsible model of sustainability that reaches beyond local borders, we will not achieve a healthy planet for the prosperity of all.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‘The circular economy will not be socially just by default: we need to make it so,’ write the authors.\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1131px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1131px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"This visual from the report shows the risks that come with a circular economy that is rooted in linear ideology, versus the opportunity for a socially just circular economy.\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/643d1e3715311102a7ea99e0_image%207.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">This visual from the report shows the risks that come with a circular economy that is rooted in linear ideology, versus the opportunity for a socially just circular economy. See more in the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/thinking-beyond-borders-to-achieve-social-justice-in-a-global-circular-economy\">report\u003C/a>.\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Reuse and recycling policies to tackle the world’s waste\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Global waste is shipped across the world, primarily ending up in lower-income countries: often clogging drains, polluting water, causing respiratory infections and harming wildlife. Efforts to meet well-intentioned higher recycling targets in the US, for example, have resulted in increased shipments of plastic waste to Latin American countries, such as Ecuador, that lack recycling infrastructure. Lower-income countries now routinely receive shipments of waste they have not consented to; illicit waste generates \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://globalinitiative.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/GITOC-Plastic-for-Profit.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">US$10–12 billion \u003C/a>annually in profits. Aside from the problems the local communities are exposed to, the imported waste is also tied to informal work: poorly-paid waste picking, for example, often taken up by children.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Thrown-out clothes and other second-hand goods that are collected in higher-income nations also often end up on the shores of lower-income countries. The textile market in Kantamanto, Accra, Ghana, sees 15 million items of textiles a week, for example. Many items don’t directly go to waste, but they do stifle many local industries: traditional, artisanal manufacturing and local repair sectors.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">How we can do it differently\u003C/em>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Higher-income countries should create more localised and closed-loop supply chains to encourage big exporters to deal with their own waste \u003Cem id=\"\">and \u003C/em>improving the working conditions for informal waste collectors, dismantlers and recyclers, in countries that receive waste, would encourage a more socially just exchange. Cross-border partnerships, such as \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://delterra.org/about-us/vision/\" target=\"_blank\">Rethinking Recycling\u003C/a>, both promote decent work and encourage recycling.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">A reliance on ‘one-size-fits-all’ high-tech innovations\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Many sustainability narratives tend to prioritise highly technical solutions that require equipment that is expensive to purchase and maintain. Many European governments, for example, frame their circular economy ambitions and policies on new technologies and business models as avenues to achieve ‘green growth’: more efficient tumble dryers — rather than promoting air-drying clothes — lab-grown meat — rather than promoting eating less meat and more veggies — and lower-carbon jet fuels — rather than improving public transport. Yet an over-reliance on high-tech — and high-cost — solutions makes many sustainability approaches inaccessible for many, and overlooks the changes in social practices needed to prevent GHG emissions and waste.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">There are multiple risks for lower-income nations: firstly, many technologies may have unintended consequences when they go mainstream: solar panels, for example, will continuously demand mined raw materials, which can only be partly offset by secondary materials. Similarly, biofuels — an alternative to fossil fuels — can impact food systems, driving up food prices, degrading land and pressuring water sources. Likewise, some technologies may displace jobs, such as 3D printing for textiles. Secondly, technology developed in higher-income parts of the world, such as Europe or the US, may fail to translate to other parts of the world where the margin of error in choosing appropriate technologies is\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.iteea.org/File.aspx?id=86706&v=eeddb061#:~:text=Appropriate%20Technology%20(AT)%20is%20a,to%20address%20within%20developing%20countries\" target=\"_blank\"> extremely narrow\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">How we can do it differently\u003C/em>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Technologies are appropriate when they are compatible with local cultural and economic conditions, utilise locally available materials and energy resources, and can be easily installed and maintained by local populations. This requires skilling and training to encourage decent work. They must also enable, rather than displace jobs and Indigenous practices. A great example of how technology should be driven by community needs and designed in collaboration — not imposition — was in introducing less polluting cookstoves in India. This was only successful when the primary users — women — were engaged and their needs evaluated. First attempts with the more expensive high-efficiency cookstoves failed to take into account local traditions and available cooking space. Ultimately, the successful model turned out to be a more traditional model (Mewar Angithi) — it also reduces wood use and smoke to \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://carolinecriadoperez.com/book/invisible-women/\" target=\"_blank\">levels comparable\u003C/a> with the initial option.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Responsible trade practices to limit overconsumption\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The global economy consumed \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2021\" target=\"_blank\">100 billion tonnes of materials\u003C/a> in 2019, the lion’s share of which took place in higher-income nations. Policy that limits overconsumption — as in the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ieep.eu/news/tackling-over-consumption-a-key-challenge-for-the-european-green-deal\" target=\"_blank\">EU Green Deal\u003C/a> — is welcome. This, in turn, is expected to significantly impact the quality and quantity of the global trade of primary materials,\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.chathamhouse.org/2020/04/promoting-just-transition-inclusive-circular-economy\" target=\"_blank\"> as well as increasing rates\u003C/a> of reuse, repair and high-value recycling. How this will impact global trade remains unclear, write the authors. Regardless, ‘lower-income countries currently stand to lose more.‘ This is because workers in extractive industries exporting mined raw materials highly rely on trade coming from higher-income nations. Further, despite the controversies surrounding the exports of waste and second-hand goods from high-income nations to lower-income ones, the process does support millions of workers. So, if policy would lead to an abrupt halt in the flow of this trade, without taking into account the impact it could have overseas, many workers could lose income stability and work.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">How we can do it differently\u003C/em>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">To encourage responsible trade, countries need to take responsibility for their own waste, avoid an abrupt halt on exports and support the decent work of informal workers abroad. But higher-income nations’ policies must also consider ‘eco-reparations and equitable investments in communities that have disproportionately been affected by current global value chain practices. Enforcing Extended Producer Responsibility schemes and carrying out checks prior to the export of waste can support these actions,’ write the authors.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Social justice won’t be an ‘inevitable byproduct’: the warning signs are already here\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The authors quote Liz Ricketts’ \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://atmos.earth/fashion-clothing-waste-letter-ghana/\" target=\"_blank\">open letter\u003C/a> to the fashion industry: ‘​​Justice will not be the inevitable byproduct of take-back programmes, clothing donations or recycling technology,’ — a message that is just as relevant to other global value chains. Failing to take the impacts of local policies across borders will not challenge the current power structures that uphold social injustices between countries. It also undermines development in lower-income countries, as well as their circular economy ambitions.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">To build a sustainable future for all, the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/thinking-beyond-borders-to-achieve-social-justice-in-a-global-circular-economy\" target=\"_blank\">report\u003C/a> details a range of approaches policymakers can consider, from considering people beyond your borders, trading responsibly and exchanging know-how and means. There is truly no environmental justice without social justice: and it’s a must for all nations seeking to secure a safe future for the next generations.\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">About Circle Economy\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">The Circular Jobs Initiative at Circle Economy works to maximise the employment opportunities offered by the circular economy. It does this by measuring circular jobs, analysing the environment needed to create them and providing practical support to businesses and governments that want to adopt circular strategies that have a positive social impact, with support from the Goldschmeding Foundation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":620,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":621,"updated_at":622,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":623,"contents":625,"contributors":633,"image":17},"vhHS","2023-05-01T09:56:10.000Z","2024-02-23T16:28:58.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":624},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[626],{"id":627,"score":12,"body":628,"status":111,"article_id":620,"created_at":40,"updated_at":622,"published_at":112},"af8P",{"image":629,"title":630,"content":631,"summary":16,"attachment":632,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380839864-dEqtkTb1.jpg","Overlooking emissions embodied in materials threatens any chance of reaching the 1.5-degrees target","\u003Cp id=\"\">Let me paint a picture for you. Under a media frenzy, world leaders come together to grace famed stages and discuss the biggest challenge of our time: climate breakdown. They dominate newspaper headlines, promising dreams of net-zero and tales of green growth. But in the background, extractive industries continue drilling, fracking and mining. Materials that are increasingly scarce or downright polluting flow into our economy—seemingly as if there is no climate crisis. Profits are made, ecological exhaustion continues.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In fact, in the time elapsed—six years—between the key climate conferences of COP21 in Paris 2015, and COP26 in Glasgow 2021, half a trillion tonnes of virgin materials were extracted. These are minerals, ores, fossil fuels and biomass to fulfil society’s needs—and many of its wants. This is according to the latest Circularity Gap Report, launched in January 2022 \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/\" target=\"_blank\">by Circle Economy\u003C/a>, an Amsterdam-based impact organisation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The dichotomy of this situation amplifies the core message of the Circularity Gap Report series, which annually reports on the circular state of the world. This is that to mitigate the impacts of climate breakdown, we need to shift toward a system that is regenerative and circular in nature, and that applies a systems approach. We cannot tackle the integrated issue of climate breakdown silo by silo, country by country, or pledge by pledge.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">There is no more time for false promises: COP26 was branded a ‘fragile win’ by Alok Sharma, it became a playground for polluters and their lobbyists. Much of the climate community lamented the watered-down results. And now sights are on COP27: it needs to deliver climate pledges (Nationally Determined Contributions) that are sincere and well thought out: including on how they will be funded and which jobs and skills are needed to make them a reality. As the latest IPCC report has made clear: we have to act now, or we face masses of human and planetary suffering. And as both the IPCC and the Circularity Gap Report posit: action must include conversations around consumption rates, resource use and systemic change—not only a tech-led clean energy transition.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">A 50-year hypothesis—and warning—proven right\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">It’s been five years since our Circularity Gap Report first calculated the circular state of the world. In this short time, the world has gone from 9.1% circular in 2018 to 8.6% in 2020 and annual global resource use has surpassed 100 billion tonnes. Inequalities have also widened across and within countries and it is now over 1.1-degree warmer than in pre-industrial times.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">But this alarm bell has sounded for years already. In fact, the Club of Rome’s landmark book Limits to Growth, which predicted how rapid economic growth and natural resource exploitation would lead to the ‘collapse of civilisation’ by 2040, was published exactly fifty years ago. New research shows that we appear to be, unfortunately, right on schedule. A handful of the study’s ‘worst-case scenarios’ based on food production and pollution, among others, have accurately forecasted our real-world situation. And what a shame, as the study never intended to make predictions—it rather wanted to inspire the world to follow safe and sustainable avenues. Much of the world has repeatedly snoozed the alarm.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In the years since the Limits to Growth predictions, we have seen some progress on the sustainability or ‘green’ front with a medley of environmental victories. However, we cannot downplay our defeats. In 2015, nearly all countries pledged to limit the average global temperature rise this century to well below 2-degrees, and ideally 1.5-degrees, in an effort to prevent the worst impacts of climate breakdown, provide support for lower-income nations and be transparent in reporting on action. Yet we remain far from reaching this goal, partly because natural resource exploitation has continued to be maximised in pursuit of continued growth: the antithesis of the Club of Rome’s advice.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Climate mitigation efforts to keep us on track to reach the Paris Agreement’s goal of 1.5-degrees of warming largely do not address natural resource exploitation any further than phasing out fossil fuel use. The overwhelming focus on the clean energy transition as the saving grace of our warming planet has resulted in efforts centred solely on energy sources in industries with high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions: namely electricity, heat, construction, transportation and manufacturing. Although vital, is this alone enough to stem climate breakdown? The answer here is no.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">70% of global emissions are tied to material use and handling\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">As consumption has risen—fueled by the extraction and use of resources—so have global greenhouse gas emissions. The Circularity Gap Report 2021 reported that of the 59.1 billion tonnes of annual total global emissions, 70% are tied to the lifetimes of materials: extraction, processing, use and disposal. As materials flow through the global economy and supply chain, energy carriers gradually become embodied in finished goods and services. So, to truly reduce the level of GHG emissions in our atmosphere, we must look at our use and disposal of resources: all of our stuff.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">This is where the circular economy comes in. The circular economy is a model full of potential to cut resource use and extraction and stem global emissions. If managed well, it can also create more equitable societies. To fully understand the breadth of circular economy strategies that can be applied across sectors and industries to cut resource use and emissions, we are guided by four key pillars for material flow management: narrow, slow, regenerate and cycle. And as three-quarters of global GHGs are produced by providing for society's need for housing, nutrition and mobility, this article will focus on examples from these sectors.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Narrowing global material flows: using fewer resources\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circular strategies can reduce the overall level of materials flowing into an economy by increasing material efficiency—in other words, getting more (or the same) from fewer materials. This means the emissions embodied in materials and end-products will be lowered. This is especially true if priority is given to the flows with the highest embodied emissions—such as cement clinker production.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Importantly, the overall level of material consumption must also be reduced to narrow flows: if the common denominator (the consumption of virgin materials) keeps growing, our advances in material efficiency and cycling can never keep up. The processes still entail resource extraction.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In practice, this will mean reducing material consumptions across needs. This entails encouraging the use of sharing and rental models over private ownership, for example, and prioritising material lightweighting where possible as well as multifunctional products and buildings. To make housing more circular, for example, we must ultimately call for fewer—but better—new buildings to be built and make using them for multiple purposes the norm—especially in higher-income countries where we have masses of stock already built up.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">When it comes to cutting the resource and emissions intensity by narrowing flows for Mobility, the simplest avenue is to reduce travel. Embracing digitisation in business and across sectors will serve to reduce the material inputs needed for goods and even buildings—especially if work-from-home and telecommuting remain partly in place post-covid-19.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Slowing global material flows: using resources for longer\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">In extending the time that we can use materials to the best of their value with circular strategies, the emissions attached to material flows are spread out and reduced over time. By using materials for longer we will also reduce the need to extract virgin materials, also leading to energy savings.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In practice, we must make the most of what we already have: elongating the life of our goods and buildings. This will be paramount as the global population continues to swell and countries continually invest in new buildings and infrastructure to meet the variety of societal needs. Current estimates suggest that 255 billion square metres of buildings exist across the globe—a figure expected to almost double within the next four decades. This stock build-up is not inherently bad; many nations need to invest in infrastructure to ensure access to basic services.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The situation, nonetheless, necessitates that we slow flows: design with circularity in mind, maintain and reuse, and repair and refurbish buildings, roads and machinery. Modular design, for example, allows buildings to be easily adapted over time to suit changing needs. It carries the potential for deconstruction, relocation and reuse of elements (or even whole buildings). Underused and disused buildings should also be occupied—in a time of resource scarcity buildings should not be sitting empty. Only with these methods can we try to meet the global housing demand within our global stock limits.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Regenerate global material flows: using clean resources\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Ultimately, fossil fuels only represent 15% of all materials that enter the global economy, but they are responsible for 65% of global emissions. By using regenerative resources—which is inherent in the circular economy—the emissions in fossil fuels and unsustainable biomass, toxins in many chemicals, are cut from the economy—and don’t seep into our ecosystems and bodies.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In practice, this means prioritising and mainstreaming regenerative material use, renewable energy and regenerative agriculture. We must consider how we grow, source, process and transport our food—and what type of foods we eat—and the massive impact this has on both global emissions and material use. As disposable incomes rise across the globe, the pressure to safeguard our earth’s natural carbon sinks—forests—from deforestation driven by the global appetite for meat, as well as moving toward more regenerative agricultural practices that allow us to bring our process more in line with nature, rises. Across the board, the use of artificial fertilisers, pesticides and other pollutants should be eliminated to the extent possible to maintain healthy, fertile soils and safeguard biodiversity. Implementing such a fully-fledged circular model of regenerative agriculture can result in animal husbandry being balanced with crop cultivation, allowing waste products to be cycled into inputs: manure becomes fertiliser and crop trimmings and waste become fodder.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Everyday choices for fresh, regional, local and seasonal options can also make a difference. If these options would dominate diets and menus, the need for hot-housing vegetables would drop—equating to a reduction in fuel inputs, plus fewer food miles and lower transportation impacts. Urban, organic and precision farming models would also eliminate harmful synthetic fertiliser use which allows nitrogen and phosphorus to seep into the soil.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Cycle flows: using resources again\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Depending on the energy used and emissions released during the cycling process, this circular strategy has the potential to eliminate embodied emissions from inputs. Cycling, essentially, turns ‘waste’ into something usable. While ‘recycling’ is often incorrectly seen as the core principle of the circular economy, it actually ranks lowest in the waste hierarchy: only recycle if you can't first avoid something becoming waste in the first place by refusing, reducing or reusing.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In fulfilling the global population's need for nutrition, mobility and housing, it's inevitable that some waste will be created—even in a circular economy. And in our current linear system, waste levels are catastrophically high. In practice we must mainstream designing for recyclability (both technical and biological), designing for disassembly and recycling.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Consider food waste: while many people around the world suffer from food insecurity, roughly one-third of the food produced in the world for human consumption every year—about 1.3 billion tonnes—gets lost or wasted. Of course, we need to mitigate this waste in the first place, but when that is not possible, food waste can also be used as fodder which can reduce farmers’ costs by up to 60%.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Design must consider goods' end-of-life destination. Automobile design, for example, must allow for metal and plastic components to be recycled, and for such components to include recycled materials in the first place. In transitioning away from fossil fuels, the global economy is building up masses of stock in the form of wind turbines, for example. These must be designed to first, be durable and repairable, and second, to be reusable and, finally, cyclable when they reach the end of their lives. In the UK, HS2 Ltd, the developer of a high-speed railway linking major UK cities, has given a new lease of life to decommissioned wind turbine blades, in place of using virgin steel. Meanwhile, batteries from end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), for example, are full of precious raw materials. Using these as an 'urban mine'—so that these valuable materials can be recycled—is becoming increasingly accessible as platforms to assist in making the data available to all have sprung up: ProSUM, for example, led by a number of EU and Swiss institutions.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1069px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1069px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Cycle flows: using resources again\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/644f8e450409e3f9ce978f9b_Narrow%20Slow%20Regenerate%20Cycle.jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">2022: an unprecedented time for collaboration\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Without a significant increase in action, climate targets such as 1.5-degrees will ‘wither on the vine,’ Sharma said at the World Sustainable Development Summit in February. The circular economy can help us reap the fruits of the 1.5-degree goal—but getting there will require radical collaboration over competition.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The globe stands at a crisis crossroads. As I write, war has broken out in Europe with Russia’s attack on Ukraine. An invasion driven by national self-interest (and a barbarian)—a far cry from collaboration. The latest IPCC report warns that one of the worst scenarios modelled is one where 'resurgent nationalism, concerns about competitiveness and security, and regional conflicts' make global collaboration nearly impossible.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In light of the current events, calls to drop fossil fuels are growing louder. A move away from fossil fuels is a move towards more safety—for the planet and its people. Aside from their massive contribution to climate breakdown, they also make the global economy and energy security vulnerable to geopolitical shocks and crises, notes UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Many materials we extract from the earth drive similar conflicts.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">By ensuring that everything is used at its highest value for as long as possible, the circular economy can reduce the need for finite virgin resources. And in ensuring that we use regenerative resources, the circular economy can eliminate fossil fuels. And as we know and the latest IPCC makes clear, there is no silver bullet for mitigating climate change, but there is a smoking gun: fossil fuels and overconsumption.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":635,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":292,"updated_at":636,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":637,"contents":639,"contributors":648,"image":17},"QBz3","2026-02-11T11:14:10.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":638},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[640],{"id":641,"score":12,"body":642,"status":111,"article_id":635,"created_at":40,"updated_at":636,"published_at":636},"s_Bq",{"image":643,"title":644,"content":645,"summary":646,"attachment":647,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380842222-3nzFO212.jpeg","The business case for fixing the fashion industry","\u003Cp>\u003Cem>In an inconspicuous warehouse on the outskirts of Amsterdam, both people and clothing are given a fresh start. Employing more than 75 people with difficulties accessing the labour market, United Repair Centre works with leading brands to repair damaged items, having fixed over 75,000 pieces of clothing to date. It’s hard to believe it all started with a PDF document—until you speak with the founder, Thami Schweichler.\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https://www.unitedrepaircentre.com/\">United Repair Centre (URC) \u003C/a>was founded just three years ago, but its repair facility feels much more established. Rows of sewing machines fill most of the space, while the remainder is packed with racks of clothing waiting for their turn. But despite this hands-on appearance, URC is a high-tech company. In a nearby office, a team works on a digital platform that connects consumers, brands, logistics, and repair operations, gathering valuable data on clothing items that brands are willing to pay to have repaired. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>According to Thami Schweichler, the founder and CEO, the idea to establish United Repair Centre originated from Circle Economy’s 2021 report, \u003Ca href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/putting-circular-textiles-to-work-2\">\u003Cem>Putting Circular Textiles to Work\u003C/em>\u003C/a>. It examined how various circular strategies would impact the job market and what skills would be required to support a circular fashion industry. ‘When I read the report, I realised that two-thirds of future textile jobs in the Netherlands could be created by the second-hand and repair economy. That was my a-ha moment’, says Schweichler. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3>Circularity plus social inclusion\u003C/h3>\u003Cp>The report provided the entrepreneur with a science-backed business case for establishing a clothing repair centre in the Netherlands. However, Schweichler was well aware of the shortage of skilled tailors, which could put his venture at risk. In Europe, the repair economy is largely informal, disorganised, and focused on B2C, while repair skills are quietly disappearing from the continent. His solution was to employ newcomers to the Netherlands, including refugees, who often face barriers to entering the labour market. \u003C/p>\u003Cfigure class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:4500px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"4500px\">\u003Cdiv>\u003Cimg alt=\"__wf_reserved_inherit\" src=\"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/698c64553e7292295390a43b_Untitled%20design%20(1).jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption>\u003Cem>Thami Schweichler, Founder of United Repair Centre\u003C/em>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‘That’s when I realised how powerful it could be to connect social inclusion with circularity. I approached Patagonia, a partner from my previous enterprise, and proposed two things. First, to foster the demand for repairs by creating a blueprint for repair programmes—sharing know-how with other brands on logistics, finance, and operations, from A to Z. Second, if we were going to create jobs, we should create them for people who really need them’, Schweichler recalls. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>The underlying principle of the new business model is that brands should bear the cost of repairs, not consumers. Offering free repairs to customers creates loyalty, brings them back to stores and helps brands meet sustainability goals. What’s more, pricey products are easier to sell if they come with a repair guarantee. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>The scheme worked even better than Schweichler expected. Patagonia provided the initial repair volumes, enabling United Repair Centre to get operations underway, and also introduced the company to other brands. The first clients were impressed by the skill of the people behind the sewing machines—the repaired clothing often looked even better than new.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3>Knocking on the repairer’s door \u003C/h3>\u003Cp>Just three years after its establishment in 2022, United Repair Centre has grown into a company with three hubs—Amsterdam, London, and soon Paris. It employs over 65 people from 22 countries, around 75% of whom have a distance to the labour market. The company also established an academy to address skill shortages. Through its free training, even people without prior tailoring experience can learn the basics of the craft and secure their first paid job at the centre.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Today, URC collaborates with over 30 global brands, including Patagonia, Levi’s, The North Face, Lululemon, and Decathlon. Its operations in the Netherlands and the UK are profitable, and the whole group is expected to become profitable soon. ‘Five years ago, brands asked, “Why would we ever do repairs?” Today, they’re knocking on our door asking how to start. Policy developments, such as Extended Producer Responsibility and the Right to Repair, are shifting the market dynamics. That’s why I believe the demand from brands will continue to increase’, says Schweichler. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>The forecast presented initially in Circle Economy’s report has proven accurate. The business case for B2B clothing repair not only exists but is becoming increasingly compelling. URC’s next challenge is to convince not only sustainability leaders like Patagonia, but also mass-market brands, to invest in repair. So far, all signs suggest that luck is on their side. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>","In an inconspicuous warehouse on the outskirts of Amsterdam, both people and clothing are given a fresh start. Employing more than 75 people with difficulties accessing the labour market, United Repair Centre works with leading brands to repair damaged items, having fixed over 75,000 pieces of clothing to date. It’s hard to believe it all started with a PDF document—until you speak with the founder, Thami Schweichler.",[],[],{"id":650,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":651,"updated_at":652,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":653,"contents":655,"contributors":663,"image":17},"uX0i","2023-06-27T08:54:02.000Z","2024-12-11T10:02:36.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":654},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[656],{"id":657,"score":12,"body":658,"status":111,"article_id":650,"created_at":40,"updated_at":652,"published_at":652},"gIn2",{"image":659,"title":660,"content":661,"summary":16,"attachment":662,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380843838--dwQjJgV.JPG","The circular economy could be pivotal for climate action and mitigation but must drop its Global North bias to benefit everyone. Here’s how.","\u003Cp id=\"\">The latest IPCC coverage laid bare how climate change is destroying \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/20/humanity-at-climate-crossroads-highway-to-hell-or-a-livable-future\">lives and livelihoods \u003C/a>worldwide. From those working in sectors sensitive to climate change to people losing incomes and homes due to climate events. Overall, existing inequalities are \u003Ca href=\"https://templatelab.com/ipcc-summary-for-policymakers/\">deepening\u003C/a>. We need solutions that put \u003Cem id=\"\">people\u003C/em> at the centre.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The circular economy is crucial here: the IPCC \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg3/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGIII_FullReport.pdf\">Sixth Assessment Report \u003C/a>highlights on page 121 how the circular economy is ‘an increasingly important mitigation approach that can help deliver human well-being by minimising waste of energy and resources’. But for this to become a reality, adopting circular solutions must be just.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circle Economy, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and S4YE (a World Bank-led global programme) have united under an initiative—\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/decent-work-in-the-circular-economy\">Jobs in the circular economy\u003C/a>—that will do exactly this: create evidence and tools to unlock the potential of the circular economy so that it can be used for a just transition and decent work for all. By bringing together international research institutions, industry representatives, social partners, and public bodies to create better evidence, we aim to arm decision makers with what they need to set us on the right path. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The first fruit of this endeavour is our joint report that launched last week at the World Circular Economy Forum in Helsinki: \u003Cem id=\"\">Decent work in the circular economy\u003C/em>. It finds that out of 425 academic studies on decent work and circular economy reviewed, 84% were focused on the Global North—spotlighting the Global North bias of current circular policies. It shows us that we must both \u003Cem id=\"\">zoom out\u003C/em>—by creating a more comprehensive global picture—and \u003Cem id=\"\">zoom in—\u003C/em>by diving into what different circular economy interventions mean for different regions, cities and minority groups around the world. \u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-center\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"center\" data-rt-max-width=\"\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"DECENT WORK IN THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY\" src=\"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/6759633b77f9ee236f041d26_649aa4227dda910488cf1237_CJI.%2520IV%2520%2520post%2520(1).png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003C/figure>\u003Ch2 id=\"\">The past six years have seen record material use but also worsening inequalities  \u003C/h2>\u003Cp id=\"\">In the last six years of the Circle Economy’s \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2023\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report\u003C/em>\u003C/a>, the global economy extracted and used more materials than the entire 20th century. Ultimately, massive rises in global material extraction and use must translate to global equity or deliver better opportunities for all. Yet we’re seeing mounting inequalities \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Global_Risks_Report_2023.pdf?_gl=1*31gkj0*_up*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjwzuqgBhAcEiwAdj5dRl5cj5wRULk3bwvR0lhiVV0e-4TvaPCx9mBcr20s1SgBAHjo6tBvpRoCOr0QAvD_BwE\">between and within countries\u003C/a>. In 2022, 214 million workers were living in extreme poverty, while women in the workforce, particularly in the global south, still \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---inst/documents/publication/wcms_865332.pdf\">lag behind \u003C/a>men. And while the value and energy that material extraction delivers can boost living standards, more than one-quarter of income generated from global GDP growth goes to the world’s \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://wid.world/news-article/world-inequality-report-2022/#:~:text=The%20World%20Inequality%20Report%202022,researchers%20from%20around%20the%20world.\">richest 1%\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The maths is not adding up. \u003C/p>\u003Ch2 id=\"\">With a circular economy, we \u003Cem id=\"\">could\u003C/em> regain balance\u003C/h2>\u003Cp id=\"\">The circular economy puts forward solutions that can be used by governments and industries to fulfil society’s needs with 70% of the materials currently used, finds the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2023\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report 2023\u003C/em>\u003C/a>. This one-third reduction can also keep global warming temperatures below 2-degrees and drive benefits for people while reaching climate targets. Also, as an approach to redesigning systems, circularity can help to redistribute power and wealth—when its implementation is coupled with \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/thinking-beyond-borders-to-achieve-social-justice-in-a-global-circular-economy\">redefining value\u003C/a>. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">However, for the circular economy to truly support a just transition, those embracing it need to be clear on what it means for people now \u003Cem id=\"\">and\u003C/em> in the future. This means promoting climate justice to tackle existing inequalities in labour markets and value chains, anticipating future impacts on workers and industries, and mitigating potential trade-offs between social and environmental goals. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">‘Undoubtedly, a circular economy can help us reach our climate goals. However, fully unlocking the potential of this new economy requires a just transition that addresses the current inequalities and suboptimal working conditions currently present in the circular economy,’ says Alette van Leur, Director of the Sectoral Policies Department at the ILO.\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch2 id=\"\">Human labour and skills are essential levers to systems transformation\u003C/h2>\u003Cp id=\"\">Without people, new solutions cannot be designed or engineered, and climate targets will be missed. Strategies that help societies to become more circular—use less, use longer, use again and make clean—are ultimately labour-intensive. It takes only one job to incinerate 10,000 tonnes of materials, but \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/thinking-beyond-borders-to-achieve-social-justice-in-a-global-circular-economy\">36 jobs\u003C/a> are needed to recycle the same 10,000 tonnes and up to 296 jobs to refurbish and reuse them.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As circular solutions gain traction, we must ensure that the people already driving circular activities worldwide are at the centre. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">And this is already happening: the ‘historic’ \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.packaginginsights.com/news/waste-pickers-on-the-world-stage-plastic-pollution-treaty-negotiations-officially-recognize-informal-collectors.html\">decision to recognise waste pickers as formal stakeholders in negotiations over the global plastics pact\u003C/a> last year, for example. Including informal waste pickers in negotiations signals a recognition of the knowledge and skills they bring to labour-intensive activities and their role in the global plastics system. Involving the informal workers—from smallholder farmers to second-hand merchants—must be a priority as the circular economy reaches national and international forums. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">However, most circular policies fall short of being inclusive and just. For example, the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352550920313750\">European Union’s Action Plan\u003C/a> has been criticised for focusing on maximising local benefits. Yet local circular policies have international impacts across value chains and through trading partners—these must be accounted for.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Our latest paper, \u003Cem id=\"\">Decent work in the circular economy\u003C/em>, highlights how many circular policies risk being based on a narrow understanding of the circular economy and how this could impact the lives of much of the global population. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">We’re developing tools to unlock the potential of the circular economy for promoting innovation, sustainable enterprise, and decent work for all\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">As governments and industries worldwide use circular economy solutions to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change, we must better understand what it entails for \u003Cem id=\"\">people\u003C/em>.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Our latest report identifies what we currently know about jobs in the circular economy. It also pinpoints research gaps and calls for more consistent and internationally relevant evidence to create a stronger foundation for decision-making. As the first outcome of the \u003Cem id=\"\">Jobs in the circular economy\u003C/em> initiative that launched this spring, it will zoom out—helping monitor global progress towards more inclusive circular policies, and zoom in—diving into the challenges and opportunities the circular economy poses to people around the world. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The initiative will help us ensure that we don’t recycle the same inequality issues as our linear economy. It will leverage the expertise and understanding of what is and isn’t working for people working in pockets of the circular economy and labour markets, from governments, industry, marginalised groups of workers, research institutions, trade unions, and civil society organisations. The evidence and insights the initiative will create will raise awareness and put tools in the hands of decision makers, so that the circular economy can be a roadmap for the transformative and social-justice-led systems change that we need to set us on the right path. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In the meantime, we recommend: better data collection so that organisations representing workers, employers and citizens can advance circular economy solutions locally and internationally. Find further steps of what you can do \u003Cem id=\"\">now \u003C/em>to promote a just, circular transition in our previous WEF contribution: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/06/sustainability-policies-global-inequalities/\">Sustainability policies can worsen global inequalities. Here's what needs to change\u003C/a>: Improve reuse and recycling policies to tackle the world’s waste, reduce reliance on ‘one-size-fits-all’ high-tech innovations and encourage responsible trade practices to limit overconsumption.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">To read the report and learn how to collaborate with us on Jobs in the Circular Economy Initiative, visit and reach out \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/circular-jobs-initiative\">here\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":665,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":292,"updated_at":666,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":667,"owner":668,"contents":670,"contributors":680,"image":17},"2icE","2026-04-28T12:55:56.326Z",1,{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":669},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[671],{"id":672,"score":12,"body":673,"status":111,"article_id":665,"created_at":40,"updated_at":679,"published_at":679},"1rnX",{"image":674,"title":675,"content":676,"summary":677,"attachment":678,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380755090-YW3KUN5E.jpeg","Behind the scenes of Ireland’s push for a circular economy strategy","\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Legislative processes, public consultations and closed-door meetings may not sound particularly exciting, but they are precisely the kind of ‘lever long enough to move the world’. Ireland’s approach to circular policymaking deserves a closer look as a case study in whole-of-government commitment.\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Ask around Circle Economy’s office in Amsterdam, and our collaboration with Ireland’s Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment is often cited as one of the most impactful. For the first time, our team worked directly with a national government, helping shape the \u003Ca href=\"https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/consultations/public-consultation-on-the-whole-of-government-circular-economy-strategy-2026-2028/\">second \u003Cem>Whole-of-Government Circular Economy Strategy\u003C/em>\u003C/a>. This strategy has the potential to transform every economic sector, from construction to agriculture, and set Ireland firmly on the path to circularity. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>At the same time, the work on the \u003Ca href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/ireland\">\u003Cem>Circularity Gap Report Ireland\u003C/em>\u003C/a> was painstakingly detailed. Along the way, we learned more than we ever expected—from the use of timber frames in Irish houses to the country’s annual yields of barley and wheat. And if we ever showed a hint of reluctance at diving into yet another spreadsheet of agricultural data, it went completely unnoticed. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‘Circle Economy’s role was enlightening and impactful’, says Darren Byrne, Technical and Scientific Advisor at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications at the time of our collaboration. ‘We realised we worked with people who were not just doing their job but who were truly passionate about the transition to the circular economy’. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3>Data speaks the truth\u003C/h3>\u003Cp>In 2023, the Irish government set out to develop their second \u003Cem>Whole-of-Government Circular Economy Strategy\u003C/em>. Whereas the first strategy set the scene for future action, raised awareness, and convened key stakeholders, the second edition aimed to develop national legislation and in-depth sectoral action plans. At this point, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment needed to establish a baseline to define clear actions and targets for each key sector. To do so, it was important to commission independent research.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Like in any country, many issues in Ireland are highly nuanced. For example, lowering the environmental footprint of construction must be reconciled with the need to address the housing shortage, which demands building a large number of affordable houses—and fast. Independent research enabled the department to consult with external experts based in Amsterdam, who were free from political biases and guided solely by data. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‘Getting external validation empowered us to tackle sensitive issues such as the housing shortage and engage relevant stakeholders’, says Aaron Bayle. ‘The \u003Cem>Circularity Gap Report\u003C/em> is a reference we can always point back to’.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The \u003Cem>CGR Ireland\u003C/em> argued—and backed its argument with data—that the costs of transitioning to the circular economy will be offset by long-term economic benefits. This was instrumental in getting other departments on board and ensuring the strategy is embraced at all levels of government. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3>From numbers to policies\u003C/h3>\u003Cp>The CGR also strengthened cross-government coordination. Its findings informed discussions between departments, and its public release provided an opportunity to secure endorsements from key stakeholders driving the country’s circular transition. ‘When the CGR was published, it was cited by other agencies, NGOs, and actors through their policies, strategies, and roadmaps. Plenty of publications in Ireland have referenced the report subsequently, which demonstrates its impact and reach’, says Darren Byrne, Technical/Scientific Advisor at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The second \u003Cem>Whole-of-Government Circular Economy Strategy\u003C/em> is now nearing the finish line. The draft document was submitted for public consultation in September 2025 and received more than 120 responses. It’s now up for the government to integrate public feedback and finalise the strategy, setting a new milestone in Ireland’s circular economy transition.\u003C/p>","Legislative processes, public consultations and closed-door meetings may not sound particularly exciting, but they are precisely the kind of ‘lever long enough to move the world’. Ireland’s approach to circular policymaking deserves a closer look as a case study in whole-of-government commitment.",[],"2026-02-11T11:15:16.000Z",[],{"id":682,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":683,"updated_at":684,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":667,"owner":685,"contents":687,"contributors":697,"image":17},"217o","2023-03-14T20:47:21.000Z","2026-04-28T15:10:16.046Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":686},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[688],{"id":689,"score":12,"body":690,"status":111,"article_id":682,"created_at":40,"updated_at":696,"published_at":112},"ScWF",{"image":691,"title":692,"content":693,"summary":694,"attachment":695,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380819104-SBLgphQ8.png","Material (mis)management","\u003Cp id=\"\">Circle Economy’s latest Report takes a birds-eye view of the global economy to map the reality of business-as-usual. Based on this, it sketches out a future within which global needs can be satisfied within the \u003Cem id=\"\">safe\u003C/em> limits of the planet using circular economy solutions. It builds on the legacy of past \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Reports\u003C/em>, which have quantifiably linked global greenhouse gas emissions to material use in 2021 (finding that \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2021\">material use accounts for 70% of all emissions\u003C/a>), as well clearly measuring the circularity of the global economy \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2018\">for the first time\u003C/a> in 2018, and in the years thereafter.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The UN warns us that \u003Cem id=\"\">without\u003C/em> material management strategies to keep us within planetary boundaries, we risk  ‘total societal collapse’ driven by concurrent climate change disasters, economic vulnerabilities, political instabilities and ecosystem failures. The\u003Cem id=\"\"> Circularity Gap Report 2023 \u003C/em>shows us that \u003Cem id=\"\">with\u003C/em> material management strategies we can reverse the overshoot on planetary boundaries by fulfilling people’s needs with \u003Cem id=\"\">one-third \u003C/em>fewer materials.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1600px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1600px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Trash\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/640f266f76f69d6643d37618_NcI2MMhi9tQckxJTYrYqIahrEyi2NuFT44QMvzkXcAXEIPieuWuQAV952eYHny4BFF7d3QPlO3Mf4Hs41nGiRQcBYR5jL8HVA5J-xOIIFECNG1np2cj3ZlTYIsLbfX0wN9ri0JJhsRT_ACvXm09HPW0.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">Photo by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@downrightpunch\">Marc Newberry\u003C/a> on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/9vcEn3BJyy8\">Unsplash\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">We need materials, but the way we use them now is wildly inefficient and wasteful \u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Materials flow through our daily lives and are fundamental for development on Earth. Many countries are still building up crucial infrastructure to boost the living standards of their populations—without doubt a much needed transformation. All people deserve warmth and shelter, nutritious and available foods, and safe and accessible transport. Meanwhile, the global economy must drastically increase its use of renewable energy—a shift requiring large amounts of materials. In serving these needs, continuing down the path of business-as-usual will lead to the breach of more planetary boundaries and feed the widening gap between the world’s richest and poorest. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Yearly material extraction has more than tripled since 1970 and has almost doubled since the year 2000—now sitting at 100 billion tonnes. And no, contrary to popular belief, this expansion cannot solely be blamed on population growth. The population has doubled since 1970, but per-person material use has only increased by a factor of 1.7. Material use outpaces population growth in high-income countries, while the opposite is true for lower-income countries. It’s extremely wealthy people—not all people—that push material extraction over safe limits. This already gives us a clue as to one place where circular solutions can have a huge impact: prioritising the bulk of materials for parts of the world that are still building up their capacities. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">We must work to create a system that supports our environment and fosters equality: less equal societies are unhappy societies. And, as the scientists behind the Planetary Boundary framework assert: ‘crossing [our planet’s limits] increases the risk of causing irreversible environmental changes, threatening human life on Earth.’ \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">We cannot recycle our way out of this situation: use less, use longer, make clean and use again!\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The Report asserts that we only need to focus on four key systems within the global economy to deliver a huge dent in material use—cutting it by around one-third—and reverse the overshoot on planetary boundaries: Food systems, the Built Environment, Manufactured goods and consumables and Mobility and transport. These systems—aside from being crucial for everyday life—currently contribute the most to the current overshoot on the planetary boundaries:\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">The global Food system is by far the largest driver of land-use change and biodiversity loss in the world, largely due to the amount of land taken and used to grow crops to feed livestock.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">The global Built Environment is a major driver of ocean acidification and climate change—largely because it emits 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">The global Manufacturing system releases huge amounts of chemicals and novel entities, often toxic or radioactive, that drive pollution and worsens water stress, soil health, biosphere integrity and more.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">The global Mobility and transport system releases about 25% of all greenhouse gases emissions and also drives huge amounts of biodiversity loss due to the construction and expansion of major road corridors, for example.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Overall, material extraction and use is a strong proxy for environmental damage—driving over 90% of total global biodiversity loss and water stress, for example.\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In a world with a growing population, the systems that provide us with crucial services and goods are no longer fit for purpose. Yet circular solutions based on four principles can transform these systems: some so simple that you’d wonder why we haven’t always done things this way. Others will require radical collaboration between a variety of actors from industry and government and a radical shift in the lifestyles of the world’s wealthiest. But all should inspire us to create an economy that emulates nature: naturally circular and supporting life.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Applying solutions stemming from four principles has a transformative impact on the global economy: allowing us to fulfil people’s needs with 70% of the materials we now use and reversing the overshoot on five of the nine planetary boundaries.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Narrowing material flows: use less. \u003C/em>\u003C/strong>These strategies reduce material and energy use. Currently, material use is highly inefficient and ineffective; we can deliver similar social outcomes by using much less and phasing out fossil fuels, for example. This doesn’t mean being worse off, but rather focussing on using materials efficiently: think about riding a bike instead of driving a car, eating less meat and living in a space that suits your\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">needs. Using less is a core tenet of the circular economy—yet currently, the threshold for sustainable consumption, 8 tonnes per person, is being surpassed by 1.5 times.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Slowing material flows: use again.\u003C/em>\u003C/strong>\u003Cem id=\"\"> \u003C/em>Slow strategies aim to keep materials in use for as long as possible, for example, through design for durability and repairability. A more circular economy is also a slower one: materials, components and products—and even buildings and infrastructure—that we lock in stocks are made to last. This will lower material demand in the long run, in essence also serving to narrow resource flows.’\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Regenerating material flows: make clean. \u003C/em>\u003C/strong>Regenerate strategies phase out hazardous or toxic materials and processes, and substitute them with regenerative biomass resources. A circular economy aims to mimic natural cycles—by shifting to more regenerative farming practices, for example—while also maximising the share of circular biomass that enters the economy. Regeneration can happen both at the systems level (by designing regenerative processes such as regenerative agriculture) as well as at the product level (by switching synthetic to organic fertilisers, for example).\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Cycle material flows: use again. \u003C/em>\u003C/strong>Cycle strategies aim to cycle and reuse materials at their highest value: they maximise the volume of secondary materials re-entering the economy, ultimately minimising the need for virgin material inputs and, therefore, also narrowing flows. Of course, virgin materials will always be needed to a degree: all materials degrade and can’t be cycled infinitely, use energy, and require blending with virgin materials to maintain strength and functionality.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">See the Report for a full list of the 16 circular solutions.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1069px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1069px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"16 circular solutions\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/644f8e450409e3f9ce978f9b_Narrow%20Slow%20Regenerate%20Cycle.jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">A global picture of material use: some countries need to reduce, others need to stabilise \u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">There is currently enough wealth and materials in the world to provide a good\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">quality of life to every single human being on this planet, but our methods of organisation are not fit for purpose. The \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report\u003C/em> dives into the approach different countries can take, such as reducing consumption and making the most of the buildings we already have in high-consumption countries (such as many EU Member States and the US). Countries that have rapidly urbanised in recent years, such as those in Latin America and China, can aim to stabilise their spiralling material use, while those that are building up infrastructure and increasingly providing social needs, such as Sub-Saharan African countries and Pakistan, can even increase their material use. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">To really reduce the amount of materials entering our economy and ensure that the countries that need them the most are prioritised, there must be a global mindset shift. We need a shared vision that unites us towards a common purpose: thriving within the safe limits of our planet. This kind of shift will not happen overnight, but it will be crucial in integrating circularly into our global economy. The solutions are in our hands.\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Discover the full 16 solutions in the report, as well as the breakdown by country profile. Available on Circle Economy’s website: \u003C/strong>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2023\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">https://www.circularity-gap.world/2023\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>\u003Cstrong id=\"\"> \u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Please reach out to Circle Economy if you have any questions or if you want to learn how to make your business, city or nation more circular. \u003C/strong>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"mailto:laxmi@circle-economy.com\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">laxmi@circle-economy.com\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>","We need to talk about materials: how we extract, process, use and dispose of stuff. The sheer amount of global materials entering the global economy each year — now a record 100 billion tonnes — has repercussions. ",[],"2024-02-23T16:09:37.000Z",[],{"id":699,"type":700,"cta":17,"cta_link":17,"created_at":701,"updated_at":701,"owner_id":702,"owner_relationship":703,"views":12,"owner":704,"contents":706,"contributors":722,"image":723},"93tD","business_case","2026-04-29T09:14:55.236Z","Tbtf7b","collaborator",{"id":702,"type":705,"owner_id":702,"about":17,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":17,"organisation":17},"user",[707],{"id":708,"score":12,"body":709,"status":720,"article_id":699,"created_at":701,"updated_at":721,"published_at":17},"sGfF",{"title":710,"outcome":711,"problem":712,"summary":713,"solution":714,"attachment":715},"From Demolition to Development: be’ah’s Role in Oman’s Circular Built Environment","\u003Cp>Since commencing C&DW-related operations in 2019, be’ah has received more than 21 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste. Between 2019 and 2025, over 16 million tonnes of this waste were successfully processed for reuse, enabling the production of recycled construction materials for use in new building and infrastructure projects. These initiatives demonstrate tangible circular economy outcomes in Oman’s built environment sector by closing material loops and reducing reliance on virgin resources.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Despite this progress, barriers remain. These include non-compliance with waste regulations by contractors, inadequate sorting at source, illegal dumping, limited waste tracking systems, lack of approved standards for assessing the quality of recycled materials, absence of mandatory requirements to use recycled materials in public projects, and low awareness among waste producers of the economic value of C&DW. Addressing these challenges is essential to scaling circular construction practices and increasing high-value material recovery across the sector.\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>The built environment is among the most resource and carbon-intensive sectors globally, a reality reflected in Oman’s construction sector. Driven by rapid population growth and infrastructure demand, the sector relies heavily on virgin resource extraction. Construction and demolition waste constitutes the largest waste stream in Oman, currently accounting for approximately 33% of all treated waste.  \u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The integration of circular solutions at scale in Oman’s construction sector is currently hindered by a significant ‘green premium’ and a reliance on imported construction materials (such as steel), which drive up costs. Local secondary material supply chains in Oman are underdeveloped, with limited standardisation of reuse of C&D waste.\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>Construction and demolition waste (C&DW) represents the largest waste stream in Oman. The production of construction materials, such as concrete, aggregates, and metals, is resource-intensive and carries a significant carbon footprint. As Oman expands its housing and infrastructure, recovering and reusing these materials offers a significant circular economy opportunity, while also improving cost efficiency, and strengthening domestic production. Oman’s Environmental Services Holding Company, be\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>Existing buildings and construction waste offer opportunities to reuse and recover materials, drawing value from waste rather than relying on new resources. Recovering concrete, aggregates, metals and timber from demolition sites reduces demand for virgin materials, alleviates extraction pressures and lowers associated emissions.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>In Oman, recycling of construction and demolition waste is already underway through be’ah’s waste management operations. The company operates 32 sites across the country, including sorting facilities and C&D waste treatment plants, 10 of which are equipped with advanced machinery capable of recovering high-value materials such as sand and aggregates. The process involves assessing waste streams for suitability, sorting materials, processing and recycling them, and reintroducing the resulting secondary materials into construction and building activities. C&DW processing has been in operation since 2019 at be’ah, reflecting a shift toward recognising construction waste as a valuable resource rather than a disposal challenge.\u003C/p>",[716],{"name":717,"type":718,"value":719},"be'ah showcases circular economy gains from construction waste","link","https://www.omanobserver.om/article/1177744/business/economy/beah-showcases-circular-economy-gains-from-construction-waste","draft","2026-04-29T09:15:40.010Z",[],{"id":724,"link":725,"alt":726,"source":727,"created_at":728,"updated_at":729,"article_id":699,"image_profile_id":17,"banner_profile_id":17},"cmoju9xga0001sb01wottkyz0","https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/kgS4SGQOFvtmR85Z.jpg","Photo from be'ah","be'ah","2026-04-29T09:14:55.258Z","2026-04-29T09:15:40.016Z",{"id":731,"type":732,"cta":17,"cta_link":17,"created_at":733,"updated_at":733,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":703,"views":12,"owner":734,"contents":736,"contributors":756,"image":757},"juY0","policy_case","2026-04-29T09:54:30.868Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":735},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[737],{"id":738,"score":12,"body":739,"status":111,"article_id":731,"created_at":733,"updated_at":755,"published_at":17},"3NIA",{"title":740,"outcome":741,"problem":742,"summary":743,"solution":744,"attachment":745},"From Aflaj to oases: Climate-resilient agriculture in Oman","\u003Cp>These resource-efficient agricultural systems have enabled continuous food production in Oman over centuries, despite extreme climatic conditions. This has led to relative self-sufficiency in fruit and vegetable production, particularly in irrigated regions such as the Batinah Plain and interior agricultural zones, despite broader import dependencies in Oman. In 2024, overall self-sufficiency in agricultural products stood at approximately 49.4%, with higher rates (around 60–70%) for fruits and vegetables. Key domestically produced fruits include dates, mangoes, limes, bananas, and coconuts, while vegetable production includes crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines, okra, carrots, onions, and leafy greens. These systems recapture, distribute, and reuse scarce water resources efficiently, enabling food production in one of the world’s most challenging environments for agriculture. They illustrate that circular economy practices are not new to Oman but are deeply rooted in cultural knowledge and community-based resource governance.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>This demonstrates how traditional, resource efficient practices coincide with circular practices, and how these continue to support food security, biodiversity, and resilient livelihoods in a water-scarce context, providing valuable lessons for future circular economy strategies for the food system.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Sources include links added and Circle Economy. (2026). The circularity gap report Oman. Amsterdam: Circle Economy.\u003C/em>\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>In Oman, agriculture is central to the food system and human well-being, but also plays an important role in cultural and religious identity, and national resilience in Oman. While agriculture is not a dominant economic sector, it plays a vital role in food security, heritage, and community life. Oman is food secure but not food self-sufficient, relying heavily on imports for several food products. This dependency is intensified by environmental constraints, particularly limited water availability and arable land.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Oman’s agricultural sector operates under severe natural conditions. Only around 4.6% of the country’s total land area is suitable for cultivation, while approximately 80% of the country is classified as desert or semi-desert. Water scarcity is acute, with many regions receiving less than 100 mm of rainfall annually—far below the requirements for rainfed agriculture. Oman’s topography varies in different parts of the country, presenting unique challenges, for instance, coastal areas face high humidity and heat, increasing crop stress and disease risks, while interior regions experience extreme temperatures and minimal precipitation. Soil salinity, declining groundwater levels, and limited irrigation capacity further constrain agricultural productivity and ecosystem health. Together, these conditions make conventional, resource-intensive agricultural models unsustainable, underscoring the need for circular and regenerative approaches.\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>Climate-resilient agricultural practices have been embedded in Oman’s agricultural systems for centuries, shaped by the country’s arid climate and notable water scarcity. Traditional approaches such as terraced cultivation, Aflaj irrigation systems, and oasis-based agriculture with high plant diversity demonstrate long-standing circular principles in land and water management, being built entirely on circular logic of resource efficiency, waste elimination, and regenerative logic.\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>Given these constraints, improving resource efficiency in agriculture is not merely an option but a necessity. Circular and regenerative practices—such as sustainable land use, efficient water management, reduced food waste, and diversified cropping systems—offer pathways to lower resource demand, reduce environmental pressures, and strengthen domestic food production.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Oman already practices proven, locally adapted solutions. The Aflaj irrigation systems, some dating back up to 2,000 years, channel groundwater, spring water, or surface water to agricultural areas through gravity-fed networks. These systems distribute water equitably to terraced fields and oasis farms, supporting soil enrichment and the cultivation of crops such as dates, pomegranates, walnuts, grapes, and vegetables. Oasis agriculture integrates multiple crop layers and relies on collective management and shared responsibility, maximising productivity while minimising water losses. These practices reflect a circular approach to water and land use, sustained through traditional knowledge passed down through generations.\u003C/p>",[746,749,752],{"name":747,"type":718,"value":748},"Aflaj Irrigation Systems of Oman","https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1207/",{"name":750,"type":718,"value":751},"Oman’s mountain oasis reveals climate-resilient agricultural practices","https://www.eco-business.com/news/omans-mountain-oasis-reveals-climate-resilient-agricultural-practices/",{"name":753,"type":718,"value":754},"Oman’s Agriculture: Challenges, Innovations, and Future Directions","https://www.thearabianstories.com/2025/04/12/omans-agriculture-challenges-innovations-and-future-directions/","2026-04-29T09:54:30.962Z",[],{"id":758,"link":759,"alt":760,"source":761,"created_at":762,"updated_at":762,"article_id":731,"image_profile_id":17,"banner_profile_id":17},"cmojvouhz0005sb01zvu0w7c2","https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/X6c4NIYoizDOOarn.jpg","Photo from Photos Aflaj Department - Directorate General Of Water Management - Ministry Of Agriculture, Fisheries Wealth and Water Resources in Oman","Photos Aflaj Department - Directorate General Of Water Management - Ministry Of Agriculture, Fisheries Wealth and Water Resources in Oman","2026-04-29T09:54:30.887Z",{"id":764,"type":700,"cta":17,"cta_link":17,"created_at":765,"updated_at":766,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":703,"views":767,"owner":768,"contents":770,"contributors":778,"image":779},"r5Wj","2026-04-29T09:39:59.259Z","2026-04-29T11:33:32.737Z",11,{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":769},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[771],{"id":772,"score":12,"body":773,"status":111,"article_id":764,"created_at":765,"updated_at":777,"published_at":17},"gLa1",{"title":710,"outcome":774,"problem":712,"summary":713,"solution":714,"attachment":775},"\u003Cp>Since commencing C&DW-related operations in 2019, be’ah has received more than 21 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste. Between 2019 and 2025, over 16 million tonnes of this waste were successfully processed for reuse, enabling the production of recycled construction materials for use in new building and infrastructure projects. These initiatives demonstrate tangible circular economy outcomes in Oman’s built environment sector by closing material loops and reducing reliance on virgin resources.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Despite this progress, barriers remain. These include non-compliance with waste regulations by contractors, inadequate sorting at source, illegal dumping, limited waste tracking systems, lack of approved standards for assessing the quality of recycled materials, absence of mandatory requirements to use recycled materials in public projects, and low awareness among waste producers of the economic value of C&DW. Addressing these challenges is essential to scaling circular construction practices and increasing high-value material recovery across the sector.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Sources include links added, information provided by be'ah, and Circle Economy. (2026). The circularity gap report Oman. Amsterdam: Circle Economy.\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003C/p>",[776],{"name":717,"type":718,"value":719},"2026-04-29T09:39:59.382Z",[],{"id":780,"link":781,"alt":726,"source":727,"created_at":782,"updated_at":782,"article_id":764,"image_profile_id":17,"banner_profile_id":17},"cmojv65zq0001sb01b9twe66g","https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/oMGfBALMoBsLfFmI.jpg","2026-04-29T09:39:59.319Z",{"id":784,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":785,"updated_at":786,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":787,"contents":789,"contributors":797,"image":17},"cLAM","2023-04-26T12:59:34.000Z","2024-02-23T16:19:41.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":788},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[790],{"id":791,"score":12,"body":792,"status":111,"article_id":784,"created_at":40,"updated_at":786,"published_at":112},"vwv6",{"image":793,"title":794,"content":795,"summary":16,"attachment":796,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380743048-_CqUcp-I.jpg","Nine examples of the circular economy in action","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">This article was also published by the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/03/9-examples-circular-economy-accelerating-transition\">World Economic Forum\u003C/a>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">The \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report\u003C/em> \u003Cem id=\"\">2023\u003C/em> reveals that the global economy is only 7.2% circular.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">By implementing 16 circular solutions, the global economy can reduce material extraction by one-third, thereby reversing the overshoot of five planetary boundaries and limiting global warming to within 2-degrees, finds the\u003Cem id=\"\"> Report.\u003C/em>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">These nine circular initiatives from across the globe show that the circular transition is underway—bringing the circular solutions of the \u003Cem id=\"\">Report \u003C/em>to life.\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch2 id=\"\">How can we transition to a \u003Cem id=\"\">global\u003C/em> circular economy?\u003C/h2>\u003Cp id=\"\">Today, circularity has fallen from 9.1% to a meagre 7.2%. This means that of the more than 100 billion tonnes of materials extracted from the planet annually, only 7.2% are cycled back into the global economy. To reverse the overshoot of planetary boundaries and limit global warming to a 2-degree increase, we need a holistic shift toward circularity. Yet change won’t look the same around the world: some countries need to radically reduce their material footprint, while others need to stabilise or even grow it. So, how can we shape a transition that’s suited to all? \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report 2023\u003C/em> considers these nuances and highlights circular solutions across three different country groups: Build, Grow and Shift. Low-income (Build) countries house 46% of the world’s population but have low material consumption and struggle to meet basic societal needs. Meanwhile, middle-income (Grow) countries are rapidly industrialising and have a growing middle class—consuming 51% of materials. Finally, the world’s highest-income (Shift) countries deliver high living standards but consume 31% of the world’s materials. The \u003Cem id=\"\">Report\u003C/em> shows how circular solutions can reduce material extraction and use by one-third—but to translate theory into action, we need real-world examples of how these solutions can adapt to local contexts. \u003C/p>\u003Ch2 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Build\u003C/strong>ing economies that foster wellbeing with smart material growth\u003C/h2>\u003Cp id=\"\">Build countries live within planetary boundaries but still need to build an economic system that satisfies their people’s basic needs. The following initiatives showcase how circularity can be implemented to build up infrastructure while improving standards of living by working \u003Cem id=\"\">with,\u003C/em> not \u003Cem id=\"\">against\u003C/em> nature.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">ColdHubs: solar-powered, cooling-as-a-service solution\u003C/strong>\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">Nigeria-based ‘\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.coldhubs.com/\">ColdHubs\u003C/a>’—a post-harvest, solar-powered, cooling-as-a-service solution—makes food waste a thing of the past and lowers emissions in the process. Established in 2015 by entrepreneur Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu, ColdHubs are square-metre storage units that preserve fresh food for up to 21 days. In 2020, ColdHubs’ 54 units saved more than 42,000 tonnes of food from going to waste—equivalent to over 1 million kilograms of CO2.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1500px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1500px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Photo courtesy of ColdHubs\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/642d3272f8fa7ed84ab2e34b_eoQNkq7gxaxphBd_4VRNNzFhsd70YVDlN7df4-FWEJpL8wSKEvvN3GnR39VvjYf2dAhKbkZKaT2mFIhJmkdpN1WgN8Loz7c2d_Af-cIqQexDMB-Fy_DTV__nSqpGUHDIoXsS2SRxfrEUkRcXqW33Axs.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Photo courtesy of \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.coldhubs.com/\">ColdHubs\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\" start=\"2\">\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Bangladesh’s award-winning hospital\u003C/strong>\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">A remote Bangladeshi hospital, labelled the ‘\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.architecture.com/awards-and-competitions-landing-page/awards/riba-international-awards\">World’s Best New Building\u003C/a>’, is making waves. Situated in Shyamnagar village, Friendship Hospital was built using local, sustainable materials and local craftsmen, with equal access to healthcare for vulnerable populations front of mind. The architects purposefully adapted to the surrounding riverine landscape by creating a canal that cuts across the hospital’s premises, providing natural cooling and separating inpatients from outpatients. Two water tanks at either end of the canal also hold rainwater harvested on-site. \u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:700px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"700px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Photo by Asif Salman, courtesy of URBANA\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/642d327258e586db4907de6b_7ac0w_paeD1gxI-50O-apt113a2FdsTOs01ahlJ-PW7tiKGQhaNTvcclNna2oya9fXr2trbapYdw4PP1-CgD8_YaiE3fRsFuhrFj8VuA1AFqF9igh_yyclb0_Zbn0wIZ8KoOE2euj9IxauVCmCK1t-k.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Photo by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.asifsalman.com/\">Asif Salman\u003C/a>, courtesy of \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://kashefchowdhury-urbana.com/\">URBANA\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\" start=\"3\">\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Electrifying Kathmandu’s cabs\u003C/strong>\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">Kathmandu’s air quality is hugely polluted due to poorly maintained, congested roads and lacking transport management. To combat this problem, Safa Tempo, a battery-powered three-wheel public transport vehicle, was introduced in Kathmandu in the mid-1990s—and by the 2000s, more than 600 of these electric vehicles occupied urban streets. Charger manufacturing, battery charging stations and operations created around \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-08-26/why-nepal-once-led-the-world-in-electric-buses\">750 jobs\u003C/a>, while 600 jobs opened up for drivers.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1333px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1333px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Photo by Raimond Klavins on Unsplash\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/642d32720e8c4a58d9e992df_vQK2IVciYlKescTnwsWCdz44mGAQqHm2CB3VTPoUP530lhYpPkPA2G2XEDwp-BnrRoLZJ_snajWXd5ieedGnjyeh2kQD21SG2r6h5b5B9qyvBiRpErtT_Wa6dZuCxU5t1IiJtwkeUd8ph3aGHu974hs.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Photo by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@raimondklavins\">Raimond Klavins\u003C/a> on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/59Al83Zjtf8\">Unsplash\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Grow\u003C/strong>ing material-efficient economies that serve society \u003Cem id=\"\">and\u003C/em> the planet\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Largely middle-income, Grow countries are industrialising rapidly and building infrastructure to lift their populations out of poverty. These circular initiatives prove that it is possible to grow industries within the safe limits of our planet while also boosting local and indigenous populations.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Shenzhen’s shift to electric mobility \u003C/strong>\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">Road transport contributed 86.8% of China’s overall carbon emissions in 2019 and the Chinese transport sector as a whole contributed 11% to all global carbon emissions. In 2017, Shenzhen was the world’s first city to electrify all buses to cut emissions, reduce noise pollution and improve air quality. The result? An estimated annual decline of around 4.316 million tonnes of particulate pollution.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:871px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"871px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Photo by Enxyclo Studio on Unsplash\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/642d327292466cc9c3210257_Grkgicpe3rGKI4Gbm82zcMLMqsrtyY6NL9BN9oyFJjlHHyRMZ-bLQU_VHEL3FJqkNKsSmeJwtiHjBr4mZ45LMI91vP4UAemyxGizfTirYp8EPiXvzOSaLz6BOhvxPipAOhOWV4vdL1bQ6KcTjBtLWas.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Photo by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@enxyclo\">Enxyclo Studio\u003C/a> on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/RQ_RywKzCE8\">Unsplash\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\" start=\"2\">\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Thai start-up fills in the gaps for plant-based diets\u003C/strong>\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">The production of animal foods—from eggs and dairy to meat—has tripled over the last 50 years, putting immense pressure on several planetary boundaries. \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://globalbugs.asia/\">Global Bugs\u003C/a> provides a solution with the help of an alternative protein made from crickets. Yes…crickets! Cricket powder’s production is more cost-effective and less carbon-intensive than cattle—and it boasts higher nutritional value. Regarded as a superfood, crickets provide a rich source of healthy fats, vitamins, minerals and protein that increase the nutritional value of food, beverages, dietary supplements and pet food.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1000px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1000px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Photo courtesy of Global Bugs\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/64494450307da14b3d586855_global%20bugs.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Photo courtesy of \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://globalbugs.asia/why-cricket-powder/\">Global Bugs\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\" start=\"3\">\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Brazilian cosmetics brand flips the script on deforestation\u003C/strong>\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">Brazil contributes to 33.12% of all tropical deforestation, mainly due to industrial livestock production. \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.naturaeco.com/\">Natura\u003C/a> wants to change this narrative. The organisation produces cosmetics with ingredients sourced from the Amazon rainforest. However, Natura boasts an untraditional business model: it follows the ‘standing forest’ philosophy, which advocates that a tree has much more value standing up than being chopped down. This philosophy has preserved nearly 2 million hectares of rainforest while funneling Natura’s profits into local communities.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:870px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"870px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Photo by Mateus Campos Felipe on Unsplash\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/642d3272bbb9a900170104d6_7_mmPvfY4b0yvfs4ruhH9YXXaoShZwgEMpIMg0SiB5gTlE1B9fANhifuWFu2MH8CbQiVTXgnHHqLnweCEjjNKGD1ersbaduew6Tz0g5qLRZfm7McccUG_D5jWAXVekc3jJe_GuTVwVnkEF6TT7g0GB8.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Photo by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@matcfelipe\">Mateus Campos Felipe\u003C/a> on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/_fzl2PQH6kw\">Unsplash\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Shift\u003C/strong>ing economies away from overconsumption and waste\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Higher-income Shift countries are heavy consumers and have a way to go in rethinking their business-as-usual. The onus is on Shift countries to cut their material use and pollution and take responsibility for their own waste. For Shift countries, circular opportunities abound. The question remains, however: how fast can they scale the transition? \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Techy bins to solve South Korea’s food waste problem\u003C/strong>\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">Waste piling up on South Korean streets spurred public protests and a ban was imposed in 2005 on food landfilling. Today, Seoul plans to use food waste for urban farming initiatives. The city has installed \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.huffpost.com/entry/food-waste-south-korea-seoul_n_5ca48bf7e4b0ed0d780edc54\">6,000 bins\u003C/a> with instruments such as scales and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) to weigh food waste as it is deposited and charge residents accordingly. City officials say that RFID machines have helped reduce food landfilling in Seoul by nearly 47,000 tonnes in six years.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">How the Netherlands became the global bicycle capital \u003C/strong>\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">In the 1970s, the Netherlands witnessed mass protests in response to increasing traffic fatalities and the demolition of historic areas to make way for motorways. With an ongoing energy crisis, this created a perfect storm—prompting the government to prioritise safe and clean mobility. With the construction of 20,000 kilometres of bike lanes, cycling became the new norm. Now, more than a quarter of all trips in the Netherlands are made by bike—and with 17 million inhabitants, the country is home to \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://english.kimnet.nl/publications/publications/2018/04/06/cycling-facts\">23 million bicycles\u003C/a>! \u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:870px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"870px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Photo by Tim Wilson on Unsplash\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/642d32720e8c4a6c65e992e0_hl3MsE2_dv1TbTiFnsE5bU5xEX_xyHmDOhmRcIVRd6zTJdSGfw0DWSkXjKg7dRnfEslAT-6mZbmE3rMnIAtwvcKQ8c67-0Num6pGAMdABnzd_G7qKTY9EStLCQ5zEe40JHuUp827jvxo7EgkFTRUmzM.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Photo by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@timwilson7\">Tim Wilson\u003C/a> on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/27dp_Sw7mMs\">Unsplash\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\" start=\"4\">\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">France’s repairability rating to extend product lifetimes\u003C/strong>\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">In a concerted effort to combat \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularonline.co.uk/news/france-confronts-planned-obsolescence-with-repairability-rating/\">planned obsolescence\u003C/a>, France was the first European country to introduce a repair rating for products including smartphones, televisions, laptop computers and lawnmowers. The index, which has to be displayed near products in stores and online, will eventually cover more items and will also rate durability.  Following in France’s footsteps are the US Right to Repair Bill and the EU Sustainable Products Initiative.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">​​\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:889px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"889px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Ratings\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/642d3272c50fc4ab12756b0e_4EXnYmpBLBUSEhJ7iDI83mwNC4M5XBOqBcUhHMmKXIJPjutQ_IOa3Io7V1Lhhrx2nJ_IBWwMxciPHMcPSfRyvq_gUe47N7yUSVTxGwehdrFA1_KXj8FrzZ_Fpeq4Z_PWvg9foi5FXPpxJtsaXx7y45I.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch5 id=\"\">Download the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2023\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report 202\u003C/em>3\u003C/a> or visit our \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://knowledge-hub.circle-lab.com/nations\">Knowledge Hub\u003C/a>, an open-access repository of circular case studies, to learn more about global circular initiatives.\u003C/h5>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":799,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":800,"updated_at":801,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":802,"contents":804,"contributors":812,"image":17},"HiO7","2023-11-21T13:27:51.000Z","2024-02-23T15:45:42.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":803},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[805],{"id":806,"score":12,"body":807,"status":111,"article_id":799,"created_at":40,"updated_at":801,"published_at":112},"tyyL",{"image":808,"title":809,"content":810,"summary":16,"attachment":811,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380744911-jci4rQvE.jpg","A circular economy for global food systems can reverse the overshoot of two planetary boundaries","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">This article was first published by \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.renewablematter.eu/articoli/article/a-circular-food-system-can-reverse-the-overshoot-of-planetary-boundaries\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Renewable Matter\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">.\u003C/em>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">A global transition towards a sustainable food system is long overdue, scientists agree: and although farming has long been absent from UN climate negotiations, this year’s COP promises to put food centre-stage at talks in Dubai. World leaders coming together to discuss the link between food and climate—and set targets accordingly—will be \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/20/impact-farming-climate-crisis-key-cop-topic-finally\">a historic moment\u003C/a>, according to the World Resources Institute’s Edward Davey.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Currently, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ac018e\">one-third of all greenhouse gas\u003C/a> (GHG) emissions can be attributed to the global food system alone, and it’s the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)31788-4/fulltext\">single largest driver\u003C/a> of the transgression of planetary boundaries—of which we’ve already passed six of nine. Food production is still barrelling upwards: by 2050, we may have \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-021-00322-9\">10 billion mouths to feed\u003C/a>, a task proving increasingly difficult as shifting climates around the world trigger droughts and floods and intensive farming practices leach soils of vital nutrients. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">A fundamental reimagining of the entire food system is on the menu—and fortunately, viable solutions exist, although not yet at scale. Many of these solutions are grounded in the circular economy, a simple set of strategies with transformative potential. The \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2023\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report 2023\u003C/em>\u003C/a>, the 6th edition of Circle Economy Foundation’s flagship report launched yearly, has found that \u003Cstrong id=\"\">a circular food system alone could reverse the overshoot of two planetary boundaries\u003C/strong>, while bringing others back to safer levels. Through three globally-coordinated actions—\u003Cstrong id=\"\">cutting food waste\u003C/strong>, \u003Cstrong id=\"\">prioritising healthy, sustainable, plant-based diets\u003C/strong> and \u003Cstrong id=\"\">ensuring food is produced regeneratively\u003C/strong>—the phosphorus cycle can jump from 33% above the boundary to 7% below it, while land-system change can fall from 47% above the boundary to a staggering 66% below. \u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1600px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1600px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/655cafd462bca7b74c627b8b_tltTH11m-Wr5V_LNfaxDai4Xhs0Lha9nUjLNlIvXLLWGunZKJTkZgaVXQTe3zZCJ6pI4G5kx_ORYCphjCDTix48JDuP_2kBQwHbWvSP1YS4Um8RUS1RWbBhIRgT1BX2OyeEWg9gyaMhZBk-eU5nt07c.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circle Economy Foundation research finds that three circular solutions can turn the tide on the overshoot of planetary boundaries. Reductions are expressed in percentage points. Note that the chemical pollution, release of novel entities and stratospheric ozone depletion boundaries were not measured. (Image by Circle Economy Foundation)\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">End avoidable food waste\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Food waste and food insecurity are strange bedfellows: in a grimly ironic twist, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/FAO-UNEP-agriculture-environment-food-loss-waste-day-2022/en\">one-third of all the food\u003C/a> produced globally is lost or wasted, while \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://doi.org/10.4060/cb4474en\">one-third of people\u003C/a> go hungry. It’s estimated that the food that is lost and wasted around the world could feed \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/FAO-UNEP-agriculture-environment-food-loss-waste-day-2022/en\">1.26 billion people\u003C/a> each year. Waste and losses occur along the supply chain, from farm to fork—and may account for as much as \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/sites/4/2020/02/SPM_Updated-Jan20.pdf\">one-tenth of global GHG emissions\u003C/a>, nearly \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969712011862\">one-quarter of total freshwater\u003C/a> used for food production, and nearly one-quarter of both global cropland and fertiliser use. Producing food that ends up in the bin, uneaten, is also pushing several planetary boundaries to—or beyond—their limits.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Halving food waste alone could reverse the overshoot of the land-system change boundary, according to Circle Economy Foundation: bringing it from 47% above the boundary to 60% below. Pressures on others will lessen, with phosphorus dropping to near-safe levels, just 2% above the boundary.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Although the potential impact could be significant, the \u003Cem id=\"\">how\u003C/em> is less clear-cut. Means for reducing food waste so drastically will vary widely depending on context and location: in lower-income nations, where food losses are more prevalent, increased and affordable access to cold storage will be crucial, for example. Nigeria-based \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.coldhubs.com\">ColdHubs\u003C/a> offers a solar-powered, cooling-as-a-service solution to smallholder farmers at a flexible, pay-as-you-store rate—an initiative that saved more than 20,000 tonnes of food from spoiling in 2019 alone. Across the world and at the other end of the supply chain, the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://denhaag.raadsinformatie.nl/document/6291317/1/RIS299353_Bijlage_1\">municipality of the Hague\u003C/a> is redirecting food waste from one of the Netherlands’ largest supermarket chains to restaurants that can make use of it, saving it from landfill. Digital solutions are also having an impact at the local level, with apps like Too Good To Go helping consumers salvage food from ending up in retailers’ and restaurants’ bins at the end of the day.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Ensure people-and-planet healthy diets are available for all\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Meat-centric, heavily processed diets around the world are taking their toll. Although historically limited to high-income countries, meat consumption is now \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/nature13959\">surging in emerging economies\u003C/a>: a preference for animal protein has skyrocketed along with incomes, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00139157.2015.1025644\">doubling globally between 1990 and 2021\u003C/a>. Now, nearly \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/cop26-agricultural-expansion-drives-almost-90-percent-of-global-deforestation/en\">90% of deforestation\u003C/a> is driven by agriculture—much of which can be attributed to livestock grazing or the production of crops to feed farm animals, like soy and corn. Nearly one-third of biodiversity loss and 14.5% of global emissions \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.fao.org/3/i3437e/i3437e.pdf\">can be linked to livestock\u003C/a>. It’s also fundamentally inefficient: raising animals for food gobbles up 80% of the globe’s agricultural land, in exchange for just \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.327.5967.810\">15% of calories\u003C/a> consumed. Now, countries around the world are clamouring for change, especially as health concerns linked to the overconsumption of highly-processed foods—including processed meats—are taking root. Fortunately, sustainable diets are \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)31788-4/fulltext\">shown to also be healthy\u003C/a>: one doesn’t have to come at the expense of the other.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Putting healthy, satiating and more plant-based foods first could be highly impactful, according to Circle Economy Foundation’s model: land-system change could fall from 47% above the boundary to 60% below. Limiting daily calories to under 3,000, substituting sugary foods and beverages with fruits, vegetables and nuts, and adopting a plant-based diet were all considered. The land freed-up from lowering livestock production was rewilded: converted into forest, for example, to recreate thriving, biodiverse ecosystems. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The reality of transitioning the diets of billions is not so cut and dry: backlash will be inevitable, and progress likely slow. Raising awareness among consumers (think information campaigns or eco-labelling) or nudging behaviour through taxes may help lower meat consumption. Guidelines of this ilk are beginning to emerge around the world: China, for example, which consumes more than one-quarter of the world’s meat, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/20/chinas-meat-consumption-climate-change\">has issued a plan\u003C/a> to cut its citizens’ meat consumption in half, while England’s latest \u003Cem id=\"\">Food Strategy\u003C/em> recommends that meat consumption is \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.nationalfoodstrategy.org/the-report/\">cut by 30%\u003C/a> within a decade. Public procurement will also be a crucial tool through which to prioritise, healthy, plant-based options—in schools, hospitals and prisons, for example. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Mainstream regenerative agriculture and sustainable food production\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Heavily industrialised food production has changed the geographical fabric of the world: despite the rapid expansion of cities over the past half century, only 1% of the globe’s surface is inhabited by urban land. Cities are vastly overshadowed by agricultural land, which claims roughly half of the habitable surface of the planet—driving deforestation in the process. Our highly-globalised food system also means we’re transporting food around the world, or pouring energy into hot-housing to grow out-of-season foods. Intensive agriculture has also triggered a steep upwards trend in the use of synthetic fertilisers: an \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/RA\">increase of more than 13 times\u003C/a> over the last century. Although this has boosted productivity and improved food security for many, it’s also had severe consequences: the production of nitrogen fertiliser alone, for example, is responsible for as much as \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg3/\">1.4 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent\u003C/a> per year, while nutrient pollution from fertilisers has been linked to the creation of over \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.unep.org/resources/global-environment-outlook-6#:~:text=GEO%2D6%3A%20Healthy%20Planet%2C,meet%20the%20Sustainable%20Development%20Goals\">400 ocean ‘dead zones’\u003C/a> around the world. Soil health has also suffered, leading to lower productivity and thus increasingly heavy fertiliser use—a vicious cycle only set to worsen without the adoption of regenerative farming principles at scale.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Shifting focus to organic, local and seasonal production could bring phosphorus levels to 32% below the boundary, the report found: this would mean halving the transport of some food items due to greater preference for local options and eschewing chemical fertilisers in favour of natural alternatives. Many on-the-ground initiatives are providing viable alternatives to synthetic fertilisers: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2021.680312/full#:~:text=10.3389%2Ffpls.2021.680312-,Black%20Soldier%20Fly%2DComposted%20Organic%20Fertilizer%20Enhances%20Growth%2C%20Yield%2C,Crops%20in%20Sub%2DSaharan%20Africa&text=Worldwide%2C%20French%20beans%20(Phaseolus%20vulgaris,var.\">black soldier flies\u003C/a>, for example, can be used to convert organic waste into natural fertilisers as well as high-protein, low-impact animal feed—with the added benefit of diverting waste from landfill. Procurement may also serve as a crucial tool for boosting local and seasonal food consumption: the City of Paris’s \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.c40knowledgehub.org/s/article/Paris-Sustainable-Food-Plan-2015-2020?language=en_US\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Sustainable Food Plan\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">, \u003C/em>for example, sets targets for organic, local and seasonal produce to be served in more than 1,000 schools, retirement homes and staff restaurants, which collectively serve around 30 million meals each year.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">A circular food system can reverse the overshoot of phosphorus, land-system change boundaries—but is also critical to fight climate breakdown\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Food production will likely always claim a huge portion of the global economy’s material use—but we need a ‘new normal’ for the sector to be compatible with planetary boundaries, and foster, instead of fight, ecological health. The coexistence of staggering food waste and food insecurity is not just inefficient, but unethical—and we have the solutions in hand to turn the tide on both. At scale, a circular food system can nourish soil, bolster biodiversity and foster greater resilience, all while lessening pressure on planetary boundaries and fighting climate breakdown. The strategies laid out in this article could substantially lower nitrogen levels, from 59% above the boundary to 28% above the boundary—a reduction in atmospheric nitrogen equal to the nitrogen requirements of the majority of nonlegume crops covering Africa. And perhaps more interestingly, for the climate-conscious reader: they could bring climate change from 191% to 181% above the boundary. This seemingly-small drop could actually reduce atmospheric CO2 levels by the same amount added to the atmosphere in the 14 years between 2008 and 2022.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">With the topic of food finally on the menu at COP28—backed by insistence from a \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/sustainability-and-environment/calls-for-cop28-negotiators-to-urgently-tackle-food-systems-impact/684785.article\">global coalition\u003C/a> of some of the world’s biggest food companies and environmental organisations—the coming weeks will be pivotal. There’s no time to lose: a circular food system is no longer an option—it’s a necessity.\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circle Economy Foundation explores 16 circular solutions for the food system, the built environment, mobility and transport, and manufacturing and consumable goods in the \u003C/em>Circularity Gap Report 2023\u003Cem id=\"\">, finding that all scenarios combined can reverse the overshoot of five key planetary boundaries. For more information, \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2023\">\u003Cem id=\"\">read the full report\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">.\u003C/em>\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":814,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":815,"updated_at":815,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":816,"contents":818,"contributors":826,"image":17},"MDBD","2026-01-06T08:56:20.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":817},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[819],{"id":820,"score":12,"body":821,"status":111,"article_id":814,"created_at":40,"updated_at":815,"published_at":815},"gLuo",{"image":822,"title":823,"content":824,"summary":16,"attachment":825,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380747847-bQEpjh-m.jpg","A complete guide to circular economy policies targeting EU businesses in 2026","\u003Cp>EU sustainability policy is at a pivotal moment. Growing awareness of major environmental challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution has driven policymakers to develop new regulations to protect the environment. At the same time, leaders are working to balance these goals with economic needs and social well-being. This has prompted a shift towards making existing policies more coherent, effective, and less burdensome.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Within this evolving landscape, the circular economy has moved from a niche concept to a cornerstone of the European Union's sustainability strategy. Its appeal lies in its dual promise: it is both an environmental and economic model. By allowing for economic growth without increasing resource consumption, it aims to protect the environment while promoting innovation, competitiveness, and new business opportunities.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>This article serves as a guide to help identify key EU policies that embed circular economy principles—whether to monitor, implement, or prepare for—depending on a company’s sector, size, and strategic ambition. It is intended for business leaders, sustainability experts, and policymakers navigating the fast-changing policy landscape. We outline both current and new policies, including revisions, updates, expected timelines, and relevant standards and tools to support effective implementation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>By viewing upcoming regulations as opportunities rather than compliance challenges, businesses can position themselves to create long-term value. Based on our review of the current policy landscape, we highlight three key messages to help unlock this potential:\u003C/p>\u003Col>\u003Cli>Understanding how circular economy principles are reflected in policies enables businesses to streamline compliance through integrated strategies and reporting.\u003C/li>\u003Cli>The circular economy should be seen not as a standalone goal but as a tool to reach broader environmental goals, including climate, pollution, and biodiversity targets, and simultaneously provide both risk mitigation and competitive advantage through innovation and building long-term resilience.   \u003C/li>\u003Cli>Building strong data infrastructure is essential for tracking progress, enabling informed decisions, and ensuring transparency.\u003C/li>\u003C/ol>\u003Ch3>Businesses are targeted by 20+ circular economy policies\u003C/h3>\u003Cp>The number of EU policies incorporating circular economy principles is expanding quickly. Businesses that proactively align with these developments will be better positioned to manage regulatory risks, seize innovation opportunities, and secure their license to operate in a resource-constrained world.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The EU policy map organises current EU circular economy policies by purpose: 1. Reporting & Communications, 2. Product Design, 3. Due Diligence, 4. Waste and resource Management, 5. Trade. It also highlights supporting tools and standards. Milestone years (from 2025 onwards) mark policy launches, revisions, or new targets. Colours indicate the primary life-cycle stage addressed, as shown in the\u003Ca href=\"https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20151201STO05603/circular-economy-definition-importance-and-benefits\"> EU Circular Economy Figure\u003C/a>; if a policy spans multiple stages, only the main one is shown. Some policies outside the Reporting & Communications category may still include relevant elements.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cdiv data-rt-embed-type='true'>\u003Ciframe src=\"https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vRdkFuzfvcG5q447Hxsg1vi1m_ErCO8qID_PNB6GBoOTf531HjCzddDlqe6Z0Y27Mpj9qmGwLxe2C4E/pubembed?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"960\" height=\"569\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" mozallowfullscreen=\"true\" webkitallowfullscreen=\"true\">\u003C/iframe>\u003C/div>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3>5 Key EU policy highlights driving circularity \u003C/h3>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)\u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp>The \u003Ca href=\"https://finance.ec.europa.eu/capital-markets-union-and-financial-markets/company-reporting-and-auditing/company-reporting/corporate-sustainability-reporting_en#related-links\">CSRD\u003C/a> enhances corporate transparency and accountability, requiring companies to disclose detailed data on resource use, waste, and product impacts. Reporting must include recycled versus virgin inputs and design features like durability, reparability, and recyclability—closely aligned with the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). \u003C/p>\u003Cp>Beyond compliance, this reporting can identify inefficiencies, reduce costs, and strengthen risk management by tracking waste generation, resource intensity, and reliance on critical materials. It can also boost reputation, attract sustainable finance, and improve competitiveness in markets that value circular practices. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>Timeline: The first reporting wave (\u003Ca href=\"https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2021/654213/EPRS_BRI%282021%29654213_EN.pdf\">NFRD\u003C/a> companies) began in 2025, followed by Wave two in 2028, and Wave three in 2029.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)\u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https://commission.europa.eu/business-economy-euro/doing-business-eu/sustainability-due-diligence-responsible-business/corporate-sustainability-due-diligence_en\">The CSDDD\u003C/a> extends corporate responsibility across the entire value chain, promoting circularity through responsible sourcing and lifecycle thinking. It covers upstream (raw materials, production inputs, logistics, subcontracting), internal activities, and downstream (distribution, transport, storage) activities—initially focusing on direct business relationships. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>While the CSRD emphasises reporting, the CSDDD focuses on strategy and action. Companies must map suppliers, assess environmental risks, and integrate circular supply chain models such as reuse, take-back, and remanufacturing. These approaches reduce reliance on virgin materials and enable lower dependency on high-risk suppliers. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>Timeline: Large companies must comply from 2028, making early preparation key to managing risks, cutting costs, and seizing opportunities.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)\u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp>The \u003Ca href=\"https://commission.europa.eu/energy-climate-change-environment/standards-tools-and-labels/products-labelling-rules-and-requirements/ecodesign-sustainable-products-regulation_en\">ESPR\u003C/a> introduces design requirements to improve durability, reparability, and recyclability across all lifecycle stages. It also establishes the\u003Ca href=\"https://data.europa.eu/en/news-events/news/eus-digital-product-passport-advancing-transparency-and-sustainability\"> Digital Product Passport\u003C/a> (DPP), a key data tool that reports environmental information—mirrored in the \u003Ca href=\"https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/construction/construction-products-regulation-cpr_en\">Construction Products Regulation\u003C/a> (CPR) for the construction sector, which relies on\u003Ca href=\"https://www.bpie.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/EPD-Factsheet.pdf\"> Environmental Product Declarations\u003C/a> (EPDs), which are standardised, verified documents detailing a product's environmental impact over its lifecycle. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>These measures promote greater data collection, traceability, and transparency. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>Timeline: The ESPR entered into force in July 2024, with first provisions—such as the ban on destroying unsold textiles and footwear—effective in 2026. The delegated act on DPPs for textiles and furniture is expected in 2027. The revised CPR, entering into force in January 2026, adds requirements for recyclability, disassembly, durability, repairability, and recycled content.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>For more information on DPPs, see our blog:\u003Ca href=\"https://legacy.circle-economy.com/blog/digital-product-passports-can-generate-millions-in-circular-revenue-for-fashion-brands\"> \u003Cem>Digital Product Passports Can Generate Millions in Circular Revenue for Fashion Brands\u003C/em>\u003C/a>. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)\u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/carbon-border-adjustment-mechanism_en\">The CBAM\u003C/a> aims to prevent carbon leakage by applying a carbon price to certain imported goods, ensuring parity with EU products. Covering high-emission sectors such as steel, cement, aluminium, fertilisers, and electricity, it requires importers to report and pay for embedded CO2 emissions.. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>Although primarily a climate measure, the CBAM indirectly incentivises circular strategies such as using recycled or lower-carbon materials, remanufacturing, reuse systems, material-efficient production, and durable product design—all of which reduce compliance costs and emissions while enabling new business models like product-as-a-service. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>Timeline: CBAM had a transitional reporting phase (2023–2025); full implementation begins in 2026, requiring certificate purchases under the\u003Ca href=\"https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/carbon-markets/eu-emissions-trading-system-eu-ets_en\"> EU ETS\u003C/a> carbon price.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>EU Circular Economy Act\u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp>A forthcoming Circular Economy Act will complement existing sectoral directives, aiming to enable the free movement of circular products, secondary raw materials, and waste across the EU. It seeks to boost the supply and demand of high-quality recycled materials. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>In 2026, the Commission will conduct impact assessments and external studies, hold stakeholder workshops with a particular focus on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), and is expected to publish its formal legislative proposal for the Circular Economy Act in Q4 2026. You can find the link to Circle Economy’s reaction to the initial proposal \u003Ca href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/posts/circle-economy_circle-economys-position-on-the-eu-circular-activity-7392223402503225344-mzDP?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAB4DORQBjt0tVGqRRkg7fJ5taODy5T3AGQw\">here\u003C/a>. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3>3 defining trends emerge across policies\u003C/h3>\u003Cp>From the policy map, three overarching trends emerge that define how the circular economy is being embedded across EU legislation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>1.\u003C/strong> \u003Cstrong>From waste to lifecycle: Broadening the scope of circular economy policies\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Waste and resource management remains the most heavily regulated area, with nine key directives, reflecting its long-standing policy focus through instruments like the\u003Ca href=\"https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and-recycling/end-life-vehicles_en\"> End-of-Life Vehicles \u003C/a>Directive (2000) and the\u003Ca href=\"https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and-recycling/waste-framework-directive_en\"> Waste Framework\u003C/a> Directive (2008). However, attention is rapidly expanding beyond waste to new domains—Reporting & Communication, Product Design, Due Diligence, and Trade—each now supported by four to five policies, along with complementary standards and tools such as the\u003Ca href=\"https://www.wbcsd.org/actions/global-circularity-protocol/\"> Global Circularity Protocol\u003C/a> and the\u003Ca href=\"https://finance.ec.europa.eu/news/commission-adopts-european-sustainability-reporting-standards-2023-07-31_en\"> European Sustainability Reporting Standards\u003C/a>. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>Many newer regulations, including the 2024 Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, take an integrated lifecycle approach, encouraging companies to embed circular economy principles across sourcing, production, use, and end-of-life, rather than treating sustainability as an afterthought.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1920px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1920px\">\u003Cdiv>\u003Cimg alt=\"__wf_reserved_inherit\" src=\"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/695ccde072ecd77036b557bd_annie-spratt-QckxruozjRg-unsplash.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption>Photo by \u003Ca href=\"https://unsplash.com/@anniespratt?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\">Annie Spratt\u003C/a> on \u003Ca href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/group-of-people-using-laptop-computer-QckxruozjRg?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\">Unsplash\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>2. \u003Cstrong>Circular economy as a lever for sustainability and climate policy integration\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Circularity is not an end in itself, but rather a systemic approach to achieving broader environmental goals, including climate neutrality, zero pollution, and\u003Ca href=\"https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/publications/the-benefits-to-biodiversity\"> biodiversity preservation\u003C/a>. By reducing waste, hazardous substances, and virgin material use, circular strategies support cleaner air, relieve pressure on ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and\u003Ca href=\"https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/completing-the-picture\"> lower greenhouse gas emissions\u003C/a>. As a result, circular economy policies are increasingly being integrated into climate policy, reinforcing their potential as powerful tools for climate action. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>For hard-to-abate sectors like cement, steel, and plastics, circular economy solutions—such as material efficiency, remanufacturing, and recycling, reuse, and repair—are essential for deep decarbonisation beyond what renewable energy alone can deliver. Circular economy policies reinforce climate goals by reducing life-cycle emissions (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation), reducing the need for virgin materials (Directive on the Repair of Goods and the revised Industrial Emissions Directive) or making virgin resource extraction and waste disposal relatively more expensive (CBAM). By embedding circularity within their operations, companies can address climate, pollution, and biodiversity goals simultaneously, positioning the circular economy as an enabler of long-term sustainability rather than a separate goal.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>3.\u003C/strong> \u003Cstrong>Increasing emphasis on transparency and data availability\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>In most EU directives and regulations, data is becoming a central element, with a strong focus on traceability and transparency. Policies such as CSDDD, the\u003Ca href=\"https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/forests/deforestation/regulation-deforestation-free-products_en\"> EU Deforestation Regulation\u003C/a>, and the\u003Ca href=\"https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/raw-materials/areas-specific-interest/critical-raw-materials/critical-raw-materials-act_en\"> Critical Raw Materials Act\u003C/a> emphasise due diligence as a core component, shifting the focus from simple compliance to proactive risk management across the entire value chain. Companies are legally required to identify, prevent, mitigate, and report negative environmental impacts, starting with their tier-one suppliers and extending beyond, tracking data such as supplier details, product origin and destination, environmental performance, and material composition. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>Implementations like the Digital Product Passport under the ESPR and the Battery Passport under the Batteries Regulation enable the tracking and storage of this data, which is also essential for reporting under various standards or protocols, whether it is the European Sustainability Reporting Standards connected to CSRD, the newly developed Global Circularity Protocol, or ISO standards for circular economy tracking. Alongside the CSRD, the EU Taxonomy enhances transparency for investors, regulators, policymakers, and other business stakeholders. Meanwhile, policies such as the Empowering Consumers Directive, Green Claims Directive, Textile Labelling Regulation, and standards like the EU Ecolabel focus on improving transparency for both consumers and businesses. The growing emphasis on data and due diligence reflects the EU’s broader commitment to ensuring transparency across all levels of the value chain and among diverse stakeholders.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3>Next Steps: Embracing circular policies as drivers of opportunity\u003C/h3>\u003Cp>Circular economy policy is becoming a defining factor for European businesses— especially in resource-intensive sectors, consumer goods, and global supply chains. While the policy landscape is complex and evolving, early engagement and strategic alignment can provide both risk mitigation and competitive advantage. With new measures taking effect from 2026, companies should adopt integrated, life-cycle-based circular strategies that address multiple policies simultaneously. Turning this strategic vision into action starts with robust data foundations. Companies can assess current capabilities and gaps, define key indicators using existing tools and standards (as shown in the policy map), strengthen data infrastructure (through ERP enhancements or new tools), and collaborate with suppliers and partners to gather value-chain information. Over time, this data will support better decision-making on product design, procurement, and end-of-life management.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>By embracing upcoming regulations as drivers of opportunity, businesses can unlock long-term value, strengthen resilience, and lead the transition to a circular economy. We encourage readers to identify the drivers for their own business and sectors: share insights, challenges, and success stories while navigating this evolving policy landscape. \u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":828,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":829,"updated_at":830,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":831,"contents":833,"contributors":841,"image":17},"iWMf","2023-04-17T10:31:59.000Z","2024-02-23T16:13:08.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":832},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[834],{"id":835,"score":12,"body":836,"status":111,"article_id":828,"created_at":40,"updated_at":830,"published_at":112},"M-T2",{"image":837,"title":838,"content":839,"summary":16,"attachment":840,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380749465-Qy1L_y9y.png","A Dutch circular agrifood system does not stop at the border either*","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">‍\u003Cem id=\"\">This article was first published by \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://apolitical.co/solution-articles/en/a-dutch-circular-agrifood-system-does-not-stop-at-the-border-either-2\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Apolitical\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Today’s understanding of the circular economy fails to address issues of global social equity and threatens to exacerbate the divide between high- and lower-income countries, making it clear that a global circular economy will not be socially just by default. This is the main finding of our latest paper for Circle Economy’s Circular Jobs Initiative: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/thinking-beyond-borders-to-achieve-social-justice-in-a-global-circular-economy\" target=\"_blank\">‘\u003Cem id=\"\">Thinking beyond borders to achieve social justice in a global circular economy’\u003C/em>\u003C/a> — and one that has been echoed in \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/research-event/global-trade-and-transition-inclusive-circular-economy\" target=\"_blank\">many\u003C/a> \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.pbl.nl/sites/default/files/downloads/pbl-2022-addressing-international-impacts-of-the-dutch-ce-transition-4322.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">recent\u003C/a> \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.chathamhouse.org/2022/06/trade-inclusive-circular-economy\" target=\"_blank\">publications\u003C/a> and \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.unep.org/events/webinar/close-gap-while-closing-loop-global-north-south-relations-fair-circular-economy\" target=\"_blank\">events\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In this two-part \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/blogs/a-dutch-circular-agrifood-system-does-not-stop-at-the-border\" target=\"_blank\">article\u003C/a>, we zoom in on the Dutch agrifood system — arguably a blindspot in current discussions around the subject — and examine actions that the Dutch government — a world leader in both agrifood and the circular economy — could take to ensure greater responsibility in their implementation of a circular agrifood system.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">This second part looks at the opportunities and threats that current trade dynamics, labour standards and knowledge systems in global food value chains present for the Dutch circular agrifood transition.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">An uneven playing field\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Countries in the Global North today are better positioned than those in the Global South to benefit from (\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.chathamhouse.org/2022/06/trade-inclusive-circular-economy\" target=\"_blank\">circular) trade\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">. \u003C/em>This is particularly the case in agriculture: the agricultural productivity of the highest income countries outranks that of the lowest income countries \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc0471en\" target=\"_blank\">70 times over\u003C/a>. This productivity gap has earned richer countries an absolute advantage on the global market and pushed lower-income countries to \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/sustainability/our-insights/will-the-worlds-breadbaskets-become-less-reliable\" target=\"_blank\">increasingly rely on imports\u003C/a> for key commodities like grains, as buying from the world market becomes cheaper than domestic production. Others have had to turn to \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Glossary:Cash_crops#:~:text=Cash%20crops%20are%20agricultural%20crops,or%20food%20for%20the%20family).\" target=\"_blank\">cash crops\u003C/a> such as cocoa, coffee or tobacco in order to be more competitive — sacrificing land that could otherwise be used to feed local populations in the process. There are \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.cbs.nl/en-gb/publication/2022/03/the-dutch-agricultural-sector-in-an-international-context-2022\" target=\"_blank\">growing concerns\u003C/a>, too, that trade liberalisation is increasing inequalities between countries and \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://sdg.iisd.org/news/trade-liberalization-can-perpetuate-historical-disparities-world-bank/\" target=\"_blank\">recent studies by the World Bank\u003C/a> show that the benefits of current supply chains fail to reach the poorest.\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1400px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1400px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"An uneven playing field\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/643d1cd47801648cb62d021e_image%202.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Lower-income countries are increasingly relying on imports for key commodities like grains, as buying from the world market becomes cheaper than domestic production. Photo by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@tunagraphy\">meriç tuna\u003C/a> on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"\">Unsplash\u003C/a>.\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As a result, global food trade suffers from some of the same imbalances that characterise much of all resource trade today, with value accumulating in the North and negative environmental and social impacts accumulating in the South. The cocoa value chain is a prime example. The current chocolate industry is worth US$130 billion, but cocoa farmers often struggle to make a living wage or income, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://fairfood.org/en/commodities/cocoa/\" target=\"_blank\">earning $1 per day (or less) on the field\u003C/a>. Although such comparisons have been \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/agriculture-and-food/concentration-and-market-power-in-the-food-chain_3151e4ca-en\" target=\"_blank\">criticised\u003C/a> as unreliable indicators of market power abuses, they still provide a good starting point to explore why such discrepancies exist — especially as poverty among cocoa farmers is a key driver of \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.kit.nl/project/enroute-to-reduce-the-living-income-gap-and-child-labour/?mc_cid=d22796d95e&mc_eid=8d16f9ef24\" target=\"_blank\">child labour\u003C/a> and the production of cocoa a key driver of \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.worldwildlife.org/magazine/articles/bittersweet-chocolate-s-impact-on-the-environment#:~:text=Cocoa%20farmers%20usually%20clear%20tropical,is%20related%20to%20cocoa%20farming.\" target=\"_blank\">deforestation\u003C/a>. The Ivory Coast, for example, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-cocoa-ivorycoast-deforestation-idUSKBN2AJ0T6\" target=\"_blank\">lost 116,000 acres of forest\u003C/a> in its cocoa-growing regions in 2020 alone, and an estimated 1.5 million \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.norc.org/PDFs/Cocoa%20Report/NORC%202020%20Cocoa%20Report_English.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">children work in cocoa production\u003C/a> in Ghana and Ivory Coast.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">The Netherlands: A case in point\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Although the Netherlands primarily engages in agricultural trade \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://oec.world/en/visualize/tree_map/hs92/export/nld/all/1.2.3.4/2020/\" target=\"_blank\">with other European countries\u003C/a>, it is also an important trading partner to many lower-income countries — sometimes disproportionately so. It is the largest importer of cocoa beans in the world, for example, and some countries heavily depend on the Netherlands to keep their industries running. Sierra Leone, for example, represents less than 3% of total Dutch cocoa imports, but the country sends over \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://oec.world/en/profile/hs/cocoa-beans\" target=\"_blank\">97% of its cocoa — its fifth most exported product — to the Netherlands\u003C/a>.\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1400px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1400px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"A case in point\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/643d1d3223131a28ea1eb6f8_image%203.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">The Netherlands plays a crucial role in global agricultural trade. Photo by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@ventiviews\">Venti Views\u003C/a> on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/FPKnAO-CF6M\">Unsplash\u003C/a>.\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">That is not to say the country is not dependent on others, too. The Netherlands heavily \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/food-for-a-circular-economy\" target=\"_blank\">relies on raw material imports\u003C/a> from lower-income countries to feed its own population. In fact, the land use required for Dutch food consumption alone is \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.cbs.nl/en-gb/publication/2022/03/the-dutch-agricultural-sector-in-an-international-context-2022\" target=\"_blank\">one and a half times\u003C/a> the total available agricultural area in the Netherlands and most of the greenhouse gas emissions that go into feeding the Dutch actually take place \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.pbl.nl/sites/default/files/downloads/pbl-2022-addressing-international-impacts-of-the-dutch-ce-transition-4322.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">abroad\u003C/a>, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Since the Dutch food industry is able to generate a significant amount of added value by processing imported agro-commodities, however, a large share of wages, investments and profits within the supply chains the country participates in takes place in the Netherlands — not abroad.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The country’s dependence on imports does not severely threaten the country’s food security either. Indeed, the Netherlands could theoretically\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.probos.nl/biomassa-upstream/pdf/reportBUS22.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"> produce enough food to feed its population\u003C/a>. Although this would require a significant shift in diets — coffee comes to mind, for example — still, it could be done.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Modern slavery and other issues in agrifood chains\u003C/h3>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1400px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1400px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Modern slavery and other issues in agrifood chains\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/643d1d68118ce6d5cb79f66b_image%204.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">An \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/our-work/child-forced-labor-trafficking/child-labor-cocoa#:~:text=C%C3%B4te%20d'Ivoire%20and%20Ghana,labor%20in%20West%20African%20cocoa.\">estimated \u003C/a>1.56 million children work in cocoa production in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. Image source: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://pixabay.com/photos/cocoa-men-colombia-farmer-hand-452911/\">Pixbay\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Agrifood chains suffer from a number of structural issues — poverty being one. According to a \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/406511492528621198/pdf/114394-WP-PUBLIC-18-4-2017-10-56-45-ShapingtheFoodSystemtoDeliverJobs.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">World Bank report\u003C/a>, 80 percent of the global poor live in rural areas and most rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. Jobs in agriculture can also often be unstable — in part due to the seasonality of industrial agricultural production, although the impacts of climate change and severe weather events also play a role. More importantly, instances of \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.wur.nl/en/newsarticle/modern-slavery-in-contemporary-food-production.htm\" target=\"_blank\">modern slavery\u003C/a> and human rights violations are pervasive in global food chains, especially as they can be costly to monitor. Despite their best efforts, businesses that rely on these supply chains often find themselves the unwitting accomplices to these violations — \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.mvoplatform.nl/betrokkenheid-van-nederlandse-bedrijven-bij-mensenrechtenschendingen-en-milieuschade-komt-nog-altijd-veel-voor/\" target=\"_blank\">Dutch businesses\u003C/a> included. Even Tony’s Chocolonely — whose very mission is to build a fairer chocolate supply chain — \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://tonyschocolonely.com/uk/en/why-we-still-wont-say-were-100-slave-free\" target=\"_blank\">cannot guarantee\u003C/a> the absence of child labour or instances of modern slavery from their supply chains.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Beyond the workers in the global value chains it is involved in, the working conditions of Dutch workers, too, could stand to be improved. Migrants are overrepresented in the sector and often face \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.iss.nl/en/media/2020-11-policy-brief-migrant-workers-eng-final\" target=\"_blank\">unfair labour practices\u003C/a> they are not equipped to address and farmers are often not guaranteed fair prices for the food they produce.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Inappropriate technologies and solutions\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Last year, the UN Food Systems Summit was \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.equaltimes.org/as-concerns-over-the-un-food?lang=en#.YR9_CNMzZ0s\" target=\"_blank\">criticised \u003C/a>for a narrow focus on high-tech solutions and turning a blind eye to human rights, agroecology and food sovereignty, resulting in a wide-spread boycott from farmers, civil society organisations and scientists alike. Food aid and development projects and models — such as the Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) project — have also been heavily \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.amandalittle.com/fateoffood\" target=\"_blank\">criticised\u003C/a> for pushing technology-driven, one-size-fits-all approaches to food production that fail to utilise the traditional knowledge and skills of local farmers. Indeed, a focus on monocultures, patent-protected seeds and proprietary software — such as software that powers precision agriculture — can lock in farmers and put them in a vulnerable position vis-a-vis the large corporations that hold the rights to these technologies and that already control most of the global food market. In addition to their reliance on tools and processes that are maintained and operationally controlled by outside actors — rather than local populations — these solutions are also often considered inappropriate because they are rarely compatible with local, cultural and economic conditions, or they utilise materials or energy resources that are not always available locally.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:960px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"960px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/643d1da059c1ea2c59c78956_image%205.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Precision agriculture promises more efficiency gains for farmers, but to what extent are the innovations it relies on suitable for the global majority of smallholder farmers? Image source: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://pixabay.com/photos/spraying-sugar-cane-sugar-cane-2746350/\">Pixbay\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Now, the Dutch pride themselves on the innovation and technical prowess they have brought to (circular) agriculture. They also pride themselves on their capacity-building and knowledge-sharing efforts, whether through the work of Dutch embassies or that of the Wageningen University (WUR) — \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/article/holland-agriculture-sustainable-farming\" target=\"_blank\">’a university for the world’\u003C/a> that strives to keep the interests of lower-income countries at the heart of its research. And the value of this work is undeniable. However, in order to avoid perpetuating global inequities around food, moving beyond knowledge exports and technology impositions will be crucial and a key question to address will be on how we might value indigenous knowledge systems and skills, co-create solutions that make the best of both worlds — without falling into the trap of appropriation and exploitation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Circular food trade today and in the future\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The trade of agrifood-related wastes mirrors some of the imbalances of agrifood trade more broadly. Plastic waste, for example — including food and drink packaging waste — has made many headlines over the past years. As we explore in more depth in \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/thinking-beyond-borders-to-achieve-social-justice-in-a-global-circular-economy\" target=\"_blank\">our paper\u003C/a>, high-income countries increasingly rely on lower-income countries for the export of plastic waste for further treatment, disposal or recycling. While this provides jobs for sorters, countries often lack the facilities, equipment or training to safely manage contaminated waste. Facilities are then sometimes used to intentionally burn and get rid of this waste — exposing local ecosystems and people to toxic air pollutants with long-lasting effects on human health in the process. As countries increase plastic collection rates, this issue could be further exacerbated in the future.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1400px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1400px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Circular food trade today and in the future\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/643d1e05c64e8721ab4f0695_image%206.jpeg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">High-income countries increasingly rely on lower-income countries for the export of often toxic plastic waste for further treatment, disposal or recycling. Photo by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.pexels.com/@krizjohn-rosales-251185/\">Krizjohn Rosale\u003C/a>s on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-hands-on-assorted-color-plastic-lid-lot-761297/\">Pexels\u003C/a>.\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The Netherlands, again, is a case in point: the country sends high-value plastic wastes to nearby countries in Europe for recycling, while fractions that are less valuable to countries such as Turkey, Indonesia and Malaysia. Combined, these three nations \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921344922003512\" target=\"_blank\">account for 57% of all Dutch\u003C/a> plastic packaging waste exports and receive a combined 26.3 kilo tons per year in plastic packaging waste through direct and indirect trades with the Netherlands. The global trade of agrifood \u003Cem id=\"\">residues\u003C/em>, on the other hand, is less problematic today — but it may also raise similar issues in the future. \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://circulareconomy.earth/trade?year=2020&category=30&units=value&autozoom=1\" target=\"_blank\">Currently dominated\u003C/a> by soy by-products from Argentina, Brazil and the US, these wastes from agriculture and food manufacturing industries are often exported across the world for further processing into animal feed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As the Netherlands looks to increase food and packaging waste collection rates, shift towards biobased materials, increase the processing of manure (and potentially fertiliser exports), agrifood residues may become the next commodity to drive the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/default/files/2022-06/2022-06-15-inclusive-circular-trade-barrie-et-al.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">circular trade divide\u003C/a> even further. As of yet, little is known about the impact of these strategies on employment and on land- and resource-use abroad — with studies such as our own \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"http://circularity-gap.world/netherlands\" target=\"_blank\">Circularity Gap Report for the Netherlands\u003C/a> primarily focusing on local impacts.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">A role for the Netherlands: evening the playing field\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The Netherlands is already working with low- and middle-income partner countries on advancing circular agriculture and food, for example in \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.agroberichtenbuitenland.nl/actueel/nieuws/2022/03/09/kenya-and-the-netherlands-working-together-towards-circular-agriculture-in-kenya\" target=\"_blank\">Kenya\u003C/a>, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.rvo.nl/sites/default/files/2020/08/Circular-food-Turkey.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Turkey\u003C/a>, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.rvo.nl/sites/default/files/2018/09/Agriculture-and-re-use-of-resources.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Vietnam\u003C/a> and \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://projects.rvo.nl/project/nl-kvk-27378529-sdgp1154pe/\" target=\"_blank\">Peru\u003C/a>. This work is mostly driven by creating opportunities for Dutch business, helping other countries set up their own circular practices — often both — or on capacity-building, an accurate reflection of the Netherlands’ overall \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.pbl.nl/sites/default/files/downloads/pbl-2022-addressing-international-impacts-of-the-dutch-ce-transition-4322.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">international efforts in the circular economy\u003C/a>. Last year, the Netherlands also announced a proposal for a national law on human rights and environmental \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://corporatejustice.org/news/dutch-minister-announces-national-corporate-due-diligence-legislation/\" target=\"_blank\">due diligence\u003C/a> — legislation that aims to ensure that responsible and sustainable business practices in global chains become the norm and that hopes to improve conditions for millions of people worldwide. A few \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.unusualcollaborations.com/towards-a-datadriven-dashboard\" target=\"_blank\">research\u003C/a> \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.wur.nl/en/project/A-just-transition-towards-a-circular-food-system-in-the-North-of-the-Netherlands.htm\" target=\"_blank\">projects\u003C/a> are also underway in the Netherlands that look at how to support a socially just transition to circular agriculture.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">However, much more can be done.\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1131px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1131px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"A role for the Netherlands: evening the playing field\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/643d1e3715311102a7ea99e0_image%207.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Decision makers face a choice today: continue building on the inequitable legacy of the linear economy or picture a different way forward: a globally inclusive and just circular economy that delivers socio-economic and environmental benefits for all. Image source: Circle Economy\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Governments like the Netherlands’ — as well as multilateral organisations — can look to the following levers for guidance on how to build circular agrifood economies that work for everyone:\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Think beyond your borders\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">International impact assessments of circular agri-food systems could be built, early on, into the design and implementation of circular agrifood policy. These could look at impacts on\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/sd.2379\" target=\"_blank\"> equity and multidimensional wellbeing\u003C/a>, for example, and make use of material flow analyses to understand where the largest opportunities and risks are.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Actively involving low- and middle-income countries in the design and implementation of circular economy and (circular) trade policy will be especially crucial to ensure value is fairly distributed in future value chains.\u003Cbr>‍\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Trade responsibly\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">The Dutch government could create conditions for producers — both at home and abroad — to earn a living income, improve stability and guarantee better working conditions.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Setting stricter social and environmental standards for companies to improve labour conditions and increase transparency and traceability — both through national legislation and at EU level — could be a good start.\u003Cbr>‍\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Share knowledge and means\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">Education, too, will play an important role. The skills required to accelerate a transition to a circular agrifood system are different from the skills that support today’s unsustainable food production, distribution and waste management practices. Understanding what these skills are and how, exactly, a circular agrifood system will impact jobs — both locally and abroad — will be crucial to make provisions for the people that will be most impacted and support them in the transition.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Finally, the Netherlands could play a key role in making funding for agricultural research and development available to focus on solutions that are designed together with the people they are meant to serve and that leave room for a plurality of circular agrifood visions.\u003Cbr>‍\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">There is much more left to be explored, of course. What if other countries, too, switched to circular agrifood systems, for example? How could multilateral organisations support circular food systems and trade? How might we best balance local and global interests?\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The global food system also faces unique challenges beyond those covered in this piece — from animal welfare to food apartheids and rising hunger levels, not to mention the devastating impacts that wars and conflicts can have on food systems the world over.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Perhaps no other system requires a true systems perspective as food. We hope this article starts a deeper conversation around these questions — and paves the way for a transition agenda that looks beyond the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/blogs/why-we-need-to-rethink-the-technical-circular-economy\" target=\"_blank\">‘technical’ circular economy\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Further reading and resources\u003C/h3>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">Chatham House’s recently published \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.chathamhouse.org/2022/06/trade-inclusive-circular-economy\" target=\"_blank\">framework for inclusive circular trade\u003C/a> and \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/sd.2379\" target=\"_blank\">framework to understand the social impacts of agricultural trade\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">The Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency’s policy brief on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.pbl.nl/sites/default/files/downloads/pbl-2022-addressing-international-impacts-of-the-dutch-ce-transition-4322.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">addressing the international impacts of the Dutch circular economy transition\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">World Resources Forum’s latest forum on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.unep.org/events/webinar/close-gap-while-closing-loop-global-north-south-relations-fair-circular-economy\" target=\"_blank\">Global North-South relations for a fair circular economy transition\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">The \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/research-event/global-trade-and-transition-inclusive-circular-economy\" target=\"_blank\">‘Global trade and the transition to a circular economy’ \u003C/a>session at the World Trade Organisation Aid for Trade Annual Global Review\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Part 1 of this series looked at corporate concentration and power within a socially just and globally-minded Dutch circular agrifood system. Read it here: \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/blogs/a-dutch-circular-agrifood-system-does-not-stop-at-the-border\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cem id=\"\">https://www.circle-economy.com/blogs/a-dutch-circular-agrifood-system-does-not-stop-at-the-border\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">*\u003C/em> In a \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.pbl.nl/en/news/2022/looking-back-on-the-circular-economy-seminar-on-16-may-2022#:~:text=A%20circular%20economy%20does%20not,to%20achieving%20the%20SDGs%20abroad.\" target=\"_blank\">presentation\u003C/a> of the main messages of the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) policy brief ‘Addressing international impacts of the Dutch circular economy transition’, Hester Brink, researcher at PBL, argued that ‘A circular economy does not stop at the border’, and that taking an international perspective in circular economy policies is important. The title of this article is a response to this.\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">About Circle Economy\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">We are a global impact organisation with an international team of passionate experts based in Amsterdam. We empower businesses, cities and nations with practical and scalable solutions to put the circular economy into action. Our vision is an economic system that ensures the planet and all people can thrive. To avoid climate breakdown, our goal is to double global circularity by 2032.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">About the Circular Jobs Initiative\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">The Circular Jobs Initiative (CJI) defines and identifies circular jobs, analyses the environment needed to create them. We produce research, training and advocacy to champion circular strategies that governments and businesses can use to have a positive social impact.‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">We work with employers, workers, governments, multilateral organisations, education institutions and research organisations to realise this ambition. Get in touch with us \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/circular-jobs-initiative\" target=\"_blank\">here\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":843,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":844,"updated_at":845,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":846,"contents":848,"contributors":857,"image":17},"4Wj9","2023-04-13T12:39:07.000Z","2024-02-23T16:10:41.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":847},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[849],{"id":850,"score":12,"body":851,"status":111,"article_id":843,"created_at":40,"updated_at":845,"published_at":112},"aZ-q",{"image":852,"title":853,"content":854,"summary":855,"attachment":856,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380751087-ErfkNfjq.jpeg","A global frontrunner in recycling, Austria now addresses circularity","\u003Cp id=\"\">Austria ranks as one of the global recycling champions: already in 2018, 58% of\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">all municipal waste in the country was recycled. Yet the analysis conducted by Circle Economy, a Netherlands-based impact organisation, and Altstoff Recycling Austria AG (ARA) \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/cgr-austria\">estimated\u003C/a> that the country’s economy at the time was only 9.7% circular —only slightly above the global average. This study pinpointed an often-neglected fact: recycling alone is not enough to reach environmental goals. In December 2022, the Austrian government adopted a much more comprehensive policy document—the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.bmk.gv.at/themen/klima_umwelt/abfall/Kreislaufwirtschaft/strategie.html\">National Circular Economy Strategy\u003C/a> setting the goal of an 18% circular economy by 2030.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">There is more to a circular economy than recycling\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Recycling is one of the four key principles of the circular economy: it allows for some of the value in materials locked into products and long-lasting stocks to be recovered and put to use again. But much more value can be retained by simply continuing to use materials for as long as possible in the first place, or reusing them at a higher or equal value. According to the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2023\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report (CGR) 2023\u003C/em>\u003C/a>, to cut material extraction and carbon emissions substantially, countries should design stocks like buildings, infrastructure, machinery and cars to be rich material mines for the future. The manufacturing and construction industries, for their part, should prioritise regenerative materials and incorporate future reuse in product design. Furthermore, the focus must also centre on getting more value out of fewer materials.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">A national economy with limited metrics, high consumption and large stock build-up\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The Circularity Gap methodology was, for the first time, applied on a county level in Austria. \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/cgr-austria\">The 2018 \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report Austria\u003C/em>\u003C/a>  showed that Austria didn’t track what happened after materials were recovered or recycled—their afterlife wasn’t included in national statistics. The report recommended monitoring the usage of secondary resources, so the stocks can become functional raw material deposits—or ‘urban mines’. Moreover, the study argued that businesses and city planners should be nudged to embrace secondary materials, for example through setting recycled materials quotas for manufacturers. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report Austria\u003C/em> also indicated that effective circular policies should target sectors with the highest \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://eplca.jrc.ec.europa.eu/sustainableConsumption.html\">consumption footprint\u003C/a>. For Austria, providing Mobility and Consumables to the population contributed a massive 46% to the country’s consumption. In addition, a considerable part of the footprint came from long-lasting stock such as roads, cars and buildings. Consequently, the country was advised to introduce policies that would keep stock in use for as long as possible, while incorporating multiple lifecycles in the design of new buildings and infrastructure. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‘In the course of the project, a wide range of knowledgeable stakeholders contributed to the work and its database. This dialogue was essential for establishing a fact-based approach to the circular economy in Austria as opposed to rather political or ideological approaches’, said Christoph Scharff, former CEO of ARA.  ‘The presentation of the final report was held by the authors and ARA together with the Austrian Ministry of Environment (MoE) as a show of official support and endorsement of evidence-based environmental policies’.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">What happened next?\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Following publication, the Report landed on the desks of policymakers, fueling a wider discussion on circular pathways for Austria that included businesses, civil society, ministries, federal states and the research community. In 2020, the Austrian Ministry of Climate Protection \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.umweltzeichen.at/en/products/start/%C3%B6sterreichische-kreislaufwirtschaftsstrategie\">began\u003C/a> developing the national \u003Cem id=\"\">Circular Economy Strategy\u003C/em>. The draft document was first presented to the public at the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ejD_-AJKhs\">Circular Economy Summit Austria\u003C/a> in March 2022. Finally, the Austrian Cabinet of Ministers officially \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.bmk.gv.at/themen/klima_umwelt/abfall/Kreislaufwirtschaft/strategie.html\">approved\u003C/a> the strategy on the 7th of December, 2022, and pledged to deliver the first progress report by the end of 2023. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The document consists of roughly 600 measures spanning buildings and infrastructure, mobility, plastic and packaging, electronics and communications, biomass, waste management and secondary materials. It puts a great emphasis on recycling—already a strong point—amplifying it with policies to increase the use of secondary materials. This guideline is to be realised by promoting secondary material digital databases and introducing minimum quotas for recycled materials in products. The roadmap also seeks to increase the quality of secondary materials through certification and modernising sorting and recycling facilities. In that way, manufacturers are motivated to build secondary materials into their products; they can locate required materials via an online marketplace and, finally, rest assured that secondary input will not compromise their product’s quality. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">To preserve its buildings and infrastructure stock, Austria will introduce permits for demolition—simply bulldozing an old building will soon become tricky. And when buildings \u003Cem id=\"\">are\u003C/em> torn down, the demolition company will be required to properly recycle waste and make it available for future reuse. Moreover, multifunctional (re)use components must be baked into the design of all new service buildings like power plants and airports, states the strategy. For service and private buildings alike, minimum recycled materials input will soon become a reality. Taking good care of the current stock is coupled with plans to downsize the road infrastructure to slash the use of sand, gravel, lime and other materials. This will be achieved by boosting pedestrian and bike lanes and further developing the public transport system. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">According to the CGR Austria, 55% of the country’s consumption footprint in 2018 came from abroad. The government, therefore, decided to strengthen local production to gain more control over secondary material inputs, in particular in fibres and textiles. In addition, it emphasised requirements for more transparent supply and value chains, including for imports.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch5 id=\"\">With these and other policies, Austria plans to reach an 18% circularity rate, increase resource productivity by 50% and reduce private household consumption by 10% by 2030. \u003C/h5>\u003Cp id=\"\">‘Involving the research community is key to achieving tangible results in sustainable development. We are happy to see that our work inspired and empowered Austria to set clear quantitative targets in their circular transition’, said Circle Economy’s CEO Martijn Lopes Cardozo.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Since 2018, Circle Economy has also conducted \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/countries\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Reports\u003C/em>\u003C/a> for the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Poland, Northern Ireland and Scotland, calculating their circularity rating and spelling out pathways to bolster a circular economy in these countries and regions.\u003C/p>","Communications Specialist at Circle Economy Luba Glazunova examines Austria’s exceptional recycling rates and asks why this hasn’t translated to more circularity in the country’s economy.",[],[],{"id":859,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":860,"updated_at":861,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":862,"contents":864,"contributors":872,"image":17},"k4AX","2023-05-01T08:39:44.000Z","2024-02-23T16:28:10.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":863},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[865],{"id":866,"score":12,"body":867,"status":111,"article_id":859,"created_at":40,"updated_at":861,"published_at":112},"IMdW",{"image":868,"title":869,"content":870,"summary":16,"attachment":871,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380753092-IvyFiW1O.jpg","As cities race to net-zero, the Circle Carbon Scan will provide new avenues for impact","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">This article was originally published by the \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.greenindustryplatform.org/blog/cities-race-net-zero-circle-carbon-scan-provides-policy-makers-and-supply-chains-new-avenues\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Green Industry Platform\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">.\u003C/em>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circular economy strategies will be crucial for cities looking to scale their impact and reach net-zero. While going circular in a linear world can be challenging, the Circle Carbon Scan can help: this new tool, developed by Amsterdam-based impact organisation Circle Economy, helps cities link material use to emissions for any sector—pinpointing exactly where change makers should focus their attention.\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Our planet consumes incomprehensible volumes of resources: between two landmark climate conferences—Paris in 2015 and Glasgow in late 2021—we've extracted, processed and used more than half a trillion tonnes of materials. These materials—from minerals and metals to biomass and fossil fuels—are largely demanded by and ultimately used in cities, the world's activity hotspots. By 2050, it's expected that the world's urban areas will consume \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.resourcepanel.org/reports/weight-cities\">90 billion tonnes\u003C/a> of materials yearly, despite occupying just \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unfccc.int/blog/seven-ways-cities-can-take-climate-action\">2% of the planet's surface\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The consumption of finite resources is a serious issue—yet public discourse on the matter is underdeveloped. Now, climate breakdown—which represents just one of nine planetary boundaries—is front and centre on global agendas. But the link between resource use and climate impact is inextricable, although lesser-known: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2021\">70% of greenhouse gas emissions\u003C/a> stem from material use and handling, and strategies that tackle how we use materials have the power to slash emissions by 39%. In reality, this would mean\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2022\"> limiting warming to 1.5-degrees\u003C/a> and preventing the worst climate disasters like floods, famines and extreme weather events. These powerful strategies go beyond the energy transition and are based on the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview#:~:text=A%20circular%20economy%20decouples%20economic,loss%2C%20waste%2C%20and%20pollution\">circular economy\u003C/a>: an economic system that aims to design out waste, keep materials in products in use for as long as possible, optimise high-value cycling and regenerate natural systems. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">The circular transition begins in cities\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">'We point very clearly to the cities of the world as a key place for mobilisation,' \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-60541816\">said IPCC co-chair Debra Roberts\u003C/a>, commenting on the latest IPCC report launched February 2022. Cities are epicentres of consumption—as well as innovation, infrastructure, investment and culture. They also hold most of the world's people, with over \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.un.org/development/desa/en/news/population/2018-revision-of-world-urbanization-prospects.html\">two-thirds\u003C/a> expected to live in urban areas by 2050. More agile than national governments, city-level actors are well-poised to drive the transition to a circular economy: and it's critical that they do so, as research shows that cities will bear the brunt of negative climate impacts. It's, therefore, crucial that cities around the globe are equipped with the knowledge necessary to reach our end goal: an ecologically safe and socially just operating space for humanity. The circular economy is our means to this end.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:3360px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"3360px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Climate action should begin in the city. \" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/626803204b2f58dc09c719ad_nerea-marti-sesarino-_NpSkRaTy0A-unsplash.jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Climate action should begin in the city. Photo by\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@nereamarti\"> Nerea Martí Sesarino\u003C/a> on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/_NpSkRaTy0A\">Unsplash\u003C/a>.\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">The Circle Carbon Scan shows cities how consumption links to emissions\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Amsterdam-based impact organisation Circle Economy is committed to helping cities use the circular economy to combat environmental degradation. For the first time, it's diving into combatting one of cities' biggest climate challenges—consumption—through the Circle Carbon Scan, which links material consumption to emissions for any supply chain in any city. The Carbon Scan pinpoints where emissions occur throughout a supply chain, allowing city-level decision makers to understand how they can use the circular economy  to make impactful interventions. Crucially, it takes a \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.oecd.org/sti/ind/EmbodiedCO2_Flyer.pdf\">consumption-based\u003C/a> approach: it accounts for emissions generated elsewhere and not those from within city boundaries. Why is this important?  \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/city-consumption-greenhouse-gases-carbon-c40-spd\">Wealthy 'consumer cities'\u003C/a> like London, Paris and New York have already succeeded in cutting their locally-generated emissions, largely by outsourcing production to poorer countries which have long been feeling the impact. Including the impacts of the consumption of goods and services produced abroad means that these cities have among the highest per capita emissions globally—knowing this is critical to taking action in the right way. This is how the Carbon Scan came to be.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circle Economy's Cities Lead, Jordi Pascual Torner, along with Max Russell and Alex Collorichio, kicked off the Carbon Scan's development in 2021. To date, no other method exists that's so flexible and far reaching in its approach—nor one that links material use to emissions in cities. Following its pilot for London's food supply chain, plans to scale are flowing fast—up next is the city's textiles supply chain. It's not without challenges (data availability can be tricky) but Jordi is confident in the Carbon Scan's ability to tackle cities' consumption-based emissions: 'we've aimed to create a method that uses and processes data in such a way that it can be replicable—but also still meaningful for different sectors and contexts,' he notes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/circle-carbon-scan-transitioning-towards-a-low-carbon-circular-economy-for-food-in-london\">For its pilot\u003C/a>, the Carbon Scan was applied to one of the most impactful supply chains in one of the world's most notable cities: the food system in London. It's analytical framework mapped material flows and tied them to consumption-based emissions in the city's food system, following how London's 6.3 million tonnes of food was produced, consumed and eventually disposed of—if not eaten. The Carbon Scan was able to trace that the majority of emissions—around three-quarters—are embodied in food itself and released on-farm, largely beyond city borders. Highly emissions-intensive foods—like meat and dairy—featured high on the menu, contributing nearly half of emissions while representing less than one-quarter of the food consumed. What's more, a huge portion of its 6.3 million tonnes of supply goes to waste: more than 1.4 million tonnes of food are wasted or lost at various stages along the supply chain yearly. Through eating more healthy, sustainable diets, cutting food loss and waste, and putting waste to better use—all practicable options that will also bring a range of health and social benefits—impacts could be huge: a cut in food-related consumption-based emissions of as much as 31%. \u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:4961px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"4961px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"FOOD SYSTEM EMISSIONS REDUCTION\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/619504a4e57a93adfc270e40_20210928%20-%20ReLondon%20-%20Scenarios.jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">How London can cut its food-related consumption-based emissions. Source: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/circle-carbon-scan-transitioning-towards-a-low-carbon-circular-economy-for-food-in-london\">Circle Economy\u003C/a>.\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Pulling the right levers: the Circle Carbon Scan can provide a 'valuable starting point' for urban change makers looking to the circular economy\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">It's not easy going circular in our currently very linear world, where extraction is par for the course and waste is treated as an afterthought. It can be challenging to know where to start, especially given supply chains' complexity in a globalised world. The Circle Carbon Scan provides a starting point—and highlights potential results. We know what London could do by overhauling its food system: boosting fruit and veggie consumption while cutting down on meat, preventing avoidable food waste through redistribution and use in animal feed and scaling anaerobic digestion to create biofuels and slash fossil fuel dependence. And this has already borne fruit: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularonline.co.uk/news/cop26-report-highlights-huge-opportunity-for-londons-food-systems-to-become-less-carbon-intensive/\">ReLondon and the Mayor of London\u003C/a> announced a number of commitments in response to the report—including an action plan to cut consumption-based emissions from the food supply chain through collaborations with caterers and suppliers. The analysis will also inform the Food Flagship Initiative, a multi-year programme spearheaded by ReLondon in collaboration with the Greater London Authority and Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The initiative aims to use the results of the Carbon Scan project to design high impact, data-driven policy interventions to cut the supply chain's massive emissions. Imagine this kind of action taking place for other impactful supply chains and sectors—from construction and infrastructure to electronics—in some of the world's largest metropolises. Research has shown that if cities went all-out—using strategies already in our arsenal to deliver deep cuts in emissions—we'd be \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/city-consumption-greenhouse-gases-carbon-c40-spd\">well on our way\u003C/a> to meeting the Paris Agreement's most crucial goals. Even more so, we know the added benefits of circular economy strategies, which can bring us far beyond the actions highlighted in countries' national climate commitments. \u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:5760px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"5760px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Shifting to more plant-based diets\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/6268035b42f0f91eef0abd48_markus-spiske-vyHo3nnk8G8-unsplash.jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Shifting to more plant-based diets could have a huge impact on consumption-based emissions, the Circle Carbon Scan found. Photo by\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@markusspiske\"> Markus Spiske\u003C/a> on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/vyHo3nnk8G8\">Unsplash\u003C/a>.\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Cities have a lot of power—but they can't get to net-zero alone\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Cities are already leading the way: 10,000 of them have made strong commitments to reduce emissions drastically before 2050—and the Circle Carbon Scan can help them get there. But it's not up to them to act alone: without support from national governments and businesses, cities will only be able to achieve \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/zero-carbon-cities-future\">one-third of their net-zero targets\u003C/a>. Why? Nations have the power to deliver true systems change through their political and legal mandates and businesses have the capacity to innovate and support the implementation of the circular interventions. Cities taking initial action will crucially need support, cooperation and collaboration from different stakeholders  to drive circular initiatives forward. Tackling the climate crisis must be a joint effort—no one business, sector, city or nation can work alone. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">'Consumption is a huge climate challenge for cities themselves—but the Carbon Scan can also help city change makers, citizens and businesses understand the importance of their actions in the global context. Systems change can start in the city,' Jordi explains. 'We're ambitious to continue replicating the exercise in other cities.' \u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Learn more\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">You can find Circle Economy's Circle Carbon Scan pilot \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/circle-carbon-scan-transitioning-towards-a-low-carbon-circular-economy-for-food-in-london\">here\u003C/a>. Through the Scan, they:\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">Map material flows throughout a given sector's supply chain (from imports to waste treatment)\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Use a model to match these mass flows with their associated emissions\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Create an urban map that can be used to pinpoint material flows and their associated emissions at any point in the supply chain\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">For more information, please get in touch with \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"mailto:jordi@circle-economy.com\">jordi@circle-economy.com\u003C/a>  \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":874,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":323,"updated_at":875,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":876,"contents":878,"contributors":886,"image":17},"tVLo","2026-02-11T11:06:44.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":877},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[879],{"id":880,"score":12,"body":881,"status":111,"article_id":874,"created_at":40,"updated_at":875,"published_at":875},"tY2V",{"image":882,"title":883,"content":884,"summary":16,"attachment":885,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380756170-rPG1Pr3c.jpeg","Beyond recycling: Bringing true circularity to Austria","\u003Cp>Austria ranks as one of the global recycling champions: already in 2018, 58% of all municipal waste in the country was recycled. Add to this a string of waste prevention regulations introduced as early as the 2000s, and an image of a circularity champion starts to emerge. It is no coincidence that in 2019, Austria became the first country in the world to commission a Circularity Gap Report, measuring the circularity rate of a nation. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>However, the report’s findings were somewhat disappointing: Austria’s economy was only 9.7% circular, just slightly above the global average at the time. This highlighted an important fact: recycling rates do not equal circularity. On the contrary, high recycling rates can conceal structural problems that hinder a truly circular economy, such as continued reliance on fossil fuels, rising resource use, and a high dependence on imports. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3>\u003Cstrong>On the pathway to the first circular economy strategy \u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>According to Christoph Scharff, CEO of AltstoffRecycling Austria (ARA) at the time of the CGR Austria publication, the report was crucial in shifting the focus from recycling rates to the circularity rate—the share of secondary materials used as inputs to the economy. This distinction matters because recycling materials after use does not necessarily mean they are reintroduced into the economy in a way that reduces the consumption of virgin materials. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>“While Austria remains among the EU’s leading countries in municipal waste recycling and enjoys a strong reputation for separate waste collection, the Circularity Gap Report highlighted the broader systemic interconnections. It underscored the necessity of a more comprehensive and integrated approach to circularity—one that goes beyond waste management to address key materials, products and waste streams across the entire economy, far beyond the consumer's perspective”, says Christoph Scharff. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The CGR Austria laid the groundwork for Austria’s first National Circular Economy Strategy. Adopted in 2022, it set an ambitious goal of an 18% circular economy by 2030. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>“In the short term, the project [CGR Austria] provided policymakers with solid, evidence-based arguments. Over time, its methodological approach has become established. Today, we have a definded standard at the EU level and it forms an integral part of the Austrian federal government’s circular economy and industry strategies”, Christoph Scharffadds. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3>\u003Cstrong>More repair, less plastic \u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Three years on, Austria’s transition to a circular economy is increasingly visible in everyday life, business practices and infrastructure. While the most significant material flows are undoubtedly managed in the construction and infrastructure sectors, measures at the consumer level also contribute to raising awareness for reuse and circularity. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>In 2022, the Austrian government introduced vouchers for repair services for household appliances and electronics. Since then, more than one million vouchers have been redeemed. With over 3,900 partner companies involved and a total budget of €130 million by 2026, the programme has strengthened local repairers, reduced household waste, and made repair trendy. Additionally, repair services are now subject to a reduced VAT rate of 10%. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Packaging systems are another area of tangible impact. Since the 1990s, Austria has developed one of the most convenient collection systems for packaging from households, businesses and industry. Domestic companies are among the technology leaders in plastics recycling. In view of the objectives of the EU Single Use Plastics Directive, a deposit system for beverage packaging was introduced in 2025. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Targeted funding has helped translate circular principles into concrete projects. In 2024 alone, 41 million euros were allocated to circular design, textile reuse and recycling infrastructure, while the RTI Initiative Circular Economy has already funded 48 innovation projects along the entire value chain. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>These are just a few examples of Austria’s evolving approaches to circularity, which are now centred on reducing resource use rather than merely recycling. Since 2019, ten nations have followed Austria in measuring their circularity with a Circularity Gap Report, helping to establish a global benchmark for the circular transition. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":888,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":889,"updated_at":890,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":891,"contents":893,"contributors":901,"image":17},"CcID","2023-08-09T10:07:50.000Z","2024-02-23T15:52:36.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":892},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[894],{"id":895,"score":12,"body":896,"status":111,"article_id":888,"created_at":40,"updated_at":890,"published_at":112},"fb2n",{"image":897,"title":898,"content":899,"summary":16,"attachment":900,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380756933-O4SFP4_h.jpg","Beyond the energy transition","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">This article was originally published by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://impact.economist.com/sustainability/circular-economies/beyond-the-energy-transition-why-we-need-a-circular-economy-to-keep-human\">Economist Impact\u003C/a>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">We live on a finite planet, but the opportunities for change available to us right now are infinite. A circular system is part of this.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">If\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://impact.economist.com/sustainability/circular-economies/inside-the-circle\"> circular-economy solutions\u003C/a> are integrated across key global systems, we can fulfil the global population's needs with just \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2023\">70% of the \u003C/a>materials we currently use. And since most \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2021\">greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions\u003C/a> are tied to material extraction and use, this will also limit warming temperatures to below 2 degrees Celsius. These are among the findings of the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2023\">Circularity Gap Report 2023\u003C/a>, which models how we could provide for the needs of the global population within our planet’s safe limits through 16 circular solutions.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">These welcome findings are more urgently needed than ever, because our current linear “take-make-waste” processes have caused us to overshoot many of the “planetary boundaries”—limits beyond which environmental health across land, sea and air is put into jeopardy.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:3523px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"3523px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"the four key circular flows that circular solutions are based on\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/64d364f1b01d55fe0dd1f8a3_CGR%202023%20-%20Narrow%2C%20Slow%2C%20Regenerate%20and%20Cycle%20visual.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">This image shows the four key circular flows that circular solutions are based on, and the intended hierarchy: using less, using longer, making clean and using again. Learn more about this in the \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://circularity-gap.world/2023\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report 2023\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">.\u003C/em>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Earth’s vital signs beyond climate change\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">It is overconsumption of materials that is driving us past our planet’s safe limits. The global appetite for materials shows no sign of slowing down: annual material extraction has more than tripled since 1970 and almost doubled since 2000—and now sits at \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2020\">100bn tonnes \u003C/a>per year, according to the Circularity Gap Report in \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://assets.website-files.com/5e185aa4d27bcf348400ed82/5e26ead616b6d1d157ff4293_20200120%20-%20CGR%20Global%20-%20Report%20web%20single%20page%20-%20210x297mm%20-%20compressed.pdf\">2020\u003C/a>. This expansion cannot solely be blamed on population growth. While the global population has doubled since 1970, per-person material use has only increased by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959378017313031\">a factor of 1.7\u003C/a> during that time. But in high-income countries, material use is far outpacing population growth, while the opposite is true for lower-income countries. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Beyond the energy transition\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Our increasing reliance on virgin materials creates a host of problems. Due to their high embedded emissions, a knock-on effect is excess GHG emissions in the atmosphere: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2021\">approximately 70%\u003C/a> of global GHGs come from material use and handling.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Beyond emissions, material extraction and use drive over \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.resourcepanel.org/reports/global-resources-outlook\">90%\u003C/a> of total global biodiversity loss and water stress, for example. In fulfilling societal needs—as well as many wants—we are now breaching six of the nine \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.stockholmresilience.org/research/planetary-boundaries/the-nine-planetary-boundaries.html\">planetary boundaries\u003C/a> that are crucial to planetary health: climate change, biodiversity loss, land system change, chemical pollution, and cycles of nitrogen and phosphorus. Ocean acidification—also driven by spiralling carbon emissions—is dangerously close to its tipping point.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">‍\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Key circular strategies can deliver huge impacts\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">We cannot focus on the energy transition alone to bring human activity within the safe limits of the planet. We need a far more systemic approach centred on smart, circular material use. The principles underlying this approach are simple but impactful: use less—a sharp decline in virgin-material extraction; use longer—use the materials that we do have better and more durably; make clean—swap out fossil fuels and toxic materials for renewable, regenerative ones; and use again—boost the use of secondary materials. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">So what does an alternative circular world look like in practice?\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:4961px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"4961px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"the impact the 16 circular solutions have on reversing the overshoot of five planetary boundaries\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/64d36523baa3f8e5963cf315_20230726%20-%20CGR%202023%20-%20Planetary%20visual.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">This visual shows the impact the 16 circular solutions have on reversing the overshoot of five planetary boundaries, showing the percentage reduction.\u003C/em>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">The food system\u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Feeding the global population through largely industrial processes has a huge environmental impact. Food systems are by far the largest driver of changes in land use: around 7% of land use globally is allocated to crops, which is equivalent to the size of East Asia, and livestock production accounts for 27% of global land use, equivalent to the size of the Americas. Growing food also consumes 70% of all accessible freshwater. This cannot continue indefinitely. Here’s how we can go circular:\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">Put healthier, satiating foods first\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Go local, seasonal and organic\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Mainstream regenerative agricultural practices\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Eliminate avoidable food waste.\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">‍\u003Cstrong id=\"\">The built environment\u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Housing and providing services for the world’s rapidly urbanising population is material-intensive. While inefficient building processes are a drain on resources and are carbon-intensive, we can also influence buildings’ sustainability in their use phase, through energy efficiency, durability and recyclability, for example. Today, buildings are major carbon emitters, claiming nearly \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://globalabc.org/resources/publications/2021-global-status-report-buildings-and-construction\">one-third\u003C/a> of global energy consumption. Key circular solutions include:\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">Be as energy-efficient as possible\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Make the most of what is already built\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Prioritise circular materials and approaches\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Reuse waste as much as possible.\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Manufacturing and consumer goods\u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">The impacts of this system—which includes items such as clothing, plastics and furniture—stem primarily from two factors: the scale of production (and consumption), and the production processes themselves. Sourcing materials for everyday products drives \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29044104/\">deforestation\u003C/a>, biodiversity \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959378021000820\">loss\u003C/a> and ecosystem \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://theintercept.com/2020/04/19/africa-plastic-waste-kenya-ethiopia/\">destruction\u003C/a>, particularly in the tropics. It also leaks \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/s43017-020-0039-9\">chemicals\u003C/a> into the environment, harming human, animal and soil health. Key circular solutions:\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">Mainstream industrial symbiosis (where the waste from one industry is put to us in another one) and efficiency\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Extend the lifetime of machinery, equipment and goods\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Buy only what you really need\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Eschew fast fashion in favour of sustainable textiles.  \u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">The mobility system\u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">The demand for transport is rising globally—but current modes are heavily material- and fossil-fuels-intensive. Emissions from the transport system could grow by\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.itf-oecd.org/decarbonising-transport\"> 60% by 2050, \u003C/a>and transport is the number-one user of oil worldwide. GHG emissions result not only in warming global temperatures, but also in ocean acidification, which has severe consequences for entire ecosystems and further destabilises our climate. The transport system also drives land-use change and biodiversity loss through the development of infrastructure—also releasing harmful pollutants into the ocean. Key circular solutions:\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">Embrace and enable car-free lifestyles\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Invest in high-quality public transport\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Rethink unnecessary air travel\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Electrify remaining vehicles.\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">The solutions are in our hands\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The long-term environmental impacts of business-as-usual activities across sectors are clear. We urgently need to adjust our systems to reverse the overshoot of the planet’s safe limits. A circular economy offers solutions to reduce, regenerate and redistribute the use of vital materials, to cut material use by one-third, while boosting well-being and creating jobs. \u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":903,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":904,"updated_at":905,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":906,"contents":908,"contributors":916,"image":17},"ECXX","2024-02-26T15:19:10.000Z","2024-02-26T15:21:19.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":907},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[909],{"id":910,"score":12,"body":911,"status":111,"article_id":903,"created_at":40,"updated_at":905,"published_at":905},"cClQ",{"image":912,"title":913,"content":914,"summary":16,"attachment":915,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380758530-78h6M9Jq.jpg","Circular fashion: brands can’t make the leap alone","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">This article was first published by \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://fashionunited.com/news/business/circular-fashion-brands-can-t-make-the-leap-alone-according-to-new-circularity-gap-report/2024012558053\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Fashion United\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">.\u003C/em>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">The Circularity Gap Report 2024\u003C/em> wastes no time in setting out its mission: after six years of measuring the state of global circularity, it’s time to shift from theory to action. This comes in response to the finding that despite the volume of debates, discussions and policies on the circular economy nearly tripling over the last five years, global circularity has fallen year on year—from 9.1% in 2018 to 7.2% in 2023. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">With overhauls to policy, finance and the labour market posited as key levers for change, the report lays out key actions for governments and financial institutions across key world sectors, from manufactured goods to construction and mobility.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Reforming fast fashion can catalyse a circular manufacturing sector\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Manufacturing is at the core of the global economy; we need it to fashion the clothes on our backs, produce the cars we drive and make the appliances we use day-to-day. Its environmental impact, however, is far from negligible—the fashion industry alone is the world’s \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.theecoexperts.co.uk/blog/top-7-most-polluting-industries\">6th most polluting\u003C/a>, accounting for \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/industries/retail/our%20insights/fashion%20on%20climate/fashion-on-climate-full-report.pdf\">4% of global emissions\u003C/a>, with the average EU citizen’s textile consumption racking up a carbon footprint of around \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/about/contact-us/faqs/what-are-the-environmental-impacts-of-textiles\">270 kilogrammes\u003C/a> in 2020. With fast fashion—and even luxury brands—becoming increasingly trend-driven, production and consumption are spiralling: the number of garments purchased per person \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-explainers/what-is-fast-fashion\">increased by 60%\u003C/a> between 2000 and 2014, for example. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">On the whole, we’re stuck in a distinctly linear cycle of buying, wearing and replacing garments. Now, studies show that consumers \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NjKeeBVUY_Ap4pY5K-4cmsPOud27Dr06/view\">largely toss cast-off clothing\u003C/a> because they’re bored of it or feel it no longer suits them: items simply being worn out is only a factor in around one-third of cases. And despite growing environmental concerns, the fast fashion industry’s hold on the global market is set to expand, with estimates suggesting that it could reach a value of \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.statista.com/statistics/1008241/fast-fashion-market-value-forecast-worldwide/\">US$185 billion by 2027\u003C/a>—a sizable jump from US$106 billion in 2022. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report 2024\u003C/em> imagines a different future for fashion: one where flimsy, trend-driven garments are replaced by durable, easy-to-mend and recyclable clothing, and businesses commonly offer affordable services like repair, rental and second-hand sales, with take-back schemes making it easy to give clothing items a second life. This future also sees a new consumer ethos: people swap, share and upcycle their clothing through community-led initiatives that make living a ‘circular’ lifestyle as convenient as possible. Donation bins are used as a last resort, and clothes are never thrown into general rubbish containers.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1600px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1600px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/65dcaac504882a25bc9ea787_8xKEQfSnjHugjxFmesB8ND5dO2vP8krBZAllyU3YPJa5Jt0f1o7T2yLBhHyhPHbQpNil4xJ9zIcUR9RuwkOwGAWRHOHBzSzLWCdo6CAs_Rba40Bx9VABzg6HPF8Kv08kV6vrbVtZs76KWNYxCTjqSpc.jpeg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">In a circular future, repair is commonplace. Photo by\u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@flaxeco?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash\">\u003Cem id=\"\"> Volha Flaxeco\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\"> on\u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/person-sewing-green-textile-using-white-electric-sewing-machine-omgRZCmTvUM?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash\">\u003Cem id=\"\"> Unsplash\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">This may sound utopian to many. But while we have a way to go, initiatives of this ilk are already cropping up worldwide: from Patagonia’s famed \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://wornwear.patagonia.com/\">‘Worn Wear’\u003C/a> programme to the City of Amsterdam’s \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://cosh.eco/en/brands/kleermakers-aangesloten-bij-stadspas-amsterdam#:~:text=The%20City%20of%20Amsterdam%20has,repair%20shops%20across%20the%20city.\">40% discount\u003C/a> on clothing repairs for lower-income residents. Brands are increasingly championing sustainable materials and processes, although greenwashing still runs rampant. What’s more, the technology needed for a circular industry—think fibre-to-fibre recycling, for example—is ready to go. In the end, however, real progress is muddied by an inability to scale: going circular in a linear world is next to impossible, and without the necessary logistics, infrastructure and mindset firmly entrenched across disparate factions—from policymakers and financiers to consumers—the transition can’t happen at the speed needed to meaningfully address ecological breakdown. A surge in investment from key industry players and stricter regulatory support are needed, or one-off efforts from brands may take place in a vacuum and fail to set the bar for those falling short.  \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">High-income countries must scale down overproduction and consumption\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">So where do we start? It’s time to ‘walk the talk’, the report urges: we need to see concerted action from governments and financial institutions if a circular fashion industry is to progress beyond the realm of ‘utopian’. Higher-income countries face a unique set of challenges along this path. Their residents are high consumers: the average American, for example, purchases \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-high-price-of-fast-fashion-11567096637\">68 new clothing items a year\u003C/a>, while Europeans purchased an average of \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.statista.com/topics/11723/apparel-shopping-behavior-in-europe/#:~:text=On%20average%2C%20European%20consumers%20were,compared%20to%20the%20previous%20year.\">42 new garments\u003C/a> per person in 2023. What’s more, these goods are largely produced elsewhere, offshoring impacts such as severe pollution from the use of hazardous chemicals. Lower-income countries often bear the brunt of the end-of-life stage, too: millions of tonnes of cast-off clothing are shipped around the world yearly, ending up in markets for resale, or as waste in the informal landfills or shores of less affluent countries, largely in Africa (46%) and Asia (41%). \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">With this in mind, shifting consumer perspectives and setting new standards for sustainable production can’t come from brands alone. Radical collaboration is needed across public and private sectors. To this end, the report recommends:\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Strengthening Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes. \u003C/strong>These aim to shift the burden of responsibility for old or worn-out products upstream, incentivising producers to design lasting, easy-to-recycle products. Although EPRs are gaining popularity—the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.government.nl/documents/publications/2023/05/01/infographic-extended-producer-responsibility-for-textiles\">Netherlands rolled out a scheme\u003C/a> for textiles mid-2023, for example—current iterations are failing to meaningfully extend product lifetimes or put a dent in proliferating textile waste. There’s a chance to do better: by tweaking current regulations, legislators can ensure EPRs’ full potential is reached. \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://fashionunited.uk/news/fashion/extended-producer-responsibility-isn-t-enough-to-tackle-global-fashion-waste-mountain-here-s-why/2023050269308\">This could mean\u003C/a> explicitly centring schemes on the reduction of textile consumption and lifecycle expansion, rolling out stricter sorting criteria and international trade regulations to prevent waste colonialism and using funds collected through the EPR to scale fibre-to-fibre recycling and fibre-based sorting infrastructure. \u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1600px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1600px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/65dcaac501e41105827ce369_Fr8fshwbGDniLoFKZMUBtq_l7nQuRHGolZCew6tr_K0CWi7VqA_dB-1m9iOF73mooQzXgiBvjbmDLeET0RuwBVUwADoFfnXS_YuEohvBg8O1wnu0_DqaAcbOgpwRyjAB3OlP2pm71IVzp81eOyYutto.jpeg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Current EPR schemes aren’t meaningfully reducing textile waste. Photo by\u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@flenguyen?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash\">\u003Cem id=\"\"> Francois Le Nguyen\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\"> on\u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/garbage-on-the-street-during-daytime-pouTfHUG430?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash\">\u003Cem id=\"\"> Unsplash\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">\u003Cbr>Banning the destruction of unsold goods. \u003C/strong>Fashion’s dirty little (not-so) secret: the destruction of unsold items. From luxury labels like Burberry and Coach to fast fashion giants like H&M and Urban Outfitters, the burning, shredding and landfilling of brand-new garments is all too common. Cheaper and easier than recycling, companies destroy their own leftover stock in an attempt to protect brand value—or simply because they’ve produced too much to sell or store. The \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.dw.com/en/eu-approves-ban-on-destruction-of-unsold-clothing/a-67641000\">EU cracked down\u003C/a> on this practice at the tail end of 2023, with a ban set to go into effect for big businesses by 2025. While this is a step in the right direction, there are still some kinks to iron out: ensuring, namely, that the alternative to destruction isn’t mere downcycling (into insulation, for example) or shipping off excess stock to be dealt with in other corners of the world. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Banning the advertising of high-impact goods—including fast fashion. \u003C/strong>An ad-free world seems unthinkable: we’re bombarded with images, from models and makeup to fast food and electronics, nearly everywhere we go. The original ad ban—rolled out for cigarettes several decades ago—has had promising results, sparking a broader discussion about banning ads for products like junk food and alcohol. As of yet, talk on bans for fast fashion advertising is minimal, aside from \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://fashionunited.uk/news/fashion/researchers-from-amsterdam-institutions-recommend-banning-fast-fashion-advertising/2023102772288\">recommendations\u003C/a> from the University of Amsterdam and the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences to the Dutch government on the matter. While so-called ‘fossil advertising’ may encounter hurdles—with the legality of these measures recently called into question—wealthier nations may explore how ad bans can be equitably rolled out to reshape their residents’ consumption behaviour.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1600px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1600px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/65dcaac59776119501e5fda9_ZtFHaVCA2lmiHja7XnXvB19wgewkgKxj_r_0DBlnS1YqOS9VMlaXuLx0iLyP7kpsiNfcP8H5eDq6QCvucSIWw5Hk5TIYvGBSzkKFBHHNX0ta6e5F5HJTvGS3O6y8HMhD_IBuFC_hfWNtX9uEzplBMrw.jpeg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Advertising is ubiquitous—but in a circular future, this may not be the case. Photo by\u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@brooksieg?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash\">\u003Cem id=\"\"> Geoff Brooks\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\"> on\u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/cars-on-road-a94IcGkbRws?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash\">\u003Cem id=\"\"> Unsplash\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Requiring an environmental ‘score’ label for garments. \u003C/strong>Environmental labelling isn’t new—but current schemes are highly fragmented, with countless certifications and labels in Europe alone. The EU’s ‘Ecolabel’ programme—an early attempt to harmonise these—does cover clothing and textiles, but only denotes products that have met their criteria: garments that aren’t up to par aren’t publicly marked as such. Governments could explore a harmonised way to ‘grade’ clothing items—similar to the five-colour Nutri-Score scheme for food—that could allow consumers to easily compare options and make more informed choices.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Encouraging consumers to change their habits through financial incentives. \u003C/strong>Old habits die hard—and for many, chucking a holey old garment in the bin seems far more convenient than seeking out repair services or picking up a darning needle. Providing bonus cheques or slashing taxes on repair services could nudge consumers in the right direction, an initiative already cropping up in Europe: Sweden, for example, has \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://orbitax.com/news/archive.php/Sweden-Publishes-Laws-to-Imple-49914\">cut VAT rates for repair\u003C/a>, while France has \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66174349\">launched a bonus scheme\u003C/a> offering discounts of up to €25 per repair. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">It’s time to return to a simpler life, the report urges\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">This year’s \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report\u003C/em> sets a high standard for the world, but it’s nothing if not encouraging. Ultimately, it’s time to be bold and rethink the rules of the game—and a shift in perspective is needed from everyone, from consumers and companies to policymakers and financiers.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The report’s vision for the future can be summed up by the pithy ‘consuming less but cherishing more’, which will see the rise of lifestyles marked by quality and connection over quantity and consumption. Even if the high-level statistics suggest otherwise, there seems to be a growing desire for such a life: swathes of people are trading the glitz and glamour of city life for rural settings, with seemingly old-fashioned activities like growing and preserving food and making and mending clothes on the rise. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Only time will tell if—in the looming face of climate breakdown—this can turn from trend to touchstone. \u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Learn more\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circle Economy Foundation’s ‘report card’ for the global economy launches yearly in January. Learn more about how policy, finance and labour can accelerate the transition to a circular economy in the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2024\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report 2024\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">.\u003C/em>\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":918,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":919,"updated_at":920,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":921,"contents":923,"contributors":932,"image":17},"o-P1","2025-08-27T09:20:09.000Z","2025-08-27T09:39:11.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":922},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[924],{"id":925,"score":12,"body":926,"status":111,"article_id":918,"created_at":40,"updated_at":920,"published_at":931},"VOGN",{"image":927,"title":928,"content":929,"summary":16,"attachment":930,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380760426-5UEV_Wlz.jpg","Circular Agroecology for a Resilient Europe","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">This article was first published by \u003C/em>\u003Ca href=\"https://www.e-ir.info/2025/08/11/circular-agroecology-for-a-resilient-europe/\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">E-International Relations\u003C/em>\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">Europe faces a critical moment. While trade wars and geopolitical tensions dominate headlines, they threaten to overshadow urgent ecological and social crises unfolding across the continent. At the heart of these intertwined crises lies our current industrial food system—a system that \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/2021/07/oecd-fao-agricultural-outlook-2021-2030_31d65f37.html\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">pushes\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> our societies beyond planetary boundaries through impacts on wellbeing, water, biodiversity, climate, and ecosystems. As a direct result of this resource-intensive system, Europe \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"http://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https:/ieep.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/From-Farm-to-Fork-Policy-actions-for-sustainable-and-healthy-EU-diets-IEEP-2025.pdf\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">suffers\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> a staggering €3 trillion annual cost in healthcare expenses, environmental damage, and climate impacts across the EU—a sum which equals the entire GDP of France. At the same time, nearly one in ten Europeans \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ILC_MDES03__custom_16338803/default/table?lang=en\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">cannot afford\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> a quality meal every other day.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In this context, the European Commission has published its new \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52025DC0075\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Vision for Agriculture and Food\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>. The Vision emphasises competitiveness, simplification, and digitalisation for ‘strategic autonomy’. Still, it fails to address the fundamental drivers of the system’s massive negative footprint: the heavy dependence on, and intensive use of, synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, and imported animal feed, for the production of highly processed but low-nutrition food. Meanwhile, food producers (including farmers, fisherpeople, and many more) struggle with volatile prices, climate impacts, and high input costs, often becoming the first victims of health crises caused by industrial farming.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">While current policies lack a clear path for the sustainable transformation of our food system, the EU’s emphasis on strategic autonomy presents an opportunity. To achieve genuine strategic autonomy, the EU must build a resilient, sustainable, and equitable food system that can face the multiple challenges of the 21st century. In this article, we propose the idea of ‘Circular Agroecology’ as the guiding concept for this transformation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">If the EU intends to maintain current production and consumption patterns while pursuing strategic autonomy, we risk entrenching an unsustainable food system. The linear ‘take-make-waste’ approach to industrial agriculture will continue to exceed environmental limits, leading to \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/topics/in-depth/agriculture-and-food\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">systemic risks\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> like pollution of ground and surface waters, degradation of agricultural land, and the loss of local biodiversity.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Instead, we must fundamentally rethink how we produce and consume food. Our solution is a combination of two unexpected allies: the circular economy and agroecology. Both concepts are well known on their own, but when combined, they open a wealth of potential. Circular agroecology could help us shape sustainable nutrient and resource use, fair prices for farmers and consumers, and diets that improve socio-ecological wellbeing, while decreasing EU dependence on imports.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In our current polycrisis—so deeply connected to our diets and economies—the combination of circularity and agroecology provides an attractive starting point. Each concept brings distinct strengths and limitations. The circular economy primarily focuses on resource efficiency, but lacks a food system lens. Its emphasis on material flows doesn’t fully capture socio-economic and ecological impacts at the farm level. Conversely, agroecology concerns environmental and social transitions targeted at smallholder farmers. However, it could benefit from scalability and integration with other sectors and industries, such as biomaterials, textiles, furniture, and electricity.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1488px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1488px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Article content\" src=\"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/68aecdc82675bb22f3a01f02_1756109895114.jpeg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Photo by Megan Thomas on Unsplash\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Despite the differences, both approaches share common practices and technologies for cycling nutrients and energy, utilising by-products and waste streams, and shortening value chains. By leveraging the complementary strengths of each concept, we base the concept of Circular Agroecology on three core principles:\u003C/p>\u003Col id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">Enhance the ecological value of farming and promote circular resource use: Halt and reverse the harmful impacts of industrial agriculture by fostering symbiotic relationships between farming and nature, advancing regenerative practices, and supporting resilient food systems. Reduce reliance on external inputs, especially non-renewable and toxic materials, and make better use of biological and ecological processes (such as soil regeneration, polyculture, and crop rotation), and apply circular principles (such as waste minimisation, nutrient recovery, and reuse of by-products).\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Empower food producers and communities: Ensure decent incomes for food producers and leverage their knowledge and skills to increase self-reliance. Encourage collective action across sectors to address shared challenges like access to land, inequalities, pest management, water use, and renewable energy. Create networks to inspire and educate people on the sustainable production of their food. Implement political structures that empower people to determine the nature and future of their food systems democratically.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Foster local food sovereignty and urban-rural symbiosis: Relocalise food systems by encouraging sustainable collaboration between cities and rural areas and facilitating circular flows of resources, waste, labour, trade, and wealth. Ensure equitable access to seeds, land, tools, and resources needed for nutritious food production. Create policy instruments to incentivise initiatives such as Community Supported Agriculture, farmers' markets, urban food production, composting from urban wastes, new forms of farmland ownership and leasing, and local food procurement by public institutions like schools and hospitals.\u003C/li>\u003C/ol>\u003Cp id=\"\">All in all, Circular Agroecology seeks to create a healthy, resilient, regenerative food system that closes resource loops, respects planetary boundaries, and is founded on equity, democracy, and justice. Applying Circular Agroecology to our food system offers a path to healthier diets and environments. Examples include turning organic waste from cities into high-quality compost, which can be used to replace synthetic fertilisers on farms supplying the city, as shown by the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://zerowasteeurope.eu/project/life-biobest/\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Life Biobest\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> project in Spain. Another example is using plant or tree clippings to cover the soil, retaining moisture and preventing weeds from growing, a well-known technique which market gardeners and farmers in the EU and UK \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://reagtools.co.uk/blogs/news/why-keeping-your-soil-covered-is-crucial-for-soil-health-in-market-gardening\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">have already applied\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>. Or even turning agricultural waste into biofertilisers and biobased chemicals, as demonstrated by the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://releafproject.eu/\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">ReLEAF\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> project. Circular Agroecology also involves a shift towards healthy, seasonal plant-based diets that nurture both people and ecosystems as opposed to the current focus on highly processed industrial meals.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circular Agroecology creates opportunities for new revenue streams through ecosystem services, carbon offsetting, biogas production, and nutrient recovery, which benefits other sectors by creating value from their wastes. Diversified nature-based systems built on circular agroecology principles could increase food security thanks to farming systems that leverage nature’s power, reducing dependence on imported chemical inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides, and feed. This, in turn, can create many new employment opportunities in rural and urban areas. Moreover, Circular Agroecology techniques are generally more labour-intensive, which could create more jobs. Farming subsidies like the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)—the EU’s largest budget item—can be reoriented to help pay for impactful and meaningful work on farms and support industries’ transition to sustainable practices. In addition, by increasing agricultural biodiversity, diversifying revenue streams, and creating direct links between food producers and consumers, Circular Agroecology can increase the food producers’ incomes and safeguard them against market shocks and fluctuating weather conditions.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circular Agroecology can greatly improve resilience against value chain disruptions while delivering real economic, ecological, and social benefits. Indeed, it can create a sustainable food system that guarantees the production of healthy, nutritious food, leads to the creation of meaningful jobs, and safeguards the ecosystems and biodiversity on which we all depend.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1488px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1488px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Article content\" src=\"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/68aecdc82675bb22f3a01eff_1756110012143.jpeg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Photo by Meriç Tuna on Unsplash\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Agroecology, and by extension, Circular Agroecology, requires a deep understanding of local socio-ecological conditions to be effective. Local and regional governments should thus be supported in developing locally adapted approaches that help food producers transition to more sustainable practices while improving their economic standing. For that, the government itself needs to become more transformative. This requires empowering local and regional authorities to create conditions for change by addressing social barriers and respecting local social and cultural norms; considering soil type, landscape and water in zoning; and being more deliberate in defining what type of food production can and should take place in a specific region. These approaches might include:\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">Creating financial mechanisms and incentives for transitioning to circular agroecological models.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Developing infrastructure to transform food, farming and fishing wastes into high-quality organic fertiliser and other high-value products like oils and animal feed.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Supporting local food markets and community-supported agriculture, including the digital and physical infrastructure to connect producers and consumers.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Encouraging healthy and sustainable plant-based diets with local seasonal produce.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Establishing a minimum percentage of local agroecological produce on supermarket shelves.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Ensuring a basic right to healthy and sustainable local food for people and livable incomes for agroecological food producers through the creation of a ‘social security of food’. \u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Using public procurement to purchase food from local food producers for schools, hospitals, and other public institutions.\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">These examples represent just a fraction of the diverse actions local and regional governments can take. Member States should redirect investment toward locally adapted solutions that follow circular agroecological principles, while the EU can accelerate the transition by reducing administrative burden, creating more flexible implementation of policy, and fostering good communication between civil servants and food producers with a focus on creating a sustainable and resilient food system. Embracing the principles of circular agroecology requires a transformation that will involve our entire societies. We urge the following stakeholders to take part in the creation of a more circular, inclusive, sustainable and fair food system in the following ways:\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">First, governments might empower citizens to co-design and co-create the transformation of the food system. Participatory mechanisms such as citizen assemblies should be given the power to define the new policies and solutions for our food system. \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.google.com/url?q=https://doi.org/10.1017/S2047102521000339&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1749209211040545&usg=AOvVaw0uqdF3-R0q8lKTGBk6QzLO\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Research\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> and empirical evidence have \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aaw2694\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">shown\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> that, when participating in a deliberative, democratic and informed setting, citizens often choose more socio-ecologically sustainable solutions than politicians and can even \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/nature13530\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">forgo\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> present gains for the benefit of future generations.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Second, food producers can form coalitions that advocate for policy changes supporting circular agroecology. Share knowledge on regenerative practices and develop collaborative models for equipment sharing, land stewardship, biodiversity regeneration, and community engagement.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Third, food businesses and retailers can commit to procurement policies that favour products from circular agroecological systems as your purchasing power can drive transformation throughout the value chain. Develop transparent value chains that fairly reward sustainable food production practices and help communicate their value to consumers.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Fourth, research institutions could redirect research priorities toward circular agroecological approaches, emphasising transdisciplinary methodologies that value the knowledge and experience of food producers. Develop metrics and assessment methods that capture the multifaceted socio-ecological benefits of these systems (beyond just yield and economic efficiency).\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Fifth, civil society organisations can build public awareness and support for circular agroecology through education campaigns highlighting connections between food choices, health, food producer livelihoods, and social and planetary wellbeing. Build local food systems through initiatives like urban agriculture, community gardening, community composting, tool libraries and many more. Form strategic alliances across environmental, social justice, labour, indigenous, and peasant movements.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Sixth, financial institutions can develop innovative financing mechanisms suited to the transition period, recognising that circular agroecological systems may have different investment profiles than conventional agriculture. Create metrics that capture their reduced risk exposure to climate change and input price volatility.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Seventh, and finally, citizens and consumer groups can demonstrate demand for products from circular agroecological systems through purchasing decisions and participation in alternative food networks like community-supported agriculture. Engage in food policy councils and other democratic food governance structures. Voting for and supporting politicians who foster sustainable food system transformations.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">By embracing circular agroecology at all levels, Europe can create a food system that delivers true strategic autonomy while being resilient in the face of geopolitical uncertainty. A system that can be equitable for food producers and consumers alike, and sustainable within our planetary boundaries—fit for the challenges of our ever-changing world.\u003C/p>",[],"2025-08-29T06:42:24.000Z",[],{"id":934,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":935,"updated_at":936,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":937,"contents":939,"contributors":948,"image":17},"Fnxc","2025-08-21T08:02:14.000Z","2025-08-21T08:09:15.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":938},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[940],{"id":941,"score":12,"body":942,"status":111,"article_id":934,"created_at":40,"updated_at":936,"published_at":947},"a4GK",{"image":943,"title":944,"content":945,"summary":16,"attachment":946,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380761775-IWNFYLh0.jpg","Circular economy: a path to peace and resilience in unstable times","\u003Cp id=\"\">In his \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://cop30.br/en/brazilian-presidency/letters-from-the-presidency/letter-from-the-brazilian-presidency\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">first letter of the COP presidency,\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago cited peace as a key value to take into COP30 in November. This was a timely signal. Across today’s headlines, filled with conflict, climate catastrophes, slashed aid budgets and economic instability, the connection between peace and material resources is starker than ever before. Amid these crises, the role of natural resources in both fueling and resolving conflict is gaining renewed attention. Therefore, can a shift to a circular economy help us build resilience and foster peace in a resource-constrained world?\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Resource loops to reduce dependency\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">According to the UNDP, at least 40% of civil wars since 1950 have been linked to natural resources, underscoring how environmental factors can drive conflicts between social groups. The World Bank forecasts that by 2050, climate-induced migration may displace over 200 million people, intensifying existing security risks. At the same time, the push for green transitions, through renewable energy technologies, digital infrastructures and the desire to break energy dependency on a few geo-political powers has triggered an unprecedented global race for critical raw materials, many of which are located in conflict-prone regions. Most materials needed for wind turbines, electric vehicles, and batteries are found in ecologically sensitive and politically unstable regions, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Myanmar, and parts of South America. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In the background, the post-World War II peace framework is slowly unravelling. Where trade and \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://carnegieendowment.org/europe/strategic-europe/2023/06/how-the-eu-can-use-mineral-supply-chains-to-redesign-collective-security?lang=en\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">international cooperation in Europe\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> once served as pillars of peace, we are now watching these systems fraying. The ongoing conflicts, global trade disruptions, threats of trade wars, and rising authoritarianism signal a shift. They signal a move away from the “\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2002/12/gupta.htm\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">elusive peace dividend\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>”: the mutually reinforcing interest of nations to maintain peace through trade and cooperation over resources. Instead, we’re witnessing a new era, one where supply chains are weaponised, there’s a rising competition over resources, and vulnerable states risk being dragged into deeper cycles of exploitation and instability. Now is a time to build resilience: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.devex.com/news/opinion-why-climate-funders-are-adopting-a-resilience-lens-110029\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">transforming how communities respond to climate devastation\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> and resilience insecurity by unlocking new possibilities.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Building stability and resilience: untangling the role of circularity\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The circular economy proposes a shift from a global economy based on one-way resource extraction, the ‘linear economy’, to economies and value chains in which resources and ecological systems are regenerated. Circular strategies like repair, remanufacturing, and recycling not only cut emissions (70% of which are tied to material use) but also reduce dependency on volatile global supply chains.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">This topic was highlighted for the first time at the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://wcef2024.com/sessions/p3-ensuring-a-peaceful-transition/\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">World Circular Economy Forum in Brussels in April 2024\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>, where experts explored how circularity could contribute to peacebuilding and resilience. Yet, despite its potential, the link between the circular economy and international peace remains \u003Cstrong id=\"\">poorly understood and under-researched\u003C/strong>. Representing an opportunity and responsibility. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">So, how can the circular economy contribute to global stability or help build resilience in fragile states? \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Long promoted for its potential to reduce waste and emissions, it is now time to also look at the circular economy through the lens of \u003Cstrong id=\"\">peacebuilding and resilience\u003C/strong>, harnessing its potential for reimagining economies and justice through fair access. This could address power imbalances and the problems of poverty and underdevelopment, especially in countries that have historically given their resources to the service of others’ development.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">One clear example is the long-standing dispute between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan over the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://climate-diplomacy.org/case-studies/rogun-dam-conflict-between-tajikistan-and-uzbekistan\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Rogun Dam\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>, which began construction in 1991 and limited water flow from Tajikistan’s Vakhsh River to its downstream neighbour. With support from the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2025/05/21/uzbekistan-to-modernize-its-irrigation-infrastructure-with-world-bank-support\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">World Bank\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> and IDA, Uzbekistan adopted large-scale water-saving technologies, expanding efficient irrigation from 28.000 to one million hectares by 2018. These \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://smartwatermagazine.com/news/smart-water-magazine/strategic-consortium-signs-1-billion-deal-uzbekistans-largest-wastewater\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">circular solutions\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> reduced Uzbekistan’s water dependency, enabled Tajikistan’s hydropower efforts, and eased tensions. This success has inspired broader initiatives like the World Bank’s Water in Circular Economy and Resilience Initiative (WICER).\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Mainstreaming circular economy in international cooperation \u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Together with expert partners and local stakeholders, we aim to answer questions like: How can circular strategies \u003Cstrong id=\"\">empower communities economically\u003C/strong> and \u003Cstrong id=\"\">build local resilience\u003C/strong> in post-conflict or fragile areas? Do \u003Cstrong id=\"\">resource loops reduce dependency\u003C/strong> on fragile global supply chains? How do circular approaches align with traditional peace dividends and \u003Cstrong id=\"\">inclusive development\u003C/strong> to \u003Cstrong id=\"\">decrease existing socio-economic inequalities\u003C/strong>?\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Now is the time for development actors to integrate circular principles into resilience and peacebuilding efforts, examine how material use, waste, and resource dependencies drive conflict and support community-led reuse, repair, and recycling. Cross-sector partnerships are also key to building an interdisciplinary field that links peacebuilding, the circular economy, supply chain resilience, and climate adaptation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As COP30 approaches, we urge governments, donors, researchers, and local actors to see the circular economy not just as an environmental solution, but as a peacebuilding strategy. Realising its potential requires intentional investment, redesigned development models, and a rethinking of what peace, justice, and regeneration mean in a resource-scarce world.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">We invite partners and supporters globally to help us \u003Cstrong id=\"\">co-create a new narrative, one in which peace, sustainability, and resilience are not separate goals but interconnected solutions. \u003C/strong>\u003C/p>",[],"2025-08-21T08:14:42.000Z",[],{"id":950,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":951,"updated_at":951,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":952,"contents":954,"contributors":962,"image":17},"abWo","2025-07-29T08:02:15.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":953},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[955],{"id":956,"score":12,"body":957,"status":111,"article_id":950,"created_at":40,"updated_at":951,"published_at":951},"RdDg",{"image":958,"title":959,"content":960,"summary":16,"attachment":961,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380763368-UFhGhN_U.jpeg","Circular economy could spare the oceans from deep-sea mining","\u003Cp id=\"\">On July 25, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) was set to decide whether deep-sea mining will be allowed in international waters—a pivotal moment given the intense global debate surrounding this decision. However, the meeting concluded without a definitive outcome. The ISA neither imposed a moratorium on deep-sea mining nor adopted a mining code to allow large-scale exploitation of the ocean floor. The fate of the deep sea has now been deferred to future meetings, with mounting pressure to establish clear rules.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Back in April 2025, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to fast-track deep-sea mining in both domestic and international waters. The move sparked controversy, particularly because the White House authorised mining in territories it doesn't actually control. Still, the US is not the first country to allow deep-sea mining in its domestic waters.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">A handful of other nations, including Japan, New Zealand, Norway and Papua New Guinea, have already\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.npr.org/2025/03/27/nx-s1-5336319/international-deep-sea-mining-critical-metals-seabed#:~:text=Who%20decides%20if%20mining%20happens%3F\"> started issuing permits\u003C/a> to mine in their waters. However, most commercially viable mineral deposits can be \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.wri.org/insights/deep-sea-mining-explained\">found\u003C/a> in international waters, which the ISA regulates. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">The impact of deep-sea mining \u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The seabed contains significant and so far untapped reserves of copper, cobalt, nickel, zinc, silver, gold, rare earth elements and other resources. In general, deep-sea mining refers to the extraction of polymetallic nodules—potato-sized lumps of metal-rich minerals—from depths of hundreds or even thousands of meters. The process typically involves ‘vacuuming’ these nodules from the seabed, processing them aboard surface vessels, and dumping the residual waste back into the ocean.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Despite a growing body of research, our knowledge of deep-sea ecosystems and the potential effects of human activity there remains scarce. However, available evidence shows that the ocean \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.wri.org/insights/deep-sea-mining-explained\">floor may take centuries to recover\u003C/a> from commercial exploitation. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Mining activities could harm fragile marine habitats in many ways: from \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250703-significant-declines-in-some-species-after-deep-sea-mining-research\">killing\u003C/a> seabed organisms to disturbing the seafloor, which leads to turbid waters, reduced water quality, and broader negative impacts on sea life, potentially affecting areas much larger than the actual mining site. Hence, many nations have called for a ban on deep-sea mining, with French President Emmanuel Macron \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://news.mongabay.com/2025/06/madness-world-leaders-call-for-deep-sea-mining-moratorium-at-un-ocean-summit/\">describing\u003C/a> it as ‘madness’. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Why consider deep-sea mining at all?\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Given these risks, the question remains: if deep-sea mining is so harmful, why is it even on the table?\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The answer lies in a growing global dilemma. The energy transition requires vast amounts of raw materials for renewable energy infrastructure, electrification, and related activities. For example, the global demand for nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements is \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.iea.org/reports/global-critical-minerals-outlook-2024\">estimated\u003C/a> to double by 2040 if nations stick to their climate commitments. The world cannot wait—it needs these materials now. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">However, new mining projects on land face numerous challenges, such as resistance by local communities—particularly vocal in Europe—and environmental concerns. Many potential mining sites are \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://eeb.org/new-report-unwraps-solutions-for-eu-countries-to-end-the-packaging-waste-crisis-2/\">located\u003C/a> in areas no less vulnerable than seabed ecosystems. Not to mention the long lead times and investments required to bring new projects online.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">By contrast, deep-sea mining is increasingly framed by some as a ‘lesser evil’: it could help close supply gaps and accelerate the energy transition. Proponents emphasise that mining at sea will not lead to deforestation, toxic tailings, displacement of people and other impacts associated with terrestrial mining. Because nodules have typically a high mineral content, hence deep-sea mining also produces relatively less waste for its value. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">According to deep-sea mining advocates, strict regulation would ensure the restoration of ecosystems after extraction and compensation for damage to the environment and affected communities. Such regulation is not always present—or enforced—on land, where mining often occurs in places with weak governance and involves informal labour or even \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2023/02/01/1152893248/red-cobalt-congo-drc-mining-siddharth-kara\">slavery\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">But how environmental regulations will be enforced at sea remains an open question. Does the ISA have the resources to monitor activity and hold violators accountable? International law is often undermined by political interests, with many nations openly ignoring its mandates—for example, Israel in Gaza and Russia in Ukraine. Similar dynamics may play out in international waters.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Experience with offshore fossil fuel extraction and industrial fishing offers little reason to believe that responsible sourcing will become the industry standard at sea. Measures intended to ensure responsible practices are often sidelined by commercial interests, and even when adopted, they are difficult to enforce. Oversight is expensive, easy to evade, and evidence of violations will be hard to obtain.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Circular economy as an alternative solution\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Lesser evil or not, deep-sea mining could still be avoided, especially given that viable alternatives exist.\u003Cstrong id=\"\"> \u003C/strong>Meeting the demand for raw materials is no easy task, but some options are less harmful than opening up the ocean floor. Consider the circular economy, which emphasises reducing demand by extending the lifetime of products and equipment, reusing and repairing existing stock, and recycling. A growth in recycling capabilities alone could \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.iea.org/reports/recycling-of-critical-minerals\">lower the need\u003C/a> for virgin raw materials by 25-40% by 2050. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">This potential is recognised in the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/raw-materials/areas-specific-interest/critical-raw-materials/critical-raw-materials-act_en\">EU Critical Raw Materials Act\u003C/a>, which promotes recycling alongside a growth in new mining initiatives within its boundaries. It contains legally binding measures to improve the collection of material-rich waste, ensure its recycling, and recover critical raw materials from extractive waste. To incentivise magnet recycling, the Act sets requirements on recyclability and recycled content. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">But recycling isn’t enough on its own. Reducing inefficiencies and excessive material use is equally essential. Take electric cars, for example. The latest data \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2024/trends-in-electric-cars?ref=csofutures.com&utm_source=chatgpt.com\">show\u003C/a>s that roughly two‑thirds of EV models introduced in 2023 are large cars, SUVs, or pickups—a sharp rise from under 50% just a few years ago. This trend is driven more by consumer preferences and profit motives than necessity. Smaller EVs are technologically feasible, require smaller batteries, take fewer materials to make, and consume less energy. So, before rushing to mine more lithium, we should consider concepts that use smaller batteries in the first place. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The same logic applies to renewable energy infrastructure. Currently, 64% of materials from decommissioned wind turbines are recycled. However, the sector's overall circularity remains around 30% due to the heavy reliance on virgin materials. Some components, such as wind turbine blades, are currently made from unrecyclable fibreglass. But alternatives already exist, like biocompatible resin and other recyclable composites. According to a \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/637ba902b1ec3f7792968915_20221121%20-%20BAIN%20report%20-%20Machinery%20_%20%20Equipment%20-%20210x297mm.pdf\">report\u003C/a> by Circle Economy and Bain & Company, designing turbines with both efficiency and recyclability in mind could reduce the demand for new materials by up to 15% by 2040. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Tapping circular potential before the deep sea\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Like the ocean floor, the circular economy holds vast—and largely untapped—potential.\u003Cstrong id=\"\"> \u003C/strong>But unlike deep-sea mining, its impacts are well understood and overwhelmingly positive. A circular economy can reduce environmental pressures while enhancing the long-term resilience of the global economy. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">There is no denying that new mining projects are necessary to support the energy transition, decarbonise our energy systems, and mitigate climate change. But deep-sea mining should be a last resort, not a first option. Only after we eliminate inefficiencies, maximise recycling, and exhaust the safest land-based mining options should it even be considered. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">That time has not yet come.\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":964,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":965,"updated_at":966,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":967,"contents":969,"contributors":978,"image":17},"V_yV","2023-09-08T12:14:52.000Z","2024-02-23T15:51:26.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":968},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[970],{"id":971,"score":12,"body":972,"status":111,"article_id":964,"created_at":40,"updated_at":966,"published_at":112},"-2wH",{"image":973,"title":974,"content":975,"summary":976,"attachment":977,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380764536-h1_RYV4S.jpg","Circular economy strategy, then what? Four lessons from Scotland","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">This article was originally published on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://apolitical.co/solution-articles/en/circular-economy-strategy-then-what\">Apolitical\u003C/a>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">In mid-June of 2023, the Scottish Parliament introduced \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.gov.scot/news/circular-economy-bill-published/\">the \u003Cem id=\"\">Circular Economy Bill\u003C/em>\u003C/a>,  new legislation to encourage waste reduction, reuse and recycling. The bill builds on the country's first Circular Economy Strategy \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.gov.scot/publications/making-things-last-circular-economy-strategy-scotland/\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Making Things Last\u003C/em>\u003C/a> and addresses some of its shortcomings—seven years after its launch. Most importantly, the new document admits that Scotland’s circular economy roadmap will never be done and dusted. Continually updating, improving and extending the transition plan based on new research and public input will be essential. In this article, we look at what other nations can learn from Scotland’s story.\u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>‍\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Give the authorities the power to enforce change\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Scotland is not new to the circular economy concept. As one of Europe’s industrial powerhouses, Scotland formally recognised the need to make long-lasting goods that are fit for upgrade and repair as early as 2016. It’s also pledged to cap raw material consumption and get smarter at recycling. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">However, some of the key actors in the country’s circular transition haven’t yet wielded the powers necessary to enforce much-needed policies. The \u003Cem id=\"\">Circular Economy Bill\u003C/em> has finally granted them such capabilities. For example, Scottish ministers will now be able to ban the landfilling of unsold consumer goods and place charges on single-use items, such as coffee cups. Most importantly, the legislation obliges Scottish ministers to publish or refresh a circular economy strategy every five years and ensure constant progress tracking—a first-of-its-kind measure in Scotland. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‘The \u003Cem id=\"\">Circular Economy Bill\u003C/em> will give local Councils and the Scottish Government the powers they need to transform our economy and tackle throwaway culture,’ proclaimed Scottish Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater.\u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>‍\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Ask scientists \u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The bill was drafted with the assistance of numerous non-profit and research organisations. For example, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/scotland\">the \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report Scotland\u003C/em>\u003C/a>, published in 2022, provided a first overview of the country’s circularity rate. The report was commissioned by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/\">Zero Waste Scotland\u003C/a>, a non-profit that consulted the Scottish Parliament on the \u003Cem id=\"\">Circular Economy Bill\u003C/em>, and were developed by Netherlands-based impact organisation \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/\">Circle Economy\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">According to the \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report\u003C/em>, in 2022—six years after the launch of \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.gov.scot/publications/making-things-last-circular-economy-strategy-scotland/\">the first \u003Cem id=\"\">Circular Economy Strategy\u003C/em>\u003C/a>—Scotland’s Circularity Gap was still disappointingly wide. The researchers found its economy to be just 1.3% circular, meaning it almost completely relied on new, or virgin, materials. In comparison, the United Kingdom was later \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/united-kingdom\">measured\u003C/a> to be 7.5% circular, while Northern Ireland \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/northern-ireland\">scored\u003C/a> 7.9% on the same metric.\u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>‍\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Setting a baseline to measure progress from\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">So, why is Scotland’s circularity so low, despite all of its efforts? First of all, we simply don’t know how circular the country was in 2016—Scotland might well have made tremendous progress since then. Or it might have not—since there was no comprehensive baseline from which to start tracking. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">What’s more, the \u003Cem id=\"\">Making Things Last\u003C/em> roadmap adopted mainly tonnage-based targets and indicators to estimate progress: for example, the weight of avoided waste or waste prepared for recycling and reuse. Nevertheless, the document admitted that focus on weight does not provide a complete understanding of environmental and economic impacts, and rightly so. As legal status research by Zero Waste Scotland \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/resources/consumption-reduction-targets-legal-status-research\">points out\u003C/a>, ‘the Circularity Gap considers both the reuse and recycling of materials as well as the import and export of materials,’ referring to the global \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report.\u003C/em> \u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>‘The \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report\u003C/em> doesn’t just measure Scotland’s current rate of circularity, providing a quantifiable baseline from which we can measure change—it also identifies bold interventions that will advance the country’s circular efforts,’ said Zero Waste Scotland CEO Iain Gulland in a foreword to the\u003Cem id=\"\"> Circularity Gap Report Scotland.\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1920px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1920px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"‍Setting a baseline to measure progress from\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/64fb0ee539929137160d35b7_geo-chierchia-l3SHUZM-aG8-unsplash%20(1).jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Photo by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@geochierchia?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\">Geo Chierchia\u003C/a> on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/l3SHUZM-aG8?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\">Unsplash\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">Another reason for Scotland’s low circularity is overconsumption. In 2022, The country \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/scotland\">consumed\u003C/a> 21.7 tonnes of materials per person per year, far surpassing the global average of around 12 tonnes. A circular economy anchored in frugality and self-sufficiency is challenging to build with such a rampant pace of consumption: as long as consumption is so high, it’ll be very difficult to recycle and reuse materials at the same rate.\u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>‍\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Define priority areas—then redefine\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Clearly, the Scottish Government approached the 2023 \u003Cem id=\"\">Circular Economy Bill\u003C/em> better prepared and with the latest scientific findings in mind. As such, the policy memorandum accompanying the bill states that the priority sectors for intervention should be shaped and informed by research at the time of the strategy’s production.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‘For example, the recently published \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report\u003C/em> for Scotland identifies sectors and systems such as the built environment, food and manufacturing as particular priorities,’ elaborates the memorandum. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The \u003Cem id=\"\">Circular Economy Bill \u003C/em>was also informed by consultations with the Scottish communities, businesses, and the public sector. More than 1600 survey responses \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://consult.gov.scot/environment-forestry/scotlands-circular-economy-routemap/\">were collected\u003C/a> and analysed. This provided policymakers with insights into which policy proposals are publicly supported.  \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Bridging Scotland’s Circularity Gap will also require thinking beyond obvious solutions—such as those centred on recycling. For instance, a circular built environment doesn’t just mean recycling demolition waste, but also rethinking the need for new buildings and choosing more regenerative, sustainable materials. Similarly, a circular food system involves more than just cutting food waste—it’ll involve swapping meat for more plant-based options and favouring organic products.  \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">It is equally important to consider impacts outside Scottish borders. The \u003Cem id=\"\">Making Things Last\u003C/em> strategy sets targets related to domestic material management, but, like other wealthy nations, Scotland heavily relies on imports. The circularity of imported goods and materials is hard to regulate. However, shifting to mainly domestic production of high-impact materials such as sand, clay, industrial machinery, and meat would yield greater control over production processes, making them more circular. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In 2016, Scotland became one of the pioneers in European circular economy road mapping. Today, it runs both far ahead and far behind other nations. Yes, Scotland is less circular than its European neighbours—but it has just adopted one of the most well-informed and science-based policy documents to fuel its circular transition.\u003C/p>","To make the circular economy strategy work, the authorities should be given powers to enforce change, back their decisions for science as well as define priority areas and set the baseline for progress measurement.",[],[],{"id":980,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":981,"updated_at":982,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":983,"contents":985,"contributors":993,"image":17},"QnIs","2025-06-18T09:53:22.000Z","2025-06-18T10:08:52.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":984},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[986],{"id":987,"score":12,"body":988,"status":111,"article_id":980,"created_at":40,"updated_at":982,"published_at":483},"1df-",{"image":989,"title":990,"content":991,"summary":16,"attachment":992,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380766994-aj7q9b7F.jpeg","Circular fashion won’t work without consumers on board","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">This article was first published by \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://fashionunited.com/news/business/circular-fashion-wont-work-without-consumers-on-board/2025060266247\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Fashion United\u003C/em>\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">.\u003C/em>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">Although European consumers might be ready for a circular economy, their wallets aren’t. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Recent research carried out for the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.solstice-project.eu/\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">EU SOLSTICE project\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> across four European territories—Catalonia, Berlin, Prato and Grenoble—found that price and convenience are major factors in driving engagement with circular clothing offerings: as long as circular offerings like second-hand, rental and repair remain expensive or inconvenient, fast fashion will continue to dominate. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Why consumer behaviour matters\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The global textile industry is just \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/textiles\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">0.3% circular\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>: of the 3.25 billion tonnes of materials it consumes yearly, more than 99% are virgin in origin. Other environmental impacts are rife—from water pollution, carbon emissions to mountains of waste—and social injustices permeate the production chain. Although efforts to overhaul the textile industry have largely centred on production, consumers have an active role to play as well: their choices can nudge brands towards more circular choices, while opting for durable garments and embracing reuse and repair can have positive impacts in their own right. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">We can’t just wait for change to happen in Brussels or corporate boardrooms—consumers can also make a difference through their choices at the till. While system shifts in policy, industry and finance are vital, consumer behaviour remains a powerful lever: fast fashion isn’t flooding the planet on its own, it’s fuelled by our habits.  As part of the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.solstice-project.eu/\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">EU SOLSTICE project\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>, we set out to understand the people at the end of the supply chain: the wearers, buyers, menders, and throwers-away of textiles. By mapping behaviour patterns across the four territories, we’re laying the groundwork for local pilot projects tailored to real-life contexts—that we hope will drive real change. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">What drives (and blocks) circular habits?\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Price is the biggest motivator—and the biggest barrier\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Across all territories, consumers confirmed that \u003Cstrong id=\"\">price is the deciding factor\u003C/strong> when buying clothes—whether they’re buying new, second-hand, or looking to repair a worn-but-loved item. And sometimes, even just the \u003Cem id=\"\">perception\u003C/em> that circular options are too expensive is enough to turn people away. Circular alternatives such as second-hand shopping (in some cases), rental, or repair services are simply seen as less economical and convenient than fast fashion’s rock-bottom prices—especially when the real costs of materials, labour and services like repair are hidden from view. Repairing a €20 pair of jeans can often cost as much as replacing them, making circular options a hard sell. If circular fashion is to compete, it needs to be both affordable and accessible. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Perceptions vary too: in higher-income neighborhoods, circular fashion is often seen as more exclusive or high-quality, often marketed as something aspirational. In lower-income areas, price is the bottom line. Circular solutions need to cater to these diverse demands by ensuring that offerings are both high-quality and affordable. Subsidies, alternative pricing models, or public investment could help close this gap—until sustainable fashion makes financial sense for everyone, it will remain a niche rather than the norm.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Access and convenience shape behaviour\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Awareness alone isn’t enough: even when shoppers knew about circular options, many didn’t use them because they weren’t \u003Cstrong id=\"\">easy to access \u003C/strong>or fit into their daily lives. Affordability is just one facet of access: location, lack of infrastructure, access to certain skills and even cultural accessibility are other important factors. In Berlin, where options like clothing swaps and rental schemes are more common, awareness and participation were far higher. In Catalonia, where such services are sparse, engagement was much lower. The pattern is clear: infrastructure enables behaviour. Circular solutions must be the easier choice—it’s not enough that they’re simply visible. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Different shoppers, different needs\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">We identified two broad consumer profiles. First, \u003Cstrong id=\"\">shoppers for fun\u003C/strong>, who are trend-driven, expressive, and are influenced by peers or social media. This type of shopping tends to be more common among younger people—but not exclusively so. To appeal to this type of shopper, circular fashion must feel fresh and stylish, aligning with shoppers’ identities. Circular solutions such as rental and swapping can hit the mark—allowing for continuous wardrobe refreshes at no additional cost to the planet—\u003Cem id=\"\">if\u003C/em> they offer the kind of variety \u003Cstrong id=\"\">shoppers for fun\u003C/strong> are looking for. In contrast, \u003Cstrong id=\"\">shoppers for purpose \u003C/strong>tend to be practical, price-conscious, and focused on value. They shop for necessity, prioritising durability, comfort and need over novelty. Straightforward, reliable, and affordable circular options may pique this group’s interest. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Of course, these are just broad categorisations—and we must take care not to over-generalise. Decisions are shaped by numerous factors, from income and family needs to geography and access. But understanding these broad behaviours can help shape circular offerings that meet people where they are—making circular fashion the easier choice.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Awareness doesn’t equal action\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Even in areas where circular services were widely known—like repair shops—actual use was low. Reasons for this vary: for second-hand shopping, concerns related to hygiene, trust, convenience, and even social stigma were common. This demonstrates that knowledge alone won’t shift behaviour: solutions must be easy, trusted, and embedded in daily life. Rental services, for example, need to be hassle-free, size-inclusive, and stylish enough to compete with fast fashion—not just exist in theory.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Context matters, from neighbourhood to nation\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Cultural norms, economic status, urban/rural differences, and even specific neighbourhoods shape how shoppers engage, with some striking differences across territories. In Berlin, circular solutions are abundant—but decision fatigue can overwhelm shoppers. In Catalonia, fewer solutions exist, so awareness and usage are lower. In Prato and Grenoble, we saw strong links between clothing consumption and economic need—solutions must meet people where they are. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Even neighbourhoods within cities tell different stories: as noted, higher-income neighbourhoods may see circular initiatives as exclusive and high-quality, while for others, affordability is the primary motivator. That’s why circular strategies must be hyper-local — tailored to the cultural, economic, and educational realities of each community.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">One-size-fits-all won’t work. We need \u003Cstrong id=\"\">tailor-made interventions\u003C/strong> based on local realities.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Where do we go from here?\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">These insights are already helping shape local pilot projects in all four territories, matching circular textile initiatives to real consumer habits and needs, targeting specific demographics, testing what works in practice, and focusing on making circular fashion more affordable and accessible. That might mean many different things: bringing movable repair services to rural areas, launching trend-conscious swap shops in urban centres, introducing affordability schemes for low-income communities, providing digital gamification platforms to enable citizens to connect with their local circular businesses, and even embedding circular education into school curriculums, for example.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As the global fashion industry continues to evolve, the need for circular solutions has never been more urgent. Our research across Berlin, Prato, Catalonia, and Grenoble highlights the complexity of consumer engagement and the barriers to circular textile solutions. However, it also underscores the immense potential that lies in community-driven initiatives, tailored strategies, and increased accessibility to circular alternatives.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Consumer behavior is often framed as the final hurdle to circular fashion—but it’s also the key to unlocking demand. If circular choices can become the easy, affordable, and desirable option, people will follow. At every step, our aim is the same: to reduce textile waste by empowering people to buy less, buy better, and keep their clothes in use longer.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Systemic change in the fashion industry requires shifts at all levels—from global supply chains to local shopping habits. Behavioural change won’t solve everything, but \u003Cstrong id=\"\">without it, no other solution will stick\u003C/strong>.\u003C/p>\u003Ch1>—\u003C/h1>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Learn more\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">This is just the beginning. These insights are now guiding circular pilot initiatives across Catalonia, Berlin, Prato, and Grenoble — aligning real-world interventions with consumer mindsets.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The SOLSTICE project aims to accelerate the textile sector’s shift to circular practices through regional demonstrations. Learn more about what our textiles team are working on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/programmes/textiles\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">here\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>. Read the full consumer behavior report \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.solstice-project.eu/s/D23-Report-on-analysis-of-consumer-research.pdf\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">here\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":995,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":996,"updated_at":997,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":998,"contents":1000,"contributors":1008,"image":17},"_2nA","2023-07-28T12:37:10.000Z","2024-02-23T15:55:05.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":999},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1001],{"id":1002,"score":12,"body":1003,"status":111,"article_id":995,"created_at":40,"updated_at":997,"published_at":112},"WCZ3",{"image":1004,"title":1005,"content":1006,"summary":16,"attachment":1007,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380768195-gf9u8R0Z.jpg","Circular initiatives can slash food losses—but first, better data monitoring is needed","\u003Cp id=\"\">Worldwide, one-third of the food we grow is lost or wasted; but in East Africa, nearly \u003Cstrong id=\"\">half\u003C/strong> of all fruits and vegetables are lost before ever reaching shop shelves or market stalls, due to often-informal trade processes taking place along the path from farm to fork. This causes prices to surge and traps smallholders in an endless cycle of poverty. This is a critical challenge for the region, the population of which is expected to swell by 60% by 2050—begging the question of how to feed a growing number of people while ensuring as little as possible goes to waste.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">It’s clear that the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/blogs/a-third-of-the-worlds-emissions-come-from-food-the-circular-economy-can-change-this\">food system needs an overhaul\u003C/a>, to the benefit of both people and planet: cutting losses of fruits and vegetables through improved harvesting, storage, processing and transport, for example, could cut emissions by as much as 135 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) globally—more than \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ourworldindata.org/greenhouse-gas-emissions\">three times\u003C/a> what’s emitted in a year from all sectors and activities globally. The circular economy, an economic system in which waste is designed out, products and materials are used at their highest value for as long as possible, and natural systems are regenerated, offers an alternative to current food systems. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">These kinds of initiatives are on the rise: the Dutch venture building studio, Enviu, for example, launched \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://foodflow.enviu.org/\">FoodFlow\u003C/a>, an Kenya-based programme to cut food waste through innovative circular pilots and solutions, from providing cold storage-as-a-service to smallholders to transforming rejected produce into higher value products. Avocados not suitable for sale are dried and pressed into avocado oil for use in the food and drink industry, or in cosmetics, for example. The programme has also integrated a direct market linkage component into their work  where wholesalers can connect with and buy from smallholders, enabling better communication and cutting transaction costs—making the most of digital tools to drive circularity while improving farmers’ livelihoods.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Circular initiatives are plenty, but impossible to scale without metrics\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Innovative circular initiatives are scattered across the globe, but aren’t taking hold at the speed and scale needed to make a truly transformative impact. While the reasons for this are plenty, data collection and measurement has a critical role to play: we can’t manage what we don’t measure. Creating—and collecting data for—circular indicators will be a crucial step to drive decision-making and form new targets and milestones. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The landscape of \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/metrics\">circular economy metrics\u003C/a> is evolving rapidly, yet measuring the circularity of agrifood systems remains a challenge. Through conversations with Enviu—and its work on the FoodFlow programme—we were able to sketch out the indicators currently being used as well as those that are of particular interest for the future, categorised as headline indicators, performance indicators, process indicators and impact indicators. \u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">Headline indicators\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">These give a verdict regarding a system’s (nation, city, sector, value chain or product) circularity: they tell you how far you’ve yet to go in reaching circularity. For the agrifood sector, these are broad indicators that measure overall circularity: the \u003Cstrong id=\"\">Agriculture Circularity Performance indicator\u003C/strong>, for example, which combines figures on productivity, energy use, inputs, ecological impact, technology and even socioeconomic factors to give one holistic picture. \u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">Performance indicators\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Performance indicators track progress towards the headline indicator, providing more granular insights and helping shape an analytical basis for decision-making. In short: they help you find high-impact points to focus on. In practice, FoodFlow’s goal of cutting food losses along the value chain can be measured by performance indicators like \u003Cstrong id=\"\">food loss during distribution and retail\u003C/strong>, or \u003Cstrong id=\"\">edible food rejected due to cosmetic standards.\u003C/strong> \u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">Process indicators\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Process indicators help monitor the circular transition at the organisation level: these can be linked to culture, human behaviour, operational activities and institutional reform, for example. In contrast with performance indicators, process indicators only indirectly influence headline indicators. These could be: \u003Cstrong id=\"\">awareness or actions taken among value chain actors\u003C/strong>, whether or not \u003Cstrong id=\"\">biodiversity assessments\u003C/strong> are being conducted in cultivated areas (either by farmers or by technical experts), or the \u003Cstrong id=\"\">number of smallholder farmers partnering with food processing companies\u003C/strong> for turning damaged produce into valuable by-products, for example. \u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">Impact indicators\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">The circular economy is a means to an end—a more sustainable and just planet, which can be narrowed down to East Africa’s agrifood system. It’s important to look beyond circularity indicators and keep track of the impact circular initiatives have on broader environmental and social outcomes. In practice, this could mean tracking \u003Cstrong id=\"\">total area under cultivation\u003C/strong> (organic and non-organic), \u003Cstrong id=\"\">biodiversity loss\u003C/strong>, and \u003Cstrong id=\"\">average carbon content in topsoil \u003C/strong>or \u003Cstrong id=\"\">soil pH\u003C/strong> to assess soil health, for example. Social outcomes to track could include \u003Cstrong id=\"\">improved livelihood \u003C/strong>and \u003Cstrong id=\"\">food security\u003C/strong>. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">All types of indicators can help circular initiatives flourish by showing what works and what doesn’t—but how can they be measured and applied in practice? The complexity of produce distribution networks, compounded by numerous causes for post-harvest food losses, make collecting accurate data extremely difficult—but there are ways around this. The \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.kit.nl/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Strecker_et_al-2022-Food_Security.pdf\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Informal Food Loss Assessment Method\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>, for example, can be used to generate and interpret data on the timing, nature, causes and impacts of post-harvest food losses through secondary data collection, stakeholder consultation and field observations. Although based on approximations and qualitative information, the method is accurate enough to identify where losses are taking place and therefore pinpoint opportunities for improvement: a strong starting point for East African contexts.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Looking to the future: limits to indicators in East Africa\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">It’s clear that applying indicators and metrics for circularity in practice is complex: they’re so context-specific that not all agricultural systems can be accurately compared with the same set of indicators. Measuring some specific performance indicators—pesticide use efficiency, for example—is tricky in the context of East African smallholders, many of which boast varying practices. While it may be possible to garner insights through extrapolation—using a small sample size to represent a wider community of farmers—this in itself will require more research to harmonise and standardise approaches. What’s more: it can be tricky to access information from agrifood companies, which often use indicators in varying ways. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Enviu is taking a step in the right direction: by engaging directly with actors on-the-ground, tracking food flows and quantifying losses, it’s contributing to building up a solid database that will allow it to roll out metrics and indicators in the future.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In 2022, FoodFlow embarked on a new phase that centers around employing market-driven approaches to facilitate the widespread adoption of regenerative techniques among farmers. The objective is to grow farms that mimic natural systems of regeneration, thus eliminating waste and potentially repurposing it as feedstock for subsequent cycles.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">If you're curious to delve deeper into Enviu and their endeavors to safeguard Kenya's food system for the future, you can download their 2023 landscape study on market-driven approaches for transitioning smallholder farmers to Regenerative Agriculture. The study is available at \u003Ca href=\"https://mailchi.mp/enviu.org/foodflowstudy\">https://mailchi.mp/enviu.org/foodflowstudy\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Learn more\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Circle Economy helps clients put measuring and tracking systems in place by providing oversight on the wide range of circular metrics and indicators, setting up the baseline of current resource use, and integrating the measurements into organisational practice. Learn more and get in touch \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/metrics/contact-us\">here\u003C/a>. We work with stakeholders across the public, private and third sectors to build circular food systems that are regenerative, fair and resilient. Learn more and get  in touch with our Food Systems team \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/circular-food-systems\">here\u003C/a>. \u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":1010,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1011,"updated_at":1012,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1013,"contents":1015,"contributors":1023,"image":17},"XwkR","2023-06-05T12:08:43.000Z","2024-02-23T16:02:18.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1014},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1016],{"id":1017,"score":12,"body":1018,"status":111,"article_id":1010,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1012,"published_at":112},"koXj",{"image":1019,"title":1020,"content":1021,"summary":16,"attachment":1022,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380770255-uLx2hdks.JPG","Cities have the agility to lead the transition to circularity—and already have a body of good practice to show","\u003Cp id=\"\">Our global economy consumes massive amounts of resources year after year—shooting past our planet’s safe limits and raising an increasing number of environmental challenges. The divide between what we extract and use and what our planet can provide is widening. Last year’s Earth Overshoot Day fell on the 28th of July, indicating that we consumed the Earth’s yearly regenerative capacity in a little over half a year, using resources at a pace that would require nearly two planets to sustain. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Aside from \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.socialeurope.eu/biodiversity-the-eu-and-the-race-against-time\">damaging biodiversity\u003C/a> and posing a threat to reserves of natural resources, this level of consumption is tightly linked to climate breakdown: around \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2021\">70% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions\u003C/a> are tied to the handling and use of materials. To ensure both people and the planet can thrive, we need to usher in a new economic paradigm—one that regenerates nature, designs out waste, and keeps materials in use at the highest value possible for as long as possible. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">This big shift is the circular economy: a powerful toolbox of solutions that have the ability to fulfil people’s needs with just \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2023\">70% of the materials\u003C/a> we currently use, thereby limiting temperature rise and further environmental degradation. But global change requires local action: cities are the future of the circular economy transition. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch2 id=\"\">Why cities?\u003C/h2>\u003Cp id=\"\">As epicentres of innovation, infrastructure, investment and culture, cities are big consumers: in many countries, urban hubs are responsible for the largest portion of material and carbon footprints. According to the Global Footprint Network, by 2050 up to 80% of the world’s population is \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.footprintnetwork.org/our-work/cities/\">expected to live\u003C/a> in urban areas, which are projected to consume 90 billion tonnes of materials annually. This is despite the fact that urban areas occupy just \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.unccd.int/news-stories/stories/world-cities-day-2020-better-city-better-life#:~:text=By%202050%2C%2070%20per%20cent,per%20cent%20of%20carbon%20emissions.\">3% of the world’s surface\u003C/a>. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Their massive impact means that cities and regions also boast the power to drive the circular economy transition forward: more agile than national governments and closer in proximity to local initiatives, municipalities can influence a range of critical sectors, from construction to manufacturing. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">‘The global effort for sustainability will be won, or lost, in the world’s cities,’ \u003C/em>\u003C/strong>-Global Footprint Network.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch2 id=\"\">Innovation will bring cities from linear to circular\u003C/h2>\u003Cp id=\"\">Cities comprise many complex systems that fulfil residents’ needs, from housing and transport to food and energy. Systemic change must occur across sectors, requiring actors to rethink how they do business and consume resources—and innovation must underpin this, as it does any disruptive transition.  \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Defining ‘innovation’ in the context of a circular economy can be tricky—but central are novelty and improvement, value creation and redistribution, and dissemination of ideas and technologies. Innovation can—and should—impact politics and society alike, drawing on social (including organisational) considerations as much as it does technological ones. Innovative circular practices and initiatives range from incremental to radical and can involve a wide range of stakeholders. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As several cities worldwide start exploring ways to go circular, some are already exploring different ways to leverage innovative practices to implement circular initiatives. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Mobilise stakeholders\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Cities can use various instruments—from awareness-raising campaigns to capacity-building programmes—to engage with and mobilise citizens and other local stakeholders, kickstarting the long-term change that a circular economy entails. By providing the crucial catalyst of shared spaces—variously described as living labs, maker spaces or FabLabs—they can make resources available within the city for the ‘co-creation’ of schemes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Independent initiatives and new businesses frequently encounter high costs and inadequate public infrastructure and resources. Cities can acquire essential assets for sharing by multiple actors—such as water-cutting or 3D-printing machines—which startups may be unable to afford themselves, thereby surmounting startup barriers and propelling innovation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In practice: Amsterdam Smart City’s \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://amsterdamsmartcity.com/updates/project/circle-lab\">Circle Lab\u003C/a> is an open innovation platform promoting collaboration between companies, policymakers and others. It fosters innovation by helping translate Amsterdam’s \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.amsterdam.nl/en/policy/sustainability/circular-economy/\">circular goals\u003C/a> from theory into practice—while mobilising other cities, businesses, and citizens to ‘learn by doing’. The lab’s users—which now top 8,000 members and organisations—can meet up to learn about city-wide circular initiatives, share ideas and events and get in touch with other innovators.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Leverage public procurement\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As public entities, cities have \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://emf.gitbook.io/circular-procurement-for-cities/\">huge spending power\u003C/a> that can be leveraged to support developing and adopting innovative products and services. Through their purchasing decisions, cities can incentivise businesses to rethink their products or services—while also supporting local businesses and startups, shaping a thriving ecosystem for innovation. It also encourages competition among suppliers, which itself can catalyse new, innovative solutions.  \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In practice: The City of Toronto’s  \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/circular-examples/circular-economy-procurement-implementation-plan-and-framework-toronto\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circular Economy Procurement Implementation Plan\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cstrong id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">, \u003C/em>\u003C/strong>a joint effort across the municipality’s departments, aims to spur innovation and create value by engaging directly with local businesses, encouraging the use of new technologies, and developing capacity-building programmes to raise awareness. Since the plan’s launch, city procurement contracts have included circular economy principles and requirements. With a focus on economic benefits, environmental criteria and job creation, the plan drives circular procurement in the city while supporting Toronto’s broader goals of achieving zero waste and enhancing social prosperity.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Use pilot projects to test and validate innovative ideas\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Pilot projects are experimental springboards for innovation. By encouraging creativity and out-of-the-box thinking, cities can soften the risks associated with novel, small-scale ideas and test their feasibility. Crucially, pilots allow organisations to learn from their experiences and improve over time—helping them better understand the benefits and limitations of scaling up their innovations. They can also enhance collaboration among various stakeholders as, in their pre-competitive environment, they are often more flexible than larger-scale ventures. This fosters quick, frequent communication between parties and allows for agile adjustments based on feedback. All this induces an environment where circularity can flourish and ideas align with communities’ needs. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In practice: The \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.o-house.no/om-prosjektet/\">O-House\u003C/a>, a project launched in Kongsvinger in Norway, is a modular home for young people made from recycled and renewable materials. It can be moved from place to place around the municipality, demonstrating how moveable, sustainable homes could be an affordable option for first-time buyers struggling to enter the housing market. The project demonstrates the potential to reclaim and repurpose local construction materials and the power of circular building design. It brings together a range of actors beyond local government, fostering collaboration and encouraging relatively low-risk innovation, thanks to the public sector’s involvement.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch2 id=\"\">Setting a baseline: The \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report\u003C/em> for cities can inform municipal actors where to focus their efforts \u003C/h2>\u003Cp id=\"\">Before launching pilots or embarking on innovative journeys, cities must know where they stand: they need a circular economy ‘report card’ that shows how they’re doing and where they can best focus their action. Circle Economy’s \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Reporting Initiative\u003C/em>\u003C/a>, which has calculated circularity at the national level for years, is now coming to cities with the launch of CGR4cities. Currently being tested in Munich, the programme will show how resources flow through urban systems and contribute to consumption-based emissions. Based on these insights, the analysis can derive a set of circular solutions that can take cities from linear to circular, while shedding light on the impact these solutions could have. By allowing decision-makers to set goals and measure progress over time, CGR4cities can kickstart a city’s circular transition.\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Learn more\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circle Economy works with cities around the globe to determine their circular performance and pinpoint key hotspots for action. Get in touch \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/programmes/cities/contact\">here\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Reporting Initiative\u003C/em> brings together stakeholders from businesses, governments, academia and NGOs to evaluate findings based on the latest scientific evidence and to design scenarios to inform policy-making and industry strategy. With the use of participatory and multi-stakeholder processes, it ensures that plans lead to sustained actions on the ground. \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/programmes/cities/services\">Learn more and request a scan for your city.\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">This is part of a \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.socialeurope.eu/focus/global-cities\">\u003Cem id=\"\">series\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\"> on ‘global cities’ supported by the \u003C/em>Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":1025,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1026,"updated_at":1027,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1028,"contents":1030,"contributors":1038,"image":17},"PYaq","2024-06-10T13:24:00.000Z","2024-06-10T13:39:37.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1029},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1031],{"id":1032,"score":12,"body":1033,"status":111,"article_id":1025,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1027,"published_at":1027},"orXv",{"image":1034,"title":1035,"content":1036,"summary":16,"attachment":1037,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380771334-HipUAX7r.jpg","Cities must step up to rescue circular economy innovations","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">This article was first published by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://apolitical.co/solution-articles/en/cities-must-step-up-to-rescue-circular-economy-innovations\">Apolitical\u003C/a> \u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cbr>The circular economy is widely recognised as a tool to reduce carbon emissions and waste, as well as halt biodiversity loss. With billions of euros already streaming into green energy, the circular economy might seem like an attractive investment opportunity, too. However, circular businesses today are facing an uneven playing field — limiting their growth at best and proving ruinous at worst. Municipalities can — and must — utilise their powers to support circular businesses, focusing on levelling the policy playing field.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circular businesses are those that strive to minimise waste, keep products, materials, and resources in use for as long as possible and regenerate natural resources. Among circular business models, Product-as-a-Service is perhaps the most common, which involves leasing or renting products rather than selling them, allowing customers to return, repair or upgrade products when needed. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The EU \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1583933814386&uri=COM:2020:98:FIN\">Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP)\u003C/a> recognises the value of such business models in reducing emissions and waste. But although circular economy approaches are becoming \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2024\">increasingly popular\u003C/a> in European cities, they have yet to become a common practice. In fact, circular initiatives often \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://definite-ccri.eu/documents/summary-definite-ccri-project-pipeline-boarding-package\">struggle to attract initial investment or scale-up\u003C/a> funding, which is especially true for highly innovative enterprises. The recent \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://nos.nl/artikel/2501547-verpakkingsvrije-supermarkt-pieter-pot-failliet-verklaard\">bankruptcy\u003C/a> of the Netherlands-based supermarket PieterPot, which delivered products in reusable packaging, serves as a stark reminder that the success of circular businesses in a linear, take-make-waste economy is far from guaranteed. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">To effectively compete with their linear counterparts, circular businesses will need targeted financial support as highlighted by the\u003Cem id=\"\"> \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report 2024\u003C/em>\u003C/a>. Although financial institutions and private investors have sufficient funding available, they often \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbXRYJA1URg\">struggle to find\u003C/a> enough 'bankable' projects that meet their strict investment requirements. One reason for this is that traditional financial assessments used by banks fail to capture the full value proposition of circular businesses and the risks they typically mitigate. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The novelty of circular models means that the track record is limited and deemed riskier as a result. On top of this, circular businesses \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://think.ing.com/uploads/reports/Rethinking_the_road_to_the_circular_economy_FINAL_RB1_%28AP%29.pdf\">often face\u003C/a> unstable demand for and supply of recycled or recyclable materials while having higher transactional and operational costs. Because of this, the initiatives with the most impact potential are often the least bankable. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Now, several EU-wide initiatives are being rolled out to tackle these issues. The EU \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon-europe_en\">Horizon\u003C/a>-funded project \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://definite-ccri.eu/\">DEFINITE-CCRI\u003C/a>, for example, provides project development assistance to high-impact circular economy projects to attract private investors. However, more could be done on the local level to ensure the circular economy transition takes place at the speed and scale needed to fulfil the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en\">European Green Deal\u003C/a>. \u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1920px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1920px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"__wf_reserved_inherit\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/6666fe46a91517fc85318e5e_nichika-yoshida-V46fgZZLJCY-unsplash.jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Photo by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@nichiyoshi?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash\">Nichika Yoshida\u003C/a> on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/a-view-of-a-city-street-with-a-building-in-the-background-V46fgZZLJCY?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash\">Unsplash\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Public procurement \u003C/strong>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://single-market-scoreboard.ec.europa.eu/business-framework-conditions/public-procurement_en\">accounts\u003C/a> for 14% of the EU’s GDP and is thereby a decisive instrument for local governments to create demand for circular businesses. Whenever public institutions acquire products and services, they should always consider their optimal use throughout their lifetime. For example, local authorities can purchase refurbished or remanufactured items such as office furniture or computers. Assuming that enough circular businesses are operating in the city, municipalities could also set circular requirements for public tenders—minimum percentages for recycled content in products and materials, for example. These solutions could create stable demand for such enterprises, which, in turn, would make them more appealing to investors. The increased demand created by public procurement could also stimulate local innovation and give birth to new circular businesses. To this end, the city of Lisbon has already \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/circular-public-procurement/case-studies\">implemented\u003C/a> a circular public procurement scheme for school meals, infrastructure and municipal buildings. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Cities might also focus on \u003Cstrong id=\"\">spurring consumer demand \u003C/strong>for more circular options\u003Cstrong id=\"\">.\u003C/strong> This could include banning or restricting advertising of unsustainable goods and services, thus clearing the field for circular companies. For instance, in 2022, the Dutch city of Haarlem \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/06/haarlem-netherlands-bans-meat-adverts-public-spaces-climate-crisis\">became\u003C/a> the first city in the world to impose a ban on meat advertising, citing its negative climate effects. Another example of a demand-oriented shift is the French policy of \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/13/business/france-shoe-clothing-repairs-scli-intl/index.html\">subsidising clothes and shoe repairs\u003C/a>, which can also be applied at the local level. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The end goal of attracting private investment should not discourage cities from employing \u003Cstrong id=\"\">subsidies, tax breaks and blended finance schemes \u003C/strong>to bolster highly innovative projects in their initial phases. This type of funding is sometimes \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://definite-ccri.eu/documents/report-investor-base-and-financial-instruments\">the only one\u003C/a> early-stage initiatives can secure to pilot and scale their solution. However, it is vital to sustain support for circular start-ups beyond public funding. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Creating \u003Cstrong id=\"\">circular economy hubs \u003C/strong>is a crucial component of this continuous support. In this way, cities can foster interconnected networks that unite businesses, public actors and investors. Engaging with investors enables circular start-ups to better understand their requirements and formulate more robust investment proposals. Simultaneously, funders gain the chance to identify and select promising initiatives. An example of this is the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.basquecircularhub.eus/Default.aspx?IdMenu=5633B060-B157-4552-BEA8-FDBFE48BFA20&Idioma=es-ES\">Basque Circular Hub\u003C/a> in Bilbao, the first of its kind in Southern Europe. There are also instances of Europe-wide circular communities, such as the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://circularinvestmentreadiness.eu/\">Circular Investment Readiness Network\u003C/a>. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Challenges to the circular economy transition are manifold, but so are the instances of overcoming them through local powers and initiatives. The survival and success of circular innovations hinge on how well local authorities can leverage their powers to create a conducive environment for the circular economy. \u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Cp id=\"\">DEFINITE-CCRI brings together high-impact circularity projects and funding institutions to boost the transition to a circular economy. Learn more about DEFINITE-CCRI \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://definite-ccri.eu/\">here\u003C/a>. \u003Cbr>‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":1040,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1041,"updated_at":1042,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1043,"contents":1045,"contributors":1054,"image":17},"iRWe","2025-10-06T10:30:00.000Z","2025-10-06T10:34:13.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1044},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1046],{"id":1047,"score":12,"body":1048,"status":111,"article_id":1040,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1042,"published_at":1053},"sdOl",{"image":1049,"title":1050,"content":1051,"summary":16,"attachment":1052,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380773930-FpfHaEjx.jpg","Closing the Footwear Loop: Building a circular future for shoes","\u003Cp id=\"\">The footwear industry is still dominated by a take-make-discard model. In Europe alone, close to \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/publications/circularity-of-the-eu-textiles-value-chain-in-numbers#:~:text=While%20exports%20of%20used%20textiles,used%20textiles%20from%20the%20EU.\">1.2 million tonnes of footwear\u003C/a> are discarded every year. Of this, an estimated \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE19-ENV-ES-000118/demonstration-of-a-new-business-and-consumption-model-for-the-circular-economy-in-the-footwear-sector\">80% is landfilled or incinerated, 15% is reused, and only 5% is recycled\u003C/a>. This low recycling rate is the result of several persistent barriers: the lack of dedicated recycling solutions, technological limitations, and the complex design of shoes, which makes disassembly and material identification extremely difficult. On top of this, weak demand for recovered materials and the absence of price and policy incentives prevent recycling from becoming economically viable.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Another major challenge is a lack of understanding of what happens to footwear after use. Currently, there is no granular data on footwear waste composition. Such information would be critical for tailoring recycling technologies to the most common materials and assembly methods. Thus, gathering this data is a crucial first step towards building a circular footwear industry.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Launching the \u003Cem id=\"\">Closing the Footwear Loop\u003C/em> project\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">With this in mind, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.fashionforgood.com/\">Fashion for Good\u003C/a> launched the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.fashionforgood.com/case-study/closing-the-footwear-loop/\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Closing the Footwear Loop\u003C/em>\u003C/a> project, bringing together 17 leading fashion and footwear brands and their existing circularity programmes. The initiative aims to tackle the complex barriers to circularity in the footwear industry and support the transition from a linear ‘take-make-dispose’ model to a circular one.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">At Circle Economy, we developed a dedicated methodology for Phase one of the project, which focuses on mapping the post-consumer waste stream. Our role was to bridge knowledge gaps and generate insights needed to support circular initiatives. The process began with understanding stakeholder needs and the required level of data detail. We typically work backwards from industry challenges—combining stakeholder input, literature review, and knowledge of existing end-of-use pathways—to design methodologies that deliver the most relevant insights. \u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:4284px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"4284px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"__wf_reserved_inherit\" src=\"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/68e39946aed0c1afa83fb775_IMG_8116.jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">‍\u003Cem id=\"\">Manual Data collection station- providing our sorters with a detailed description of archetypes, definitions and images of examples in each category to avoid human error as much as possible\u003C/em>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">This approach builds on years of experience from projects such as \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.fashionforgood.com/our_news/sorting-for-circularity-europe-project-findings/\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Sorting for Circularity Europe\u003C/em>\u003C/a>, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.fashionforgood.com/sorting-for-circularity-india-toolkit/\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Sorting for Circularity India\u003C/em>\u003C/a>, and \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.fashionforgood.com/case-study/sorting-for-circularity-rewear/\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Sorting for Circularity Rewear\u003C/em>\u003C/a>. These methodologies have proven valuable not only for our teams but also for stakeholders worldwide who seek to understand waste streams and the nuances of textile waste management. Importantly, they allow us to engage directly on the ground, observing how culture, geography, and infrastructure shape waste ecosystems in real time. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Methodology in action\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">To capture the full complexity of footwear waste, we combined visual inspection, manual sorting tools, and digital instruments. Alongside this, we tested early-stage technologies to evaluate their feasibility and accuracy. For composition identification, we worked with handheld and desktop near-infrared devices developed by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.matoha.com/\">Matoha\u003C/a>. \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://cetia.tech/home-en/\">CETIA’s\u003C/a> ID Shoes and Sensorhub were used for disruptor detection and image capture, while additional data points were collected manually on-site. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The manual sorting process took place at \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://cetia.tech/home-en/\">CETIA's\u003C/a> facility in Hendaye in late July. Over the course of one week, we experimented with the methodology to refine it and improve productivity. Each shoe was analysed against 13 individually captured data points—or more for multi-layered shoes—including archetype, material composition, disruptors, assembly techniques, damage, and other characteristics relevant for understanding post-consumer footwear waste. In total, we analysed a random sample of 1,500 non-rewearable shoes, ensuring as diverse a representation as possible of footwear currently being discarded. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Early insights\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Our findings shed light on the scale of the challenge.  Shoes overwhelmingly featured glued bonding methods, carbon black pigments, and a high proportion of synthetic and composite materials—all of which significantly complicate recycling. These materials and design features remain major barriers to developing effective footwear recycling infrastructure and technologies. \u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:3024px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"3024px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"__wf_reserved_inherit\" src=\"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/68e39973f9283f29b7c522fe_IMG_1122.jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Tanvi, our textile strategist at the CETIA facility, dissecting shoes during the on-ground study\u003C/em>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">At the same time, the prevalence of common archetypes such as lifestyle and performance shoes offers potential entry points for innovation. If design-for-recycling principles are adopted upstream, these categories could be leveraged to build scalable circular solutions. From here, for Phase two of the Closing the Footwear Loop Project, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://circular.fashion/\">\u003Cem id=\"\">circular.fashion\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\"> \u003C/em>is developing circular design principles to establish a comprehensive roadmap for circular footwear design. Lastly, in Phase three promising end-of-use innovations will be validated in joint pilots\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">What’s next\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The full findings will be shared in an upcoming report summarising the outcomes of the \u003Cem id=\"\">Closing the Footwear Loop\u003C/em> project. Beyond offering a snapshot of today’s footwear waste landscape, the report will highlight opportunities for recycling innovation, infrastructure development, and policy interventions that can accelerate circularity in the footwear sector. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Ultimately, \u003Cem id=\"\">Closing the Footwear Loop\u003C/em> is not just about managing waste—it’s about reimagining how shoes are designed, produced, and recovered. By working collaboratively across the value chain, we can move closer to a future where every shoe has a second life, and circularity becomes the norm rather than the exception.\u003C/p>",[],"2025-10-16T09:39:23.000Z",[],{"id":1056,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":292,"updated_at":1057,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1058,"contents":1060,"contributors":1069,"image":17},"xCwg","2026-02-11T15:13:28.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1059},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1061],{"id":1062,"score":12,"body":1063,"status":111,"article_id":1056,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1057,"published_at":1057},"eJcb",{"image":1064,"title":1065,"content":1066,"summary":1067,"attachment":1068,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380775267-PIowPhXE.png","Creating dignified jobs in India: The business case for post-consumer textile waste","\u003Cp>\u003Cem>More than 73% of textiles worldwide are still landfilled or incinerated. Despite growing awareness of the environmental impact of fashion, post-consumer textile waste has remained largely outside mainstream investment and policy agendas. The Fibersort project set out to address that gap.\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>With Circle Economy as the lead partner, Fibersort focused on commercialising a new technology capable of sorting post-consumer textiles by fibre composition and colour—an essential prerequisite for fibre-to-fibre recycling. Supported by Interreg and delivered in collaboration with collectors, sorters, recyclers, and machine builders, the project aimed to answer a fundamental question: Can post-consumer textiles become a viable feedstock for recycling at scale?\u003C/p>\u003Ch3>From technical feasibility to market confidence\u003C/h3>\u003Cp>Fibersort was the first large-scale investigation into post-consumer textile waste and its recyclability (2018). Circle Economy developed and implemented a new methodology across six European countries, combining data analysis with on-the-ground assessments at sorting facilities. These assessments examined textile composition, label accuracy, and recovery potential, creating an evidence base that had not previously existed. The findings clarified both opportunity and constraint. Fibersort quantified the maximum value that could be recovered from post-consumer textiles, while also identifying the technical and financial pain points that prevent circular textile systems from scaling. By translating material data into economic insights, the project provided investors with a realistic understanding of risk, return, and system bottlenecks.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>These insights quickly informed policy and market discussions at the European level. Circle Economy presented findings to European Commission teams developing the  \u003Ca href=\"https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_22_2015\">\u003Cem>EU Circular Textiles Strategy\u003C/em>\u003C/a>, spoke at DG GROW sessions and EU conferences, and engaged with EU Member States. The Joint Research Centre later commissioned similar studies for several Eastern European countries using Circle Economy’s methodology. To date, the Fibersort approach has been applied or replicated in ten EU countries.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Building on this foundation, the work extended beyond Europe. Inspired by EU research but adapted to different waste management contexts, Circle Economy expanded the methodology to the US—where challenges lie in fragmented collection systems and limited textile-specific infrastructure—and to India, where informal waste collection plays a central role and where monetising textile waste carries strong social implications.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Beyond direct project replication, Circle Economy’s data has been used in influential reports by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and Systemiq on textile Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes and opportunities for polyester recycling, reinforcing its role as a reference point for circular textiles.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3>Translating insight into impact in India\u003C/h3>\u003Cp>The business case developed through Fibersort proved particularly transformative in India. Before Fibersort, textile waste was not a priority for waste pickers. Plastic waste had a clear and established business case; textiles did not. Without a viable market signal, waste pickers could not extract value from collecting textiles. Fibersort changed this by demonstrating the technical and financial feasibility of post-consumer textile recovery.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Using Circle Economy’s research as a benchmark, Upaya Social Ventures invested in textile waste management infrastructure in India. Three Textile Recovery Facilities (TRFs) were established through impact-linked financing of US$250,000 per facility, unlocking a total of US$750,000 in capital. These investments directly resulted in the creation of 102 new formal jobs and increased income for existing waste collectors. As Shruti Goel, CEO of Upaya Social Ventures, observes, ‘Textile waste is out there. What surprised me the most is how the markets have not taken it on, and no one has reacted to this opportunity for years. This lack of financing is simply not a commercial way of thinking’.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Income effects were significant. New jobholders experienced an average income increase of 80%. Existing waste collectors experienced income increases of 20–25%, with further growth anticipated as processing capacity scales up over the coming years. Waste management companies supported through these investments expanded rapidly—from approximately 200 workers to over 9,000—most of them women from marginalised backgrounds. Beyond income, workers transitioned from informal rag picking to formal sanitation roles. They gained stable employment, uniforms, safer working conditions, and access to India’s ESIC social security schemes. This standardisation of work created new forms of agency and long-term security.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>One example in particular illustrates this shift. An employee at a TRF was able to send her daughter to secondary education. Through ESIC employee certification, her daughter was able to access a reservation quota, which enabled her to take a medical entrance exam and pursue higher education. This individual story reflects the broader systemic change enabled by formalising textile waste work.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3>Long-term influence and Circle Economy’s role\u003C/h3>\u003Cp>Fibersort’s impact continues beyond the original project, which concluded in 2020. Building on its foundations, project partners refined and improved the technology, while the business case continued to inform investment and infrastructure development. The work also generated broader ripple effects. In Amsterdam, it helped inspire the Brightfibre factory. Fashion brands, including H&M, expressed interest and commitment. Global impact investors are increasingly using Circle Economy’s insights to guide their investments in textile waste infrastructure, linking capital deployment to business performance, job quality, and volumes of waste diverted from landfills.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Throughout the project, Circle Economy played a central role as lead partner and knowledge architect. Beyond developing and implementing its methodology across Europe, Circle Economy expanded its work to India and the US, initiating follow-up studies on label accuracy and sorting for circularity. The organisation’s ability to translate technical complexity into policy- and investor-relevant insights proved critical. As Hilde van Duijn, CEO at Circle Economy, reflects, ‘Our impact stories often do not lie with the client but somewhere else. There are many parents to a successful story’.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>","More than 73% of textiles worldwide are still landfilled or incinerated. Despite growing awareness of the environmental impact of fashion, post-consumer textile waste has remained largely outside mainstream investment and policy agendas. The Fibersort project set out to address that gap.",[],[],{"id":1071,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1072,"updated_at":1073,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1074,"contents":1076,"contributors":1086,"image":17},"PL44","2024-08-29T09:43:55.000Z","2024-09-09T08:16:24.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1075},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1077],{"id":1078,"score":12,"body":1079,"status":111,"article_id":1071,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1073,"published_at":1085},"a_Pj",{"image":1080,"title":1081,"content":1082,"summary":1083,"attachment":1084,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380776803-mvCRWLgj.jpg","Debt relief is needed for circular economy initiatives in the Global South to flourish","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">This article was originally published by \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://worldcommercereview.com/the-global-south-and-the-circular-economy/\">\u003Cem id=\"\">World Commerce Review\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">. \u003C/em>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cbr>\u003Cem id=\"\">Photo by Pamela Huber on Unsplash. \u003C/em>\u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>What if, instead of being burdened by the debt of the past, Global South countries could redirect those funds to prevent environmental collapse and transform waste into wealth? This is the powerful promise of the circular economy. The worldwide push towards sustainable development has put the circular economy centre-stage—and for countries in the Global South that are striving for economic and social development without exceeding our planetary boundaries, the integration of circular economy principles can be transformative. However, many circular projects require high upfront investments, making them less accessible to countries with significant debt burdens. With this in mind, debt relief and restructuring measures can be strategically designed to support the implementation of circular economy strategies, offering a pathway to sustainable development and economic resilience.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">The debt burden\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Global South countries are largely not responsible for the climate crisis, nor overconsumption—yet bear the brunt of the impacts, often pushed further into debt due to factors beyond their control. Dependence on resource extraction—a result of colonialism—is deeply entrenched, yet the capital to reverse this trend is sorely lacking. Now shouldering the burden of wealthier countries’ offshored production centres and bearing the weight—figuratively and literally—of millions of tonnes of waste shipped from the Global North, as well as racing to mitigate the damage done by storms, floods and droughts, Global South countries are at the crux of the crisis of our time. In many cases, debt levels are not accrued because of macroeconomic mismanagement, but rather as a result of low- and middle-income countries bearing the brunt of climate impacts, as well as their heightened exposure to volatile international markets for finance and trade. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The structure of international lending, in many cases, means that rising interest rates globally increase the cost of borrowing. For the Global South, where credit ratings are typically lower, these are amplified further still. It’s no wonder that governments—which are required to operate within tight budgets after debt repayments are made—feel bound by the choice of addressing immediate welfare concerns or future environmental ones. And even the former isn’t so simple:\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unctad.org/news/navigating-growing-challenges-public-and-external-debt#:~:text=Global%20public%20debt%20has%20doubled%20since%202010%2C%20reaching%20an%20all,than%20on%20education%20or%20health\"> over 40% of the world’s population lives in countries that spend more on debt interest payments than on health and education\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The countries most impacted by the climate crisis are often those least capable of investing in a more resilient future, largely due to their extreme debt burdens. A staggering 93% of the 63 countries \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://actionaid.org/publications/2023/vicious-cycle\">deemed most vulnerable\u003C/a> to climate breakdown are in—or are at risk of—debt distress, where countries are no longer able to fulfil their financial obligations. According to figures from Debt Justice, 34 of the world’s poorest nations spend five-times more—a substantial $29.4 billion annually—on debt repayments than on measures to combat climate breakdown, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://debtjustice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Lower-income-countries-spending-on-adaptation_10.21.pdf\">which are allocated just $5.4 billion\u003C/a>. What’s more, the majority of the climate funding allocated to these countries is provided as loans, exacerbating their already significant debts. These figures contrast starkly with the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.gihub.org/resources/publications/strengthening-multilateral-development-banks-the-triple-agenda-report-of-the-g20-independent-experts-group/\">estimated $3 trillion\u003C/a> needed for lower- and middle-income economies—China excluded—to achieve international climate and development goals. If current patterns continue, Global South countries will remain hamstrung, faced with the impossible trade-off between servicing debt and making crucial investments in climate mitigation.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Understanding the circular economy\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">So where does the circular economy come into play? Unlike the linear ‘take-make-waste’ economic model, the circular economy is an economic system where waste is designed out, everything is used at its highest value for as long as possible, and natural systems are regenerated. The concept of circularity closely mimics nature, where there is no waste and all materials are continuously cycled. This makes it possible to live within the means of the planet—using fewer materials and generating less waste—while still providing for the global population. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">If managed well, the circular economy offers solutions to drastically reduce material-related emissions, and address other systemic issues such as biodiversity loss, pollution, and social inequality. As noted, governments in resource-dependent low- and middle-income countries are often faced with the impossible choice of funding essential services for development or addressing the climate crisis—but the circular economy offers an opportunity to address both issues at once, mitigating the perceived trade-off between supporting development and tackling environmental breakdown.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Linking debt relief with circular economy initiatives\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">It’s becoming increasingly clear that without debt relief measures, governments in the Global South cannot be expected to achieve crucial sustainable development goals. Substantial debt relief or scaling up debt-for-climate swaps, where a portion of a country’s debt is forgiven in exchange for commitments to invest in climate projects, is essential. Debt relief can be a powerful tool to enable low- and middle-income countries to adopt circular economy principles: by easing the financial burden, these countries are free to invest in building a more resilient future. Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) have an important role to play in engaging with client countries to collectively support specific outcomes in service of the circular economy. This shift requires a comprehensive approach, encompassing strategies to boost alternatives to borrowing, improve borrowing, enhance accountability mechanisms and lending practices, for example by increasing concessional lending—loans offered at lower interest rates and with more favourable terms than standard market loans. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The International Monetary Fund \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2022/12/14/swapping-debt-for-climate-or-nature-pledges-can-help-fund-resilience\">notes\u003C/a> that it’s often more effective to address debt and climate separately, claiming that a simple climate-conditional grant tends to be effective in supporting sustainable development without the added complexity of other measures, such as a debt swap. Unfortunately, at present, grants and concessional loans from bilateral donors and MDBs aren’t making much of a dent in the enormous amount of sustainability financing needed, and other options—like debt restructuring—often aren’t available until a country defaults on its loans and loses market access. In other words, countries have to be in serious financial trouble to get access to solutions. \u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1920px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1920px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"__wf_reserved_inherit\" src=\"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/66d046e534f98a02131fec91_66d0464e50e63607771113ba_desola-lanre-ologun-ZQO-AA7ceKE-unsplash.jpeg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Photo by Desola Lanre-Ologun on Unsplash\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‘Debt-for-climate’ and ‘debt-for-nature’ swaps have emerged as tools attempting to address financial and planetary health: here, a portion of a lower-income nation’s foreign debt is forgiven in exchange for local investments in sustainability initiatives. These arrangements can protect nature and spur climate action—especially in cases where action wouldn’t have been possible without the swap—and can even create revenue for countries with invaluable ecosystem services: those with significant carbon sinks, for example, or flourishing biodiversity, both of which provide benefits to the global public. Given the circular economy’s crucial role in both mitigating climate breakdown and regenerating nature, the surprisingly not-yet-coined ‘debt-for-circular-economy’ swap may even better describe such tools’ intended outcomes. While swaps certainly aren’t a fix-all for countries with unsustainable levels of debt, they’re among the few tools available to tackle debt and environmental challenges in tandem.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ecdpm.org/work/scale-debt-climate-swaps-infographic-three-ways\">Swaps typically fall under three main categories\u003C/a>: \u003Cstrong id=\"\">commercial swaps\u003C/strong>, which involve\u003Cstrong id=\"\"> \u003C/strong>a third party acquiring debt titles and replacing them with more affordable debt by issuing ‘SDG’ or ‘blue’ bonds in capital markets, \u003Cstrong id=\"\">bilateral swaps, \u003C/strong>which occur between two governments and in which the creditor country forgives a portion of the debtor nation’s debt in exchange for environmental commitments, and \u003Cstrong id=\"\">multilateral swaps, \u003C/strong>which\u003Cstrong id=\"\"> \u003C/strong>are similar to bilateral debt-for-nature swaps but involve international transactions between three or more national governments. While bilateral debt swaps are the most common and straightforward, commercial debt swaps can achieve greater scale as there’s often more money at stake. Herein lies the challenge: pushing swaps into the mainstream as a means to effectively tackle the challenges faced by Global South countries. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Recent trends show debt swaps are on the rise\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Although not yet \u003Cem id=\"\">de rigeur\u003C/em>, debt-for-nature swaps have been around for decades—but their typically small size has meant that impact is limited. This may be finally changing, however, with Ecuador \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/ecuador-frees-cash-galapagos-conservation-with-16-bln-bond-repurchase-2023-05-05/\">announcing\u003C/a> the largest debt-for-nature swap to date in 2023. Credit Suisse helped the Ecuadorian government buy back around $1.6 billion of debt for $644 million, with an $85 million guarantee from the Inter-American Development Bank that could, if needed, cover the first six interest payments—highlighting the important role of MDBs in de-risking such activities for commercial banks. The swap will free up conservation funds for the Galapagos Islands—one of the planet’s most precious and diverse ecosystems—and will save the country roughly $1 billion in repayments over 17 years. Nature conservation supports a circular economy by preserving and restoring natural resources and ecosystems, enabling more sustainable resource use, cutting waste, bolstering essential ecosystem services and enhancing overall resilience. The debt swap will allow Ecuador, which has defaulted multiple times in recent years, to not only repair its finances but to protect many animal species that are found nowhere else in the world.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Although Ecuador’s 2023 swap broke records, other relatively large commercial swaps—each around $500 million—have been \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ecdpm.org/work/scale-debt-climate-swaps-infographic-three-ways\">announced\u003C/a> for Belize and Gabon, and Sri Lanka \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://dialogue.earth/en/business/debt-for-nature-swaps-can-help-south-asia/#:~:text=Last%20year%2C%20Sri%20Lanka%20was,USD%2040%20billion%20of%20debt\">may be considering\u003C/a> a deal that shaves $1 billion off its debt. The current global market potential for debt for climate swaps \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ecdpm.org/work/scale-debt-climate-swaps-infographic-three-ways\">is estimated\u003C/a> at a whopping $800 billion—despite only a fraction of this being used today—sparking stiff competition between banks amid growing demand for green investments. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Debt swaps can’t exist in a vacuum—so what’s next?\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Ultimately, debt-for-nature swaps aren’t a silver bullet—and enacted in a vacuum, they’ll do little to support lower- and middle-income countries in transitioning to a circular economy. Although the circular economy offers a means to address development goals in tandem with environmental ones, significant financing will be needed to get circular initiatives off the ground and ensure they’re rolled out at scale. In the 2024 edition of its \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report\u003C/em>—an annual check-up on the circular state of the world—Circle Economy \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2024\">calls\u003C/a> for a number of actions to mobilise finance towards circularity. It highlights that the circular transition doesn’t fall within the remit of environmental ministries alone—and governments shouldn’t shy away from outreach beyond their own offices. MDBs are especially well-poised to facilitate collaboration with and among multilateral organisations, industries, academia and even other national governments—but being explicitly demand-driven organisations, can only do so at a country’s request. Governments of lower- and middle-income countries should signal where help is required and ask for support to reach specific targets, while governments in higher-income countries can directly support debt relief efforts by ensuring multilateral financial institutions provide direct funding and prioritise access to affordable capital. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Ensuring sufficient financial capital flows to just, circular solutions is a critical challenge—especially in our current linear world, where virgin materials are cheaper due to the externalisation of social and environmental costs, financiers are largely wary of shifting paradigms and businesses are hesitant to change their tried-and-true approaches. The solutions are there, but need knitting together—and finance will be a key linking pin in this process. Circle Economy’s upcoming \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report Finance\u003C/em>, the first of its kind, aims to map investments made into the circular economy, at the global scale, and with this explore how we can direct capital towards high impact circular economy solutions, motivate financiers to understand and track risks of the linear economy, and overall change business as usual in the financial sector and beyond, to shape an enabling environment at scale. In doing so, it will help forge the path towards equitable and sustainable development for all. \u003C/p>","Debt relief and restructuring measures can be strategically designed to support the implementation of circular economy strategies, offering a pathway to sustainable development and economic resilience.",[],"2024-09-09T08:16:27.000Z",[],{"id":1088,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":323,"updated_at":1089,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1090,"contents":1092,"contributors":1101,"image":17},"Y0IQ","2026-02-11T11:07:28.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1091},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1093],{"id":1094,"score":12,"body":1095,"status":111,"article_id":1088,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1089,"published_at":1089},"0Rsn",{"image":1096,"title":1097,"content":1098,"summary":1099,"attachment":1100,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380777680-pWoG6rpA.jpeg","How Amsterdam built circularity around a social heart","\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Amsterdam didn’t just talk about circularity—it mapped it. By analysing how materials flow through the city, the city uncovered opportunities to turn waste into value, businesses into collaborators, and strategy into action, all while embedding social wellbeing at the heart of its circular transition.\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>In 2012, the City approached Circle Economy to help make sense of its urban economy and identify leverage points for circularity. The challenge was more than technical: the city had data but lacked a clear way to translate it into actionable insights for businesses, policymakers, and citizens. Circle Economy responded with the Amsterdam City Scan, one of the first comprehensive Material Flow Analyses (MFA) ever conducted for a city. This pioneering work not only provided a detailed map of material flows across construction, consumption, and food systems but also laid the foundation for Amsterdam’s long-term circular strategy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The MFA revealed critical hotspots where circular interventions could have the greatest impact, highlighting opportunities for material savings, waste reduction, and business innovation. But understanding the flows was just the beginning. Workshops with over 100 participants—including civil servants, business leaders, and residents—translated these insights into concrete initiatives. For instance, the construction sector explored how demolition and recycling could be done differently, directly informing the \u003Cem>Circulair Innovatieprogramma (2016-2018)\u003C/em>, a city-backed programme to stimulate circular innovation and strengthen business models.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3>Integrating social impact: the Doughnut Economics approach\u003C/h3>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>From early on, Circle Economy emphasised that circularity is not only about materials and finance—it is also about people. In collaboration with Amsterdam, the concept of \u003Ca href=\"https://www.kateraworth.com/2020/04/08/amsterdam-city-doughnut/\">Kate Raworth’s City Doughnut\u003C/a> was introduced, incorporating social well-being and a just transition into the city’s circular agenda. This framework enabled policymakers to evaluate circularity not just in terms of material efficiency, but also in terms of equity, social inclusion, and quality of life. The Doughnut framework became a central pillar for the strategy Amsterdam Circulair 2020-2025, co-created with a diverse set of stakeholders to ensure the city’s transition was both ambitious and socially grounded.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The City Scan did more than provide insights; it catalysed real-world change. Over 100 pilot projects emerged from the strategy, spanning construction, food systems, and consumption. Workshops facilitated by Circle Economy brought together civil servants, citizens, and business leaders, creating collaborative innovation spaces where ideas became implementable initiatives. Companies that initially participated for financial or operational reasons discovered new circular business models and revenue streams, demonstrating that circular practices could work at scale. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Circle Economy’s early work with Amsterdam also established tools for monitoring and evaluating progress. On this foundation, Amsterdam developed the Monitor Amsterdam Circular, creating insight into the volumes of different material groups in the city. This data allowed Amsterdam to substantiate the materiality of different circular interventions. Beyond local impact, Amsterdam’s work influenced national initiatives such as the \u003Cem>National Materials Agreement (Grondstoffen Akkoord)\u003C/em> and the development of \u003Ca href=\"http://www.circulaw.nl\">www.circulaw.nl\u003C/a> to unlock legal pockets of opportunity to speed up the circular transition–shaping the Netherlands’ approach to circular economy strategy through 2025.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3>A global model for urban circularity\u003C/h3>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Circle Economy’s collaboration with Amsterdam did not end with the initial City Scan. Over the past decade, the partnership has continued to support the city in translating abstract concepts into practical actions, tackling barriers to circular economy implementation, and engaging stakeholders across various sectors. Circle Economy has been a pioneering partner of Amsterdam, helping set the right course early on, and is still one of the partners in the centre of the open collaboration ecosystem that the city was able to build over the years. This approach to collaboration is considered one of the drivers which ensured that Amsterdam’s circular approach is not only visionary but also sustainable, creating depth and resilience in its systems.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‘When we commissioned Circle Economy in 2012, they didn’t just deliver a report; they became co-creators’, says Eveline Jonkhoff, Programme Manager for Circular Economy at the City of Amsterdam during the assignment. ‘Together we pioneered one of the first comprehensive Material Flow Analyses for a city, brought the social dimension through Doughnut Economics, and organised workshops where over 300 civil servants, citizens, and business leaders translated strategy into 100 pilot projects. That sustained partnership is why Amsterdam’s circular approach has both depth and staying power’.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Today, Amsterdam’s circular journey continues to inspire cities worldwide. Social aspects of circularity—previously overlooked—are now recognised as essential, and the city’s model demonstrates how evidence-based insights, collaborative engagement, and a focus on social wellbeing can drive large-scale urban transformation. By combining a scientific foundation (the MFA), strategic co-creation (Doughnut Economics and workshops), and practical implementation (over 100 pilot projects), Amsterdam has demonstrated that circularity is not just a municipal goal—it is a social, economic, and environmental movement with tangible results.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>“We value the contribution of Amsterdam-based Circle Economy as an involved partner in scaling up the movement, shaping the agenda with sharp insights and contributing to the building of new partnerships in Amsterdam, as well as around the world”, says Rene Koop, Programme Manager for Circular Economy, at the City of Amsterdam. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>","Amsterdam didn’t just talk about circularity—it mapped it. By analysing how materials flow through the city, the city uncovered opportunities to turn waste into value, businesses into collaborators, and strategy into action, all while embedding social wellbeing at the heart of its circular transition.",[],[],{"id":1103,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1104,"updated_at":1105,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1106,"contents":1108,"contributors":1116,"image":17},"yST3","2025-07-01T13:08:52.000Z","2025-07-01T13:15:14.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1107},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1109],{"id":1110,"score":12,"body":1111,"status":111,"article_id":1103,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1105,"published_at":483},"9fGV",{"image":1112,"title":1113,"content":1114,"summary":16,"attachment":1115,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380779467-19qi8Czu.jpeg","Defence or decarbonisation? NATO's 5% spending plan sparks a battle for resources","\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Increasing defence budgets at the expense of other critical sectors may have long-term repercussions, compromising the very security it is meant to enhance. NATO countries need a more intelligent, balanced security strategy—and some have already begun to implement one. \u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The NATO summit in The Hague has earned the label “historic” even before its official opening on Tuesday, 24 June. At the top of the Allies’ agenda was a \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_236509.htm\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">major new defence investment plan\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>, which proposed raising the benchmark for defence spending to 5% of GDP. Despite the plan’s far-reaching implications, it has faced little opposition, with Spain being \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/nato-countries-approve-hague-summit-statement-with-5-defence-spending-goal-2025-06-22/\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">the only nation to opt out\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Increasing defence spending seems reasonable given the current geopolitical climate. As Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine drags on, Israel and Iran trade missile strikes, and China adopts an increasingly belligerent posture toward Taiwan, the Latin adage \u003Cem id=\"\">si vis pacem, para bellum\u003C/em>—“if you want peace, prepare for war”—feels more relevant than ever.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">However, relying solely on the Cold War formula of outspending your opponent cannot be the only way forward. Nor is a narrow definition of security that focuses exclusively on military threats while overlooking other risks, such as climate change and resource scarcity. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Competition for raw materials\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Truth is, the funding and materials required to realise the 5% defence spending cannot be conjured out of thin air—they must be taken from somewhere. The renewable energy infrastructure and the defence sector rely on the same resources and will have to compete for them. With the EU and the U.S. \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.politico.eu/article/commission-to-kill-eu-anti-greenwashing-rules/#:~:text=The%20EU%20executive%20wi%5B%E2%80%A6%5Dill%20the%20file%20on%20Wednesday\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">scaling down\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> environmental regulation and \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.esgdive.com/news/us-exits-climate-finance-initiative-jetp/741942/\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">diverting resources\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> away from climate initiatives, it’s clear the energy transition may lose out in this competition. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Defence forces consume substantial quantities of materials such as high-grade steel, aluminium, and complex alloys for tanks, ships, and aircraft, as well as titanium, neodymium, and samarium for drones and other high-tech components. Supporting infrastructure is equally resource-intensive: gallium and germanium, for instance, are essential for semiconductors used in satellite communications and for the solar cells that power them. In the Netherlands alone, increasing defence spending to 5% of GDP would represent a roughly 250% jump from the current level of around 2%. This would translate into an estimated addition of 34 ships, 105 aircraft, and 130 helicopters—all requiring tonnes of valuable metals.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The renewable energy sector depends on many of the same materials. Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are used in magnets for motors and sensors; lithium and cobalt are key components in advanced battery technologies; aluminium is critical for lightweight structural applications; and gallium and germanium underpin cutting-edge semiconductor systems. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As demand rises across both sectors, the strain on already volatile raw material markets will only intensify. What’s more, many of these bulk and high-tech materials are highly energy-intensive to produce and, if not sourced and processed responsibly, can have significant environmental and social consequences for local communities. Besides responsible sourcing and processing, we should be considerate of how and where to use our scarce resources. Pursuing both NATO’s growing military ambitions and the energy transition may prove mission impossible. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">For its money and might, NATO cannot simply command the global supply of resources like metals, land or workforce. It may engage in a brutal competition for these limited assets and it may even win, crippling other sectors in the process. But there is a better way forward—one of cooperation rather than competition. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Circular principles for defence and resilience\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Building strategic autonomy and depriving potential opponents of their leverage is a crucial defence strategy, which also combats resource scarcity. For example, the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/raw-materials/areas-specific-interest/critical-raw-materials/critical-raw-materials-act_en\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">EU Critical Raw Materials Act\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> sets clear goals to reduce dependence on China, including ramping up domestic production through mining, processing, and recycling. Boosting renewable capacity would also allow NATO countries to shake off their dependence on major fossil fuel producers like Russia, Iran and Venezuela—an approach that became especially relevant after Russia invaded Ukraine. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Applying circular economy principles, such as repurposing materials or designing equipment with multiple functions in mind, offers another way forward. This approach was adopted in Finland’s defence strategy, which is grounded in the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://turvallisuuskomitea.fi/en/comprehensive-security/\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">concept of comprehensive security\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>. Rather than focusing solely on military assets, it emphasises whole-of-society resilience, involving cooperation between authorities, businesses, public institutions, and citizens to protect vital societal functions and enhance preparedness for a wide range of threats.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Ultimately, defence is not only about possessing superior weapons—it is about rendering potential adversaries irrelevant. Achieving this requires an integrated strategy aiming to reduce resource dependency while fostering economic and societal resilience. The circular economy offers a path to achieve this by lowering demand for raw materials, expanding domestic supply through recycling, promoting sustainable supply chains and enabling shared use of infrastructure and equipment.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The military and energy sectors don’t have to compete for resources. Instead, they can strengthen each other, building the foundation for a true security able to withstand all challenges of the 21st century.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":1118,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1119,"updated_at":1120,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1121,"contents":1123,"contributors":1132,"image":17},"9ae7","2025-09-24T08:48:28.000Z","2025-09-24T08:53:41.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1122},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1124],{"id":1125,"score":12,"body":1126,"status":111,"article_id":1118,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1120,"published_at":1131},"3ulM",{"image":1127,"title":1128,"content":1129,"summary":16,"attachment":1130,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380780209-AleZ67Db.jpeg","Digital Product Passports can generate millions in circular revenue for fashion brands","\u003Cp id=\"\">Recent research indicates that eco-consciousness is on the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://instituteofsustainabilitystudies.com/insights/guides/exploring-sustainable-fashion-and-consumer-trends/\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">rise\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>, and consumers are increasingly considering sustainability when buying clothes. However, the global textile industry remains \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://cgr-reports.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/cgr-textiles-3a1e7a73/Circularity+Gap+Report+Textiles+-+20241129.pdf\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">just 0.3 %\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> circular, suggesting that brands are yet to satisfy the growing demand for eco-friendly clothing. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In recent years, many fashion brands have invested in cleaner production methods, such as bio-based materials and non-toxic dyes. But despite these upstream efforts towards more sustainable and circular value chains, the post-consumer value chain remains largely overlooked. Up to 30% of garments are \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://cgr-reports.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/cgr-textiles-3a1e7a73/Circularity+Gap+Report+Textiles+-+20241129.pdf\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">discarded\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> without ever being worn, while the rest tend to have increasingly short lifespans. This not only harms the environment but also results in millions of euros in lost value for brands. A recent policy initiative by the European Union could help change that.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://data.europa.eu/en/news-events/news/eus-digital-product-passport-advancing-transparency-and-sustainability\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">EU’s Digital Product Passport (DPP)\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> regulation will require nearly all products sold in the EU to feature a Digital Product Passport (DPP). The initiative aims to increase transparency across product value chains by offering detailed information on each product’s origin, materials, environmental impact, and recommended disposal methods. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Companies often view DPP as a mere compliance requirement pending clearer specifications. Instead, it can become a powerful engine for both commercial success and circularity, regardless of regulational requirements. When brands use DPP data wisely, they can broaden their product and service offerings, connect with customers through every stage of a product’s life, become more circular, and stay ahead of tightening regulations. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Here’s how textile and fashion brands can capture the full potential of this mechanism.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Capturing after-sales opportunities\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The EU textile after‑sales market encompasses resale, reuse, repair, repurposing, and recycling channels and business models. At the current growth rate, the value of resale alone is projected to climb from €15.9 billion today to approximately \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://se.fashionnetwork.com/news/Europe-s-secondhand-fashion-market-projected-to-reach-26-billion-by-2030,1722442.html\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">€26 billion by 2030.\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> Today, this market is largely driven by pioneers and start-ups like Patagonia and Nobody’s Child, but the DPP regulation has the potential to bring these circular models into the mainstream.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Digital Product Passports could act as a next‑generation Enterprise Resource Planning framework (ERP). Much like today’s ERPs that coordinate production and logistics for real‑time optimisation, DPPs aim to extend that view into what happens after a product is sold. With timely, product‑level data, brands can open fresh revenue channels and increase brand value while driving \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://cgr-reports.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/cgr-textiles-3a1e7a73/Circularity+Gap+Report+Textiles+-+20241129.pdf\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">circular strategies\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> such as peer-to-peer resale, subscription services, or trade-in programs.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">One example of the revenue streams enabled by DPPs is tapping into \u003Cstrong id=\"\">peer-to-peer resale\u003C/strong>, which allows users to buy and sell pre-owned clothing. By providing transparent information on a garment’s repair history, replacement parts, and authenticity, DPPs could boost customer confidence, adding to their willingness to choose pre-owned clothing. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Although peer-to-peer resale doesn’t mean direct revenue for brands, they can monetise this channel by offering repair services and replacement parts through peer-to-peer platforms. These services could not only enhance customer trust but also strengthen brand value, increasing consumers’ willingness to pay a premium for both pre-owned and new clothing from the brand.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Brands can also use DPP data to design smart \u003Cstrong id=\"\">subscription services\u003C/strong> for active wear kits, for instance, by providing the optimal model and size of new wicking panels, elastic bands, and deodorising treatments to maintain gear performance and extend the lifespan. In addition, customers can get tailored garment-care support: how-to videos, maintenance reminders, and best practices for washing and storing. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Furthermore, DPPs can support \u003Cstrong id=\"\">trade-in programs\u003C/strong> by proving authenticity and fast-track checks for trade-in eligibility. By allowing customers to return used goods in exchange for rewards, brands can strengthen customer loyalty and encourage shoppers to come back for more—in addition to reselling returned items or recovering materials from them. Even without tangible rewards, the act of participating in a sustainable initiative can feel inherently satisfying, building a positive, eco-conscious image of a brand.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">How it’s done: examples of pioneering initiatives\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">A growing number of brands are starting to explore the potential of Digital Product Passports. These early initiatives prove the business case for DPPs and pave the way for more commercial applications in the future. \u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Repair and Resale\u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Patagonia and H&M are among the early adopters of resale and repair platforms that are enhancing product longevity through the use of digital records. \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://wornwear.patagonia.com/\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Patagonia's Worn Wear\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> program allows users to trade in, purchase, and repair worn gear, offering mail‑in and in‑store certified repair services alongside a curated resale marketplace. As a result, worn wear now generates about \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.axios.com/pro/retail-deals/2024/09/24/patagonia-eileen-fisher-axios-house-climate-week-investment\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">1%\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> of Patagonia’s revenue, proving that extending product life can contribute to revenue generation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The current offerings of the Worn Wear program already demonstrate the potential for DPPs to reduce costs by expediting inspection and product authentication. Although today’s operation still involves manual checks, a mature DPP system can automate these processes via prefilling product data and applying eligibility rules, further reducing the operational cost. \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www2.hm.com/hw_il/sustainability-at-hm/hm-x-key-city/resell.html\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">H&M Resell\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> similarly embeds QR‑code-based DPPs to track quality ratings, wash cycles, and ownership history. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">These initiatives illustrate that by automating diagnostics and authentication, DPPs drive down inspection costs, accelerate resale processes, and curb fraud. Brands and repairers gain access to detailed information on each part of an apparel item, common breakdown patterns and full parts lists (Bill Of Materials, BOMs), enabling more precise repair certification and proactive spare‑part stocking. \u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Recycle\u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Instead of saying goodbye to materials locked in their products after they’re sold, brands can recover them and use them again in new garments. This can be achieved by partnering with recyclers and providing them with material-specific data on the products to ensure precise sorting. Despite perceived complexity, such partnerships are already happening. For example, J Crew \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.voguebusiness.com/story/sustainability/how-j-crew-is-recycling-swimwear-into-new-textile-fibres-supercircle\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">works\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> with SuperCircle to recover materials from swimwear through fibre-to-fibre recycling. The process utilises DPP-like technologies to sort garments and collect materials and product data. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">By accessing DPP data in advance, recyclers can forecast incoming volumes and fibre compositions, which allows them to optimise processing lines for maximum efficiency. Scaling these brand–recycler partnerships, powered by reliable data, could help achieve a profit pool of \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/retail/our-insights/scaling-textile-recycling-in-europe-turning-waste-into-value\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">€1.5–2.2 billion\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> for the textile recycling industry in Europe by 2030.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Refurbish and Repurpose\u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Product returns are a significant and costly issue for brands, especially in e-commerce. It's \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.loopreturns.com/blog/returned-item-fees-explained/\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">estimated\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> that returns can cost businesses up to 66% of the original purchase price to process. DPPs can reduce these costs and generate additional revenue through refurbishment and repurposing. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Smaller brands like Nobody’s Child and platforms like Zalando are piloting QR-linked product IDs containing repair and inspection information. This could help speed up the reclassification of goods to be returned to shops, sold in outlets or refurbished. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">DPP data on stitching patterns, fibre types, and wear history is also useful for \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.insidefashiondesign.com/post/how-to-become-a-fashion-upcycler-lessons-from-top-designers\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">small-scale upcycling brands\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> such as Raeburn and other circular designers. Although niche, small upcycling labels and micro-brands can pull in \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.vogue.com/article/patrick-mcdowell-on-winning-the-queen-elizabeth-ii-award-for-british-design#:~:text=%E2%80%9CBusiness%20was%20tough%20last%20year,also%20a%20time%20of%20change\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">low- to mid-six-figure annual revenue\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>. These revenues help stabilise their overall business, especially when paired with co-branding opportunities or limited-edition drops.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">What’s blocking after-sales\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Despite the clear benefits of implementing Digital Product Passports, brands still face substantial hurdles in getting there. One of them is regulatory uncertainty. EU‑wide standards remain unsettled, and implementation deadlines are hazy, hindering interoperability among different DPP solutions. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Moreover, current systems lack standardised digital repair schemes and frequently omit crucial details like spare parts lists. In the absence of a common framework between brands and their repair partners, repair data remains scattered across the value chain, which increases errors, turnaround times, and operating expenses. This fragmentation forces repairers into manual inspection and guesswork: each item must be visually assessed, parts identified from paper lists, and repair costs estimated. There's also uncertainty about who controls or updates the data.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Implementing DPPs, one step at a time\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Fashion brands can overcome these barriers by adapting in stages: piloting with a few product lines, mapping the minimum data they can reliably capture, and choosing systems that export and transform data as standards mature. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In particular, brands can start by mapping their after-sales partners, local repairers, resale platforms, and recyclers and giving each of them secure access to the data they need. Next, they can agree on a shared product-ID format and a system that determines who updates information like durability, repair, and recycling details. Such a system would document every assumption, name a single owner for each data field, and set a quarterly review so pilots evolve instead of stalling. With clear roles, open channels, and a lightweight shared dashboard, today’s small trials can scale smoothly when regulations land and demand spikes. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Some brands hesitate to invest in post-consumer systems because they seem too complicated. But the combined business case from a circular, commercial and environmental perspective is, in fact, clear, and future regulations will only strengthen it. Early adopters can benefit from low‑cost, first‑mover partnerships and gain more time to phase investments and spread costs before compliance deadlines hit. Just as important, starting now yields better analytics: early data sets reveal failure modes and improve forecasting, among other benefits. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">For decision‑makers, the message is simple: don’t wait! \u003Cstrong id=\"\">Start small, start now, and lead the race instead of trailing behind. \u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Treat Digital Product Passports not as a compliance task but as a tool to capture the after-sales market. Use the data to design repair-ready garments, power branded resale hubs, and deliver QR-based care upgrades that keep customers coming back. Pilot now, lock in first-mover deals with repairers, resale platforms, and recyclers, and shape the regulatory standards instead of chasing them. Pull the conversation out of the boardroom and collaborate with your after-sales partner while using DPP insights creatively and wisely to turn them into steady, recurring revenue. \u003C/p>\u003Ch1>—\u003C/h1>\u003Cp id=\"\">Ready to get started? Our team has the skills, experience and mindset to design and implement impactful circular economy strategies with and for you. Let us guide you on your circular journey!\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Reach out to us via our \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/contact\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">contact form\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> or message \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipsincs/\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Philip Ching Shing Sin\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> at \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"mailto:philip@circle-economy.consulting\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">philip@circle-economy.consulting\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>. \u003C/p>",[],"2025-09-30T11:45:53.000Z",[],{"id":1134,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1135,"updated_at":1136,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1137,"contents":1139,"contributors":1147,"image":17},"N3gn","2023-09-22T10:02:37.000Z","2024-02-23T15:50:21.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1138},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1140],{"id":1141,"score":12,"body":1142,"status":111,"article_id":1134,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1136,"published_at":112},"T93F",{"image":1143,"title":1144,"content":1145,"summary":16,"attachment":1146,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380781027-6DVv6ykW.jpg","EU ‘Green Claims’ directive will tackle greenwashing’s crafty cousin, circular washing, too","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">This article was originally published on \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.euronews.com/2023/09/05/eu-green-claims-directive-will-tackle-greenwashings-crafty-cousin-circular-washing-too\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Euronews\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">.\u003C/em>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">Regulators are finally cracking down on advertisers making false green claims, in a series of moves dubbed the end of the ‘\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/may/15/greenwashing-era-is-over-say-ad-agencies-as-regulators-get-tough\">greenwashing era\u003C/a>’. These claims—from the vague (‘all natural’) to the hard-to-verify and seemingly omnipresent (‘carbon neutral’)—often mislead increasingly climate-conscious consumers. The desire for more environmentally-friendly goods is growing rapidly, with nearly \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.forbes.com/sites/gregpetro/2022/03/11/consumers-demand-sustainable-products-and-shopping-formats/?sh=f93627f6a062\">90% of Gen X consumers\u003C/a> willing to spend more on sustainable products, compared to 34% in 2020. And at the same time, the circular economy—an economic model that designs out waste, cuts material use and keeps materials in the loop for as long as possible—is becoming increasingly mainstream.\u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>This begs the question: as greenwashing is kicked to the kerb, does this allow space for its more insidious cousin—circular washing—to creep in? Keen to profit from consumers’ changing ethos, brands are adding circular claims to their arsenals. These can be even more harmful: what’s branded as ‘circular’ \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/blogs/why-your-circular-business-may-not-be-as-sustainable-as-you-think\">isn’t always good for the environment\u003C/a>, especially if it features an over-reliance on recycling rather than substantial cuts in material use. Advertisers can tend to focus on a single aspect of their product or service, but a holistic approach to circularity is most effective: claims that a product contains recycled materials, for example, may not show the whole picture, drawing attention away from other not-so-circular features. \u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>The EU’s move to tackle greenwashing has drawn attention from proponents and critics alike: the proposal for the new ‘Green Claims’ directive was \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/eu-parliament-votes-to-clamp-down-carbon-neutral-claims-early-obsolescence/\">voted in plenary\u003C/a> with a huge majority, setting the foundation for a finalised law in the coming months. If passed, it’ll ban generic claims—from ‘environmentally-friendly’ and ‘eco’ to ‘natural’ and ‘biodegradable’—from being made without evidence, requiring brands to verify their products’ merits through third-party certification schemes. This is a much-needed step in the right direction: a \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_23_1693\">2020 study\u003C/a> found that a massive 53% of green claims were vague, misleading or unfounded, with a further 40% entirely unsubstantiated. But will the directive take on circular washing—and consequently encourage \u003Cem id=\"\">true\u003C/em> circularity as well?\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">The Green Claims directive will cover all manner of sins—circular washing included\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The proposed directive rides along a wave of initiatives that aims to make ‘environmentally sustainable products and business models the norm, and not the exception’; complemented by circular design interventions, an upcoming ban on planned obsolescence and another \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://commission.europa.eu/document/afb20917-5a6c-4d87-9d89-666b2b775aa1_en\">proposed directive\u003C/a> on common rules for the repair of goods.\u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>The need to tackle greenwashing has emerged as a priority under the EU’s \u003Cem id=\"\">Circular Economy Action Plan \u003C/em>and also supports the goals of the \u003Cem id=\"\">European Green Deal\u003C/em>—and to this end, the directive succeeds at covering any number of false environmental claims, and boasts the much-needed nuance: sustainability of a part does not equal sustainability of the whole, but certain aspects—recyclability, repairability and durability, for example—can be featured as benefits, if substantiated. The proposed directive highlights the ‘fast-changing area of environmental claims by means of a single method’, as well as its flaws: rolling out a single method, like environmental footprinting, may not do credit to a product’s genuine performance, whether positive or negative. \u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:6000px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"6000px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"The Green Claims directive will cover all manner of sins—circular washing included\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/650d6910404dfb58f9fe18e0_mika-baumeister-ERZJ6a7aPW0-unsplash.jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Photo by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@mbaumi?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\">Mika Baumeister\u003C/a> on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/ERZJ6a7aPW0?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\">Unsplash\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003Cbr>This sentiment has been echoed by environmental NGOs, which have expressed that single environmental scores mustn't be used to ‘hide trade-offs’. This is addressed in further detail by the directive, which notes that consumers could be misled if claims point to environmental benefits while omitting the fact that those benefits lead to hidden trade-offs: for example, an environmental claim on textiles containing polymer from recycled PET bottles, if the recycled material may be otherwise used within a closed-loop recycling system for food packaging—the more beneficial option from a circular economy perspective. While bottle-to-bottle recycling is the ideal, the market for recycled plastic fabrics \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/recycled-plastic-fabric-market.html\">is growing\u003C/a>—and not always first discerning whether higher-value reuse or recycling options are feasible. \u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>The proposed directive calls for nuance in determining products’ environmental—or circular—performance, noting that comparative claims between similar products with different raw materials and production processes must take the \u003Cem id=\"\">most relevant\u003C/em> life-cycle stages into account. For example: impacts within the agriculture and forestry industries are relevant for bio-based plastics, while oil extraction comes to the fore for fossil-based plastics. While bio-based plastics certainly \u003Cem id=\"\">can\u003C/em> be greener than their fossil-based counterparts—particularly in terms of their \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41578-021-00407-8\">carbon footprint\u003C/a>—concerns about the land-use requirements needed to grow the plants potentially competing with food and feed production and the potential risk of increased monocropping have come to the fore. These are the kinds of trade-offs the proposed directive hopes to shine a light on, especially as these claims are rising and are more often than not \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://rethinkplasticalliance.eu/news/nearly-half-of-green-claims-on-plastic-products-could-be-misleading-a-study-of-green-claims-on-plastic-products/\">misleading\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">The caveat: tackling false claims may lead to green—or circular—’hushing’ \u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Can a good thing go too far? Critics of the directive have honed in on the potential for ‘greenhushing’: brands deciding \u003Cem id=\"\">not\u003C/em> to declare all the sustainable steps they’re taking due to steep costs or even fear of legal pushback for making (unintentional) false claims. While the proposed directive does mention protection for SMEs—noting that EU Member States should provide adequate information on how to comply, as well as targeted, specialised training and financial support—smaller businesses may stand to lose out without knowledge of the right steps forward. While navigating new legislative waters may prove tricky, transparency and willingness to learn will be key along the way. \u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Col id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Be transparent.\u003C/strong> This tenet applies to challenges just as much as achievements: the more information brands can share to support their claims the better, even if it’s as simple as recognising a problem and developing an action plan.\u003Cbr>‍\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Don’t make claims you can’t verify\u003C/strong>. This may seem like stating the obvious—but if brands are unable to work with third parties to verify their green claims, they shouldn’t risk the consequences! Instead, brands can hone in on what they’re working on and the steps they’re taking, instead of highlighting specific accomplishments.  \u003Cbr>‍\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Get ready for new ways of working.\u003C/strong> External pressure from policy and changing consumer preferences mean that more and more brands will be putting sustainable offerings on the market. To truly make the most of—and align with—the upcoming directive, brands may lean on their marketing and communications departments to better understand what customers want, and may seek advice from external consultants to help shape a viable action plan. \u003Cbr>‍\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Leverage preparation for the CSRD.\u003C/strong> Adopted in late 2022, the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive will require nearly 50,000 companies across Europe to report on sustainability, resource use, and circular economy performance. Many companies’ sustainability-related data will come to the surface, providing new opportunities for transparency—but also showing where there’s room for improvement. Data collected for the CSRD can help companies make informed decisions about what to report, and may open them up to attracting new customers and uncovering new ways of doing business. It’ll also lay bare businesses’ transgressions, making it more difficult to hide behind false claims. \u003C/li>\u003C/ol>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">The EU won’t be a safe haven for unsustainable businesses\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">While the Directive’s efficacy at quelling greenwashing—and circular washing—has yet to be seen, its existence in the broader legislative landscape of new EU bills is promising. With \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/blogs/new-legislation-coming-but-only-22-of-companies-ready-to-report-quantitatively-on-circular-economy\">sustainability reporting requirements\u003C/a> just over the horizon (businesses will be required to report on circularity from 2025) and a new ecodesign regulation—which will ban planned obsolescence—receiving broad support in parliament, it seems the EU is shaping a new standard for companies doing business across the continent. The next step: making this new standard the new normal.\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003Cstrong id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">‍\u003C/em>\u003C/strong>\u003C/h1>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Learn more\u003C/em>\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">For \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/services/businesses\">businesses\u003C/a> looking to cut their impact through circular economy solutions that minimise waste and use materials as efficiently as possible, get in touch with our team. To learn more about what your company can do to get ready for upcoming legislation like the CSRD, check out our \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ousM6x7rDLc\">webinar\u003C/a> or read our \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/blogs/new-legislation-coming-but-only-22-of-companies-ready-to-report-quantitatively-on-circular-economy\">article\u003C/a> on the topic. Think you’re ready to report? Find out if this is the case using our newly-launched \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://csrdtool.com/circular-economy/\">self-assessment tool\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":1149,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1150,"updated_at":1151,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1152,"contents":1154,"contributors":1162,"image":17},"Glgg","2023-05-03T08:19:42.000Z","2024-02-23T16:33:57.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1153},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1155],{"id":1156,"score":12,"body":1157,"status":111,"article_id":1149,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1151,"published_at":112},"NfVu",{"image":1158,"title":1159,"content":1160,"summary":16,"attachment":1161,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380782964-x0-91dsW.JPG","Extended Producer Responsibility isn’t enough to tackle the global ‘fashion waste mountain’. Here's why","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">This article was first published by \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://fashionunited.uk/news/fashion/extended-producer-responsibility-isn-t-enough-to-tackle-global-fashion-waste-mountain-here-s-why/2023050269308\">\u003Cem id=\"\">FashionUnited\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\"> \u003C/em>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Textile waste is one of the world’s \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/textile-waste-recycling-bc-canada-1.6357584#:~:text=Textile%20waste%20is%20one%20of,clothing%20even%20if%20it's%20damaged.\">fastest-growing waste streams\u003C/a>: globally, upwards of \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://cleanclothes.org/fashions-problems/waste-and-pollution\">100 billion garments\u003C/a> are produced each year, a huge portion of which don’t even reach consumers, while used textile exports \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/eu-exports-of-used-textiles/eu-exports-of-used-textiles\">from the European Union have tripled\u003C/a> over the past two decades. Millions of tonnes of cast-off clothing are shipped around the world yearly, with most ending up in the markets, shores or informal landfills of less affluent countries—mainly in \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/used-textiles-are-an-increasing#:~:text=Key%20findings%3A,1.7%20million%20tonnes%20in%202019\">Africa (46%) and Asia (41%)\u003C/a>. This phenomenon is termed \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://stopwastecolonialism.org/\">‘waste colonialism’\u003C/a>. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Now, the Netherlands is making moves to mitigate fashion’s staggering impact with the introduction of an \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://business.gov.nl/amendment/fashion-chains-must-collect-discarded-clothing/\">Extended Producer Responsibility\u003C/a> (EPR) scheme for textiles. The EPR, which is set to launch in mid-2023, will require all manufacturers to take the reins on the collection, sorting, recycling and reuse of the products they bring to the Dutch market. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As only the second European country to roll out an EPR for textiles, the policy will likely position the Netherlands as a frontrunner in textile recycling. But this is not without faults, with several organisations—notably \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://theor.org/\">the Or Foundation\u003C/a>—quick to point out potentially problematic points. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Second European EPR for textiles in the making: Dutch launch set for 1st of July\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">As clothing consumption grows, mountains of textile waste in lower-income nations broaden global inequalities while harming both human health and the environment, with fashion even referred to by some as ‘the new plastic’ for its growing infamy. While the export of plastic waste is to be banned in the EU, the Changing Markets Foundation assessment suggests that more than \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"http://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Trashion-Report-Web-Final.pdf\">one in three pieces of used clothing shipped to Kenya contains plastic\u003C/a> and is of such a low quality that it immediately becomes waste. Similarly, research from the Or Foundation has found that \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://stopwastecolonialism.org/stopwastecolonialism.pdf\">40% of the average bale of clothing opened in Accra’s Kantamanto second-hand clothing market\u003C/a>, likely the largest second-hand clothing market in the world, leaves the market as waste.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Policy to combat textiles’ impact has been in the works worldwide, from the EU’s Waste Framework Directive and Textiles Strategy to the UK’s Textile 2030 commitments and similar efforts by the American Circular Textiles policy group. The former has mandated that each EU country must launch a separate textile collection scheme by 2025—which the roll-out of EPRs across Member States could help fund. EPRs put a price on all environmental consequences caused by a product throughout its lifetime, effectively transferring responsibility from municipalities and their citizens back to the producers.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">However, legislative efforts so far—including EPRs themselves—have proven to be insufficient in tackling the continuously growing climate and social burden caused by growing textile waste volumes. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">While EPRs are intended to prevent producers from making others bear the burden of their waste and poor design, this ‘\u003Cem id=\"\">has largely been driven by concerns in the Global North regarding the high cost of waste management and the scarce landfill space in their own countries,’ \u003C/em>the Or Foundation has noted\u003Cem id=\"\">. ‘EPR has, to date, not been concerned with the impact on communities [affected by such waste], “downstream” from the Global North in the global flow of waste streams. In other words, EPR has largely avoided addressing Environmental Justice and Waste Colonialism, in any sector.'\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">First applied to textiles by the French government through the executing body \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://refashion.fr/pro/en/what-epr?\">Refashion\u003C/a>, the Dutch government has now called for the scheme to be created and executed by the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.stichtingupvtextiel.nl/en/upvtextiel/\">UPV Textiel Foundation\u003C/a>, in line with its broader goals for a fully circular economy by 2050. Current predictions place the levy between €0.24 and €0.57 per kilogram of textiles, with all funds raised expected to be funnelled into the achievement of other goals: that \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.stichtingupvtextiel.nl/en/upvtextiel/\">50% of textile products on the Dutch market are recycled or reused by 2025\u003C/a>, gradually increasing to 75% by 2030. Currently, approximately \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.afvalcirculair.nl/onderwerpen/afvalregelgeving/producentenverantwoordelijkheid\">35% are reused and recycled\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">EPRs may fail to stimulate a truly circular and inclusive textiles industry \u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">At first glance, the EPR philosophy seems simple enough: reminiscent of the polluter pays principle, it appears to be a common-sense approach to mitigate environmental damage. But is it too simple? According to the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.rebelgroup.com/en/projects/extended-producer-responsibility-for-textiles-in-the-netherlands/\">draft\u003C/a>, the levy will be calculated solely based on product weight, treating clothing made of synthetic, natural, organic or recycled materials identically. This erases all incentives to incorporate more circular design practices, from design for recyclability to better material choices.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1600px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1600px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Used textiles choke second-hand markets around the world. \" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/64521aad630df43870df699f_29af60ff.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Used textiles choke second-hand markets around the world. \u003C/em>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">France’s EPR aims to change this: its scheme for textiles and footwear, launched in 2008, introduced \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://faq.refashion.fr/hc/en-us/articles/7878935708701-How-can-you-benefit-from-eco-modulated-fee-scales-\">eco-modulated fees\u003C/a> in 2012 and has reviewed them every year since—lowering levies for durable products, those made with recycled materials and those with other environmental certifications. However, while garments can qualify for a fee of up to six cents, the average fee paid by brands in 2021 was \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://refashion.fr/rapport-activite/2021/public/pdf/rethink_production.pdf\">one cent per garment\u003C/a>, with \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://refashion.fr/rapport-activite/2021/public/pdf/rethink_production.pdf\">81% of clothing items classified as eco-modulated based on durability\u003C/a>. At its current rate, the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://journals.openedition.org/factsreports/6557\">fee represents ’an infinitesimally small amount, doing nothing to encourage eco-design,’\u003C/a> according to the French EPR Waste Scheme Commission’s president, Jacques Vernier. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">What’s more: this fee fails to incentivise reuse and repair practices, which Circle Economy’s \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/putting-circular-textiles-to-work-2\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Putting Circular Textiles to Work\u003C/em>\u003C/a> report notes is the most beneficial for people and the planet: more circular than recycling, with employment benefits to boot. However, setting up large-scale repairs in the Netherlands is currently not commercially viable due to both high labour costs—partly caused by the high tax on labour—and exceedingly low prices for new products. For many, it’s more logical to buy new clothing, instead of seeking out expensive repairs on cheap clothes. Subsidising textile repairs through EPR fees, as well as cutting taxes on circular labour practices such as repair and reuse, could help bridge this gap.  \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Furthermore, current EPR schemes do little to benefit the communities around the world that have historically been harmed by the Global North’s fast fashion addiction. Both the French and Dutch EPRs will see the largest portion of textiles collected then be exported abroad—yet fees will remain within and therefore benefit the EU.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">An EPR fit for the future: Inclusive dialogue is needed to ensure a just transition worldwide\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The upcoming Dutch EPR won’t be the last: we need inspired and accountable policymakers across Europe to innovate on current schemes and build an EPR fit for the future. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">A potential path forward has already been sketched. Ghana-based \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://stopwastecolonialism.org/\">Or Foundation\u003C/a>, nested at the epicentre of the global second-hand clothing trade at the Kantamanto market in Accra, is calling for the French EPR scheme to create an Environmental Fund to support the remediation of current disposal sites such as the Korle Lagoon in Accra, and also:\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">1. Truly internalise the cost of waste management, aligning with eco-modulated\u003C/strong> \u003Cstrong id=\"\">waste management costs throughout the global reverse supply chain. This means a fee of a minimum US$0.50 per newly produced garment.\u003C/strong>‍\u003Cstrong id=\"\">‍\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">2. Secure global accountability by distributing funds around the world to enable circular infrastructure in the Global South as well as the Global North—and to cover losses and damages stemming from excessive textile waste shipped around the world.\u003C/strong>‍\u003Cstrong id=\"\">‍\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">3. Drive circularity targets that require companies to publicly disclose production volumes to achieve eco-modulated EPR fees. Companies may aim for a 40% reduction in production over five years, balanced with increased reuse and remanufacturing processes.\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The Or Foundation is also calling for the French Ministry of Ecological Transition and Refashion to make reparative payments to Haiti, Lebanon and all the African Countries that France exported clothing to in 2021 to the equivalent of no less than €80 per tonne, in line with the fee paid to sorters in France. This amounts to roughly €5.7 Million. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In conversation with Circle Economy, Liz Ricketts, founder of the Or Foundation, notes that ‘a one-sided conversation will never give rise to a circular economy—so we hope that the Stop Waste Colonialism campaign introduces new voices, beyond ours as an organisation, to inform policy frameworks that benefit everyone working across the second-hand supply chain. EPR must be globally accountable to ensure that the transition to circularity is not subsidised by continued human exploitation and debt in the Global South.’ \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">While the Or Foundation’s requests are directed at the French government, our ‘new voice’ hopes to call on policymakers worldwide—including those in the Netherlands—to take responsibility for their country’s contribution to the global fashion waste mountain. In addition to their points, we recommend that: \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003Cstrong id=\"\">1. Reducing the consumption of (new) textiles and extending the lifespan of existing textiles should be explicit objectives of all EPR schemes. The solution won’t be to halt used clothing exports entirely, but to reform them, so that items can be given a second life both within Europe and abroad. This can be done by raising prices on new clothing and cutting costs for repair and second-hand goods, for example, while increasing EPR fees proportionally to the number of items put on the market.\u003C/strong>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">2. Stricter sorting criteria, improved waste directives and strict international trade regulations\u003C/strong> \u003Cstrong id=\"\">are executed and mutually respected between exporters, importers, sorters, traders and resellers of clothing from the Global North and Global South equally, to ensure that the global flows of second-hand textiles are consensual rather than repeating post-colonial patterns of exploitation.\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">3. Funds collected through the EPRs are used to scale fibre-to-fibre recycling and fibre-based sorting infrastructure in Europe. Truly circular end-of-life management for textiles will require investment: currently, textiles are largely exported to places with limited or no capacity for textile-to-textile recycling. \u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">All eyes on the Netherlands ahead of the EPR launch\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The Netherlands is a \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow\">major European hub\u003C/a> for post-consumer textile imports, sorting and export for reuse, open-loop recycling and downcycling.  \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circle Economy and Fashion for Good’s joint project \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://fashionforgood.com/our_news/sorting-for-circularity-europe-project-findings/\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Sorting for Circularity Europe\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">, \u003C/em>launched last year, found that 74% of post-consumer textiles are suitable for either mechanical or chemical recycling. However, because sorting based on fibre composition is only done on a very limited scale, these textiles can’t currently be used as feedstock for fibre-to-fibre recycling. Investments in fibre-based sorting will not come from businesses alone, as the financial added value of sorting won’t outweigh the investment itself as long as chemical recycling is not available on a large scale, according to the Sorting for Circularity project. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">However, the business case for sorting in the Netherlands is under pressure due to rising labour costs and a growing share of low-quality, non-rewearable textiles collected. Research by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.rotterdamsklimaatakkoord.nl/klimaatdeals/deals-uitvoering\">EigenDraads\u003C/a>, conducted for the municipality of Rotterdam in 2022, shows that the minimum contribution from the EPR to sorters should be €0.30 per kilo, to compensate for the combination of rising costs and falling income. This is more than the currently-intended contribution from the EPR to Dutch sorters indicated by the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.rebelgroup.com/nl/projecten/model-voor-kosteninschatting-uitgebreide-producentenverantwoordelijkheid/\">Rebel Group\u003C/a> report (2021).\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The groundwork has been laid, and the Dutch government’s coming launch should be lauded for its potential—but in order for the EPR scheme to be a success, tweaks must be made. Textile products’ end-of-life brings severe impacts that must be addressed—and a revamped EPR could do just that, by prioritising a just and circular economy approach, raising adequate funding for recycling infrastructure and setting bold targets to limit production in the sector.\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Learn more\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circle Economy’s Textiles Programme aims to nourish a culture of change amongst businesses and social enterprises on a local and regional level to scale responsible circular economy practices and boost constant improvement in the textile and apparel sector. Learn more about the programme and get in touch \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/programmes/textiles\">here\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":1164,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1165,"updated_at":1166,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1167,"contents":1169,"contributors":1177,"image":17},"gL0c","2023-05-29T12:39:35.000Z","2024-02-23T16:03:36.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1168},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1170],{"id":1171,"score":12,"body":1172,"status":111,"article_id":1164,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1166,"published_at":112},"-6rc",{"image":1173,"title":1174,"content":1175,"summary":16,"attachment":1176,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380784308-6477Cz2w.jpg","Leaving no one behind","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">Written by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://nl.linkedin.com/in/esther-goodwin-brown-3a234886\">Esther Goodwin Brown\u003C/a>, Lead of Circle Economy's Circular Jobs Initiative\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Jobs are an important vehicle for social inclusion. They help us to feel valued and have a sense of purpose. They improve our quality of life and are a way of participating in society. They provide us with the resources we need to support and spend time with our family and friends.\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In the current linear take-make-waste economy, financial drives often come before social protection and participation. Too often, people find it hard to access work or find a job that meets their needs. An inclusive labour market should provide decent work opportunities for all people no matter their age, ethnicity, gender, educational level or geographic location.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">The circular economy changes the world of work\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The transition to the circular economy will be labour-intensive, especially in the coming 10 to 20 years, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"http://www.rreuse.org/wp-content/uploads/Final-briefing-on-reuse-jobs-website-2.pdf\">requiring more people to drive its principles of reuse, repair, refurbish, recover and recycle\u003C/a>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://vlaanderen-circulair.be/en/summa-ce-centre/publications/employment-impact-of-the-transition-to-a-circular-economy-literature-study\"> than in the linear economy where resources are typically wasted and incinerated\u003C/a>. The circular economy requires people to work together across companies and sectors, using skills such as empathy, craftsmanship and ingenuity. Because of this, the circular economy has the potential to create new types of jobs and tasks, opening up opportunities for people currently distant from the labour market. At the same time, we need to be mindful of the wide spectrum of workers often deeply embedded in the circular economy.\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">So, what role could the circular economy play in rebalancing power, and how are social enterprises already creating more inclusive work opportunities in the circular economy?\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Social enterprises leading the way\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">While commitments towards circularity are being made by global and national actors, the local social economy will be key to translating these commitments into action and helping to make sure the circular economy serves everyone. Here are a few examples of social enterprises that are already helping to create more inclusive work opportunities for people in the circular economy and what we can learn from them.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">Putting a face to circular jobs\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">In Santiago, Chile, the resource management company\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://triciclos.net/en/\"> Triciclos \u003C/a>has set up micro-entrepreneurships in their resource management facilities. Here, informal waste pickers are given a place to work that not only shelters them from the sun and rain but also provides them with a place to work with more dignity. At these facilities, local residents come to drop off their waste directly with the person handling it — giving a face to the informal waste pickers whose services they rely on. These simple interactions give the informal workers, who are usually hidden, and the local people that use their services a greater sense of how valued this work is in the community. This project demonstrates the power of face-to-face interactions for promoting the social value of circular jobs that many of us take for granted and the need to support informal workers that may otherwise remain anonymised to have greater visibility both in our communities and policies.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:700px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"700px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/5e84f0ce41c01bbed9d86f5c_1_vVjockvsZ1knkAPyLYkDXA.jpeg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Source: TriCiclos\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">Collaborating for business and social value\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">In Lisbon, Portugal, the NGO Cais runs \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.cais.pt/cais-recicla/\">CAIS RECICLA\u003C/a> with beverage company Super BOCK. Through these micro-businesses, people that have experienced homelessness, drug and alcohol problems or mental health issues create new eco-design products from materials that have been discarded as waste by different companies. The products are then sold commercially. Collaborations like this, between the social economy and private companies, are not only a great way of helping companies to convert their waste into new products; they also create meaningful work opportunities for people who often face stigma when applying for jobs, boosting their skills, confidence and work experience.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:700px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"700px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/5e84f0e0f0e2a42e6889dcdc_1_webLI6agvftrRnD6ZpnABg.jpeg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Source: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.cais.pt/cais-recicla/\">Cais Recicla\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">Segregating tasks for inclusive jobs\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">In Rotterdam, the Netherlands, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.rotterdam.nl/werken-leren/robedrijf/\">Robedrijf \u003C/a>connects people with a distance from the labour market to employers through the outsourced services they offer in the assembly, packaging and repair of products. Once commissioned by a local company, these services are then delivered by people working in Robedrijf’s sheltered workshop who have physical, mental or psychological difficulties. This means people who might find traditional job roles challenging are given the opportunity to learn circular skills like disassembly and repair while working in a supportive environment. Robedrijf splits up workstreams into packages of tasks so that there are tasks suited to people with different levels of abilities. By breaking up tasks, Robedrijf can ensure that the services they deliver to their customers are high quality as well as ensuring there are good quality, tailored jobs available for people that otherwise face barriers to work.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:700px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"700px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/5e84f0eee2e0cf8aeacddd89_1_5go-WOnoBRZ-hG18OMGC4Q.jpeg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Source: \u003Ca href=\"https://www.rotterdam.nl/rotterdam-inclusief\">Robedrijf\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Beyond local: putting inclusion on national and global agendas\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The European Green Deal promises that no one will be left behind by allocating resources to workers in declining and shifting sectors and providing opportunities in the circular economy, both within and outside of Europe. But as well as supporting workers in carbon-intensive sectors, people that are currently distant from the labour market, unregulated and informal workers also need to be prioritised in negotiations.\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"http://www.world-psi.org/sites/default/files/documents/research/web_en_lrgm_waste_report_ia_20174.pdf\">In Latin America and the Caribbean, 25–50% of waste is recycled by informal waste pickers\u003C/a>, and \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.pwc.nl/nl/dienstverlening/people-and-organisation/documents/pwc-future-of-work-2030.pdf\">44% of organisations in the Dutch construction sector rely on self-employed workers\u003C/a>. Both sets of these workers are crucial to the circular economy but do not have the same protections as formal or permanent workers. \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.epsu.org/sites/default/files/article/files/Waste%20Management%20in%20Europe.%20Good%20Jobs%20in%20the%20Circular%20Economy%20for%20web.pdf\">Although unregulated or informal sectors provide routes into work for people that might otherwise struggle to find work\u003C/a>, flexible and unregulated work is associated with more vulnerable livelihoods. The quality of the jobs the circular economy creates, therefore, needs to be monitored.\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As policymakers meet in the coming months to discuss how the Green Deal will be operationalised, the role of the social economy in creating good quality and inclusive work opportunities must be recognised. Partnerships between the social economy and sectors with high demand for labour, particularly in earlier stages of the transition, need to be encouraged. By supporting labour-intensive areas of the circular economy to work in partnership with the social economy, the European Green Deal will be in a better position to support workers and communities that face the biggest challenges in times of change, helping to ensure that no one is left behind.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">‍\u003C/h4>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">THE INCLUSIVITY OF THE LABOUR MARKET IN THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY IS A KEY FOCUS AREA OF CIRCLE ECONOMY’S CIRCULAR JOBS INITIATIVE. THE CIRCULAR JOBS INITIATIVE IS BEING LAUNCHED IN MARCH, WITH KICK-OFF EVENTS ACROSS AMSTERDAM, NEW YORK CITY AND BRUSSELS. FIND OUT MORE \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/news/launch-of-the-circular-jobs-skills-programme\">HERE\u003C/a>.\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":1179,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":323,"updated_at":1180,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1181,"contents":1183,"contributors":1192,"image":17},"XwL3","2026-02-11T11:06:14.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1182},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1184],{"id":1185,"score":12,"body":1186,"status":111,"article_id":1179,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1180,"published_at":1180},"bCJ0",{"image":1187,"title":1188,"content":1189,"summary":1190,"attachment":1191,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380785881-M3SxOpcB.png","Financing the circular transition at home and beyond","\u003Cp>\u003Cem>A circular economy requires circular finance. At Circle Economy, we recognised this early on and launched our Circular Finance programme in 2015. Since then, it has gained momentum both in our home country, the Netherlands, and beyond.\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The Netherlands’ ambition to become a fully circular economy within one generation was clearly set out in the \u003Cem>Nederland Circulair 2050\u003C/em> roadmap. But when it came to implementation, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management realised that circular business models couldn’t thrive in a financial system built to accommodate linear practices. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>Circular companies in the Netherlands faced numerous challenges. For example, pioneers such as Swapfiets and Fairphone struggled to secure financing on favourable terms due to accounting conventions that failed to recognise their value. Banks deemed circular business models too risky and withheld lending. Recycling facilities faced the prospect of bankruptcy, while virgin materials were still cheaper than secondary ones. In other words, the invisible hand of the market seemed blissfully unaware of the Netherlands’ circular ambitions and continued to reward the linear economy. The government needed to intervene.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3>Then came the pandemic \u003C/h3>\u003Cp>The COVID-19 pandemic put an additional strain on the economy, reinforcing this sense of urgency. In 2020, while much of the country was working remotely, the ministry’s largest meeting room was reserved for a rare physical gathering. Carefully spaced 1.5 metres apart, representatives from the government, pension funds, major banks, investors, and regional development companies came together to work out a common approach to circular finance. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>During this meeting, four key sub-areas were defined as the foundation for action: knowledge development, circular supply chains, circular procurement, and financial incentives and taxes. Out of that carefully distanced meeting emerged something remarkably close-knit: \u003Ca href=\"https://www.dnb.nl/en/green-economy/sustainable-finance-platform/circular-economy-working-group/\">the Circular Economy Working Group\u003C/a>. This group brought together all major financial institutions and relevant governmental bodies to accelerate the circular transition. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>In 2022, the group acquired a joint agenda: \u003Ca href=\"https://www.dnb.nl/media/3dwdcic1/20220204-pdf-finance-roadmap-nl.pdf\">\u003Cem>the Roadmap to Circular Financing\u003C/em>\u003C/a>. It was developed by banks, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Province of Utrecht, the Municipality of Amsterdam, and InvestNL (the Dutch Investment Agency).Circle Economy played a key role in the Circular Economy Working Group by providing expertise, facilitating connections and acting as an independent convener. By leading the metrics working group, we helped establish a shared data foundation, ensuring that ambition was matched with credible measurement. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3>Going global\u003C/h3>\u003Cp>Soon after the working group was established, the Dutch approach to circular finance went on a world tour. The Dutch government commissioned the \u003Ca href=\"https://circle-economy.com/cen\">Circularity Exchange Network (CEN) \u003C/a>and entrusted Circle Economy to develop and facilitate it. The network hosts representatives from leading Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) as well as circularity experts from several international organisations. Its mission is to support MDBs in scaling their investments in the circular economy as a key approach to meeting their sustainable development goals.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Engaging MDBs is crucial for two reasons. First, they deploy vast volumes of capital, meaning that even small shifts in their investment logic can make or break circular businesses. Second, they invest with a social mandate—not only to generate returns, but to catalyse economic development and sustainable growth. The circular economy is a natural fit for that mission.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Our work with MDBs has culminated in a \u003Ca href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/a-shared-mdbs-vision-for-the-circular-economy\">shared vision\u003C/a> for the circular economy. Presented at the World Circular Economy Forum 2024, this document was backed by the African Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank, and the World Bank. Together, these MDBs recognised the importance of circularity for advancing the sustainable and just development agenda and committed to supporting the circular transition. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>The work is far from finished. As our \u003Ca href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/finance\">\u003Cem>Circularity Gap Report Finance\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem> \u003C/em>highlighted, investment in the circular economy is growing, but it remains a drop in the ocean, representing just 2% of global tracked investment. Still, the circular economy is no longer an unfamiliar concept to financiers and investors. Slowly but steadily, capital flows are shifting towards a circular future.\u003C/p>","A circular economy requires circular finance. At Circle Economy, we recognised this early on and launched our Circular Finance programme in 2015. Since then, it has gained momentum both in our home country, the Netherlands, and beyond.",[],[],{"id":1194,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":323,"updated_at":1195,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1196,"contents":1198,"contributors":1207,"image":17},"cHuO","2026-02-11T11:06:32.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1197},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1199],{"id":1200,"score":12,"body":1201,"status":111,"article_id":1194,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1195,"published_at":1195},"93Gp",{"image":1202,"title":1203,"content":1204,"summary":1205,"attachment":1206,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380788869-35x2vIEL.jpeg","From City Scan to Scotland’s circular economy champion","\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Sometimes a single insight can spark a city-wide transformation. That’s what happened in Glasgow when the Chamber of Commerce, the city and Zero Waste Scotland partnered with Circle Economy to map material flows and uncover circular opportunities. \u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>In 2016, Glasgow’s ambition was clear: to become a circular economy leader. Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and its partners had extensive data on material flows, but the story was buried in complexity. They didn’t know how to translate it into actionable opportunities for businesses. That’s where the Chamber of Commerce engaged with Circle Economy, who stepped in with the Circle Scan, a methodology designed to identify hotspots of circularity at a city-wide level.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The first scan focused on the food and beverage sector and revealed a perfect match: local bakeries were discarding surplus bread, while breweries were still using virgin materials. By connecting these actors under the principles of a circular economy, Glasgow unlocked tangible business loops. For example, Jaw Brew, a local craft brewery, partnered with Auld the Baker to produce Hardtack beer from surplus morning rolls. This innovation replaced 30% of the brewery’s original ingredients, reduced costs, diverted food waste from landfills, and even closed the loop as spent grains were returned to bakeries or local farms.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3>Scaling circularity across the city\u003C/h3>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The pilot was just the beginning. Over the next three years, Circle Economy supported Glasgow Chamber of Commerce in creating a full circular economy strategy to engage with the business community. More than 50 businesses were directly engaged through bespoke circle assessments, as well as via workshops and circular challenges, while tools and frameworks were adapted to the city’s specific business ecosystem. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Glasgow’s circular economy approach did more than transform businesses–it influenced policy. Principles from Zero Waste Scotland were integrated into national policy, culminating in the \u003Ca href=\"https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/media/19043/Circular-Economy-Route-Map-for-Glasgow-2025-2030-Full-version/pdf/Circular_Economy_Route_Map_for_Glasgow_2025-2030_1s3bkyknqvg3g.pdf?m=1745516456287\">Circular Economy Route Map for Glasgow (2025-2030)\u003C/a>, which guides city-wide strategy and cross-city collaborations, inspiring similar initiatives in Edinburgh and Aberdeen. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>More recently, leadership development has been boosted through Glasgow’s Circular Economy Leadership Programme, which launched in 2025. The programme consists of a five-day C-suite initiative, including visits to Circle Economy, to explore practical circular solutions.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Glasgow Chamber of Commerce has continued innovating through development of bespoke programmes such as Step Up to Net Zero which has now helped over 100 companies via action plans to support the implementation of circular business models. The pilot programme achieved a 2.5:1 return on investment.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp>An active Circular Glasgow Network also boasts over 300 members, with regular monthly events to bring businesses together to inspire and encourage circular adoption and collaboration.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>“Circle Economy was instrumental as a key partner as Glasgow Chamber of Commerce took its first steps in the circular economy,” says Alison McRae, Senior Director of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce. “That support and ongoing engagement have helped scale circular innovation across our city, with businesses unlocking new value, savings and resilience—future proofing their business. This shows that the circular economy isn’t an ideology, it’s a competitive advantage when implemented at scale.”\u003C/p>\u003Ch3>From stale bread to fresh pints\u003C/h3>\u003Cp>A standout example of Glasgow’s circular innovation is the partnership between Auld the Baker and \u003Ca href=\"https://www.circularglasgow.com/story/jaw-brew/\">Jaw Brew\u003C/a>. After six months of research and trials, Jaw Brew developed a blond beer using surplus morning rolls from Auld the Baker. The result: Hardtack beer, a bronze medal winner in the Scotland Region SIBA awards, made with 30% fewer virgin ingredients.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Jaw Brew also closes the loop with its own waste streams: spent grains are turned into high-fibre bakery products or cattle feed, hops are used as mulch, and brewing heat is recycled. Packaging is being reimagined, too, with biodegradable alternatives to plastic can connectors. This example demonstrates the tangible impact of Glasgow’s circular economy—where collaboration, innovation, and sustainability generate both environmental and economic benefits.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Glasgow is now recognised internationally by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the European Investment Bank, and C40 Cities. Its model shows how science-backed insights, combined with stakeholder engagement, can move a city from data to action. Circular initiatives are now embedded in Glasgow’s economy, policy, and leadership, creating resilient businesses and a city prepared for the future.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>","Sometimes a single insight can spark a city-wide transformation. That’s what happened in Glasgow when the Chamber of Commerce, the city and Zero Waste Scotland partnered with Circle Economy to map material flows and uncover circular opportunities.",[],[],{"id":1209,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1210,"updated_at":1211,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1212,"contents":1214,"contributors":1223,"image":17},"blhT","2024-08-05T11:45:03.000Z","2024-08-06T08:25:22.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1213},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1215],{"id":1216,"score":12,"body":1217,"status":111,"article_id":1209,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1211,"published_at":1211},"L3-o",{"image":1218,"title":1219,"content":1220,"summary":1221,"attachment":1222,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380844946-6wjYEnfD.jpg","The EU Right-to-Repair directive: What does it mean for companies and consumers?","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">This article was first published by \u003Ca href=\"https://www.edie.net/the-eu-right-to-repair-directive-what-does-it-mean-for-companies-and-consumers/\">edie\u003C/a>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">It’s no secret that today's products are lower quality and more difficult to repair than in the past. For example, in 2013, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2019/640158/EPRS_BRI(2019)640158_EN.pdf\" target=\"_self\">8.3% of large household appliances\u003C/a> were replaced due to a defect within the first five years of service—up from 3.5% in 2004. Electrical and electronic equipment waste is also one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the EU, growing by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/waste/key-waste-streams/weee\" target=\"_self\">3 to 5% each year\u003C/a>. The old idiom rings true: they just don’t make them like they used to.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The good news is that in April, the EU adopted legislation designed to tackle this issue. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In a major win for the circular economy, the European Council and the European Parliament have reached an agreement on the directive promoting the repair of broken or defective goods, commonly referred to as the Right-to-Repair (R2R) directive. This legislation is set to revolutionise consumer rights by making repair services more accessible, transparent, and appealing. The directive entered into force on the 30th of July.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">What is the R2R directive?\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">According to \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/annacwdematos/\">Anna C W De Matos\u003C/a>, Founder of the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"http://www.circularlibrary.network/\" target=\"_self\">Circular Library Network\u003C/a> and Chair of the Hringrásarsetur Íslands, an NGO that advocates for the right-to-repair in Iceland, ‘The R2R directive is a beacon of hope, thanks to the tireless advocacy by the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://repair.eu/\" target=\"_self\">R2R Europe Coalition\u003C/a> team who have been working on this for years.’ At the heart of the directive lies one of the core principles of the circular economy: extending the lifespan of products, thereby mitigating the environmental impacts associated with premature disposal. The directive obliges manufacturers—both inside and outside of the EU—to provide repair services for goods sold on the European market, even after the legal guarantee period. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The new legislation also aims to tackle planned and premature obsolescence—a pervasive problem in today's consumer-driven society. Manufacturers will be required to provide clear and accessible information on the repairability and durability of their products, enabling consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.  With this in mind, the directive introduces several measures to make repair more attractive to consumers and prolong product lifespans. These include:\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">1. \u003Cstrong id=\"\">Consumer request for repair:\u003C/strong> Consumers will have the right to request that manufacturers repair technically repairable products under EU law, such as washing machines, vacuum cleaners or mobile phones.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">2. \u003Cstrong id=\"\">European repair information form\u003C/strong>: Repairers will provide consumers with a standardised form, offering clear details on repair conditions, pricing, and timelines.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">3. \u003Cstrong id=\"\">European Online Platform for repair\u003C/strong>:  A centralised European online platform will facilitate matchmaking between consumers and repairers, ensuring easy access to repair services across borders.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">4.\u003Cstrong id=\"\"> Extension of liability period\u003C/strong>: The period in which the seller is responsible for product defects or breaks will be extended by 12 months after repair, incentivising consumers to opt for repair over replacement.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">While the European Parliament’s adoption of the directive is a significant step forward, it’ll still need to be adopted by national governments over the next two years. Affected companies, therefore, still have time to familiarise themselves with the new provisions and prepare for compliance.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">What does this mean for businesses and workers?\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">‘Businesses, particularly manufacturers and retailers, will need to adjust their policies and practices,’ says De Matos. ‘To prepare, businesses should start by reviewing their supply chains and service networks to ensure they can meet the demand for spare parts and repairs. This might also be a good time for businesses to strengthen relationships with independent repairers and possibly explore partnerships or certifications to ensure service quality.’\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Complying with the new directive means manufacturers will, in some cases, have to drastically rethink business as usual. For one, redesigning goods for easier disassembly, repair, and durability must become the new norm. Examples of this include modular design, standardising parts, and establishing diagnostic tools. At the end of the day, longer-lasting and easy-to-repair goods mean lower repair costs for producers.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">It is also in the best interest of manufacturers and retailers to provide consumers with the information necessary to make small repairs at home—capable consumers have the potential to drastically cut businesses’ repair costs. To do so, producers can provide extensive repair manuals, troubleshooting guides, and tool libraries—accessible both in-person and online. Initiatives like De Matos’ Circular Library Network provide the infrastructure necessary for communities to share items, including tools for consumers to make simple at-home repairs. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">That being said, preparation for the R2R directive is not only about compliance. As consumers increasingly prioritise repair and reuse over disposal, a burgeoning market for repair services and refurbished products is expected to emerge. ‘Repair is a labour-intensive sector so it’s logical to expect it will generate labour opportunities’, says \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgane-veillet-lavall%C3%A9e/\">Morgane Veillet Lavallée\u003C/a>, Senior Researcher at \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/\" target=\"_self\">Circle Economy\u003C/a>, ‘I'm sure this is also an aspect that has motivated so many members of Parliament to endorse this directive—only three were opposed’. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Veillet Lavallée remains cautiously optimistic, however, stating ‘We still have to retain a cautious angle as estimating job creation can only be hypothetical and a regulation alone is insufficient to create an able labour force working on repair’. In other words, for the R2R directive to have a positive impact on employment, implementation of the directive must be met with supportive measures like tax breaks for repair companies and educational campaigns to inform consumers of their rights across EU Member States. With this in mind, Member States must then ensure workers have access to the necessary training and skills to meet the rising demand for repair.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Is the R2R directive enough?\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">‘Basically, for it to be effective, implementation across Member States needs to be carefully supported with additional policy measures supporting the repair sector overall, as is already the case for France and Austria which implemented tax breaks for consumers looking to repair devices’, Veillet Lavallée points out. The successful implementation of the directive will, therefore, require concerted efforts from all stakeholders across the EU. Governments, businesses and consumers alike must collaborate to ensure that the principles outlined in the directive are effectively translated into tangible actions and outcomes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The R2R directive signals not only a paradigm shift towards a circular economy but also a fundamental shift in societal values—fostering a deeper appreciation for the intrinsic value of resources and the importance of responsible consumption. Today, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularonline.co.uk/news/european-consumer-demand-for-refurbished-smartphones-grows/\" target=\"_self\">over 52% of Europeans\u003C/a> report that they are willing to buy a refurbished smartphone in the future, and almost \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/2228\" target=\"_self\">80% of consumers\u003C/a> agree that manufacturers should be required to make devices easier to repair. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">De Matos takes this point a step further, noting that ‘For businesses, it's a chance to enhance customer loyalty and potentially open up new revenue streams through repair services and the sale of spare parts. Consumers benefit from longer-lasting products and reduced repair costs…Economically, encouraging repairs can boost local job markets focused on repair services, and environmentally, it helps reduce waste and the demand for raw materials.’ By empowering consumers with the right to repair, Europe is paving the way for a more sustainable future, where resource efficiency and environmental protection go hand in hand with economic prosperity. To quote De Matos: ‘Basically, it’s a win-win-win, unless you’re in the business of making throwaway gadgets!’\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Cp id=\"\">Learn more about the policies needed to accelerate the circular transition in Circle Economy's \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2024\" target=\"_self\">Circularity Gap Report 2024\u003C/a>. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>","In a major win for the circular economy, the European Council and the European Parliament have reached an agreement on the directive promoting the repair of broken or defective goods, commonly referred to as the Right-to-Repair (R2R) directive. ",[],[],{"id":1225,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1226,"updated_at":1227,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1228,"contents":1230,"contributors":1239,"image":17},"BrG6","2025-11-18T09:13:03.000Z","2025-11-18T09:15:39.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1229},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1231],{"id":1232,"score":12,"body":1233,"status":111,"article_id":1225,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1227,"published_at":1238},"yxUY",{"image":1234,"title":1235,"content":1236,"summary":16,"attachment":1237,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380846283-VHuHhiPR.jpg","The Global Circularity Protocol: Setting a new standard for measuring circular performance","\u003Cp id=\"\">The \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.wbcsd.org/actions/global-circularity-protocol-for-business-gcp/\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Global Circularity Protocol for Businesses (GCP)\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> introduces a global, interoperable framework for measuring, managing, and communicating companies’ circular performance and impacts. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">A defining feature of the GCP is its operational boundaries for material flow analysis and circularity performance accounting, which enable comparability in assessing and reporting circularity across industries and geographies. Similar to Scopes 1, 2, and 3 in the greenhouse gas (GHG) Protocol, the GCP defines Scopes A, B, C, and D:\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">Scope A: Flows to and from the environmental system\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Scope B: Flows entering and exiting the company \u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Scope C: Flows across the end-to-end value chain\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Scope D: Flows within other parts of the economic system \u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">As the protocol launches, we explore how these scopes address today’s key challenges in circularity measurement and how businesses can leverage them for credible benchmarking and reporting. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Today’s circularity metrics are inconsistent, incomparable, and incomplete \u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">One of the biggest challenges in circularity reporting today is the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.wbcsd.org/resources/gcp-landscape-analysis/?submitted=true\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">lack of standardised and comprehensive system boundaries\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>. This leads to inconsistent methodologies and confusion about what ‘circularity’ actually means. For example, the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2025\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report 2025\u003C/em>\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> (CGR®) estimates global circularity at 6.9%, reflecting a macroeconomic perspective roughly aligned with Scope C. However, this figure is sometimes misinterpreted as an organisation’s recycled content rate, a metric more relevant to Scope B. Such misinterpretations highlight the need for clearer definitions and consistent boundaries to ensure credible and comparable circularity reporting. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Compounding the issue, many companies lack visibility beyond their immediate operations, making it difficult to trace material flows across complex, global supply chains. Limited collaboration and data exchange further hinder the ability to measure circularity holistically and accurately. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Compare and benchmark through the GCP scopes \u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">By introducing Scopes A–D, the GCP marks an important step toward global comparability. These scopes enable companies to benchmark their performance against peers and industry standards, inform decision-making within their organisations, and support investors in assessing circular performance and setting thresholds or targets. This common language helps align circular metrics across value chains, making data more actionable and insights more meaningful.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Look beyond the company to drive systemic change \u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Measuring beyond a company’s own operations—through Scope C and Scope D—encourages systemic thinking. It helps businesses understand their wider environmental, economic, and social impacts, and fosters collaboration across value chains. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">For instance, under Scope C, organisations can evaluate how their inputs affect upstream activities. One kilogram of copper entering a company (Scope B) corresponds to \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.1c07875\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">156 kilograms of copper\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> ore extracted and processed upstream(Scope C). Under Scope D, companies can assess their impact beyond their own value chain. A preventative paint coating that extends the lifespan of ships reduces the need for new ship construction and the associated resource extraction. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Report sustainability performance with evidence \u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">By mapping material flows across the entire value chain and beyond, organisations can conduct evidence-based double materiality assessments to identify environmental and social hotspots. GCP reporting also supports regulatory compliance, particularly in Europe. It helps companies:\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">Collect the necessary data for the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) \u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Comply with the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), which requires value chain hotspot analysis and prioritisation of actions to address environmental impacts \u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Next steps: Start small, learn, and scale \u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The GCP is designed to be practical and scalable, accommodating businesses at all levels of circular maturity \u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">For beginners: Start small, focus on a key set of material flows, learn and collect data gradually, and improve over time. \u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">For experienced reporters: Broaden your data collection to Scope C and D flows and update your materiality assessment accordingly. \u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">By clearly declaring what’s included and excluded, companies can build capacity gradually while maintaining transparency and credibility.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Need support?\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">If your organisation is ready to measure and improve its circularity performance, Circle Economy’s experts—who contributed to the development of the GCP—can help you get started.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/contact\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Get in touch\u003C/em>\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\"> with our circularity experts to begin your GCP journey.\u003C/em>\u003C/p>",[],"2026-01-13T09:13:39.000Z",[],{"id":1241,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":292,"updated_at":1242,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1243,"contents":1245,"contributors":1254,"image":17},"gj03","2026-02-11T11:14:41.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1244},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1246],{"id":1247,"score":12,"body":1248,"status":111,"article_id":1241,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1242,"published_at":1242},"I6yM",{"image":1249,"title":1250,"content":1251,"summary":1252,"attachment":1253,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380846984-wwUwPHhi.jpeg","The key to the circular transition in Montréal","\u003Cp>\u003Cem>It sounds almost like a fairy tale—one key that can open many doors. Yet this has become a reality for the city of Montréal, Canada, which found the Circularity Gap Report Montréal to be just such a key. Yet there is no magic in it—only science. \u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>In 2021, Montréal’s ambition was clear: to develop its first circular economy roadmap. The City had already identified priority value chains, such as construction and textiles, but lacked an answer to a fundamental question: W\u003Cem>here do we stand today?\u003C/em>  The city government was not satisfied with just any answer. It sought a circularity baseline that was comparable to other cities—and to the world. That is why Montréal turned to Circle Economy, the creators of the global Circularity Metric.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The first outcome of this collaboration—\u003Cem>Circular Montréal: Baseline Assessment\u003C/em>—sparked conversations that shaped the draft roadmap later submitted for public consultation. And yet, it was not enough. Now that it knew its position, the City needed to understand how to move forward strategically, ensuring every action hit the mark.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>That's how the \u003Cem>Circularity Gap Report Montréal\u003C/em> came to life, equipping Montréal with a set of indicators such as material and carbon footprints, as well as the share of secondary inputs in its economy. These metrics were essential for prioritising actions and estimating their impact. Crucially, the report provided the local government with a science-backed conversation starter to engage key stakeholders. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‘The process of working on the \u003Cem>CGR Montréal\u003C/em> has opened many doors’, says Natacha Beauchesne, Commissioner of Economic Development at the City of Montréal. ‘It sparked dialogue with business leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers, financial institutions, economic development partners, and other levels of government. It created a shared understanding and a sense of collective responsibility, making stakeholders more willing to commit’.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3>From roadmap to real-world change\u003C/h3>\u003Cp>In May 2024, Montréal adopted its first \u003Cem>Circular Economy Roadmap\u003C/em>, with targets based on the insights from the \u003Cem>CGR Montréal\u003C/em>. A year later, a three-year action plan followed, supporting the strategy with concrete actions. It included 20 major actions and CA$7 million in municipal investment with strong leverage effects.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Beauchesne is quick to emphasise that Montréal acts in parallel with planning, not after it. Some programmes in the action plan are a continuation of earlier efforts, for example, support for industrial symbiosis, which has helped over 3,000 SMEs, diverted 5,000 tonnes of materials from landfill, avoided 6,000 tonnes of GHG emissions, and generated CA$12 million in savings and new revenues. However, the plan also includes some unprecedented measures, such as a partnership with a private investment fund and a government agency for Canada’s first circular economy investment fund, as well as new programmes to help businesses transition to circular models. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‘Circularity is no longer just a municipal plan—it’s a movement’, Beauchesne points out. “The roadmap provided the vision. The action plan is delivering results—and fast. We don’t just talk about circularity. We fund it, scale it, and celebrate it”.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Montréal’s Circular Economy Roadmap\u003C/em> is just shy of its second anniversary, but the changes it has brought are already visible. A new 10,000-square-foot store now sells second-hand construction materials (\u003Ca href=\"https://recocentre.ca/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=11358200856&gbraid=0AAAAAB_99wKsZ7ZnC83BLeIH5GF86yp9d&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI36LTyOH-kQMV4FR_AB1CUjvUEAAYASAAEgLAMvD_BwE\">RECO\u003C/a>), and more than 40 businesses are advancing circular agriculture through a unique local hub (\u003Ca href=\"https://centrale.coop/\">La Centrale agricole\u003C/a>). City representatives also point to \u003Cem>Renaissance\u003C/em>, a social enterprise operating second-hand clothing stores that is exploring the possibility of building Montréal’s first textile recycling facility. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3>A lifestyle shift in motion\u003C/h3>\u003Cp>Leading a circular lifestyle in Montréal is still challenging, but it’s getting easier every year. Public libraries now lend not only books, but also musical instruments, sports equipment, and games. Sharing platforms are gaining popularity, enabling neighbours to borrow instead of buying. Repair cafés and second-hand marketplaces are on the rise, while circular retail streets and new collaborative initiatives are taking shape.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>According to City representatives, the main challenge today is not a lack of solutions, but making them visible and accessible. Circular initiatives are emerging so quickly that not all residents are aware of them. Raising awareness of circular options is therefore the municipality’s next priority—and this is where the \u003Cem>Circularity Gap Report\u003C/em> can help spark yet another conversation, this time with all residents of Montréal.\u003C/p>","It sounds almost like a fairy tale—one key that can open many doors. Yet this has become a reality for the city of Montréal, Canada, which found the Circularity Gap Report Montréal to be just such a key. Yet there is no magic in it—only science.",[],[],{"id":1256,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1257,"updated_at":1258,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1259,"contents":1261,"contributors":1269,"image":17},"ORkw","2023-07-24T11:06:50.000Z","2024-02-23T15:57:37.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1260},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1262],{"id":1263,"score":12,"body":1264,"status":111,"article_id":1256,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1258,"published_at":112},"4ucF",{"image":1265,"title":1266,"content":1267,"summary":16,"attachment":1268,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380847773-_FS9b1k6.jpg","The missing links in Ireland’s agrifood policy","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">This article was originally published by \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://apolitical.co/solution-articles/en/the-missing-links-in-irelands-agrifood-policy\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Apolitical\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">The Irish government is taking steps towards a more sustainable agrifood sector with the roll-out of plans and roadmaps to cut nutrient pollution, decrease fertiliser use, increase afforestation and protect biodiversity, among other aims. Irish policy is tackling the fork as well as the farm, with bold targets to halve food waste, for example. But are current ambitions enough to support the country’s broader environmental goals? Not entirely, according to research from impact organisation Circle Economy, featured in a new EIT Climate-KIC report*. \u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">To meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and halt biodiversity loss worldwide, we need to overhaul our food systems: the way we produce and consume food is causing us to barrel past several of our planet’s vital limits while contributing to one-third of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. For Ireland—two-thirds of which is covered by farmland—these concerns are central as pressure mounts to meet net-zero targets. Farming has long been a backbone of the Irish economy: as the country’s \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.ifa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IFA-Irish-Farmings-Its-Green-Credentials.pdf\">largest indigenous sector\u003C/a>, it’s historically had a critical impact on employment and the economy alike—and has even been hailed for certain sustainability credentials. But to avoid a case of ‘too little, too late’, change is needed to reshape the sector for the better.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Traditionally livestock-intensive, cattle and sheep play a pivotal role in Irish agriculture; \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.teagasc.ie/environment/climate-change--air-quality/methane/\">two-thirds (68%)\u003C/a> of the GHG emissions produced by the sector are methane emissions associated with ruminant livestock. The vast majority of the land is managed intensively, harming soil health and generating long-term impacts like reduced yields, decreased resilience to climate change and biodiversity loss. Grazing’s prevalence also means that forest cover is relatively low, claiming just over one-tenth of the country’s land. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Aiming to become a \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c73a3-food-vision-2030-a-world-leader-in-sustainable-food-systems/#food-vision-2030\">world leader\u003C/a> in sustainable food systems by 2030, Ireland has rolled out numerous ambitious targets to cut nutrient pollution, decrease fertiliser use, increase afforestation, protect biodiversity and halve food waste. The targets are in place: \u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/6223e-climate-action-plan-2021/\">halving nutrient losses from agriculture to water\u003C/a>; \u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/6223e-climate-action-plan-2021/\">halving nitrous oxide emissions associated with chemical fertiliser use\u003C/a>; \u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/07fbe-ag-climatise-a-roadmap-towards-climate-neutrality/\">reducing biogenic methane by at least 10%\u003C/a>; \u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/6223e-climate-action-plan-2021/\">increasing afforestation levels\u003C/a>; \u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/07fbe-ag-climatise-a-roadmap-towards-climate-neutrality/\">having at least 7.5% of Ireland’s agricultural area farmed organically\u003C/a>; \u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/4221c-waste-action-plan-for-a-circular-economy/\">ensuring that all plastic packaging is reusable or recyclable\u003C/a>; and \u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/824c3-national-food-waste-prevention-roadmap-2023-2025/\">halving the levels of food waste per person\u003C/a>. \u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">But how are these to be achieved?\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Building a better food system through the circular economy\u003C/strong> \u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">By producing food regeneratively, designing out and making the most of ‘waste’, and promoting healthy diets for people and the planet, circular economy solutions have the power to transform Ireland’s agrifood sector for the better, according to new research by Circle Economy in a \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.climate-kic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/EIT-Climate-KIC_Report_Dealing-with-climate-change-and-sustainability-targets.pdf\">recent EIT Climate-KIC report\u003C/a>. The analysis uncovers five crucial gaps in current policy—and provides recommendations for practical actions with significant impact. \u003Cstrong id=\"\">‍\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">1. Farm for the future by increasing focus on regenerative agriculture and organic farming \u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Governments Europe-wide are increasingly framing sustainability solutions around technologies that may improve efficiency, but often do little to dislodge entrenched modes of production and consumption. Ireland is no different, with plans to cut emissions in the agrifood sector centering on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/6223e-climate-action-plan-2021/\">improvements to livestock feed and modifications to synthetic nitrogen fertilisers\u003C/a>, for example. While efforts are being made to soak up the sector’s excess carbon through afforestation and peatland restoration—both with huge carbon sequestration potential—more regenerative practices that inherently cut emissions are relatively underexplored. Organic agriculture represents just \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Organic_farming_statistics#Total_organic_area\">2% of total farmed land\u003C/a>, for example—and plans to boost this figure to 7.5%  would still leave Ireland trailing behind other EU countries, with an average of \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Organic_farming_statistics#Total_organic_area\">9%\u003C/a>. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">A regenerative Irish agricultural sector could mean scaling the use of natural fertilisers—manure and compost, for example—and natural livestock feed. Silvopasture, which integrates livestock, fodder, crops and trees within a single farm, and rotational grazing offer opportunities to do so. Scaling back the use of artificial fertilisers can cut emissions from their production and transport, improve water and air quality by reducing nitrous oxide and ammonia emissions, nourish soils and boost biodiversity. Healthy soil is a cornerstone of productive agriculture: it’s time to farm in its favour. \u003Cstrong id=\"\">‍\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">2. Learn from other countries cutting their livestock numbers \u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Livestock is the largest source of the agrifood sector’s emissions, racking up a staggering 68% of the sector's GHG emissions in Ireland alone. Can Ireland maintain its current livestock levels whilst meeting environmental goals, or should it begin rethinking its relationship with livestock farming?\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Efforts to maintain current livestock numbers while working towards a range of connected environmental goals only serve to highlight the limitations of a sole focus on new technology and improved management practices. Improved livestock feed \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1462901109000173\">can successfully reduce methane emissions, for example, but likely not at the scale needed to bring true impact\u003C/a>. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Although controversial, nearby agrifood giant the Netherlands is already paving the way. It has announced plans to \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-12/dutch-no-longer-want-to-be-one-of-world-s-top-agro-exporters\">let go of its role as one of the world’s largest agrifood products exporters\u003C/a> and buy out thousands of farms to cut livestock numbers by half, following warnings from the country’s environmental assessment agency that such measures are crucial to meeting climate targets. ‘It will be all eyes on the Netherlands to learn from this transition’, said Dr. Helen Harwatt to \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/16/netherlands-european-union-regulations-livestock\">The Guardian\u003C/a>. If Ireland is to follow suit, farmers must be involved in government decision-making every step of the way, and ensuring their livelihoods are protected must be at the heart of the transition to a more circular food system.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-center\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"center\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Livestock numbers must shrink to reach crucial climate numbers\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/64be5c258195e23460c97144_rne5Rp_WLZLPtcQmJ5ARJvrKTR6JAg-OEsI4fbDWQ7N2pfZyZStaou0uxwTjLievo6S3WIBPRbDaFz44hp07M65bzC-rQYfgXuJeltD3uuPwU9Y6fGAwlC36msb7lyIvPfWHZ75E_xIHzNAAaA2mTg.jpeg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Livestock numbers must shrink to reach crucial climate numbers. Photo by\u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@askkell?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\">\u003Cem id=\"\"> Andy Kelly\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\"> on\u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/s/photos/livestock?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\">\u003Cem id=\"\"> Unsplash\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">.\u003C/em>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">3. Base low-impact diets on plant-based protein and fewer processed foods \u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">To nudge behavioural change for Irish residents’ food choices, the government has laid out ambitious diet-centred strategies that target food safety and health—yet environmental concerns are underrepresented. Targets centre on integrating food policies with health policies, creating national food, health and nutrition initiatives, and bolstering consumer trust by providing information on food safety, animal welfare and ethical food production. A focus on low-impact diets that incorporate more vegetables, fruits, whole grains and plant-based proteins could further push Irish agrifood policy in the right direction. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)31788-4/fulltext\">Sustainable diets are shown to be also healthy\u003C/a>: one does not have to come at the expense of the other. Awareness-raising activities that tackle the public perception of plant-based diets, promote local consumption where possible, and put health at the forefront by advocating for less processed food options may be considered. \u003Cstrong id=\"\">‍\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">4. Waste not, want not: design waste out of food and packaging\u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Ireland’s \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/824c3-national-food-waste-prevention-roadmap-2023-2025/\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Food Waste Prevention Roadmap\u003C/em>\u003C/a> sets out targets to prevent avoidable food waste, recycle unavoidable food waste and cut food packaging waste. But while an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, the roadmap doesn’t only focus on just that: while measures to prevent food waste are in place, for food packaging, end-of-life solutions take precedence. Targets for recycling capacity are overtaking the use of renewable, bio-based materials and slowing the flow of packaging through reuse initiatives. Less attention is given, as for now, to reducing the sheer volume of resources employed in packaging production—even if the government has identified packaging as an area to consider further. \u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-center\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"center\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Waste prevention measures are still needed, in addition to end-of-the-pipe solutions.\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/64be5c24944bffa2ed420bf4__c1u7zh0v4DIvPNPIPC0d8tfQd_ppfsWfSl7_0X9xFozRpBqBznoXacyw1mcqcsb70ayOeRVdi2bZi3rZKNz9kBX1m_tGW8krWxDeuWsPTVmUsjaaSMC_33rLDq3DvqMvlzfsRLhq12zfRztUHl8Tg.jpeg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Waste prevention measures are still needed, in addition to end-of-the-pipe solutions. Photo by\u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@filmbetrachterin?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\">\u003Cem id=\"\"> Jas Min\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\"> on\u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/s/photos/food-waste?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\">\u003Cem id=\"\"> Unsplash\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">.\u003C/em>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">Here, collaboration is key: policymakers may take a system perspective that supports various actors along the value chain and encourages cooperation between stakeholders: for example, industrial symbiosis (where material scraps and waste from one production system become a resource for another) and the ‘bundle of buyers approach’ (where small suppliers come together to gain better access to the market and deliver products in greater amounts). Cutting down on food waste while ensuring packaging is reusable, recyclable, and bio-based must be a priority for the government.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">To truly transform Irish agrifood, tackle root causes \u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The common denominator across Ireland’s agrifood policy? A predominant focus on the impact of activities’ output, with less attention afforded to the source of the impact—the root causes. This hints at an opportunity: by embracing circular economy strategies, Ireland can bridge its missing link to tackle multiple planetary crises and become the true leader in sustainable agriculture that it aims to. Sustainable agrifood requires a systems perspective above all else—and it’s time to make this shift. In the case of Ireland, taking a systems perspective needs to consider the role of meat in Irish culture, striking a balance between consuming less and supporting farms and rural communities. Across the globe, food systems need a fix that embraces circular strategies, draws on local knowledge and puts social justice at the heart of the transition. Ireland has the potential to lead the way.\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Learn more\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">About Circle Economy\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circle Economy works with stakeholders across the public, private and third sectors to build circular food systems that are regenerative, fair and resilient. Using an impartial, data-driven approach, we work with partners to identify key circular interventions for food systems transformation, evaluate their socio-economic and environmental impacts, while building local capacity for implementation. Learn more \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"/food\">here\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">About the EIT Climate-KIC Deep Demonstration programme\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine of Ireland has partnered with EIT Climate-KIC to support national climate action in the agriculture and food sector. The strategic partnership with EIT Climate-KIC was announced by Ministers McConalogue and Heydon on the 30th March 2022, and is supporting the country’s mission to reach climate neutrality by 2050. Building on EIT Climate-KIC’s Deep Demonstration methodology, the partnership is developing a portfolio of innovation actions across the entire value chain, from soil to farm to fork.  \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">*Circle Economy contributed research to the initial stages of this partnership. Learn more \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.climate-kic.org/sustainablefoodireland/\">\u003Cem id=\"\">here\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">.\u003C/em>\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":1271,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1272,"updated_at":1273,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1274,"contents":1276,"contributors":1284,"image":17},"gHJq","2023-07-26T12:35:10.000Z","2024-02-23T15:56:27.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1275},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1277],{"id":1278,"score":12,"body":1279,"status":111,"article_id":1271,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1273,"published_at":112},"9zR3",{"image":1280,"title":1281,"content":1282,"summary":16,"attachment":1283,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380850716-CPSwghBY.jpg","The next generation of green tech won’t just be electric, it will be circular: Insights from a CEO ","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">This article was originally published by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://illuminem.com/illuminemvoices/the-future-of-green-tech-is-more-than-electric-its-circular-insights-from-a-ceo\">Illuminem\u003C/a>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">Today, as we are faced with the ever-growing threat of the climate crisis, many consumers associate ‘going green’ with buying a Prius or a Tesla, their climate anxiety making the demand for electric vehicles skyrocket. However, if the solution to the climate crisis was simply buying a new car, it wouldn’t really be a \u003Cem id=\"\">crisis\u003C/em>, would it? Still, the green tech industry is a multi-billion dollar market and is projected to grow rapidly in the coming years with the global electric vehicle market alone \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/electric-vehicle-market-101678\">expected to grow\u003C/a> to US $1,318.22 billion by 2028. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">While electric cars may be \u003Cem id=\"\">en vogue\u003C/em>, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2023\">studies\u003C/a> show that 70% of greenhouse gas emissions are in fact the result of material handling and use—not transportation and energy. A ‘circular economy’ is widely considered a key approach to reducing the material use that causes these carbon emissions. Yet, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.verdantix.com/insights/blogs/circular-economy-digital-solutions-to-exceed-1.6-billion-dollars-by-2027#:~:text=Verdantix%20research%20finds%20that%20the,at%20a%20CAGR%20of%2027%25.\">Verdantix\u003C/a> reported that the circular economy digital solutions market was only worth around US $468 million in 2021. One would assume that securing funding for circular tech—which aims to keep material resources in the value chain for as long as possible—would be a no-brainer. But in the grand scheme of green technology, circular economy businesses are struggling to rise to the top. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Why is the circular industry lagging behind other sustainable tech markets? To get to the bottom of this glaring disparity, I sat down with serial entrepreneur and CEO of the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/\">Circle Economy Foundation\u003C/a>, Martijn Lopes Cardozo, in Amsterdam. Along with founding multiple tech start-ups himself, Cardozo spent around ten years mentoring upwards of 200 cleantech start-ups and scale-ups. Needless to say, he knows a thing or two about what makes a circular business work and, maybe more importantly, not work. \u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:2016px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"2016px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Martijn Lopes Cardozo launching the Circularity Gap Report 2023 at the World Economic Forum\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/64c111f2e3d34ba6cd8b18d3_1674061763646.jpeg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Martijn Lopes Cardozo launching the Circularity Gap Report 2023 at the World Economic Forum\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‘If you want to do something quite radically different’, asserts Cardozo, ‘then circular economy is quite radical’. In a fundamentally linear system, one built on a take-make-waste model, circular ventures come with inherent risk. However, if we don’t make some big changes fast, the future of human life on Earth is at risk—a gamble many are not willing to make. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Cardozo learned about the risks of circular tech start-ups the hard way when his business \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://blackbearcarbon.com/\">Black Bear Carbon\u003C/a> went up in flames—literally. The venture developed technology to extract carbon black from old tyres for reuse in new products, and after nearly 10 years of development, an oil leak caused their first factory to burn to the ground. ‘\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">'I think we had underestimated what it takes to build a reliable production system using quite new technology. And if you look at how a lot of technology develops—the windmills we see now offshore are the 10th or 11th generation windmills…The challenge here is that you typically don't have the luxury to go through all these different iterations as a startup.’ \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">When it comes to climate change, time is certainly of the essence. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/\">latest report\u003C/a> from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns that Earth will surpass the 1.5-degree threshold outlined by the Paris Agreement in the next decade. The circular economy is highlighted in the report as a key solution to the climate crisis. With the evidence base for circularity ever-expanding, the question remains why circular tech ventures struggle to really take off. \u003C/p>\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">‘I think for these massive transitions you need quite long and patient capital, but generally, investors are more interested in something that has very low capital cost, like an internet intervention. Whereas for more the deep tech and infrastructure plays, it's very hard. Even Tesla went bankrupt a couple of times…In general, I think there’s a role for industry and there's a role for government to enable that [circular transition] because otherwise, the change will not go fast enough’.\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">According to Cardozo, there are several obstacles facing circular tech ventures from policy to consumer experience. First things first, he says ‘I think the trick is: how can you leverage the existing [linear] system as much as possible to de-risk your venture, and then focus on risks in areas that you can really control’ and, time willing, ‘the more you can de-risk and test before you're at scale is of course extremely valuable’. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In terms of legislation, Cardozo defers to the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ex-tax.com/\">Ex’Tax Movement\u003C/a> which aims to tax pollution, not labour. ‘I think one of the areas on the policy side is the pricing of materials versus labour. Typically if you do something on the material side, it tends to be quite labour-intensive. And if you're competing against very cheap virgin alternatives, it's harder to compete because there is a lot of tax on labour.’ \u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:5366px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"5366px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Swapfiets is an example of a circular business model\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/64c10e7f84e339a08b08c648_ernest-ojeh-NIJYF2FU-iQ-unsplash.jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Swapfiets is an example of a circular business model. Photo by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@namzo?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\">Ernest Ojeh\u003C/a> on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/NIJYF2FU-iQ?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\">Unsplash\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Finally, Cardozo argues that the key for circular businesses to truly succeed is customer-centric thinking. ‘You really have to create a good value proposition that goes beyond just being ‘green’. So ideally, you have a superior end-user or business-user experience. A great example would be \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://swapfiets.nl/\">Swapfiets\u003C/a>, right? A lot of people like that experience more than buying their own bikes. So they're basically combining a circular, product-as-a-service model with a superior consumer experience. And I think that's very powerful’.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As we look towards the future, in the midst of what has been called ‘the greatest threat facing humanity today’, it’s easy to lose hope. But solutions to the climate crisis abound, and many of them involve taking advantage of technology. Cardozo argues that certain circular trends will emerge in the coming years, and considering that food systems and construction contribute the most globally to greenhouse gas emissions, Cardozo sees the future of green tech in these industries. ‘One way to think about the future is in terms of where, potentially, the biggest impact is, right? So you can look to big interventions in the built environment and in the food system, which is partially already underway’. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Cardozo points to new trends in what people eat. ‘Big interventions in the food system in terms of new sources of protein is a theme.’ One example comes from Thai start-up \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://knowledge-hub.circle-lab.com/article/22886?n=Global-Bugs-harvest-crickets-for-protein-rich-superfood\">Global Bugs\u003C/a>, which has harnessed the unexpected power of crickets into a new superfood. In terms of construction and buildings, Cardozo goes on: \u003C/p>\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">‘I would call a trend ‘productisation of buildings’...I think in the future there will be much more productised, modular components that can be reused or 3D printed in advance.’ \u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">A British start-up, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://knowledge-hub.circle-lab.com/article/22945?n=Circular-construction-ecosystems-TopHat-and-modular-construction--\">TopHat\u003C/a>, is already providing modular construction services in the UK, with firms all over the world following suit. These are just a few cases from the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2023\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report 2023\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\"> \u003C/em>which found that the world is only 7.2% circular—proving that now, more than ever, we need to advance circular tech. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">At the end of our conversation, I asked Cardozo what advice he had for entrepreneurs in the world of circularity. His answer: collaborate. ‘Entrepreneurship is a mindset and I think you can apply that mindset to different things. I think bringing in different perspectives—people coming more from the government side, people coming more from thought leadership—and sort of bringing those worlds together. That's where you can achieve a lot of progress’. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Collaboration doesn’t always come naturally to our linear world that worships competition. But in the race against the clock of climate change, collaboration must usurp competition as our \u003Cem id=\"\">modus operandi\u003C/em>. So next time you’re thinking of ways to ‘go green’, put down the car keys and ‘go circular’ instead. As Cordozo aptly put it: ‘If you want to do something quite radically different, then circular economy is quite radical’.\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":1286,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1287,"updated_at":1288,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1289,"contents":1291,"contributors":1300,"image":17},"ZhIS","2023-10-16T14:26:28.000Z","2024-02-23T15:47:01.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1290},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1292],{"id":1293,"score":12,"body":1294,"status":111,"article_id":1286,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1288,"published_at":112},"5z5K",{"image":1295,"title":1296,"content":1297,"summary":1298,"attachment":1299,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380851843-z1x8jQZu.jpg","The number one HR director for sustainability in the Netherlands sees the need for the ‘People & culture’ trend","\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/heleencocu/\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Heleen Cocu-Wassink\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">, HR Director at Alliander, was recently declared the \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://hrtop100.nl/\">\u003Cem id=\"\">HR professional of the year\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\"> in the field of sustainability. Circle Economy's Digital Product Manager Thijs Struijk interviewed her regarding the HR and Sustainability Manifesto campaign.\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">So, Heleen, you're the first HR professional to win this award. It must be quite an honour!\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Absolutely! It's great that our role as HR professionals in sustainable transitions is highlighted and acknowledged. Apparently, people notice that you say what you mean and mean what you say. On the other hand, it's a public award, and I have a vast network, which gives me an edge. Many others are also doing well. There's now a platform to speak and shout to bring more attention to the subject. That's why I'm happy to participate in this interview.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Does such an award directly affect your work?\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Definitely, it helps position the energy transition and a company like Alliander. People are increasingly looking for meaningful work. This establishes a beautiful connection between sustainability and employment. We can leverage this in the search for the right people.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">What's also nice to see is a kind of pride within my own department. It's not just appreciation for me but for all my colleagues who strive to incorporate sustainability in the HR field. One colleague said, ‘I walk a little taller now’, which brings me joy.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Be honest: is sustainability just a nice thing for you, or is it deeply rooted in you?\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Subconsciously, it has always been a thing for me. You could say I was born with it, especially because of my mother, who was already into sustainability at a young age. She would bring her own bread bag to the baker and also carry a plastic bag to pick up litter when walking the dog. I was also a part of the scouts, where nature conservation was a key activity.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1810px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1810px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/652d4a3383177df06c86a901_Screenshot%202023-10-16%20at%2016.35.12.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/heleencocu/\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Heleen Cocu-Wassink\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">, HR Director at Alliander\u003C/em>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">My moment of realisation came when I worked in Australia during rampant forest fires. I saw the impact on the lives of my friends and acquaintances. It made the consequences of climate change very personal.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">So, we're dealing with an intrinsically motivated HR professional. Nice! Can you talk more about your motivation to work in HR?\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">I can trace it back to lessons learned in the scouts. There, you take care of the youngest ones. Young children are entrusted to your care. This was very valuable to me. Additionally, I tutored and later taught sailing lessons. Ultimately, I became a rowing coach. So, in many ways, I've always been about developing others and maximising the potential of individuals and teams.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">From rowing coach to...\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">After my studies, I joined HayGroup. Their motto resonated with me: people before strategy. We worked at the intersection of people, organisation and transformation, with the main question being: How do you make organisations fit for people? I worked there for nearly 20 years and thoroughly enjoyed it.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">However, eventually, I wanted to get hands-on with organisational changes. So, in 2017, I returned to the Netherlands and joined ASML as the Global Head of People and Organisational Development. Unfortunately, I couldn't really connect with my passion for sustainability there. But now, at Alliander, I'm combining my passions! My biggest challenge is leveraging the organisation's potential for transformative processes. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Is it working out?\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Most colleagues focus on the existing policy and its consistent application. Even HR business partners, though this is changing, are mainly strategy-focused within the current paradigm. This implies that in many organisations, HR business partners don't fully embrace the core principles of business. It's not necessarily different at Alliander.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">But that means you're kind of stuck in the status quo. You must've found a workaround.\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">In a way, you're bound by existing policies. The primary role of HR is to maintain order within the structured policy. That's why at Alliander, we have a two-track policy for HR: Running and Changing.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‘Running’ means keeping the house in order within the existing paradigm. ‘Changing’ explores different approaches. For example, how do we address the labour capacity issue in our sector, both in numbers and skills, to facilitate a paradigm shift?\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">The word 'paradigm' has come up a few times. What do you mean by that?\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">For me, it's 'the existing' or the current way of thinking.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">How do you see HR's changing role?\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">We aim for an inclusive, learning and high-performing organisation—a place where people want to work while contributing to societal changes. This requires a large influx of new people. Meanwhile, we need to focus on behaviour change and upgrading the skills of our current employees. That means allowing experimentation to transform the organisation and the sector.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">But how do you change the sector while ensuring safety? You can't risk the safety of working on the electricity and gas network. One mistake and things could go up in flames or explode.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Through HR policies, you can guide people's behaviour. If your strategy is based on sustainability, you can influence actions by focusing on the right KPIs. HR can also facilitate. A good example is a job-matching platform developed to promote professional mobility. It matches based on skills, not just knowledge. This helps attract the right talent to the sector.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">How far along are you in the transition?\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">We're at the tail and left hind leg of the elephant. It's not very far, but it's a significant start. We're collaborating with sustainability managers.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">At Alliander, we have a strong Learning and Development department and a corporate school. They're mainly focused on ‘Running’, but they're also pivotal for ‘Changing’. The question we can try to answer is: How do we foster a learning culture that contributes to the sustainable change we're seeking?\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Your organisation's change capacity is equivalent to your employees' learning capacity. This precedes the uptake of new knowledge and skills.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">That's a profound thought, Heleen. It affirms our belief that learning is crucial in transitions, and HR plays a central role. Now the big question: How do we engage HR in societal change? Any tips for your HR peers venturing into sustainability?\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Everyone's journey is personal. Start with your own concerns and delve into broader prosperity and sustainability. Consider how your organisation can contribute. Find allies, form partnerships and connect with peers, like the CSR or sustainability manager.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">If you can't channel your concerns into action, take the drastic step: leave. It sends a signal not just to your employer but to the market. If that's too big a leap, focus on expanding your circle of influence.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Anything practical?\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Start with policy areas where you can make choices, like employment conditions. Make them greener, such as your mobility policy. It's a positive signal that benefits employees and helps attract better talent. It's a small step, but it's about setting things in motion.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Do you also have a success story for your HR colleagues for inspiration?\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Together with communications, we have set up an internal campaign. That was not specifically about sustainability at all. It was actually an encouragement campaign to show the successful small steps that everyone makes every day. The campaign puts an end to the idea that you, as an individual, do not really make a difference.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The campaign, called #cando, challenges people to come up with their own examples. We have depicted these 'small' examples. By bringing them together, you see that we are starting a movement together. And that gives energy and removes the myth that innovation should be something very big and compelling.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Every little bit helps and adds up to something big. We just have to start—take the first step—even if you don't know yet what the second will be. You will discover that for yourself!\u003C/p>","Heleen Cocu-Wassink, HR Director at Alliander, was recently declared the HR professional of the year in the field of sustainability. We interviewed her regarding the HR and Sustainability Manifesto campaign.",[],[],{"id":1302,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1303,"updated_at":1304,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1305,"contents":1307,"contributors":1316,"image":17},"LO-d","2025-01-20T11:14:53.000Z","2025-01-20T11:15:59.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1306},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1308],{"id":1309,"score":12,"body":1310,"status":111,"article_id":1302,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1304,"published_at":1315},"xS-J",{"image":1311,"title":1312,"content":1313,"summary":16,"attachment":1314,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380853158-DM565LcD.jpg","Three circular economy regulations businesses can’t ignore in 2025","\u003Cp id=\"\">The European Union is gearing up for a momentous year in its journey towards a circular economy. In 2025, several long-awaited regulations will bear their first fruit, marking a major shift in the existing regulatory framework. While some will deliver immediate results, others will shape the playing field in the years ahead. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">And it is just about time. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">According to the \u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report 2024,\u003C/em> the global circularity\u003Cstrong id=\"\"> \u003C/strong>rate has dropped to an all-time low of\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2024\"> 7.2%\u003C/a>. One major contributor to this decline is outdated legislation that continues to support the linear economy. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">But there’s hope. By reimagining these regulatory frameworks, the European Union can foster an economic landscape for circular business models to flourish. Tried and tested in the EU, these initiatives can serve as blueprints for other regions, creating a truly global impact. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Here are three circular economy regulations set to redefine the business landscape in 2025—and why they matter. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">1. The EU Circular Economy Act\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">This year, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://commission.europa.eu/document/10a1fd18-2f1b-4363-828e-bb72851ffce1_en\">one of the top priorities\u003C/a> of Jessika Roswall, the EU’s new Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, will be the development of a new Circular Economy Act.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The EU Circular Economy Act will aim to promote recycling, reduce waste and improve resource efficiency—building upon the EU's earlier efforts, such as the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/circular-economy-action-plan_en\">2020 Circular Economy Action Plan\u003C/a>. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has emphasised the importance of creating market demand for secondary materials and establishing a single market for waste, especially for \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/raw-materials/areas-specific-interest/critical-raw-materials_en\">critical raw materials\u003C/a> like copper and lithium. The act will also work to harmonise and streamline circular economy policies across Member States, allowing \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/blog/cities-must-step-up-to-rescue-circular-economy-innovations\">circular innovations \u003C/a>to reach beyond the confines of their home countries. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Although specific details about the Circular Economy Act remain scarce, more information will become available in 2025. As the new legislation takes shape, this marks a crucial moment for businesses to act. Companies that adapt now will stay ahead of the curve—complying with future regulations while gaining a competitive edge. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Key steps include increasing the use of secondary materials in production, exploring circular business models like \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/product-as-a-service-question-kit\">Product-as-a-Service (PaaS)\u003C/a>, and preparing for potential \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/blog/extended-producer-responsibility-isnt-enough-to-tackle-the-global-fashion-waste-mountain-heres-why\">Extended Producer Responsibility\u003C/a> (EPR) schemes. These proactive measures can position businesses to thrive in a more circular and sustainable economy. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">2. The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">In 2025, the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://commission.europa.eu/energy-climate-change-environment/standards-tools-and-labels/products-labelling-rules-and-requirements/ecodesign-sustainable-products-regulation_en\">Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)\u003C/a> will take centre stage as a key initiative in the EU's sustainability agenda. This ambitious regulation aims to set standards for the environmental performance of products throughout their entire life cycle—from design to disposal.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Formally adopted in 2024, the ESPR \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://green-business.ec.europa.eu/implementing-ecodesign-sustainable-products-regulation_en\">will receive its first major update in 2025\u003C/a> with the introduction of the first Working Plan. This plan will provide a list of products subject to ecodesign requirements. These will likely\u003Cstrong id=\"\"> \u003C/strong>include metals, textiles, furniture, tyres, detergents, paints, solar panels, smartphones and other electronics. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">A key component of the ESPR is the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://data.europa.eu/en/news-events/news/eus-digital-product-passport-advancing-transparency-and-sustainability\">Digital Product Passport (DPP)\u003C/a>\u003Cstrong id=\"\">,\u003C/strong> a tool designed to enhance product transparency. DPPs provide detailed information about products, including the materials they are made from and the associated environmental impacts across the entire supply chain. Initially applied to products listed in the first Working Plan, DPPs will eventually be extended to other product categories, expanding their impact over time.  For businesses, DPPs will improve circularity by facilitating repair and resale services. Meanwhile, consumers will gain the insights necessary to make informed decisions about products that land in their shopping carts. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As a framework regulation, the ESPR will continue to evolve until 2030, gradually encompassing more products under its eco-design rules. Companies that adapt early—by preparing for DPP requirements and aligning with circular practices—will be well-positioned to thrive in this new era of sustainable production.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">3. The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://finance.ec.europa.eu/capital-markets-union-and-financial-markets/company-reporting-and-auditing/company-reporting/corporate-sustainability-reporting_en\">Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)\u003C/a> will be a pivotal initiative in 2025. This directive mandates businesses to identify circular economy-related risks and opportunities, develop strategies, establish performance metrics, and implement data collection systems to track performance. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">This year, approximately 11,000 large companies will report on their circular economy performance for the first time, based on data collected in 2024. Additionally, the CSRD’s reporting requirement will be expanded to include other large companies that \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://kpmg.com/nl/en/home/topics/environmental-social-governance/corporate-sustainability-reporting-directive.html\">meet specific criteria\u003C/a>, which must start collecting data for reporting the following year. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) might not face reporting obligations until 2027, but they shouldn't take this as an excuse to relax. \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/leveraging-corporate-sustainability-reporting-for-circular-transformation\">Setting up the necessary data-collection infrastructure\u003C/a> takes time. For SMEs, 2025 offers the perfect opportunity to examine their supply chains and pinpoint data gaps, thus future-proofing their operations. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">While the CSRD focuses on transparency rather than mandating action, it’s a crucial first step towards ‘greening’ corporate practices. By gathering and sharing information on their circular economy performance, companies can identify areas for improvement,  enhance resource efficiency, and build trust among increasingly environmentally conscious consumers and investors. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Other key initiatives to watch in 2025\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">In addition to these major legislative efforts, 2025 will see a wide range of smaller yet equally important circular economy and sustainability initiatives on the agendas of European policymakers. These initiatives are set to address critical issues such as greenwashing, packaging waste, and resource efficiency.  \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Here are three more initiatives to keep an eye on:\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2023)753958\">EU Green Claims Directive\u003C/a>: This directive aims to prevent greenwashing and ensure accurate environmental claims on products. \u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and-recycling/packaging-waste_en\">Revision of EU Legislation on Packaging and Packaging Waste\u003C/a>: The revised rules will ensure all packaging on the EU market is reusable or recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030. \u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/06/17/waste-framework-directive-council-set-to-start-talks-on-its-revision/\">Waste Reduction Targets\u003C/a>: A targeted revision of the waste framework directive will focus on reducing waste in key areas, including food and textiles.\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">While these new policies can accelerate Europe’s green transition, their success hinges on participation from businesses and consumers alike. European policymakers may set the rules, but achieving true impact requires collective action.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As these initiatives continue to take shape in the coming year, businesses that proactively tackle the new rules will not only ensure compliance but position themselves as leaders in circularity. In Europe’s transition to a circular economy, the goal is clear—and together, we can win the game. \u003C/p>",[],"2025-01-20T11:16:01.000Z",[],{"id":1318,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1319,"updated_at":1320,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1321,"contents":1323,"contributors":1331,"image":17},"R7V7","2023-04-17T10:55:05.000Z","2024-02-23T16:15:20.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1322},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1324],{"id":1325,"score":12,"body":1326,"status":111,"article_id":1318,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1320,"published_at":112},"6XHd",{"image":1327,"title":1328,"content":1329,"summary":16,"attachment":1330,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380854941-8hhD2Hty.jpeg","Three ways sustainability policy isn’t serving the SDGs","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">This article was first published by the \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://sdg.iisd.org/commentary/guest-articles/three-ways-sustainability-policy-isnt-serving-the-sdgs-and-how-it-could/\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cem id=\"\">SDG Knowledge Hub\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were created as a blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and planet — but policies for circular economy, especially in higher-income countries, may be forgetting about the ‘people’ part.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Shifting to a circular economy — a system where waste is eliminated, materials are reused at their highest value and natural systems are regenerated — could \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://sdg.iisd.org/commentary/guest-articles/more-than-just-sdg-12-how-circular-economy-can-bring-holistic-wellbeing/\" target=\"_blank\">support a range of SDGs\u003C/a>, from Goal 1 (no poverty) and Goal 10 (reduced inequalities) to the more obvious Goal 12 (responsible consumption and production). But it won’t be socially just by default — we need to make it so. This is according to a recent paper launched by impact organisation Circle Economy: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/thinking-beyond-borders-to-achieve-social-justice-in-a-global-circular-economy\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Thinking beyond borders to achieve social justice in a global circular economy\u003C/em>\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Without action towards a sustainable, circular economy that puts people at its heart, we run the risk of deepening inequalities both within and between countries, in the same way our dominant linear economic system has done for centuries. But if implemented well — with social considerations front of mind — the shift to a global circular economy will serve SDGs across the board.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Waste management relies on using other countries as dumping grounds\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Under current systems, well-intentioned recycling targets are doing more harm than good: higher-income nations are producing more waste than they have the capacity to deal with, and the excess is shipped — often illegally — around the globe, where it damages residents’ health, harms wildlife and pollutes nature in lower-income countries. These countries usually lack the infrastructure to process such massive quantities of waste: Indonesia, for example, burns plastic on a massive scale to ease pressures on overflowing landfills — and recently, researchers have discovered this practice’s tragic effect. Harmful chemicals contained in plastic have \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ipen.org/sites/default/files/documents/indonesia-egg-report-v1_9-web.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">contaminated local food chains\u003C/a>, exposing residents to toxins that have been linked to cancer, diabetes and immune system damage. What’s more, imported waste is tightly linked to informal work, such as waste picking: an operation that exposes workers to dangerous conditions and health risks for very little pay.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">What can we do? Higher-income countries can work to create more localised and closed-loop supply chains — encouraging responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) among local enterprises, while also improving working conditions in informal roles in waste-receiving countries (SDG 8), preventing further damage to health and well-being (SDG 3), and ensuring healthier life in water (SDG 14) and on land (SDG 15).\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">High-tech innovations aren’t one-size-fits-all\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">European governments are increasingly framing sustainability solutions around technologies that may improve efficiency but do little to challenge current modes of production and consumption. These solutions — from lab-grown meat to low-carbon jet fuel — are often complex and high-cost: they make such \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/blogs/with-a-circular-economy-we-can-bin-overconsumption-and-boost-equality\" target=\"_blank\">approaches to sustainability inaccessible\u003C/a> for both individuals in higher-income countries and lower-income countries on the whole. They also pose a number of risks: certain technologies, such as 3D printing for textiles, may displace jobs, while scaling biofuel production as a fossil fuel alternative may serve to drive up food prices, degrade land and put additional pressure on water resources.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Technologies should be used when they draw from practices that are compatible with local cultures and contexts, and enable — rather than displace — decent jobs (SDG 8) — or they run the risk of failure. In an effort to mitigate negative respiratory and environmental effects from cookstoves in rural India, for example, civil society organisations implemented new, more efficient models — but without considering the local context. Too small to fit large pieces of wood, users (mainly women) were faced with the additional task of splitting kindling prior to use — a challenge they didn’t have with traditional mud and brick stoves. But when technology considers community needs and is driven by collaboration rather than imposition, everyone can benefit. In this case, a new device, Mewar Angithi, was rolled out: costing less than one US dollar, it was able to \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://carolinecriadoperez.com/book/invisible-women/\" target=\"_blank\">cut smoke\u003C/a> levels in traditional stoves to levels comparable to those achieved by more high-tech stoves, both improving health (SDG 3) and reducing climate-warming air pollutants (SDG 13).\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1400px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1400px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Technology must consider local contexts to improve environmentally damaging devices, such as rural cookstoves\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/643d23127f41ea4469060559_image%202.jpeg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Technology must consider local contexts to improve environmentally damaging devices, such as rural cookstoves. Photo by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.pexels.com/@d-ng-nhan-324384/\">Dương Nhân\u003C/a> on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.pexels.com/photo/cooking-on-a-black-pot-using-firewood-3042373/\">Pexels\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Responsible trade practices can help limit overconsumption\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Shipping waste abroad with an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ mentality or rolling out costly technologies are makeshift solutions that don’t tackle the root of the problem — that we consume too much. But even policies that limit overconsumption could have an adverse effect on lower-income countries: cutting consumption is expected to impact the global trade of primary materials, hugely impacting workers relying on this trade.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">We mustn’t halt the trade of waste or second-hand goods in a way that’ll create income instability for workers. How? Countries need to take responsibility for their own waste (through Extended Producer Responsibility schemes, for example), avoid an abrupt halt on exports and support decent work for informal workers abroad (SDG 8).\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">How can we proceed? Decision-makers face a choice today\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The circular economy is a holistic concept: its practices extend far beyond material use, and its impacts extend beyond the environment. If approached in an integrated manner, it can help shape a just and equitable world and drive the achievement of the SDGs — but we’re not heading in this direction yet.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Decision-makers face a choice today: the way that governments, employers and workers jointly decide to implement circular strategies now will shape the futures of people in other countries as well as their own. It’s time to turn prevailing narratives on power, trade and technology on their heads. How? Find Circle Economy at a World Circular Economy Forum side event in October, where the report’s authors will discuss the way forward to shape a new circular economy that puts social justice at its core (register below).\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">Curious to learn more?\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Read the full report, \u003Cem id=\"\">Thinking beyond borders to achieve social justice in a global circular economy\u003C/em>, and download the short policy brief \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/thinking-beyond-borders-to-achieve-social-justice-in-a-global-circular-economy\" target=\"_blank\">here\u003C/a> to learn more about what you can do as an official of a government or multilateral body. Circle Economy will also be participating in a World Circular Economy Forum side event, \u003Cem id=\"\">Achieving social justice in a global circular economy\u003C/em>, on the 27th of October 2022: learn more and register \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/achieving-social-justice-in-a-global-circular-economy-tickets-408047851107\" target=\"_blank\">here\u003C/a>.\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":1333,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1334,"updated_at":1335,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1336,"contents":1338,"contributors":1346,"image":17},"aPOb","2023-05-29T11:48:45.000Z","2024-02-23T16:06:23.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1337},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1339],{"id":1340,"score":12,"body":1341,"status":111,"article_id":1333,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1335,"published_at":112},"nvQw",{"image":1342,"title":1343,"content":1344,"summary":16,"attachment":1345,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380856551-BmO5p_IZ.jpg","To build back better, we need foresight and a focus on future skills","\u003Cp id=\"\">While businesses and governments around the world seek to build back better after the covid-19 pandemic, we risk falling into the trap of short-termism if we overlook two important drivers of long-term change: workers and their skills. What is a green recovery plan worth if workers lack the skills to realise it? How can we achieve long-term prosperity if we don't prioritise the skills needed now and in the future? Now positioned as a means to build back better and mitigate unemployment, the circular economy—for example—requires different and new combinations of skills than those prioritised in the current linear model. To realise the circular transition, businesses and governments need to apply long-term thinking and make future skills an integral part of their recovery.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">The growing skills gaps in retail\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Amid social distancing and lockdowns, retailers have responded to the hurdles presented by altered consumer behaviours and state-imposed regulations. To maintain sales in the 1.5-metre society, retailers have swiftly digitised their shops, with more transactions happening through digital, touchless or self-service devices. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In the rapid automation of the retail industry, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/retail/our-insights/closing-the-skills-gap-in-retail-with-people-analytics\">gaps\u003C/a> have emerged between the skills workers have now and the skills needed to ensure business success in this altered society. In particular, the need for interpersonal and technological skills over basic cognitive skills for processes that are now becoming automatised.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:3000px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"3000px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/6474960deba0f5b34d676559_clay-banks-Ox6SW103KtM-unsplash.jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Photo by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@claybanks\">claybanks\u003C/a> on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/Ox6SW103KtM\">Unsplash\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">With their eye on stabilising revenues, many \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/retail/our-insights/closing-the-skills-gap-in-retail-with-people-analytics\">retailers have begun to invest in analytics to better understand these changing skills requirements\u003C/a>. But here lies a problem: These efforts tend to focus on the skills needed to stimulate growth under the same linear model that contributed to the large-scale environmental and social disruption we see today. If, instead, retailers—and other industries—are to build back better, they need to shift their focus from skills required for short-term revenue to those needed for a more sustainable future in the long term.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Key questions to drive this shift in thinking include what type of management and team leadership skills are needed to motivate workers in a service economy and how to ensure everyone across the business understands the inherent value of materials. In many cases, this may require more of a shift in mindsets. Indeed, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://circularity-gap.world/norway\">our research in Norway \u003C/a>found that many of the skills already present in customer-facing roles in the country's prominent retail sector could be readily applied to service models.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Priority skills: digital and transferable\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The pandemic has exposed \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://medium.com/circleeconomy/what-has-the-covid-19-pandemic-unearthed-about-the-labour-market-and-the-circular-economy-5181f70c94db\">cracks in our labour market \u003C/a>and the need to do business differently. New ways of doing business require new skills—in retail and beyond. As we build back better and pursue ambitious circular economy plans, digital and transferable skills will be needed across industries and business models.\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">First, the need for digital skills comes hand in hand with advances in technology and increasing automation. Our \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/the-future-of-work-baseline-employment-analysis-and-skills-pathways-for-the-circular-economy-in-scotland\">latest research with Zero Waste Scotland\u003C/a> found that Scotland requires a digitally-enabled workforce to achieve its circular ambitions. Particularly in the construction sector, digital skills and solutions will help to improve communication, collaboration and material efficiency.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:4000px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"4000px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/64749669c21f5b3ec26e746c_mark-potterton-sNVkn3507Oo-unsplash.jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Photo by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@markpot123\">markpot123\u003C/a> on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/sNVkn3507Oo\">Unsplash\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Second, businesses and countries are advised to invest in transferable skills that can be applied and remain relevant as sectors and business models evolve. They include, for example, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"http://trinomics.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Impacts-of-circular-economy-on-policies-on-the-labour-market.pdf\">customer service, solutions and critical thinking, problem-solving and risk assessment skills.\u003C/a> Transferable skill sets are a prerequisite for every country or business transitioning towards circularity, given the interdisciplinary nature of the circular economy. Transferable skills also contribute to resilience by enabling workers to be deployed across different tasks and value chains, ensuring a surplus in labour and skills supply. If the development of transferable skills is not supported, we risk the labour market being too slow to react, limiting the transition being achieved at scale.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">A moment of opportunity for skills redeployment\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Third, we need the foresight to look ahead 10, 20, 30+ years and put in place skills pipelines to meet the sector-specific demands we see coming down the line. This will maximise the opportunity for a smoother transition and deployment of workers and their skills.\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Consider the energy sector: At least \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://sectors.sepa.org.uk/media/1148/oil-gas_sector-plan_final_singlepage_-360916_sct0619469992.pdf\">60% of oil and gas platforms in the North Sea will be decommissioned by 2030. As a result, close to a million tonnes of materials\u003C/a> from infrastructure will be made available. This opens up a huge opportunity to grasp the varied skills-based redeployment options that come with decommissioning, reuse and alternative energy sources. \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.cesscon.com/\">CessCon Decom\u003C/a> routinely recruits workers from the oil and gas sector to help reach their reuse and recycling ambitions. Through foresight and planning, the expertise that already exists in many industries could also be redirected towards circular activities.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:3046px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"3046px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/647496e10af631b41f94dd6f_pexels-janrune-smenes-reite-3207536.jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Photo by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.pexels.com/@jan-rune-smenes-reite-221584/\">Jan-Rune Smenes Reite\u003C/a> on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.pexels.com/photo/oil-platfrom-rig-in-the-middle-of-the-ocean-3207536/\">Pexels\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">What's more, w\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoUPnZpzNOI\">orkers often have in-depth knowledge of processes, materials and their own skills and, therefore, may be best at defining the opportunities and solutions\u003C/a>. Businesses and governments should involve and listen to workers when developing industry-specific and regional reskilling, upskilling and matching programmes geared towards circularity.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">From short-termism to future skills, placing workers at the centre\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Many recovery and long-term sustainability plans currently do not consider skills requirements sufficiently. The Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) issued by the European Union earlier this year, for example, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.euractiv.com/section/circular-economy/opinion/resilience-the-missing-link-in-the-new-circular-economy-action-plan/\">lacks focus on skills transferability\u003C/a>. While addressing key elements that can increase the resilience of the labour market, such as modular learning, it does not do so in the context of the circular or green transition. ‘\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.euractiv.com/section/circular-economy/opinion/resilience-the-missing-link-in-the-new-circular-economy-action-plan/\">This means that these elements, in turn, are unlikely to be a priority in CEAP initiatives going forward—a missed opportunity’\u003C/a>, noted a Circle Economy policy commentary. The instruments and network around the new EU Skills Agenda should be used to place a stronger focus on developing transferable skills that can be applied across industries to promote both resilient and circular economies.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:5101px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"5101px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/6474973370d297942b496adf_kenny-eliason-1-aA2Fadydc-unsplash.jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Photo by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@neonbrand\">neon brand\u003C/a> on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/1-aA2Fadydc\">Unsplash\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">The green or circular transition envisaged by businesses and governments hinges on workers and their skills. But digital and transferable skills, which are crucial to scale the circular economy, won't be realised in the labour market overnight. To realise the circular recovery, achieve long-term sustainability and ensure a safe transition for all workers, businesses and governments must take a long-term view and make skills and training an integral part of their plans for building back better.\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":1348,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1349,"updated_at":1350,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1351,"contents":1353,"contributors":1361,"image":17},"V-Ou","2023-06-12T07:51:14.000Z","2024-02-23T16:00:04.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1352},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1354],{"id":1355,"score":12,"body":1356,"status":111,"article_id":1348,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1350,"published_at":112},"vEk5",{"image":1357,"title":1358,"content":1359,"summary":16,"attachment":1360,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380858392-xDDuf1oS.jpg","To decarbonise the European built environment, the circular economy is key","\u003Cp id=\"\">This article was originally published by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.socialeurope.eu/decarbonising-the-built-environment-circularity-key\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Social Europe\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In the same way that some of us need budgets for buying lattes on our way to work, certain industries need budgets for emitting carbon dioxide (CO\u003Csub id=\"\">2\u003C/sub>). ‘\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://carbontracker.org/resources/terms-list/#carbon-budgets\">Carbon budgets\u003C/a>’ continue to be a popular approach to combat global warming. By measuring how much CO\u003Csub id=\"\">2\u003C/sub> industries, countries and even households emit, we can limit our ‘spending’ to prevent the 2-degree temperature rise outlined in the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement\">Paris Agreement\u003C/a>. For Europe’s construction sector, however, these budgets are very close to being spent. We have to start penny-pinching if we are to reach our decarbonisation targets.   \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In our latest report, \u003Cem id=\"\">Towards a Circular Economy in the Built Environment: Overcoming market, finance and ownership challenges\u003C/em>, the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularbuildingscoalition.org/\">Circular Buildings Coalition (CBC)\u003C/a> found that the combined carbon budget of the EU and UK’s construction sector is rapidly running out. The industry currently produces around 277 million tonnes of CO\u003Csub id=\"\">2\u003C/sub>-equivalent per year. If the sector’s emissions continue at this rate, it will exceed its allocated carbon budget for limiting global warming to 1.5-degrees in 2026. What’s more, the budget for 1.7-degrees and 2-degrees will run out in 2029 and 2031, respectively, if the sector doesn’t start seriously reining in its spending.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Barriers facing the construction sector\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The construction industry is a notoriously hard-to-abate sector. Traditionally, incremental change has been the \u003Cem id=\"\">modus operandi\u003C/em> for decarbonising the built environment. But now, radical change is necessary to guarantee that humanity can safely remain within the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.stockholmresilience.org/research/planetary-boundaries/the-nine-planetary-boundaries.html\">planetary boundaries\u003C/a>—boundaries that, when crossed, threaten the survival of life on Earth. Introducing \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/circular-economy/key-elements\">circular economy principles\u003C/a>—eliminating waste, circulating products and materials, and regenerating nature in the built environment—will be critical to address these impacts—but this is not without challenges. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The circular transition is already underway in the European built environment, for example, with the ‘\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/energy-efficiency/energy-efficient-buildings/renovation-wave_en\">EU Renovation Wave\u003C/a>’. If the EU is to achieve both its 2030 climate target and climate neutrality, it should aim to renovate 3% of existing building stock every year until 2050. We found that in implementing these ambitious measures, however, it is essential to consider the carbon embodied in the materials used for those renovations. These materials will generate a cumulative 1,500 million tonnes of CO\u003Csub id=\"\">2\u003C/sub>-equivalent between 2022 and 2050. In a business-as-usual scenario with no change in material use, this alone would consume almost 90% of the carbon budget allotted to the construction sector to prevent a 1.7-degree temperature increase! In addition to the carbon impacts, we also found that the materials used in renovation create 124 million tonnes of waste annually—equivalent to the weight of materials needed to construct a tiny house for every inhabitant of Austria and Hungary.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The mountain of waste generated by construction and demolition in the built environment does have some potential, though. For example, we found that when reused within the sector, construction and demolition waste can theoretically meet up to 12% of the current estimated demand for virgin materials in construction. This also makes it abundantly clear, however, that reusing materials in the construction sector is not enough to significantly reduce the environmental impacts of the industry. We need to reduce the overall demand for construction materials in the first place by using our buildings for longer and ensuring they’re run more efficiently. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In addition to material use and handling, transitioning to a circular economy in the built environment in Europe faces several systemic challenges. One such challenge is creating fully functional markets for secondary materials that are able to compete with primary materials. Virgin materials are often far cheaper than their secondary counterparts. Ensuring that all costs associated with virgin materials—such as damage to natural habitats and climate impacts—are incorporated in their final prices can encourage the use of secondary materials. Here, public authorities have a critical role to play—and hold the power to create demand through their own procurement processes. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Another major systemic challenge facing the construction industry is developing business models that align with circular principles and scaling them with innovative financing. For example, financial institutions need to rethink how they evaluate risks for buildings aligned with circular principles, for which the returns often have a longer time horizon. Ways to reduce risks include various forms of blended finance which mitigate risk and leverage financing opportunities within one fund or financial vehicle. This can be done by combining concessional financing (financial and tax instruments made available by lawmakers) and commercial funding provided by traditional business financiers. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\"> \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">The future of the European built environment\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The policy landscape is changing rapidly in favour of circular principles. Upcoming changes to EU legislation, such as the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/construction/construction-products-regulation-cpr_en\">Construction Product Regulation (CPR)\u003C/a> and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), could address some of the issues regarding transparency, safety and quality. In addition, the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en\">European Green Deal\u003C/a> and its ambitious decarbonisation targets are pushing the sector to reduce its carbon footprint. Stakeholders in the construction sector who anticipate these changes by adopting circular principles will be well-positioned to lead the transition while shaping resilient organisations.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In addition to our latest report, we have \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"http://circularbuildingscoalition.org/open-call\">opened a call\u003C/a> to find initiatives working to overcome existing barriers to accelerate the transition to a circular economy in the built environment across Europe. Organisations that submit blueprint projects will contribute to enlarging the market for their solutions or solutions like them to benefit everyone while increasing visibility and recognition for their circular work. With three years left in the allotted 1.5-degree carbon budget, the time is now to decarbonise the European built environment—and circularity holds the key. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">The Circular Buildings Coalition is an initiative powered by \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.metabolic.nl/\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Metabolic\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\"> and \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circle Economy\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\"> and funded by \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.laudesfoundation.org/\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Laudes Foundation\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\"> to accelerate circularity in the built environment in Europe. \u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">This year we are sharing the findings from our new report and announcing \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"http://circularbuildingscoalition.org/open-call\">\u003Cem id=\"\">a call for funding applications\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\"> for European blueprint projects in the construction industry at the \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://wcef2023.com/\">\u003Cem id=\"\">World Circular Economy Forum 2023\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\"> in Helsinki on Thursday, the 1st of June at 10:00–13:00 EEST (UTC+3). \u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":1363,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1364,"updated_at":1364,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1365,"contents":1367,"contributors":1375,"image":17},"yD66","2024-03-12T14:49:15.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1366},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1368],{"id":1369,"score":12,"body":1370,"status":111,"article_id":1363,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1364,"published_at":1364},"8xXJ",{"image":1371,"title":1372,"content":1373,"summary":16,"attachment":1374,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380861651-sK8lEzaH.jpg","Towards a just circular transition: putting people and the planet before profits","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">This article was first published by \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://illuminem.com/illuminemvoices/towards-a-just-circular-transition-putting-people-and-the-planet-before-profits\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Illuminem\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">. \u003C/em>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">By now, it’s no secret that gross domestic product (GDP) isn’t the best measure of human development. Yet many economists and government officials still treat GDP as the ultimate signifier of a nation’s prosperity. While economic growth has raised standards of living worldwide, focusing solely on GDP to measure well-being ignores the negative impacts of economic growth on society and nature, such as income inequality and pollution. What’s more, GDP growth is linked to a distinctly linear economic model—one that tightly couples the expansion of economic activity with the extraction and consumption of finite resources, leading to the exploitation of humanity and nature.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The circular economy—one that aims to separate human well-being from material consumption—offers an alternative. Last year, the Circularity Gap Report 2023, authored by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/\" target=\"_self\">Circle Economy\u003C/a>, found that we can deliver on societal needs such as housing, nutrition, mobility and consumer goods with 30% less of the materials we use now, reversing the overshoot of five planetary boundaries. This year’s global Circularity Gap Report shifts focus from the ‘what’ to the ‘how’ with enabling recommendations for policy, finance and labour, highlighting that it’s time to expand our measure of development to include quality of life for all human beings and the planet we inhabit. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Shaping the economy for the common good\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The transition to a circular economy has the potential to deliver economic and social benefits within the planet’s ecological limits—the question remains: how? I sat down with \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvaro-conde/\">Álvaro Conde Soria\u003C/a>, Senior Researcher and Lead Author of the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2024\" target=\"_self\">Circularity Gap Report (CGR) 2024\u003C/a>, to answer this question. CGR 2024 makes bold recommendations for decision-makers. Namely, it argues that societies must break free of flawed development patterns that continue to fuel human and planetary exploitation. In general, Conde says, ‘We need to shift our mindset from looking at the economy and the goal of the economy as growing and maximising economic output year on year to how do we provide well-being for everyone within the limits of the planet?’ \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The Report argues that achieving such a shift requires collective backing from governments, finance, businesses and citizens to connect the policies, capital and people crucial for realising a circular economy. Importantly, Conde argues that when it comes to policy, governments must move from a market-fixing to market-shaping approach to economics: ‘Policymakers are forever reacting to market failures when we should pursue proactive strategies to shape the economy for the common good. In this sense, it is policymakers and legal frameworks that set the rules of the game. So, we need to redefine the rules of that game. I always make this analogy: if you want to change how someone dances, you have to change the music.’\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Policy and finance must work in tandem to promote circularity\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">While public policy has the power to shift priorities and redefine the ‘rules of the game’ to facilitate systemic change, the growing role of the financial sector limits the government's ability to enact change, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This means that, in the current linear system, countries’ GDP and national income can rise while environmental health and human well-being fall. With this in mind, governments must actively support mission-driven innovation, redesign markets to maximise public value creation, align on purpose-driven strategies and reduce inequality to maximise the environmental, social and economic potential of the circular economy. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The question remains, however: what does this look like in practice? When it comes to realising the circular economy, the importance of fiscal reform cannot be understated. Conde reiterates this point, noting that ‘Policy reform should change the sets of carrots and sticks that influence how other actors in the economy behave—and a very important actor in the economy is financial institutions. Of course, we want to shape markets in a way that incentivises capital allocation towards circular economy activities such as infrastructure or scaling certain activities such as regenerative agriculture, research and innovation for the social good, etcetera.’\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">A just circular transition must include decent jobs\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Ultimately, financial flows determine which ideas are realised and which activities and businesses are funded and scaled. Financing is necessary for circular solutions to replace linear practices and should particularly be directed at activities that bring about positive impact, such as cuts to virgin material use and the provision of decent work. This is where people come into the picture. Conde points out that ‘We need to ensure that the measures put in place bring everybody on board and that we embed this kind of just transition lens and social angle to everything that is done… Because if not, we run the risk of also just pursuing circularity for the sake of it while not fully capitalising on all of those social elements that are not only necessary but are fundamental.’\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Finally, the Report looks at the labour market as a pivotal lever for driving the circular transition. To bring circular interventions to life around the world, it will be key to uncover the people, skills and roles pivotal for success, keeping in mind atypical forms of work—temporary, flexible or informal work—and considering the interplay of social equity and gender dynamics. If the circular transition is managed equitably and effectively, it can positively impact the labour market by providing new job opportunities, raising job standards and reducing inequalities.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Solutions must be tailored to specific country contexts\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Realising systemic change requires enablers that can overcome challenges specific to different countries. To this end, the CGR 2024 categorises countries as Build, Shift and Grow—representing low-, middle- and high-Human Development Index nations, respectively. It is important to recognise that the three enablers of policy, finance and people are not isolated from each other—they are deeply intertwined. Each faces its own barriers in its own country profile.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Conde emphasises the importance of understanding each country's specific context: ‘Of course, each country is very different. It has its own set of challenges, its own level of development, its own economic structure, natural endowments and political economy. So, a range of options exist to reduce resource use and cut emissions within each country. What is clear is that we need strong, deliberate policy action to motivate the take-up of these options that exist.’\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Nothing is possible without international collaboration\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">In the end, it is clear that to make widespread systemic change possible, certain organisations must realign themselves with the realities of the 21st century. International institutions like the UN, World Trade Organisation, World Bank and International Monetary Fund still operate within frameworks established in the 1950s rather than the current landscape of 2024. ‘And these are definitely the international institutions we need, and we need them to do a better job’, notes Conde. ‘They need to better reflect the world of today in order to fully enable a more collaborative and inclusive international system.’\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Transforming these international institutions will not only make it easier for countries to work together but can contribute to a more just world for all. If we aspire to alter our course, we must first alter the guiding principles. In other words, to quote Conde, if we want to change how we dance, we must first change the music. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":1377,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1378,"updated_at":1379,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1380,"contents":1382,"contributors":1390,"image":17},"upww","2023-09-27T13:55:34.000Z","2024-02-23T15:49:15.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1381},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1383],{"id":1384,"score":12,"body":1385,"status":111,"article_id":1377,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1379,"published_at":112},"0Y0r",{"image":1386,"title":1387,"content":1388,"summary":16,"attachment":1389,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380863106-mM3aR55m.jpg","Towards better circular economy data","\u003Cp id=\"\">The digital \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://knowledge-hub.circle-lab.com/indicator?user_type=cd17a1b55a518e152fac5ba9436b5ca7\">Circular Indicators Library\u003C/a> was created to spark discussion around and increase the uptake of indicators for measuring the impacts of a transition to a circular economy. Created by the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://pacecircular.org/circular-economy-indicators-coalition-0\">Circular Economy Indicators Coalition\u003C/a> (CEIC), it is unique in providing the first publicly available online database of circular economy indicators for public and private sector use. The library is not linked to any particular framework and instead includes indicators developed by a wide range of parties.\u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>The indicator library aims to:\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">Create better insight into already existing indicators to prevent interested stakeholders from having to reinvent the wheel when gathering their own overviews of available circular indicators. \u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Reduce confusion around the many circular indicators already available, with multiple indicators often bearing similarities in name, methodology and data, or measuring similar aspects in slightly different ways.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Enable users to identify suitable indicators for their specific purpose more easily.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Showcase the potential for existing indicators to better communicate with and build on each other (interoperability, harmonisation, alignment)\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">While creating and further expanding the library, the CEIC is focusing not only on material flow indicators but equally on indicators that can be used to assess the socioeconomic and financial dimensions of a transition to a circular economy. In the future, the coalition plans to expand the library with additional indicator topics.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Building the library\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Currently, the library includes a set of indicators for financiers, as well as a set of indicators with relevance to employment in the circular economy geared toward policymakers. In the future, the CEIC plans to extend these sets by including commonly used material flow indicators that could be of specific interest to regional or national policymakers, and sector or industry-specific indicators for the built environment or textiles, for example. \u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">On indicators for financiers \u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">To compile the finance indicators, interviews were conducted with different financial market participants such as banks, rating agencies, asset managers and private equity. Based on their input, it was concluded that not much alignment exists. The CEIC reviewed the indicator landscape for measuring the circularity of potential business investments, which spanned over 100 different frameworks, tools, papers and inventories— such as the Circular Transition Index and IRIS+—to identify circular economy-related indicators, as well as more broad ESG focused indicators that could be relevant to finance. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Based on the interviews and research, the coalition decided to narrow the focus to financiers who would like to provide a loan to a company, for example. The first selection was based on the CSRD ESRS E5, the EU directive on non-financial corporate disclosure for various sustainability angles (including the circular economy and resource use). We cross-checked with the most common methodologies to see in which frameworks the indicators already appear (such as CTI, GRI and Circulytics) and indicated this on each indicator card. \u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">On indicators for employment \u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">The CEIC interviewed representatives from leading institutions in the field of circular or green employment and related social indicators—including the International Labour Organisation (ILO), IndustriALL, OECD and Rreuse—on the challenges they face in using existing indicators to monitor the employment impacts of circular interventions. This helped to direct the scope and categories of indicators that were reviewed and collected to create a list of approximately 80 indicators covering the following topics: Circular activities, Training and Education, Socio-economic indicators (related to employment, income, productivity, job satisfaction, benefits), Health and Safety, as well as Inclusion and Equality.  \u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">On indicators for policymakers \u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">To support policymakers at the national and regional level, the coalition reviewed a broad set of indicators ranging from Economy-Wide Material Flow Analysis indicators to socioeconomic indicators in the context of the circular transition. The CEIC focused on consolidating indicators from existing indicator sets and categorising them based on theme (such as emissions, mobility and natural capital), economic level (macro, meso, micro) and source in which the indicator is present. This resulted in a list of over 400 entries, which was refined into a smaller set of approximately 50 indicators covering various measurement categories aligned with the EU circular economy monitoring framework. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Making the most of the library’s current data and information\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">All 100+ indicators currently available in the library can be filtered using the filters in the side bar. \u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1255px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1255px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Making the most of the library’s current data and information\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/651433bb401a1ad326dc4bb7_Q9YoZvgHY9_3bsqn-gQAhI7E9hXONWvSnQaC8Lk69KzEB2HdNSGrrve7PkFedM0t3AqsnBvecKIjHAyY1Uuxvb_U6If7C-ORnazZlh-i4rQtuUF6izjFlL0eOfnAlQfkqZXjiZiTGLH7XbX5d2aUepQ.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Clicking on an indicator card will show its definition, relevance and unit, as well as various characteristics as per the filters on the right-hand side.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1265px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1265px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Product Durability/Longevity\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/651433baabe29fd5df333190_53JFl3vQApfsJfGiziRJ43I3GkxtY2RoYJVAmz2aMHzFDs18XaBxNIwI5dpI_Bf_AlluecYutrpTr0CezWgQznxViQg9dpZGfukxp4wcGRd9OUJHgBxXgaMP0b0dALTsOtSjprtOtgIpIaXhErQVO7Q.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">Users can use filters to explore indicators: user type, unit, indicator cluster, used in, scale, and CSRD alignment. ‘Used in’ refers to reporting frameworks including GRI 306 or the Circularity Transition Indicators, for example.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-center\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"center\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Filter by:\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/651433baa5142722ef7f12ef_YDmGeUki3ZwV-KutEjntHyaJDfiIcUHpb62cy4bWnKTLii0h1vYymTbHQYRC9O9oI6z_SzJjluD-fQAW2nqFeRSibfqhW0Wrla_o7KlqhnKWDV_-TgP61E41Lp5kY6I60a7ErUdRb1NB4qLNW6vnpyQ.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-center\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"center\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"USED IN\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/651433bb9f15cd66dcfd1052_JhEqzU08mXGbHotDfdwVjw3H_JIKkp_LNF4rPA7TaF-W_qIyej-z4TU15xkfFcYqoTzSggM12XMgAKJf4oTJrSVe0XKMcHJRhciRU_OS9rFQaQnG1KkULywOmO3mjMHLe_hi1iMhiJV08jW0V9KCtnc.png\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The CEIC also surveyed users of the Circular Indicators Library to discover how to develop it further and improve its usability. Since its launch, the library has seen thousands of return visitors. Users are welcome to join the CEIC’s user \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://forms.gle/wNdKQWEi8RgwzP7R7\">research group\u003C/a> to participate in developing the library further.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">How can the library be used?\u003C/h3>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">Personalised indicator sets for experienced users\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Those more experienced or well-versed in circular indicators, perhaps even having their own bespoke circular indicator sets or frameworks, can browse the library for ideas on how to further improve their own indicator base. These users may want to save their favourite indicators and share them with their teams or even external stakeholders to further develop, expand or revise their indicator sets. \u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">Guided journeys for newcomers\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Many stakeholders find it useful to understand how indicators relate to each other.  For instance, when researching waste, all waste-related indicators should present themselves in the library, in addition to how they relate to each other in pre-existing frameworks—, such as the Circularity Transition Indicators (CTI) framework, ISO standards or other regulatory frameworks. \u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Other users may need a guided journey as to which indicators would be useful and how they work in relation to each other. Although the clustering of indicators is helpful for this purpose, some indicators are quite similar, which often leaves users wondering which should be considered and in what combination. A feature such as  ‘Top 10’ commonly used indicators for sectors, products or processes could serve as a more accessible entry point into sets of pre-grouped indicators. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Those starting on their circular indicator journey may also lack the contextual knowledge about indicators in general, as well as some of the more technical background knowledge that underpins some of the indicators. It will be important to understand the required prerequisite knowledge and to build this into the library’s user journey. \u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">Putting indicators into practice\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">There’s a real opportunity to link the exploratory indicator library to evidence on using indicators in practice. This can take on multiple forms, which may interest different user profiles. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">A common obstacle users face is that many indicators cannot be used without being linked to robust data. Often indicators are developed and even selected without this parameter being top of mind. It will be crucial to link the indicator library to the whole data pipeline: from the decision-making process (‘What are my priorities? Which indicators can measure progress towards them?’) to how stakeholders can then use these indicators on an ongoing basis. How do we integrate indicators about the social dimensions of employment in the circular economy into current data-driven decision-making processes in both governments and businesses, for example? Answering this will help to attract the right experts to assess the value of indicators. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Showing the outcomes of the same indicator, calculated for a variety of contexts, will lead to a much more practical understanding of what is possible. Visitors to the indicator library will be able to much more easily tell how their area of work may fit in or compare to the indicator benchmarks provided. Users may be able to use this as guidance to assess their own project, policy or business for circularity and employment or other impacts. For example, a measure of circular employment can be calculated at the national or regional level, and policymakers could explore what this indicator means in different contexts if it were connected to a robust data pipeline. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Moving forward, more technical recommendations and guidelines on gathering and compiling the data required to compute indicators are a must. Indicators should be qualified as to the types of data they require (such as private, public, proprietary), the level at which these data have to be collected, whether multiple data sets are required, as well as guidance for how to go about collecting these data. In many cases, analysts currently have challenges in obtaining the data needed, limiting the usability of available indicators.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">With this in mind, topic, sector or industry-specific toolkits or guidelines about the most effective ways to calculate certain indicators could prove useful to relevant stakeholders. After all, once available indicators can be reliably calculated, and with the results being sufficient to support informed decisions, they can be more systematically used within decision-making models.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Next steps\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The Circular Indicators Library was initially launched with a set of indicators for financiers and was later updated with a set of employment indicators for policymakers. The CEIC plans to add new collections of indicators for cities, the built environment, textiles and more! The coalition also plans to expand current indicator sets—for example, additional quality of work indicators. The library will continually be updated with new features based on continued research with CEIC partners and users of the library. \u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":1392,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1393,"updated_at":1394,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1395,"contents":1397,"contributors":1405,"image":17},"jo-z","2024-11-19T09:34:48.000Z","2024-11-19T10:00:44.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1396},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1398],{"id":1399,"score":12,"body":1400,"status":111,"article_id":1392,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1394,"published_at":1394},"WqIa",{"image":1401,"title":1402,"content":1403,"summary":16,"attachment":1404,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380865179-fntORnBV.jpg","Transformative change won’t come to the textile sector overnight—here’s why we need to accept intermediary solutions","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">This article was first published by \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://fashionunited.com/news/business/transformative-change-wont-come-to-the-textile-sector-overnight-heres-why-we-need-to-accept-intermediary-solutions/2024102462539\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Fashion United\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">.\u003C/em>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">It's no secret we’re beleaguered by an overwhelming textile waste problem. In 2020, the EU produced an average of \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/management-of-used-and-waste-textiles/management-of-used-and-waste/download.pdf.static\">16 kilograms of textile waste per person\u003C/a>, roughly equivalent to 50 garments—the vast majority of which was tossed by consumers rather than manufacturers or retailers. Shockingly, a mere 12% was reused or recycled, with the majority of discarded textiles landfilled or incinerated with general waste. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Even in the Netherlands, which boasts better recycling statistics than many other EU nations, more than half of all textile waste is still discarded in household rubbish bins and ultimately incinerated. The waste problem is only set to worsen: one of the world’s \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/blog/extended-producer-responsibility-isnt-enough-to-tackle-the-global-fashion-waste-mountain-heres-why\">fastest-growing waste streams\u003C/a>, textile production is spiralling upwards, reaching a record high of \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://textileexchange.org/news/textile-exchanges-annual-materials-market-report-shows-further-growth-in-the-overall-production-of-new-materials-including-fossil-based-synthetic-fibers/\">116 million tonnes in 2022\u003C/a> and expected to hit 147 million tonnes by 2030 if business as usual continues. Current recycling efforts are falling far short of what's needed to tackle the growing mountain of fashion waste—leaving us grappling with a broken system afflicted by impossible-to-manage waste volumes, hard-to-recycle products and a general penchant for profit over planet.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">New laws, old problems\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">A wave of green legislation in the EU may herald slowly shifting tides. The Waste Framework Directive will mandate Member States to implement separate textile collection systems by 2025, for example, while the Netherlands’ pioneering Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for textiles, launched in 2023, aims to prevent producers from shifting the waste management burden onto others.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Promising, yes—but certainly not a silver bullet. The textile recycling industry—still in its infancy and largely dependent on mechanical recycling—is facing major challenges. Mechanical recycling, which shreds textiles back to fibres, works best with natural, mono-fibre fabrics without chemical coatings (for waterproofing or stain-resistance, for example). Currently, natural, mono-material, non-toxic fabrics are something of a rarity, at least at the overwhelmingly large scale of global textile production. Clunky components like zippers and buttons pose added hurdles, as they need to be removed by hand before an item can be shredded. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The Dutch recycling market is drowning in this ‘worst-of-the-worst’ textile waste without sufficient means—capacity and capital—to manage it: sorting facilities bear the cost of incinerating non-rewearable, non-recyclable textiles. Although nascent, chemical recycling shows promise: unlike mechanical recycling, which shreds textiles into weaker fibres, chemical recycling breaks garments down to the molecular level, enabling the creation of high-quality yarns that are comparable to new, virgin fibres. Unlike mechanical recycling, it can also break down blended fabrics, but only those common on the market—while a 50/50 poly-cotton blend may be fine, for example, chemical recycling may not work for niche fabric blends with shifting proportions of this, that and the other.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Even if chemical recycling technology was ready to go at the scope and scale needed to put a dent in the Netherlands’ growing tidal wave of waste, other hurdles remain: textile sorting isn’t carried out based on material type, a necessity for recycling but unfortunately a far slower approach than current sorting methods carried out based on product type. And for an already struggling market, slow is equivalent to unprofitable. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">We need solutions—and fast\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">So what \u003Cem id=\"\">does \u003C/em>happen to used textiles in the Netherlands? They’re sorted by quality and type and either slated for resale within the country, export abroad, downcycling or incineration—with only a small portion recycled. While the long-term goal is to ultimately decrease textile production, scale up chemical and biochemical recycling technologies, and advance circular design practices that favour simple, durable, recyclable materials—interim solutions are urgently needed. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Thermochemical technologies established for plastic recycling—pyrolysis and gasification—are now being piloted for textile waste, although not without criticism. Regardless of material type, gasification uses very high temperatures to convert any kind of textile waste into a primarily gaseous mixture that can then be used to produce products such as synthetic fuels, chemicals, and plastics—outputs flagged for being particularly non-circular. This feeds back into the same fossil-fuel-based system instead of encouraging systemic change—and also fails to conserve material value, unlike fibre-to-fibre recycling, which keeps fibres intact for reuse. However, it’s a better alternative than incineration for the short- to medium-term, especially since this technology could be ready for scale-up soon—unlike chemical recycling, which is on the brink of commercialisation but still years off from being applied at scale. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In fact, gasification, already being piloted in the Netherlands, is emerging as a critical stopgap, buying us time while we scale up more circular technologies. These include innovative biochemical methods, like enzymatic\u003Cstrong id=\"\"> \u003C/strong>hydrolysis and fermentation, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/661d02928b04b93a6a97251c/667d19ef644e58960618e3f0_Netherlands%20Pilot%20Final%20Report.pdf\">recently piloted in a project\u003C/a> carried out by Circle Economy, the Biomimicry Institute and local innovators. These methods use biological processes to break down textiles into their most basic components, allowing for the recovery of fibres that can then be used for new materials. The big benefit: biochemical recycling processes generate less environmental impacts and can produce more sustainable outputs than thermochemical recycling. But although effective for natural fibres like cotton, these processes are once again complicated by blended fabrics—a poly-cotton t-shirt, for example, must be separated into its component parts, with the polyester part processed through gasification. The pilot project proved that in combination, biochemical and thermochemical processes can transform tricky-to-recycle mixed textile waste into useful products. The next step: making these processes even more efficient and using biochemical processes—over thermochemical—to the greatest extent possible.  \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">We can't lose sight of the long game: progress over perfection\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">When it comes to the circular economy transition, perfection can be the enemy of progress. Recent attention afforded to \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/blog/eu-green-claims-directive-will-tackle-greenwashings-crafty-cousin-circular-washing-too\">greenwashing\u003C/a> has put the efforts of all under scrutiny—fairly so, but we mustn’t let that prevent progress. The circular economy transition will require a rethinking of systems spanning geographies, value chains and actors at a scale never before seen, and we must start implementing available solutions \u003Cem id=\"\">now,\u003C/em> even if they are not perfect. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Stopgaps and intermediary solutions will be needed across sectors: electric vehicles will be needed as an intermediary for creating car-free cities, and waste-to-energy incineration is—while problematic—still better than landfilling in countries lacking infrastructure for recycling. Criticising these technologies for their flaws, while valid, misses the bigger picture: the world won’t change overnight, and we need to start somewhere. But it’s important that we don’t rest on our laurels either, ensuring intermediary solutions graduate to something more permanent. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The textile waste problem is vast and growing. We don’t have the luxury of waiting for perfect answers. Learning, testing, evaluating and re-evaluating will be inevitable, and we need to dive in with both feet. By embracing available technologies—no matter how imperfect—we can begin laying the foundation for a circular future, one step at a time.\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Learn more\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circle Economy and the Biomimicry Institute’s Design for Transformation pilot is a pioneering effort to process mixed textile waste in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Read the full technical report \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/design-for-transformation\">here\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":1407,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1408,"updated_at":1409,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1410,"contents":1412,"contributors":1420,"image":17},"X2iG","2023-06-12T07:46:41.000Z","2024-02-23T16:01:13.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1411},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1413],{"id":1414,"score":12,"body":1415,"status":111,"article_id":1407,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1409,"published_at":112},"rUPy",{"image":1416,"title":1417,"content":1418,"summary":16,"attachment":1419,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380866904-pyZjixPv.jpg","Will the circular economy steal my job?","\u003Cp id=\"\">This article was first published by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.maddyness.com/uk/2023/06/03/will-the-circular-economy-steal-my-job/#:~:text=While%20some%20may%20assume%20that,could%20make%20your%20job%20better.\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Maddyness\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Now that we have your attention: in short, no. While some may assume that increased efficiency or reduced demand stemming from more ‘circular’ interventions will lead to job losses across certain industries, this isn’t necessarily the case—a circular economy will not steal your job. In fact, it could make your job \u003Cem id=\"\">better\u003C/em>. The circular economy requires manual and practical labour, just as it requires highly-skilled work in designing and engineering new solutions. If managed well, the circular economy has the potential to create new opportunities—and reshape existing jobs—for all types of workers.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As we usher in June with 2023’s \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://wcef2023.com/about/\">World Circular Economy Forum\u003C/a> in Helsinki, focus is shifting to the \u003Cem id=\"\">how \u003C/em>of the circular transition, pinpointing both potential and barriers. For this, jobs are a crucial lever. Knowing that the circular economy will change the world of work, we are presented with an opportunity. We have the opportunity to rethink not only how we manage material flows but also people. We have the opportunity to restructure labour markets in ways that improve the quality of work, promote inclusive workplaces and provide workers with continuous learning and upskilling opportunities so that they can adapt to the changing demands that come with innovation and new business models.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch2 id=\"\">What are circular jobs?\u003C/h2>\u003Cp id=\"\">To better understand the impact of circularity on labour markets, we must first understand what a circular job actually is. Simply put, a circular job is any occupation that directly involves or indirectly supports one of the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/the-disrupt-framework\">strategies of the circular economy\u003C/a>. These strategies involve the way we manage materials by using less, using longer, regenerating and recycling. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">At Circle Economy, we differentiate between \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/circular-jobs-initiative\">three types of circular jobs\u003C/a>: core, enabling and indirect circular jobs. \u003Cem id=\"\">Core circular jobs\u003C/em> are those that directly ensure the closure of raw material cycles—think renewable energy and waste management. Meanwhile, \u003Cem id=\"\">enabling circular jobs\u003C/em> remove barriers and enable the acceleration and upscaling of core circular activities. This includes jobs arising from education, design and digital technologies. Finally, \u003Cem id=\"\">indirectly circular jobs\u003C/em> uphold the circular economy. These are jobs that provide services to core circular strategies, including information services, logistics and the public sector.  ‍\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1600px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1600px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Core circular jobs are those that may immediately jump to mind when thinking of the circular economy—like waste management\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/6486cbfb20851f9559c04cb7_wlh4Nww96x9_XtTLH52_usLFWYIVtWStn6SUofcxw6_mxLxdb5FOLTQ_KOs-nV9nGiubLbXJnVKE_6OUrCvJfNo5XFwL_bPcJAHKapDAUTum42GJ11NYWzbrl0_ekbuzqnjwBoyINYb6ZC3vJvrN03o.jpeg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Core circular jobs are those that may immediately jump to mind when thinking of the circular economy—like waste management. Photo by\u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@zibik?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\">\u003Cem id=\"\"> zibik\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\"> on\u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/s/photos/waste-management?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\">\u003Cem id=\"\"> Unsplash\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch2 id=\"\">Jobs will change across the sectors most crucial to the transition\u003C/h2>\u003Cp id=\"\">In transitioning to a circular economy, we must leverage four key systems. Our \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2023\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report 2023\u003C/em>\u003C/a> finds: transforming how we build, farm and eat, get from place to place and manufacture the goods we use every day will have the greatest impact on material use and emissions. But doing so will also entail a huge shift in the labour market, spurring the creation of new jobs at every level across multiple industries. What might these jobs look like? Many circular jobs already exist, we just don’t label them as such. To better illustrate future circular employment, we’ve highlighted circular jobs across the built environment, food systems, transportation and manufacturing.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Built environment:\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Col id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Circular design: Architects and engineers will need to be trained in circular practices, including modular construction, design for deconstruction, passive design and material use. An understanding of building certifications, such as LEED and BREEAM, will also be relevant as the sector transitions to more sustainable practices.\u003C/strong>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Facility management and retrofitting: Professionals in construction that can manage, maintain and retrofit existing buildings to improve energy efficiency and resource utilisation will be essential to a more circular built environment. They will need to be skilled in energy audits, building performance analysis and retrofitting strategies.\u003C/strong>\u003C/li>\u003C/ol>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Food systems:\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Col id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Sustainable agriculture and farming practices: Workers in this field must understand regenerative agriculture, precision farming and agroecology to enhance soil health and boost biodiversity and local ecosystems. This may also include the development of new farming methods to cut waste and increase efficiency.\u003C/strong>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Biorefineries and biomaterials production: Experts in biotechnology and bioprocessing will have a vital role to play in valorising waste streams, producing bio-based materials and creating added-value products from biomass. This includes skills in microbial fermentation, enzyme technology and bioconversion processes. \u003C/strong>\u003C/li>\u003C/ol>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Transportation:\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Col id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Electric and alternative fuel vehicles: Engineers, technicians and specialists with expertise in electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and alternative fuels will be essential for driving the transition to cleaner and more circular mobility. \u003C/strong>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Shared mobility and mobility-as-a-service (MaaS):  Experts who can develop and manage shared mobility solutions, including car-sharing, ride-hailing and bike-sharing, as well as those working for MaaS platforms, will be major players in circular transportation. \u003C/strong>\u003C/li>\u003C/ol>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Manufacturing: \u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Col id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Resource and waste management: These professionals will need skills in waste management, including the identification and separation of materials, recycling and upcycling, and materials tracking and traceability. Many such occupations are already in existence. For example: logistics manager, waste valorisation professional, waste management trainer, technical engineer for recyclable products and strategic waste manager.\u003C/strong>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Additive manufacturing and digital fabrication: Engineers, technicians and specialists with expertise in additive manufacturing (3D printing) and digital fabrication technologies will be crucial for enabling localised, flexible and resource-efficient production. \u003C/strong>\u003C/li>\u003C/ol>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch2 id=\"\">HR has a role to play in supporting circularity in the workplace \u003C/h2>\u003Cp id=\"\">As these new and different roles emerge, HR departments across sectors \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/how-hr-professionals-can-play-an-active-role-in-the-circular-economy\">will have a key role to play\u003C/a> as a linking pin between management and operations. They can help develop, reinforce and shift organisational culture towards more circular practices. As younger workers become increasingly purpose-driven in their work, part of the onus will fall on HR professionals to ensure that circular values are espoused in office culture, if not in their companies’ business models.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">With the power to attract the right talent—and keep it in-house—HR professionals may aim to nurture circular skills within their workforce, ensuring that these skills feature highly in their companies’ long-term strategies and organisational visions. Supporting initiatives to up- and re-skill employees will be essential to prepare workers for the transition, ensuring nobody is left behind. By promoting Industry 5.0—which strives for harmony between people and planet—HR can offer their workforce opportunities for self-development in areas that go beyond their regular tasks and responsibilities. In essence, their role will be to prepare workers for meaningful work in the long term.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Some companies are already paving the way with best practices: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://murfy.fr/nous-rejoindre/academie\">French electronics repair start-up, Murphy\u003C/a>, provides training to new employees on hire, for example—requiring few qualifications to begin with.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch2 id=\"\">For the future of circular work, lifelong learning will be crucial\u003C/h2>\u003Cp id=\"\">Our latest report,\u003Cem id=\"\"> \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/decent-work-in-the-circular-economy\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Decent Work in the Circular Economy\u003C/em>\u003C/a>, illustrates that while research on circular jobs in the Global South is lacking, there’s plenty of research regarding circular employment in the Global North that helps us to understand the labour market. This research highlights that the circular economy transition won’t be just by default—we must make it so. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As jobs change, we must keep a critical eye on potential trade-offs or down-sides: circular activities, for example, can include temporary, flexible or informal work, all of which can be precarious—these atypical work forms often lack collective bargaining power and are excluded from social protection schemes. As activities shift from extractive roles to labour-intensive—but also service-oriented—roles, such as repair and recycling, workers must be redeployed in a safe and supported way: here, policy and training will be crucial. Revamping the image of vocational education and training (VET)—involvement in which is declining in many Global North countries—will be crucial to meet demand for labour-intensive roles. In the UK, the interest is already there: recent graduates \u003Cem id=\"\">are\u003C/em> favouring vocational qualifications, yet funding is lacking—having \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://feweek.co.uk/popularity-of-vocational-training-in-uk-not-reflected-in-funding/\">fallen by 16%\u003C/a> over the last decade. And as employment in these kinds of professions shrinks, so does access to further education: a crucial part of redeploying workers to further the circular economy transition. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1600px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1600px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Vocational education and training will be a key avenue to increase circularity in the labour market. \" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/6486cbfb83b7d6189d4b9a59_XN5evfCUAdpN09iUmuI5GcHIiRNtIQan8V7telzKN6rCjflRY1xt4rw8M6RMr7eHJ8WkjHUUBmxAdkEIq0eCXLQeGnWj0cJMTFsEaWAExXx3dHXFaVkyvZ2xnUbiiJN_9SVFh9xolY7uPlcDv-fo0ls.jpeg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Vocational education and training will be a key avenue to increase circularity in the labour market. Photo by\u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@pttiedu?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\">\u003Cem id=\"\"> PTTI EDU\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\"> on\u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/s/photos/vocational-education?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\">\u003Cem id=\"\"> Unsplash\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">It’s clear that the conventional education system can’t keep up with the scale and speed at which we need change—it’s time to design educational programmes fit for current and future challenges and ensure all sectors get involved to ensure the inevitable circular transition benefits work and workers. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The circular economy won’t steal your job—but it may change it. Are you equipped with the skills it requires to thrive?\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Learn more\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circle Economy’s recent report, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/decent-work-in-the-circular-economy\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Decent Work in the Circular Economy\u003C/em>\u003C/a>, highlights the challenges and opportunities a circular labour market may bring. Would you like to learn more about how we put people at the heart of the circular economy? \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/circular-jobs-initiative\">Explore our research\u003C/a> or get in touch \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/circular-jobs-initiative/contact\">here\u003C/a>. Learn more about the transformative power of vocational education and training in our WCEF 2023 session, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://wcef2023.com/sessions/new-education-for-a-changing-world/\">New Education for a Changing World\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":1422,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1423,"updated_at":1423,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1424,"contents":1426,"contributors":1434,"image":17},"7fiQ","2025-10-14T08:30:53.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1425},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1427],{"id":1428,"score":12,"body":1429,"status":111,"article_id":1422,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1423,"published_at":1423},"xzzt",{"image":1430,"title":1431,"content":1432,"summary":16,"attachment":1433,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380868861-er1Dt7aP.jpg","We must start treating our buildings, cars and infrastructure as urban mines","\u003Cp id=\"\">According to the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://circularity-gap.world/2025\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report 2025\u003C/em> (CGR®)\u003C/a>, a staggering 38% of all materials we consume annually end up in long-lasting, human-made structures, often referred to as ‘stocks’. Every year, more and more materials are extracted, refined and fed into our homes, transportation networks, cars, and appliances. These materials will remain locked there for decades, but not forever—roughly a third of materials in stocks are demolished or discarded every year. With this in mind, how we design, build, and use these assets today will determine whether they become tomorrow’s waste or stand the test of time.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">From rock to stock \u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The report also highlights that the growth of these stocks has increased 23-fold over the 20th century, roughly doubling every two decades. By 2020, the mass of human-made things surpassed that of all living beings on Earth. This trend is largely driven by urbanisation, with city populations projected to climb from 56% in 2021 to 68% by 2050. Rising living standards play a role, too, with higher incomes fueling demand for bigger houses, better cars, and new appliances.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As a result, stock build-up is not only inevitable but also encouraged in lower- and middle-income countries where there is still a need for adequate housing and infrastructure. However, this growth comes with two major challenges. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The first is the environmental impact of large-scale construction. Construction and demolition waste is \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352710223019046?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">estimated\u003C/a> to comprise around a third of global waste. Moreover, extracting, processing, and using materials—especially in concrete production—generate significant carbon emissions. Housing alone is the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://circularity-gap.world/2021\">second-largest source of carbon emissions\u003C/a>, contributing 13.5 billion tonnes, surpassed only by transportation at 17.1 billion tonnes. Additionally, extraction activities \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://circularity-gap.world/2023\">contribute\u003C/a> to biodiversity loss, pollution, and water scarcity.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The second challenge is resource depletion. According to \u003Cem id=\"\">CGR 2025\u003C/em>, 10% of all materials locked in stocks are metals—a key concern as demand for critical raw materials continues to rise.  The recent surge in laws aimed at securing these resources shows just how seriously governments are taking this issue. Every year, building new stocks—after accounting for what gets torn down—uses 38% of global raw materials. When we include the materials needed to maintain and operate existing structures, such as fossil fuels for heating, this figure rises to 70%. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">That’s a huge strain on global resources—and it doesn’t stop there. Materials locked in stocks will remain unavailable for recycling for decades. As more and more structures are added to these stocks, fewer materials will be available to support future growth. That’s why it’s crucial to build stocks that last, use resources efficiently, and are designed so their materials can be recovered and reused at the end of life.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">From waste to resource \u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Given current trends, it’s not hard to imagine a point when critical materials stored in human-made structures will outnumber those available in economically extractable deposits. For example, copper \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/es900845v\">is projected\u003C/a> to reach this threshold by the end of the 21st century, making it more abundant in buildings and infrastructure than in the Earth’s reserves. Even today, existing stocks could supply a substantial portion of the materials required to satisfy societal needs. For instance, studies \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acssuschemeng.8b02516?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">show\u003C/a> that one kilogram of discarded smartphones contains more gold than what is found in typical gold ores. This illustrates the huge potential of urban mining that has yet to be realised.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Construction and demolition waste is the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://circularity-gap.world/2025\">largest waste stream\u003C/a> by weight, but only 22% of it is recycled. Even then, much of it ends up in low-value applications like backfilling rather than being reused in new construction. One reason for this is that older buildings weren’t designed with recycling in mind and may contain hazardous materials like asbestos. It’s often more cost-effective to demolish a building than to carefully dismantle it, and the lack of established markets and regulations for secondary materials makes reuse even harder. What’s more, new materials are typically cheaper and come with guaranteed performance, making recycled materials less competitive in cost and quality. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Despite these barriers, solutions do exist. Developing insurance schemes, certifications, and quality standards for recycled materials can build trust in their performance, while government subsidies, incentives, and urban planning can enhance cost competitiveness.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1920px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1920px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"__wf_reserved_inherit\" src=\"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/68ee09c3a3697afc00a33bc6_vincenzo-cassano-MqAiJPYEFrs-unsplash%20(1).jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Photo by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@myphotoblog?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\">Vincenzo Cassano\u003C/a> on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/a-bulldozer-digging-through-a-demolished-building-MqAiJPYEFrs?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\">Unsplash\u003C/a>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">These recycling challenges also highlight the importance of keeping existing buildings in use for as long as possible. We can extend their lifespans by removing outdated infrastructure and components containing valuable materials and upgrading basic elements like windows and insulation. These improvements can boost energy efficiency and functionality, reduce the need for new construction, and create a steady stream of secondary materials.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Yet the greatest opportunity lies in designing future buildings and products with circularity in mind.\u003Cstrong id=\"\"> \u003C/strong>Modular buildings and appliances, for example, can be easily repaired, upgraded, or disassembled for reuse. Using renewable, lower-impact materials like timber can reduce their environmental impact. Equipping buildings with energy-efficient technologies like solar panels and heat pumps can also decrease energy consumption, lowering the ‘material cost’ of maintaining them over time. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Governments around the world are beginning to take action. In 2021, Shanghai launched a \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://hollandcircularhotspot.nl/china-construction/\">three-year action plan \u003C/a>to reduce the construction sector’s environmental impact by increasing recycling capacity and cutting down on waste from renovations and demolitions. Meanwhile, Amsterdam’s \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.amsterdam.nl/en/policy/sustainability/circular-economy/\">Circular Strategy 2020-2025\u003C/a> aims to reduce the use of virgin materials and resources, with a specific focus on the built environment. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">These strategies reflect a growing awareness that the way we build and manage our infrastructure has major implications—not just for material use and waste but also for the energy transition. Renewable technologies like wind turbines, batteries, and solar panels rely on critical raw materials. While they’re often the focus of circular policy discussions, they represent only a small slice of global material stocks. The built environment, by contrast, accounts for a much larger share. Applying circular principles—like design for reuse, material efficiency, and longevity—to buildings and infrastructure could ease pressure on critical resources, reduce emissions, and unlock far greater environmental and social benefits.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">It’s all set in stone\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Architecture carries an almost eerie sense of permanence. The structures we build today will shape—or scar—our cities for decades, if not centuries. The cost of mistakes is high. While our predecessors were unaware of the long-term health risks and environmental consequences of their actions, today, ignorance is no longer an excuse. Thanks to an ever-growing body of research, we have a clear picture of both the benefits of circular buildings and infrastructure and the costs of continuing down the same path. The decisions we make today will either create opportunities for future generations or pass on yet another problem for them to solve. \u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":1436,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1437,"updated_at":1438,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1439,"contents":1441,"contributors":1449,"image":17},"_YCu","2023-04-30T11:23:48.000Z","2024-02-23T16:25:32.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1440},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1442],{"id":1443,"score":12,"body":1444,"status":111,"article_id":1436,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1438,"published_at":112},"NagM",{"image":1445,"title":1446,"content":1447,"summary":16,"attachment":1448,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380870457-B2C5lios.jpeg","WEF 2022: Circular economy and climate link grows stronger, link to resilience sparks interest","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">As I return from the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) 2022 Annual Meeting, I reflect on the circular conversations and sessions that took place and share some of my observations from my time in Davos.\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Understandably, the war in Ukraine and its implications for safety, energy and food security were front and centre in many of the sessions and conversations. If you add supply chain disruptions, continued pandemic lockdowns in some parts of the world and rising inflation to the mix, you have all the ingredients for converging crises reshaping the global agenda, with a renewed focus on dealing with the immediate issues at hand.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Did this move focus away from the climate change movement, and more specifically the role the circular economy plays in tackling this? Quite the opposite, I would argue.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In fact, the circular economy has become even more important given the worldwide challenges and disruptions, and this was reflected in Davos. The need for a more resource efficient and resilient economy was clear.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Doubling circularity to reach net-zero and boost resource efficiency\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">At COP26 in November, the circular economy was largely viewed through the climate lens—as circular economy strategies can mitigate over half of global greenhouse gas emissions. This \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2022\">Circularity Gap Report\u003C/a> finding was also the rationale for the mission to double global circularity in the next 10 years, which is the heart of the new strategy of The Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy (PACE), with members such as the World Resources Institute (WRI) and Philips. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As Frans van Houten, CEO of Philips, mentioned during the session ‘Doubling Global Circularity by 2032’ hosted by PACE: ‘We need more global stakeholders to join the effort to \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://pacecircular.org/sites/default/files/2022-05/PACE%20Strategy%20and%20Action%20Agenda%202%20pager%202022_0.pdf\">double global circularity by 2032\u003C/a> by making more sustainable consumption and production the norm. This will support the drive towards climate-neutral and inclusive economies. We fully endorse this ambition and encourage our industry peers to join us in putting circularity front and centre—setting targets, delivering on them, and demonstrating tangible impact, while sharing learnings and progress to show it can be done.’ \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">This goal can also help companies start to better understand what they will need to do to reach their 2030 and 2050 net-zero targets. In many cases, they will not get there without circular economy strategies and addressing the scope 3 consumption-based emissions. Stientje van Veldhoven, Vice President and Regional Director of WRI Europe, clearly made this point in the session: ‘Our current consumption patterns are a root cause of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and inequity. With \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/projects/biodiversity/how-does-the-growing-global-population-and-increasing-consumption-affect-biodiversity/\">10% of the world population consuming 40% of the resources\u003C/a>, higher-income countries in particular have a responsibility to lower their footprint.’\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Circular strategies to increase resilience in the face of crises\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">A key question raised at this year’s WEF Annual Meeting was how we can avoid the next crisis. Resilience and adaptability are now vitally important. For instance, how can we secure the relevant raw materials needed for the energy transition given the geopolitical situation? Clearly, the circular economy has a large role to play here. By ensuring that everything is used at its highest value for as long as possible, the circular economy can reduce the need for finite virgin resources. By ensuring that we use regenerative resources, the circular economy can greatly reduce the dependency on fossil fuels that can spur conflict.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">What is needed now is to raise our ambition and move from good intentions to action and measurable progress. PACE has a large role to play by enabling crucial collaboration between sectors, industries and geographies. As we look to Stockholm+50, government and company leaders need to collaborate and set up their ambition. They can do so by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://pacecircular.org/global-goal\">joining PACE\u003C/a> and endorsing the Global Goal to double circularity by 2032. With more leading organisations joining, we can speed up and scale up, working towards doubling global circularity, creating a healthy planet, and tackling the interlinked crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and inequality.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":1451,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1452,"updated_at":1453,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1454,"contents":1456,"contributors":1464,"image":17},"yVCl","2023-04-30T10:22:57.000Z","2024-02-23T16:20:45.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1455},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1457],{"id":1458,"score":12,"body":1459,"status":111,"article_id":1451,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1453,"published_at":112},"8PFu",{"image":1460,"title":1461,"content":1462,"summary":16,"attachment":1463,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380871605-5UUbJY6u.JPG","Where are they now? A look back on the innovation journey of four brands","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">This article was originally published by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://fashionunited.com/news/business/where-are-they-now-a-look-back-on-the-innovation-journey-of-4-brands/2022122051315\">FashionUnited\u003C/a> \u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">It is well understood that extending the life of a garment is considered one of the most effective ways to reduce the overall impact of the clothing industry. Why? Firstly, optimising the use of clothing can contribute to a decrease in production and consumption of new garments and secondly, it can reduce the growing volumes of textile waste that are generated every year.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Hence, circular business models, like rental and resale, are increasingly recognised for their significant potential to curb the immense and damaging effect the fashion industry has on the environment. And while these business models’ impact potential is clear, so is the business opportunity. Recent forecasts indicate resale, rental, repair and remake models are growing, and reaching billion-dollar valuations. The latest report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, ‘Circular Business Models: Redefining Growth for a Thriving Fashion Industry ' reveals that circular business models in the apparel industry have the potential to grow from 3.5 percent of the global market today to 23 percent by 2030, representing a 700 billion US dollar opportunity.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">However, despite the environmental and economic benefits that circular business models promise, and while brands see their potential, many businesses still struggle with implementation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In November 2018, the Switching Gear project was launched to tackle just that. Its mission was to accelerate the implementation of circular business models in the fashion industry. The two-year project, led by impact organisation Circle Economy and partly funded by the Laudes Foundation, was set out to support four apparel brands—Asket, Lindex, Kuyichi and ETP—in the design and launch of a rental or resale pilot by the end of 2021. To be successful, these new models were optimally designed to meet three key criteria: (1) have a value proposition that is convenient and affordable for the customer, (2) have a positive business case that can compete with, and in time, even become an integral part of the brand’s primary business model, and (3) they should have a net-positive impact on people and the planet.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The participating brands followed an 18 month circular innovation process consisting of intensive masterclasses, live-prototyping and online ‘scrums’ to make sure the brands were staying on track with their development. In April 2021, the four brands finished their journey, equipped with a clear value proposition for their new circular business model, as well as a detailed pilot plan and a solid communication campaign. They were finally ready to launch!\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">So what has happened since? This article looks back on the journey of those pioneering four brands, explores the learnings that emerged along the way, and reports on what has happened since the pilots launched. Using their stories and experiences as illustrative case studies, the associated challenges and benefits of designing and launching a circular business model become clear and Circle Economy provides the tools necessary to answer the question that brands continue to have today: \u003Cem id=\"\">where do I start?\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Index\u003C/h3>\u003Col id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://fashionunited.com/news/business/where-are-they-now-a-look-back-on-the-innovation-journey-of-4-brands/2022122051315#durabledenim\">Durable Denim—the case of Kuyichi\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://fashionunited.com/news/business/where-are-they-now-a-look-back-on-the-innovation-journey-of-4-brands/2022122051315#asketsrevival\">Asket’s Revival and Take-back Programme\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://fashionunited.com/news/business/where-are-they-now-a-look-back-on-the-innovation-journey-of-4-brands/2022122051315#caseoflindex\">Take-back and Resale—the case of Lindex\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://fashionunited.com/news/business/where-are-they-now-a-look-back-on-the-innovation-journey-of-4-brands/2022122051315#etpscircular\">ETP’s Circular Programme\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003C/ol>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">1. Durable Denim—the case of Kuyichi\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The idea of a circular business model had already been on Kuyichi’s mind, long before joining the Switching Gear project. As a purpose-driven brand, it has a strong track record of creating garments made from sustainable and circular fibres and built for longevity. A circular business model was the logical next step. Kuyichi considers this a way of taking responsibility for their products at the end of their lifecycle—and truly appreciating and preserving the craftsmanship behind each pair of jeans. At the same time, the brand considered this a great opportunity to receive feedback from their customers on the quality and durability of their products, post-sale.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1164px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1164px\">\u003Cdiv>\u003Cimg alt=\"Kuyichi’s reworked denim collection is being resold at the GreenUp space in Utrecht.\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/653656d23ca73a376015fa0d_1.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption>\u003Cem id=\"\">Kuyichi’s reworked denim collection is being resold at the GreenUp space in Utrecht. Photo courtesy of \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://kuyichi.com/\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Kuyichi\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">.\u003C/em>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">The customer need\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">The Kuyichi resale business model serves two different customer needs. The take-back programme offers loyal Kuyichi customers who want to consciously clear out their closets an easy way to give their old denims a new life. Meanwhile, the upcycled resale collections aim to attract a younger generation who are in search of unique items with a cool story and values they can get behind.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">The business model\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Kuyichi views resale as a natural extension of their current model and believe that they will gain plenty of non-financial value from it. So the model in itself does not need to drive revenue growth—it just needs to sustain itself. To this end, their focus is to start with small volumes and grow the model over time.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">The expected positive impact\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">For a brand like Kuyichi—which keeps sustainability at the core of their business—a resale model is a natural extension and a way to change customers’ behaviour and mindsets when it comes to garment care and disposal. By offering a take-back scheme for their denims, the brand hopes to divert products from landfill. Through their upcycling collaborations, the brand also aims to demonstrate the inherent, long-lasting value of their products. It supports their ‘Unfashion’ message that goes against the fast pace of fashion.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">Pilot outcomes and lessons learnt\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Kuyichi's pilot was launched in September 2021 in GreenUp Utrecht—the largest sustainable department store in the Netherlands. In a dedicated section of the store, the brand collects, upcycles and sells its reworked denim collection. The store takes back used Kuyichi jeans from customers, but also accepts defect items from the warehouse stocks. The collected items are reworked by Petra van de Laar from Indigo Ravens, into a variety of unique items, from patchwork jackets to bucket hats or even made-to-measure items, which are then sold in the GreenUp store. The price points vary depending on the work that has been done—some with repairs are sold at a lower retail price than the originals, while upcycled items have a premium price due to the handwork and time they require.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">What’s next?\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">One of Kuyichi's main challenges is to scale their product take-back and renewal, due to logistical pressures on their team and the warehouse they work with. Thus, the brand realised it needs to find an external partner with the capacity and specialised knowledge to support them. In the upcoming year, Kuyichi is planning to collaborate with Responsible, which will provide a tool that will enable Kuyichi to buy back worn products from their customers in return for store credit in their webshop. Responsible will then repair and renew the items, reselling them on their platform for the next wearer to enjoy. The collaboration will first launch for the brand’s main European markets, but they hope to spread the initiative across Europe over time.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">What advice does Kuyichi have for other brands that are looking to build a circular business model?\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">”Logistics is underrated. You have to work with a proper logistics partner, especially if you are a small brand, because it’s quite time intensive. It’s almost like building your own new company. Find the right partner. Find a partner that has that in-house knowledge you need or is willing to build it,” says Zoé Daemen, CR Manager at Kuyichi\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">2. Asket’s Revival and Take-back Programme\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">From the moment they were founded, Asket took a clear stance against fast fashion and its exploitation of human and planetary resources. Core to the brand is an intention to restore the value of garments by creating meaningful and durable essentials. Therefore, the development of a circular business model was a natural next step for the Asket team, which would allow them to truly maximise the use of their garments by taking responsibility beyond the point of sale.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1164px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1164px\">\u003Cdiv>\u003Cimg alt=\"Resell of revived items through a pop-up event in Stockholm. Photo courtesy of Asket.\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/653656fe329742981f931678_2.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption>\u003Cem id=\"\">Resell of revived items through a pop-up event in Stockholm. Photo courtesy of \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.asket.com/\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Asket\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">.\u003C/em>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">The customer need\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">The Asket circular business model serves two distinct customer needs. The take-back programme offers loyal Asket customers—who are already conscious of their clothing consumption—a convenient and responsible way to dispose of clothes that they no longer use. At the same time, through the resale model, Asket aims to offer high quality, timeless basics to those for whom high prices constituted a barrier to responsible consumption.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">The business model\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">The resale model was launched with a geographical focus on Sweden and Germany. In both countries, Asket offers free returns for take-back. From a financial perspective, the brand’s objective is to make the circular business model at least self-sufficient. As with many circular business models, the business case is sensitive to key indicators like the collected items’ sellable rate, repair rate and resale value. The Asket team hopes to support the collection of reasonable volumes of quality products through a variable reward structure.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">The expected positive impact\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">For Asket, a clear goal is to maximise the use phase of their garments so that they can contribute to decreased levels of production and consumption within the industry. In order to realise this goal, it is crucial for the brand to safeguard the impact of its new business model as it rolls out. Key considerations in managing the impact of their resale model include 1) ensuring they do not heavily incentivise customers to dispose of their garments before they otherwise would have and 2) not to stimulate further consumption in any way. In addition, they are careful to minimise shipping and other operational impacts throughout the new supply chain.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">Pilot outcomes and lessons learnt\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Since its launch in May 2021, Asket’s take-back pilot has collected over 2000 pieces.The collection volumes are growing steadily, as is their customers' overall awareness of the Revival Programme. A 2021 survey showed that 42% of customers were aware of the programme, and the survey in 2022 showed that awareness of customers has increased to 58%. Today, the brand includes information about the programme in its newsletters, on social media, on its website, and has even started listing the 'Revival Reward' per garment, at the point of purchase on the webshop.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In the early days, Asket's internal team sorted the collected garments themselves—and even commandeered the help of the design team, so that they could learn about the quality and condition of Asket products post-use. However, sorting is labour intensive, and requires specialist knowledge. Therefore, Asket has now decided to partner with an external company, Fabrikörerna, who can manage the sorting, washing, revival, tagging and pricing. This has proven to be a symbiotic relationship, for the Asket team have essentially supported Fabrikörerna to diversify their business model (which is traditionally based on manufacturing of new products), and become a circular solution provider. Collected garments are first sorted according to quality ie. on whether or not they are rewearable. So far, Asket has been pleasantly surprised by the quality of what is collected—81% of the total volume has been suitable for revival. This fraction is then sorted for washing, based on colourways and materials. After washing, all rewearable garments are sorted according to the specific type of repair they need; hole, pilling, stain etc. According to Estelle Nordin, Head of Operations, ‘one challenge is assessing the correct route for each individual item, since it varies from garment to garment and it is therefore difficult to fully standardise the procedure. It is always a ‘case by case’ with each garment’. For now, the non-rewearable fraction (19% of total collected) is being stored and stockpiled until they have a sufficient volume for upcycling or recycling.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In addition to the product take-back and sortation, Asket has also started reselling revived items through a series of pop-up events, with the first in June '22 and the second in November '22.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">What’s next?\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Asket’s goal for 2023 is to double the number of collected garments to 4000 items. In May 2023, the brand is planning to open a long term pop-up physical Revival store, which will offer a mix of revived items, as well as an archive of sample items and defective returns. They hope to trial upcycling and recycling solutions for the non-rewearable garments, however this is currently in ideation phase.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">What advice does Asket have for other brands that are looking to build a circular business model?\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">'Design a take-back programme that works for your business, and understand your needs in order to make that work. A take-back programme comes with additional processing and logistics such as sorting, repairing, shipping etc., and that can feel overwhelming in the beginning, but remember that there are many services with the expertise to partner up with that can simplify for you.' Estelle Nordin, Head of Operations at Asket.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">3. Take-back and Resale—the case of Lindex\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Lindex’s ‘sustainability promise’ is to make a difference for future generations by empowering women, respecting the planet and ensuring human rights. For the brand, who has already established a form of take-back and reuse with partners since 2014, joining the Switching Gear project was about taking their commitment a step further. Lindex recognised the clear environmental urgency for circular business models and also noticed an increasing demand for them in their customer base. In addition, the business opportunity and rationale was important to them. Lindex understood that if they truly wanted rental or resale to be the way garments are traded going forward, then they should make it part of their own commercial offering and make it financially viable.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:643px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"643px\">\u003Cdiv>\u003Cimg alt=\"Babywear and womenswear resold at a Lindex store in Norway. Photo courtesy of Lindex.\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/653657206e334d11c6519d50_3.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption>\u003Cem id=\"\">Babywear and womenswear resold at a Lindex store in Norway. Photo courtesy of \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.lindex.com/\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Lindex\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">.\u003C/em>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">The customer need\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">The Lindex resale business model serves two different customer needs. The take-back offers an environmentally friendly solution to parents who have unworn baby or kids outerwear at home that they want to get rid of in order to make space in the closet and an easy way to get refunded since they receive membership credits for every sellable product. Meanwhile, the resale of pre-owned baby and kids’ garments offers environmentally conscious parents high quality, functional outerwear at a good price.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">The business model\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">The Lindex resale pilot was launched with a geographical focus on Sweden and the short term objective is for the model to be at least financially self-sufficient. In the long term, however, Lindex aims for the circular business model to be both scalable and profitable.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">The expected positive impact\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">The transition towards a circular business model—resale—is part of the brand’s growth strategy with the ultimate goal to decouple growth from production volumes by ensuring all garments are designed for longevity and circularity.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">Pilot outcomes and lessons learnt\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Since its launch in May 2021, the aim of the pilot was not to sell large volumes of pre-loved products, but rather to gain insights on customer needs and preferences by testing a number of take-back and resale solutions in the market. Lindex began by taking back kids' outerwear, but has since expanded to accept all kidswear through the postal drop-off collection method. The brand has also experimented take-back for womenswear with help from charity partner Fretex in two of its stores in Norway. Digital and online tools proved to be the most popular options, especially when made extremely simple—customers do not need to print out anything, but can simply register the package with a QR code on their phone and use any recycled packaging from home. Regarding the resale process, multiple channels have been tested out—in-store resale offering, resale only pop-up event, online resale—and each of them was equally successful.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In 2021 Lindex collected around 1,000 pieces and in 2022 approximately 30,000 pieces, 80% of which were in great condition and resellable. The remaining 20 percent is being analysed, and the insights gathered will be shared with the design teams to inform their work and ensure all Lindex products are designed for longevity and circularity. Simultaneously, the teams are testing different methods of upcycling.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Lindex's biggest challenge right now is moving from pilot to scale and developing the right systems and infrastructure for this new business model. This year, they moved post-consumer garment processing from the headquarters to the warehouse, and have hired a new team member to oversee the backend. The brand has realised that its existing systems and databases were inadequate to enable this new business model. The broader their take-back criteria was, the more complex and varied the products they received back were, and the more advanced the sorting and renewal processes needed to be. In the existing system, each process covers thousands of items, whereas in the new system each unique piece has its own separate set of operations, from photographing the item to registration and logistics. Therefore, this system needs to be built from scratch.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">What’s next?\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circular business models are a key part of Lindex's sustainable growth strategy. Therefore their core focus in the coming year is to build on the pilot's successes, invest and take the steps needed to enable it to operate at scale.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">What advice does Lindex have for other brands that are looking to build a circular business model?\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">“Follow the Switching Gear methodology of \u003Cem id=\"\">develop—test—iterate.\u003C/em> Don't presume you have all the answers. Follow data, not opinions,” says Annette Tenstam, Strategy Lead Circularity & Environmental Sustainability at Lindex.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">4. ETP’s Circular Programme\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">ETP’s goal is to keep their garments in use for as long as possible—a sentiment shared by their business customers. Joining the Switching Gear project was a natural stepping stone for the company, which was looking to develop a circular business model in line with its ambition to take sustainability efforts beyond recycling and to build a futureproof business case. As a B2B workwear brand, it was also in a unique position to do so, as it had access to a wealth of relevant insights about its customers.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1164px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1164px\">\u003Cdiv>\u003Cimg alt=\"ETP Concept drawing. Image courtesy of Circle Economy.\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/6536574767a9adb0f662692a_4.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption>\u003Cem id=\"\">ETP Concept drawing. Image courtesy of \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circle Economy\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003Cem id=\"\">.\u003C/em>\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">The customer need\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">There is a significant opportunity for improving workwear efficiencies, as a significant percentage of workwear garments is only slightly used before employees change jobs or sizes. When collected, these garments could easily be worn by other employees or the yarns can be reused, instead of producing more new items and new yarns. This could not only result in significant impact savings—contributing to the customers’ CSR performance and image—it can also empower employees positively in engaging in sustainable behaviour.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">The business model\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">ETP has rolled out the circular business model pilot with one of its clients, Dutch bank ABN AMRO. Take-back of used garments will happen through collection boxes in the different ABN AMRO offices. Employees will be educated on the benefits of circularity through different online and offline communication materials.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">The expected positive impact\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">With its pilot, ETP expects to reduce the total production of new yarns by 20 to 30% over the course of four years. As a B2B apparel brand, it has the advantage of being able to easily track and measure its impact through changes in production volume and in energy and CO2 savings. The brand expects results to be visible in the second year of the pilot, when enough items have been returned and can be brought back into circulation. For the brand’s ongoing production, it wants to further focus on circular design and more sustainable materials.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">Pilot outcomes and lessons learnt\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Since May 2021, ETP’s first pilot customer (ABN AMRO) has been closing down many of its office locations. Therefore, the pilot—in its original formulation—was put on hold. However, during this time the brand collected all the old garments from the previous collection. All of these garments were sorted and recycled by ETP’s new partner Gaia, a company specialised in return logistics and recycling of products. Half of the resultant fibre was used to make recycled socks for ABN AMRO and yarns for seating in the automotive industry. The other half is currently being stockpiled in order to see if they can be transformed into furniture for the bank's new head office.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">To date, one of ETP's main challenges has been the lack of investment from their customers in circular solutions. Customers usually expect that circular solutions should be in place and available to them at no extra cost. The brand reports that the pending EPR regulation is already helping to shift this mindset. There are more and more requests on end-of-life solutions and new customers even provide a separate budget for these services from the start of the project. This is encouraging, and ETP feel well positioned to support this growing demand. Since the pilot launch, the brand has secured seven customers, who wish to start their circular business model solutions. Operating at this kind of scale will allow the logistics behind the take-back model to be more efficient.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">What’s next?\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">ETP will revive its pilot plans in January 2023, when it will distribute take-back boxes to all ABN AMRO offices. The boxes will remain there until they are filled and ready to be collected, after which they will go through ETP’s circular programme. ETP plans to take a product-specific approach—ie. certain products will be sorted for re-use of the yarns (e.g. polo shirts & jeans) and others will be sorted for recycling. The brand has already confirmed that Gaia will process the next batch of recyclable grade products into new polo shirts for ABN AMRO, and are exploring recycled sweaters made from jeans too. Gaia will measure and track the impact of this first pilot, in terms of volumes processed, and energy, water and CO2 saved. ETP hopes that reporting on these impact indicators will allow them to improve how they communicate the value of their circular business model to potential new clients.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">What advice does ETP have for other brands that are looking to build a circular business model?\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">'Go after the figures and collect as much data as possible—this will help you tell your story and show your value to customers,' says Nancy Dingshoff, Project Manager at ETP.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":1466,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1467,"updated_at":1468,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1469,"contents":1471,"contributors":1480,"image":17},"zPPj","2025-03-07T09:53:06.000Z","2025-03-07T09:55:16.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1470},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1472],{"id":1473,"score":12,"body":1474,"status":111,"article_id":1466,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1468,"published_at":1468},"-acO",{"image":1475,"title":1476,"content":1477,"summary":1478,"attachment":1479,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380872941-ejcijTi5.jpg","Why Omnibus is not a setback but an opportunity","\u003Cp id=\"\">The recently proposed changes to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) within the European Commission’s \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://commission.europa.eu/news/commission-proposes-cut-red-tape-and-simplify-business-environment-2025-02-26_en\" target=\"_self\">Omnibus Package\u003C/a> have sparked both concern and applause. While extending the timeline for reporting to 2028 has been criticised by some for slowing Europe’s sustainability efforts, we at Circle Economy Consulting believe sustainability and ESG professionals should consider this an opportunity. Rather than rushing through a reporting sprint, they can refocus on developing more impactful, strategic approaches to circular economy performance and reporting. At the same time, new challenges arise around data collection and linking the circular economy to climate change mitigation. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">First, let’s quickly recap the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_614\" target=\"_self\">main changes brought about by the Omnibus package\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">80% of companies will no longer be subject to the CSRD, limiting reporting obligations to large businesses with over 1000 employees. \u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">The reporting obligations for companies under the scope of the CSRD will not apply to smaller companies in their supply chains.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">The CSRD reporting deadlines will be postponed by two years (until 2028) for companies initially required to report in 2026 or 2027.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">EU Taxonomy reporting will be mandatory for the largest companies but voluntary for others.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">The ‘Do No Significant Harm’ (DNSH) criteria for pollution prevention will be simplified.\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">The additional time allows companies to move beyond simple compliance and focus on embedding circularity into their business models in a more meaningful and effective way. Many businesses have struggled to raise awareness internally,  align stakeholders, develop a strategy, select KPIs, and collect data required by the CSRD. The extended timeline offers companies the chance to:\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">Develop robust, long-term circular economy strategies alongside their reporting obligations, ensuring that reporting and implementation drive impact together.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Build solid data infrastructures that provide the foundation for reliable, consistent, and scalable data collection.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Collaborate more deeply with suppliers and customers, fostering meaningful partnerships to improve data quality and availability and implement more profound changes in the value chain. \u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">However, the change in rules will complicate the already challenging data collection from suppliers, as SMEs are no longer obliged to provide information on circular economy performance. To address this, companies should prioritise innovative approaches such as integrating circularity criteria into procurement processes and leveraging sector averages or certification schemes when direct supplier data is unavailable.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">We also recommend that sustainability and ESG specialists make the most out of the European Commission’s plan to introduce Sectoral Action Plans (as part of a broader \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/10017eb1-4722-4333-add2-e0ed18105a34_en\" target=\"_self\">Competitiveness Compass\u003C/a> initiative) alongside sector-agnostic policies under the CSRD. Sector-specific guidance is well suited for the context-specific nature of circular economy solutions, enabling more effective and efficient strategies and reporting across industries. To unlock the full potential of these initiatives, it will be essential to include circular economy initiatives in the Sectoral Action Plans in order to achieve low-carbon competitive industries. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">For sustainability and ESG specialists, these changes underscore the need for expert support in building the right capabilities whilst achieving tangible results. Circle Economy’s consulting team stands ready to assist companies in three key areas:\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">Setting you up for success by developing inspiring strategies and implementation of plans and roadmaps that will convey the importance of the circular transition to your senior management and other internal stakeholders.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Empowering you by developing the data infrastructure, baselines, KPIs and targets needed for efficient and effective monitoring and reporting.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Inspiring you by providing sector-specific insights and thought leadership to guide more effective decision-making and strategy development.\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">This is why we believe the extended timeline should not be seen as a delay in action but as an opportunity to lay the groundwork for long-term impact. By taking the time to build robust strategies and data systems now, companies can gain competitive advantages and face the reporting obligations in 2028 with a strong circular economy performance. We look forward to supporting businesses on this journey and helping them turn reporting requirements into opportunities for sustainable innovation and competitive advantage.\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Cp id=\"\">Contact our consulting team via: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.consulting/#contact\" target=\"_self\">https://www.circle-economy.consulting/#contact\u003C/a> \u003C/p>","The EU has simplified reporting requirements for companies. While the move has been criticised by some for slowing Europe’s sustainability efforts, we believe this can be an opportunity.",[],[],{"id":1482,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1483,"updated_at":1484,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1485,"contents":1487,"contributors":1495,"image":17},"S0pr","2023-05-01T11:35:51.000Z","2024-02-23T16:33:00.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1486},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1488],{"id":1489,"score":12,"body":1490,"status":111,"article_id":1482,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1484,"published_at":112},"4JxX",{"image":1491,"title":1492,"content":1493,"summary":16,"attachment":1494,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380874069-v0qXjqYg.jpg","Why we need to rethink the 'technical' circular economy","\u003Ch3 id=\"\">‍\u003Cstrong id=\"\">1. INTRODUCTION \u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">As the covid-19 pandemic swiftly spread across the globe, cracks in the prevailing linear system have been not only exposed but amplified. Rarely have the flaws of our global linear take-make-waste economy been so prominently revealed as under this collective experience. These include interdependent yet inflexible global supply chains, accelerated destruction of nature and our natural biodiversity to extract materials and an economic model focused on delivering infinite growth and profits for a few at the expense of the many. Ultimately, it lacks stability and resilience. As the pandemic threatened the livelihoods and health of billions, these flaws have received greater global attention. Now, our response needs to match the scale of the climate, social and economic emergency—in a way that reduces global and local inequalities and protects against climate breakdown. \u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">IMPACTING THOSE WITH LEAST, THE MOST\u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">The blinking lights of climate breakdown have long been clear, not least in low- and middle-income countries. Wildfires are increasing as droughts lead to parched lands, coastal regions live under constant threat of loss of land due to rising sea levels and warming oceans will likely continue to \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://insideclimatenews.org/news/18052020/hurricane-tropical-storms-climate-change\">exacerbate storms and hurricanes\u003C/a>(1) and, in turn, the damage they wreak on our homes. Deforestation rates continue to rise to feed global appetites, draining the world of its natural carbon sinks and often \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921344917302835?via%3Dihub\">infringing on the land of Indigenous peoples\u003C/a>, for example.(2) The communities and countries who historically and currently contribute the fewest emissions are also most vulnerable to the impacts of climate breakdown: nearly half (48%) of cumulative CO2 emissions over the last quarter century can be attributed to just the richest 10% of the globe, whilst the poorest 50% were responsible for only 7%.(3) \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">On top of this, the covid-19 pandemic, beginning in 2020, disproportionately impacted low- and middle-income countries and marginalised groups within higher-income countries. These impacts have included higher infection, death and job-loss rates—continuing to highlight entrenched inequalities in access to basic services such as clean water, nutritious food, healthcare, safe working conditions and jobs and secure social safety nets. These injustices, as well as rising activism across the world based on race discrimination, has further stirred millions of homebound citizens to speak out against systemic inequalities across and within countries. The alarm has been sounded once again to address systemic inequalities and it seems the world is finally listening: there is no environmental justice without social justice. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">BUILDING BACK BETTER\u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">The growing consensus is that our fragility in the face of covid-19 shocks has been exacerbated by our current linear and extractive economic model. So, even with the introduction of short-term fixes, continuing with this model means inevitable future shocks—from further pandemics and recessions to worsening climate breakdown—will continue to exceed our capacity to recover. The latest IPCC report, showed that human activity was unequivocally responsible for the climate crisis we are in the midst of. As businesses, cities and nations seek to implement stimulus packages to ‘build back better’, reach the goals of the Paris Agreement and mitigate climate breakdown, we firmly believe that circular approaches can play a vital role. The situation we are living through shows that it is necessary to link circular economy interventions to efforts to mitigate climate breakdown and other pressing social issues.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Our \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2021\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report 2021\u003C/em>\u003C/a>(4) reported that circular economy interventions are vital if we are to limit global warming temperatures to 1.5-degree by 2032—thereby reaching the goals of the Paris Agreement. Current national emissions-reducing pledges—Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)—overwhelmingly focus on the energy transition and moving to non-fossil sources. Although undoubtedly important, this narrow focus will not bring us to where we need to be. Even if all NDCs are implemented, the rise in temperatures is still forecast to hit 2.4-degrees this century, reported our \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2022\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report 2022\u003C/em>\u003C/a>. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">A CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND SOCIETY\u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">For the circular economy to be a means to a socially just and ecologically safe world it has to be managed well. This essay is a thought exercise that explores how the circular economy could strengthen its base moving forward, with social and ethical considerations front of mind. We are confident that the circular economy, which designs out waste and pollution, keeps products and materials in use and regenerates our natural systems, provides a strong foundation for ‘building back better’ and mitigating climate breakdown. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">We cannot continue to frame our relationship with the world solely through production and resource use.(5) With the circular economy’s traditional focus on economic and environmental impacts—such as resource depletion, resource efficiency, innovation rates and air pollution—the link between circular economy and wider social issues are still considered weak and blindspots should be addressed.(6) We need to add strings to our bow. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">We will explore how we can integrate \u003Cstrong id=\"\">social and ethical considerations\u003C/strong> into the circular transition: considerations for a circular economy and society. We do this across three core pillars for the successful integration of environmental and social foundations in the circular economy: A need to redefine prosperity, to reintegrate with nature and to rebalance the local and the global.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Living in these unprecedented times, we must fast forward the process of reaching a socially just and ecologically safe world.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">2. LESSONS LEARNT FOR A CIRCULAR ECONOMY\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">2A. TAILORING THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY TO SUIT THE NOW\u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Fresh approaches to economic systems, such as the circular economy, have increasingly moved to the mainstream. The parameters of the circular economy now feature in governmental and multilateral policies and goals: from the EU Green Deal and the EU Circular Economy Action Plan, to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circular strategies design out waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use and regenerate natural systems. Although the circular economy is firmly rooted in industrial ecology, many circular strategies have clear and tangible benefits that reach beyond the ecological and economic and toward the social. Through many of its strategies, barriers to access can be lowered and community building increased, while sharing models, Extended Producer Responsibility and value chain thinking can encourage a collective society and collective action. Furthermore, its mimicry of natural systems can help facilitate a respect, connection to and value for nature. Overall, the systems-thinking approach of the circular economy requires new forms of collaboration between stakeholders and governance; furthermore boosting our economy's capability to serve universal societal needs within the healthy boundaries of our planet and contributing to the broader sustainable development agenda. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">However, if not managed well there can be trade-offs at the social level in a circular transition. Extractive industries that will recede, for example, have workers who\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/circular-jobs-initiative\"> need to be supported and protected\u003C/a> in a just transition, while circular procurement initiated in one nation may impact workers along the value chain in other geographies. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">These social-economic dynamics have been under increased critical observation: \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.kateraworth.com/\">Doughnut economics\u003C/a>,(7) for example, aims to transform traditional economics with a  roadmap that utilises many circular strategies to bring humanity into a spot where the needs of all are met within the means of the planet. Meanwhile, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/avoiding-blindspots-promoting-circular-and-fair-business-models\">Circle Economy research\u003C/a> from 2022(8) uncovered potential blindspots of circular business models and devised recommendations for avoiding them. These include ensuring true pricing so that circular products are equally accessible to all and being aware, and active in combatting, the fact that male-dominated leadership and gender pay are also observed within circular business models. Further\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/resilience-and-the-circular-economy-opportunities-and-risks\"> Circle Economy research(9) \u003C/a>noted that the circular economy is not a silver bullet for equitable employment, sustainability and prosperity in the ‘building back better’ era. While some circular economy strategies and characteristics are vital for recuperating from the impacts of the global pandemic—such as skills transferability and use of regenerative resources—others, largely its lack of sociological foundation, warrant caution when applying the circular economy in practice.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">In short, any successful economic model must meet the needs of the society it serves, and not only by responsibly managing the natural resources it uses. It is a matter of people and planet, together. A circular economy needs a circular society, and vice versa.\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch5 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">INTEGRATING AN ETHICAL ELEMENT\u003C/strong>\u003C/h5>\u003Cp id=\"\">Armed with the knowledge we have gained over the course of 2020, 2021 and the early days of 2022, we can strive for a more rounded approach to reach our end goal: the ecologically safe and socially just space for humanity. We can broaden the means to ensure that a societal and ethical element is integrated: a circular economy and a circular society.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The circular economy would benefit from tackling aspects which often remain blindspots in circular economy literature and practice. These include legal systems, culture, education, quality of life, values and behavioural norms,(10) and governance and political considerations. In this way, a fully circular approach should also address growing inequalities and actively integrate social justice into its work, for example addressing topics of fair accessibility of resources and taking into consideration the phenomenon of overconsumption in higher-income nations. Feedbacks and interactions from strategies rooted in the circular economy on different parts of the production and consumption chain must also be managed,(11) its environmental thinking linked and backed up with a strong sociological basis; this includes decent and fair job retention or creation and a just transition.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">To explore this more holistic approach in theory, we consider three significant pillars: A need to redefine prosperity; to reintegrate with nature; and to rebalance the local and the global.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">2B. WE NEED TO REDEFINE PROSPERITY\u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003Cstrong id=\"\">WHY? \u003C/strong>What has got us where we are today is the dominance of the current linear economic system that is largely organised around growth. Over decades, even centuries, it has delivered tremendous living standards, wealth and material comfort to some people, in some parts of the world, at certain times. But this has come at a high cost. In achieving this ‘progress’ and ‘prosperity’, our measure of success has been throughput oriented, with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) being the key metric. This is a measure that is focused on the monetary value of goods and services within an economy and policies aimed at economic growth that results in strong GDP have \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"http://www.oecd.org/economy/growth-and-inequality-close-relationship.htm\">historically widened inequalities\u003C/a>.(12)\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">There are many problems with equating GDP growth with success. It does not come with a moral compass; if you engage in deforestation, which is detrimental on multiple levels, GDP still rises. If worsening pollution causes a spike in hospital visits, GDP can also still rise. And in the same vein, GDP does not take into account non-monetised economic activities that may spur social and environmental wellbeing, such as growing your own food and limiting your waste. It only changes if you pay to have these services done for you.(13) Ultimately, most countries that tout the highest GDP rates also consume and waste far beyond several planetary boundaries—finds our \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2020\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Circularity Gap Report 2020\u003C/em>\u003C/a>(14) and are  responsible for most of the globe’s \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://policy-practice.oxfam.org/resources/confronting-carbon-inequality-putting-climate-justice-at-the-heart-of-the-covid-621052/\">current environmental degradation(\u003C/a>15).\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">There are limits to growth due to planetary boundaries. If our demands for energy and resources keep spiralling, for example, then no matter how swiftly we implement renewable energy or resource efficient practices we will end up in the same situation: dangerous climate breakdown. The 21st-century we envision demands new metrics for prosperity—natural and social.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">IN A SAFE AND JUST SPACE:\u003C/strong> In an ecologically safe and socially just space, the economy works for both people and the planet. Measuring its prosperity reflects the wellbeing of both of these facets. Humanity and all living beings are at the heart of economic thought. City and national budgets, policies and operations would be organised around indicators of community and environmental wellbeing across broad categories, such as psychological well-being, health, time-use, education, culture, good governance, community vitality, ecology and living standards. These would be built upon the answer to the question—decided through a participatory and democratic process including representatives from across society—‘what enables us to thrive and prosper?’\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">2C. WE NEED TO REINTEGRATE WITH NATURE \u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003Cstrong id=\"\">WHY? \u003C/strong>In viewing the natural world as a machine separate from humans, rather than something intertwined with our own existence, humans have\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10806-018-9711-1\"> systematised, commoditised and exploited\u003C/a> natural systems.(16) In placing the natural world as separate to the economy and society, it could be cheapened.(17) Currently, common resources are often used for individual benefit, fuelled by the goal of continuous economic growth. But the negative impacts of such exploitation—greenhouse gas emissions, resource scarcity or plastic soup, for example—are shared by the entire planet and its people. This exploitation and the mismanagement of natural resources driven by private interests is causing overconsumption and damaging the delicate equilibrium of our planet’s natural systems, as illustrated by current climate breakdown, increased health hazards, such as from pollution in the air and oceans, biodiversity loss and risk of natural disasters and extreme weather. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Yet the extraction of finite resources continues, painting a \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-09246-2\">risky picture for our future\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Outdoor space, and access to it, can tell us a lot about inequality too. There is a division between those who can afford to reap the benefits of common resources (which have often been privatised) and provisioning services (such as clean air and fresh water) and those who cannot. The covid-19 pandemic has further highlighted the interconnectedness of these trends and continues to \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200617-the-luxury-and-privilege-of-a-balcony-or-yard-during-covid\">spotlight the lack of access to nature\u003C/a>, as well as personal outdoor space(18) in low-income communities. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">How can we shift the narrative from one of independent gain and growth to one of coordination to reduce joint harm on the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://wtf.tw/ref/ostrom_1990.pdf\">commons and to widen equal access\u003C/a>?(19) To do so, we face a vast ‘organisation’ challenge of varied and divergent stakeholders, with their own independent goals and ambitions, and spread across a globalised system.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">IN A SAFE AND JUST SPACE. \u003C/strong>Core to a socially just and ecologically safe space would be the embeddedness of human-centred systems—such as culture, finance and governance—with nature. We can turn to nature for inspiration and mimic its systems, rather than exploit it. In embracing and integrating principles of natural systems—that are fossil-free—within our current systems, they transition from being viewed as individual machines to part of a holistic and interconnected ecosystem. Avenues here include industrial systems such as industrial symbiosis and adaptive capacity, to urban systems, such as natural and green infrastructures. National and subnational governments can drive this in their policy, bringing nature into \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/blogs/can-circular-cities-boost-biodiversity\">cities in tangible ways\u003C/a>—such as rewilding—to increase access, air and water quality. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">2D. WE NEED TO REBALANCE THE LOCAL AND THE GLOBAL \u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">WHY? \u003C/strong>From the silk road to the spice routes in the so-called ‘age of discovery’ in the 15th to 18th centuries, people have \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/01/how-globalization-4-0-fits-into-the-history-of-globalization/\">long traded goods and services across borders\u003C/a>.(20) Alongside the industrial revolution in some parts of the world and the rise of digital competency and the internet from the 1960s onward, global interconnectedness has proliferated. The global economy has rapidly developed, and in its wake, increasingly complex global supply chains.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Globalisation has driven economic growth by opening up global markets and has given rise to low-cost products through economies of scale, and high degrees of specialisation and technological innovation. In many ways, the model has provided many groups with wealth, accessibility and progress along sustainability indicators. But it has also served to tip the scales in favour of large multinational organisations, which often relocate labour to lower-cost countries and tax havens; exploiting both human and natural capital along the way. In this, the global wins over the local. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In tipping the favour toward the global, we see a number of systemic risks to our systems begin to emerge. Fragile supply chains with high complexity and low redundancies, inefficient and resource and emissions-intensive routes, increasing financialisation and speculation on markets, and health emergencies such as the covid-19 pandemic encapsulate these risks. Reflecting on our way forward should immediately call into question the pursuit of economic growth and further globalisation, over, for example, the pursuit of local resilience and regenerative capacity. When faced with so much risk and uncertainty about the future, how can we strengthen our communities, institutions and businesses to reliably generate positive economic, social and environmental outcomes well into the future?\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">IN A SAFE AND JUST SPACE. \u003C/strong>A balance between the local and the global would be core to a safe and just space: a notion of ‘glocalisation’ that is adapted to the local but with a globally cooperative ethic. Local systems would be intentionally designed to be regenerative and resilient because they are the ‘life support’ system for the basic needs of the local population. Here, people would be less reliant on global supply chains and less vulnerable to currency fluctuations. Local economies can prioritise the resilience of support systems, such as food, water, shelter and mobility, and further withstand shocks by maintaining strict closed loops as much as possible. In extending this thinking across all economic activities, every region of the world hosts a diverse and thriving economy and a market for a wide variety of skills and jobs spanning agriculture, manufacturing, retail and IT, amongst others. Material flows are localised as much as possible. Other forms of ‘lighter’ flows, such as knowledge, cooperation and finance, continue to be globalised. That is not to say that specialisation and trade no longer exist; indeed they do, but at a more balanced rate. Localising the heavy stuff, while globalising the light stuff, so to say. In a functioning circular economy, highly inefficient trade routes for products would not be the norm. Around the world, we still see examples of this which seem highly counterintuitive: Mexican calves fed on American corn, only to be exported to the US to be butchered for meat which is then \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/02/world/americas/mexico-corn-nafta-trade.html\">sold in Mexico\u003C/a>.(21)\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">3. THE WAY FORWARD\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">This paper is a thought exercise, or even a reflection, on the curious, turbulent and unexpected events of 2020 and 2021. Looking forward, we must be optimistic and ask: what can we do better?\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The circular economy is an ideal base for ‘building back better’, and we know it is \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2022\">crucial for mitigation of climate breakdown\u003C/a>, but it must be strengthened by broadening its horizon and including ethical considerations. At Circle Economy, we want to create prosperity for all within the limits of our planet. To do so, we combine data, tools and digital knowledge for the greater good. We understand the importance of social and ethical considerations in the work that we do, but that does not mean we are fully there yet. In our journey of exploration and discovery, we welcome input and collaboration.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">We have already begun researching and publishing on this topic and will continue to do so. Our past publications include: \u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/avoiding-blindspots-promoting-circular-and-fair-business-models\">Avoiding blindspots: promoting circular and fair business models\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/creating-city-portraits\">Creating City Portraits: A methodological guide from the thriving cities initiative\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/resilience-and-the-circular-economy-opportunities-and-risks\">Resilience & the circular economy: Opportunities & risks\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/the-social-economy-a-means-for-inclusive-decent-work-in-the-circular-economy\">The social economy: A means for inclusive and decent work in the circular economy?\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Visit our \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/circular-economy/people-in-a-circular-economy\">People in the circular economy\u003C/a> page to learn more.\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Work with us in implementing a circular economy fit for the 21st century\u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Our Circle Scans support \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/services/businesses\">businesses\u003C/a>, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/programmes/cities/services\">cities\u003C/a> and \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/countries\">nations\u003C/a> with circular ambitions in implementing components of the three pillars we discuss in this paper: redefining growth, reintegrating with nature and rebalancing the local and the global. If you have circular ambitions, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/contact\">contact us\u003C/a>. You can also learn more about Circle Economy’s \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/circular-jobs-initiative\">Circular Jobs Initiative\u003C/a>, which seeks to maximise the employment opportunities offered by the circular economy.\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Ch5 id=\"\">References\u003C/h5>\u003Col id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">Berwyn, B. (2020). New study shows global warming increasing frequency of the most-destructive tropical storms. \u003Cem id=\"\">Inside Climate News\u003C/em>. Retrieved from \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://insideclimatenews.org/news/19052020/hurricane-tropical-storms-climate-change/\">Inside Climate News Website\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Chemnick, J. (2020). Amazon deforestation falls where land is under Indigenous control. \u003Cem id=\"\">Scientific American.\u003C/em> Retrieved from \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/amazon-deforestation-falls-where-land-is-under-indigenous-control/\">Scientific American Website\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Gore, T. (2020). Confronting carbon inequality: Putting climate justice at the heart of the COVID-19 recovery (pp. 1-12, Rep.). Nairobi: Oxfam. Retrieved from \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://policy-practice.oxfam.org/resources/confronting-carbon-inequality-putting-climate-justice-at-the-heart-of-the-covid-621052/\">Oxfam Website\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Circle Economy. (2021). \u003Cem id=\"\">The circularity gap report 2021 \u003C/em>(pp. 1-71, Rep.). Amsterdam: Circle Economy. Retrieved from \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2021\">CGRi Website\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Webster, K. (2017). \u003Cem id=\"\">The circular economy: A wealth of flows\u003C/em> (2nd ed.). Ellen MacArthur Foundation Publishing.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Webster, K. (2017). \u003Cem id=\"\">The circular economy: A wealth of flows\u003C/em> (2nd ed.). Ellen MacArthur Foundation Publishing.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Raworth, K. (2017).\u003Cem id=\"\"> Doughnut economics: Seven ways to think like a 21st-century economist. \u003C/em>Chelsea Green Publishing\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Circle Economy. (2020) \u003Cem id=\"\">Avoiding blindspots: promoting circular and fair business models.\u003C/em> Retrieved from \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/avoiding-blindspots-promoting-circular-and-fair-business-models\">Circle Economy Website\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Circle Economy. (2020). \u003Cem id=\"\">Resilience & the circular economy: Opportunities & risks\u003C/em> (pp. 1-16, Rep.). Amsterdam: Circle Economy. Retrieved from \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/resilience-and-the-circular-economy-opportunities-and-risks\">Circle Economy Website\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Circle Economy. (2020). \u003Cem id=\"\">Resilience & the circular economy: Opportunities & risks\u003C/em> (pp. 1-16, Rep.). Amsterdam: Circle Economy. Retrieved from \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/resilience-and-the-circular-economy-opportunities-and-risks\">Circle Economy Website\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Causa, O., De Serres, A., & Ruiz, N. (2014). Growth and inequality: A close relationship? Retrieved from \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"http://www.oecd.org/economy/growth-and-inequality-close-relationship.htm\">OECD Website\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Causa, O., De Serres, A., & Ruiz, N. (2014). Growth and inequality: A close relationship? Retrieved from \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"http://www.oecd.org/economy/growth-and-inequality-close-relationship.htm\">OECD Website\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\"> Hickel, J. (2020). \u003Cem id=\"\">Less is more: How degrowth will save the world\u003C/em> (1st ed.). Cornerstone Digital.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Circle Economy. (2020). \u003Cem id=\"\">The circularity gap report 2021\u003C/em> (pp.1-64, Rep.). Amsterdam: Circle Economy. Retrieved from \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2021\">CGRi Website\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Gore, T. (2020). Confronting carbon inequality: Putting climate justice at the heart of the COVID-19 recovery (pp. 1-12, Rep.). Nairobi: Oxfam. Retrieved from \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://policy-practice.oxfam.org/resources/confronting-carbon-inequality-putting-climate-justice-at-the-heart-of-the-covid-621052/\">Oxfam Website\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Kopnina, H., Washington, H., Taylor, B., & Piccolo, J. (2018). Anthropocentrism: More than just a misunderstood problem. \u003Cem id=\"\">Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Ethics,\u003C/em> \u003Cem id=\"\">31\u003C/em>, 109-127. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10806-018-9711-1\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Kopnina, H., Washington, H., Taylor, B., & Piccolo, J. (2018). Anthropocentrism: More than just a misunderstood problem. \u003Cem id=\"\">Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Ethics,\u003C/em> \u003Cem id=\"\">31\u003C/em>, 109-127. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10806-018-9711-1\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Lufkin, B. (2020). What outdoor space tells us about inequality. \u003Cem id=\"\">BBC. \u003C/em>Retrieved from \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200617-the-luxury-and-privilege-of-a-balcony-or-yard-during-covid\">BBC\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Ostrom, E. (1990). \u003Cem id=\"\">Governing the commons: The evolution of institutions for collective action \u003C/em>(p. 39). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://wtf.tw/ref/ostrom_1990.pdf\">WTF Website\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Vanham, P. (2019). A brief history of globalization. \u003Cem id=\"\">World Economic Forum.\u003C/em> Retrieved from \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/01/how-globalization-4-0-fits-into-the-history-of-globalization/\">WEF Website\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">Semple, K. (2017). Mexico ready to play the corn card in trade talks. \u003Cem id=\"\">The New York Times\u003C/em>. Retrieved from \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/02/world/americas/mexico-corn-nafta-trade.html\">New York Times Website\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003C/ol>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch5 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Lead authors:\u003C/strong>\u003C/h5>\u003Cp id=\"\">Laxmi Haigh, Marc de Wit, Max Russell, Matthew Fraser, Ilektra Kouloumpi, Blake Robinson\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch5 id=\"\">Contributing authors:\u003C/h5>\u003Cp id=\"\">Yasmina Lembachar, Lena Bäunker, Ana Birliga Sutherland, Melanie Wijnands, Maria Grazia Testa, Hatty Cooper, Annerieke Douma, Martijn Lopes Cardozo, Esther Goodwin Brown\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch5 id=\"\">Contributors:\u003C/h5>\u003Cp id=\"\">Robert-Jan van Ogtrop, Herman Wijffels, Louise Vet\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":1497,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1498,"updated_at":1499,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1500,"contents":1502,"contributors":1510,"image":17},"idTn","2023-05-01T10:57:54.000Z","2024-02-23T16:29:56.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1501},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1503],{"id":1504,"score":12,"body":1505,"status":111,"article_id":1497,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1499,"published_at":112},"MPaC",{"image":1506,"title":1507,"content":1508,"summary":16,"attachment":1509,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380875702-BGa8ua1K.jpg","With a circular economy, we can bin overconsumption and boost equality","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">This article was originally published on the \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.thegreenforum.org/blog/circular-economy-we-can-bin-overconsumption-and-boost-equality\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Green Forum\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The current buzzword of climate talks is \u003Cem id=\"\">overconsumption\u003C/em>—and for good reason: we've collectively surpassed the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2021\">100 billion tonnes mark\u003C/a> in fulfilling our wants and needs for goods, both the necessary (housing and food) and the trivial (consumables like fast fashion and disposable items). Just five decades ago, this figure was a third of what it is now—and its inflation isn't due to population growth. Since 1970 the American population has grown by 60%, disproportionately matched by an \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/may/30/should-we-all-stop-shopping-how-to-end-overconsumption\">increase in consumer spending of 400%\u003C/a>: a trend common among nations with an \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/immersive-story/2018/09/20/what-a-waste-an-updated-look-into-the-future-of-solid-waste-management\">expanding middle class\u003C/a>. And we know that these richer nations have historically \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.oxfam.org/en/research/confronting-carbon-inequality\">contributed to the bulk of emissions\u003C/a>—the world's poorest 50% only having contributed 7%. So how can we shift our consumption patterns in a way that puts people front and centre? This article explores how various mechanisms—from taxes and tax breaks to shopping habits—can be balanced with equity concerns to create a more just—and greener—world.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Energy isn't the only culprit: overconsumption has a huge role in our world's emissions profile\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">We can rally behind clean-energy efforts—and we should, but not without recognising what's at the heart of the climate catastrophe: over \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2021\">70% of emissions\u003C/a> stem from material use and handling. Our extraction of resources from the earth, which we then use to produce the cars we drive, build the homes that shelter us, run the farms that keep us nourished and make clothing, homewares and other every-day items that we often treat as disposable, has ruined the planet. It's clear: we need to cut consumption to get climate change under control.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:5137px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"5137px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/625926eff2fbccd5369ea2d5_visual-stories-micheile-SoT4-mZhyhE-unsplash.jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">We must focus on making the most of what we already have to cut consumption. Photo by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@micheile\">Micheile Henderson\u003C/a> on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/SoT4-mZhyhE\">Unsplash\u003C/a>.\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As a system that can maximise the value of what we already have, make waste obsolete and relieve pressure on limited resources, the circular economy can transform how we use materials. But it is not a panacea for all our challenges, environmental or otherwise: the integration of social considerations will require thought—and a revision of how we frame our relationship with the world, currently deeply enmeshed with how we extract resources and produce goods.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">A circular economy that champions the rights of people, as part of the planet\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Our recent paper, \u003Cem id=\"\">Why we need to rethink the 'technical' circular economy\u003C/em>, explores just this: a systems-thinking approach to the circular economy that puts people at the centre. This is a \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/blogs/why-we-need-to-rethink-the-technical-circular-economy\">circular society\u003C/a>. The paper considers how we can create the necessary societal conditions for the roll-out of a circular economy by redefining our relationship with 'stuff' and rethinking how we give meaning to prosperity. While it's clear that a change in the way we consume—as well as produce—goods is needed, talk on the subject can often target those with less responsibility for the crisis, with the danger of making the transition we're working towards an inequitable one. The circular economy exemplifies the changes in consumption we need to see—but it's also about exploring how we can put people at the heart of an economic system. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\"> It has become increasingly apparent that policy and other actions aimed at environmental sustainability may actually have adverse effects on society. Especially parts of society that the linear economy has failed. Consider this: if all of Europe were to sever its reliance on certain parts of the value chain which are integral to the salaries of some workers in Asia, can the move truly be considered as sustainable? This article considers if there are sustainable modes of consumption that benefits people as much as the planet, and the means we must utilise—or drop—to get there.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Environmental taxation isn't a silver bullet—but does it do more harm than good?\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">A political favourite to  influence consumption behaviour: taxation. Sin taxes—those applied to vice products like cigarettes, alcohol and even sugar—are a well-established practice historically. With origins in the 1500s, the tactic took on its more recognisable modern image in a \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,1889187,00.html\">1791 measure\u003C/a> proposed by American statesman Alexander Hamilton: an excise tax on alcohol intended to cut consumption and raise revenue in tandem. And now, as our collective understanding of the environmental impacts of certain products—like meat—grows, calls for taxation have emerged—and they haven't fallen on deaf ears. In early 2020, the Dutch cabinet considered proposals from the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.tappcoalition.eu/nieuws/13130/eu-parliament-to-discuss-dutch-proposal-for-a-fair-meat-price-5th-of-feb\">True Animal Protein Price Coalition\u003C/a> on fairly pricing meat, while governments in \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/08/this-is-why-denmark-sweden-and-germany-are-considering-a-meat-tax/\">Denmark, Sweden and Germany\u003C/a> have been mulling over the issue for some years. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The idea has also faced staunch opposition, particularly from farming bodies and industry lobbyists—as well as researchers claiming that such a tax would be ineffective, and importantly, inequitable. The burden to change behaviour would fall on lower-income households—which typically spend a higher fraction of their disposable income on food—while higher-income consumers wouldn't be swayed by a hike in prices. There's also the likelihood that those impacted by the tax would reallocate their purchasing to cheaper or more processed cuts of meat, which usually would have been produced with environmental standards far more lax. Is there a way, then, to ensure the measure's equitability—and to ensure price increases would indeed have the desired effect of redirecting consumption to plant-based proteins?\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:4928px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"4928px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/62592724d89b474624aa6072_darth-liu-hf_i6mm88pM-unsplash.jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">As meat's environmental impact has become more known, calls for a tax have emerged across Europe. Photo by\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@jiuge9\"> Darth Liu\u003C/a> on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/hf_i6mm88pM\">Unsplash\u003C/a>.\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">While some commentary has played with varying economic structures—arguing for the benefits of \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.internationaltaxreview.com/article/b1t8d0gtrg8ysy/increase-the-vat-burden-on-meat-products-the-perfect-solution\">VAT over excise\u003C/a>, or even setting a minimum price per unit to minimise regressive effects—the key is understanding that fiscal instruments alone aren't a magic bullet. We can instead imagine a holistic system that draws on complementary measures, from awareness-raising to eco-labelling, in combination with a tax-subsidy model—where tax revenue would be 'recycled' to slash the cost of healthy, plant-based proteins and organic produce for lower-income consumers. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The upstream impacts of fiscal measures—such as those on farmers—cannot be forgotten: incentives for farmers to participate in the transition away from meat-heavy diets are as crucial as those for consumers. Our current system of subsidies, targeted at livestock farming in the EU, is broken—\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://mynutriweb.com/if-we-stop-eating-meat-what-happens-to-farmers/\">ecology is an afterthought \u003C/a>and farmers are unable to profit. And the decrease in consumption that could stem from a tax could be counterproductive for the areas that—save for grazing cattle—would be unsuitable for food production. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Once again, holistic solutions are needed that go beyond the core question of reducing consumption, also asking: how can we support agriculturalists in the transition? Which areas are better suited to livestock raising, and which areas could be more prudently used for food production or regenerative practices like agroforestry? How can tax revenue be used to jointly support producers in a transition away from animal farming, and consumers in a transition away from animal eating? Here, one of the core tenets of the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/blogs/why-we-need-to-rethink-the-technical-circular-economy\">circular society\u003C/a> can be a guide: rebalancing the local and the global. Global supply chains are complex and fragile—the covid-19 pandemic proved their \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/blogs/a-circular-economy-fit-for-the-21st-century\">susceptibility to shocks\u003C/a>. Nourishing local systems—and favouring them over agricultural multinationals—can build \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/resilience-and-the-circular-economy-opportunities-and-risks\">resilience\u003C/a>, strengthen communities and provide a slew of environmental benefits, while also delivering the social outcomes a circular economy should prioritise.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Marketing narratives and policy incentives may be gatekeeping sustainability for the privileged \u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Taxation may disincentivise unsustainable consumption—but now, certain forms of sustainability can also come with a price. Many environmentally-friendly behaviours—from reusing the jar your condiments came in rather than buying new ones for storage, to eating inexpensive, whole-foods like lentils for protein rather than the newest vegan meat substitute, or ultimately, just buying less—are widely accessible. Yet, manufacturers have cottoned on to consumers' rising interest in living an environmental lifestyle and are capitalising on the demand, marking up their more 'sustainable' products by \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.nl.kearney.com/consumer-retail/article/?/a/why-todays-pricing-is-sabotaging-sustainability\">an average of 85%\u003C/a>—with the highest markups occurring in the fashion, beauty and health sectors: well over 200%. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The impact? Many consumers are locked out of sustainable living—at least this form of 'sustainable' living that still centres on consumption. While it's easy to argue that it's more effective to simply purchase less and make the most of what you already have, certain larger-ticket items—from energy efficient windows and appliances to electric cars—have their benefits, especially if there aren't even better alternatives such as shared appliances or public transport. And yet those with the privilege to afford such items enjoy tax breaks or other financial incentives that do little to include low-income consumers. While this has been largely effective at changing consumer behaviour—a \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ec.europa.eu/research-and-innovation/en/horizon-magazine/shoppers-cant-afford-energy-efficient-cars-homes-researchers\">Norwegian tax/incentive policy\u003C/a> worked so well that dealers ran out of electric cars to sell—a just transition needs to see more inclusive measures. European research project \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/723741\">CONSEED\u003C/a>, for example, has proposed low-cost financing for people to make their homes more energy-efficient, for tactics ranging from solar panel installation to insulation to improved boilers and windows. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The bottom line: where consumption is necessary—and in most cases, it isn't—doing so sustainably should be accessible to all. How could this look? \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.iadb.org/en/improvinglives/affordable-housing-helps-fight-climate-change\">Mexican company Vinte\u003C/a> provides a good starting point: it has launched a pilot for affordable housing with a low carbon footprint, implementing circular principles ranging from efficient spatial orientation and solar panels to eco-friendly windows with polarised films. These carbon neutral homes could mean a 13% reduction in emissions per inhabitant, while still being affordable. This should be the new normal for all housing projects—not just upscale developments marketed to environmental do-gooders. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">'Trendy environmentalism' is on the rise and it's hijacking the second-hand market \u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Certain policy changes supporting environmental outcomes are on the horizon or already in effect—but what about the actions individuals are undertaking to 'go green' in their personal lives? Just as many high-income countries are seeing carnivorous diets \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://theconversation.com/meat-eating-drops-by-17-over-a-decade-in-the-uk-new-research-168626\">go out of vogue\u003C/a>, fast fashion has entered a similar space of notoriety for its impact on the environment and industry workers alike. Environmental narratives surrounding fashion are straightforward: give clothing a second life by shopping second-hand and avoid buying into the newest trends hitting the racks on a weekly basis. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The attraction to shopping second-hand is growing particularly among Gen X consumers, a group that overwhelmingly believes in the responsibility of companies to address environmental and social issues, according to a recent \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/McKinsey/Industries/Retail/Our%20Insights/The%20influence%20of%20woke%20consumers%20on%20fashion/The-State-of-Fashion-2019.ashx\">McKinsey report\u003C/a>. They also see consumption as an \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://econreview.berkeley.edu/rise-of-thrifting-solution-to-fast-fashion-or-stealing-from-the-poor/\">'expression of individual identity'\u003C/a>—a catalyst for uniqueness that thrifting one-of-a-kind items can provide. But the movement's rise hasn't been met with congratulations across the board: in our linear, profit-hungry world, an increased demand for second-hand clothes has been met, unsurprisingly, with \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.vox.com/the-goods/22396051/thrift-store-hauls-ethics-depop?mkt_tok=MjExLU5KWS0xNjUAAAF_tt4QbFEa0m0fgUOrCD9PXQJoFLkaO2qogdsjKqKQHCYRafn330IAAvC-DymNO-wZUN5jjy1XtJ11AnRHQKnSVu64wQ_9lvg3JylfQOqGPs5yY-g\">gentrification\u003C/a> and jacked-up prices—pushing the poor out of a market they used to dominate.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:4032px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"4032px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/625927656e3e343e98a07e18_shanna-camilleri-ljNQxfyN7AM-unsplash.jpg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Shopping second-hand is rising in popularity—and so are prices. Photo by\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@shannacamilleri\"> Shanna Camilleri\u003C/a> on \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/photos/ljNQxfyN7AM\">Unsplash\u003C/a>.\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The discourse that middle-class thrift shopping is, in essence, 'stealing from the poor' is dependent on scarcity: that there aren't enough second-hand clothes to go around. However, this isn't the case; overwhelmingly, the opposite is true: thrift shops are inundated with so many items that only \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://atmos.earth/secondhand-clothing-thrifting-supply-chain-system/\">10 to 20% of what is donated sells\u003C/a>, with the rest slated for export to lower-income nations. And this creates problems of its own: the influx of donated clothes from the world's richer countries harms local markets and artisans, and ultimately, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.fashionrevolution.org/dead-white-mans-clothes/\">many items end up in landfill regardless\u003C/a>. Second-hand shopping isn't the issue, but rather the way certain thrift shops are run: for a collective enterprise that aims to do good, the focus on profit and quick turnover is still all too clear. For the transition to a socially just circular economy to become a reality, action should be spearheaded by resellers themselves by keeping pricing fair in stores and on apps like Vinted or Poshmark—and consumers should continue to shift away from first-hand shopping guilt-free. And of course: doing more with less, prioritising durable items and repairing rips or tears instead of tossing old clothing in the bin should always be front of mind.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">The transition to a circular society is just as important as a circular economy—and for both, holistic solutions are key \u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">While current attempts to shift consumption patterns for the better are well-intentioned, many miss the mark, failing to give necessary attention to rebound effects. Measures, for the most part, are still rooted in a need to consume—or if they limit consumption, it's only for lower income groups. The bottom line: there is a way to shift consumption patterns that benefits everyone—that drives economic prosperity, regenerates natural systems and keeps the wellbeing of people front and centre. From the global to the local to the personal, the circular transition should be ushered in by policies and processes that protect and promote a circular society—where no one is left behind.\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">Learn more\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">Our recent paper, \u003Cem id=\"\">Why we need to rethink the 'technical' circular economy: A circular economy fit for the 21st-century\u003C/em>, urges us to consider how our response to climate breakdown can reduce inequalities—putting social and ethical considerations front of mind. It explores three key pillars for the successful integration of environmental considerations in the circular economy: the needs to redefine prosperity, reintegrate with nature and the commons and to rebalance the local and the global. Interested in reading more? Find the full paper \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/blogs/why-we-need-to-rethink-the-technical-circular-economy\">here\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":1512,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1513,"updated_at":1514,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":12,"owner":1515,"contents":1517,"contributors":1525,"image":17},"IyN2","2025-11-28T12:09:39.000Z","2025-11-28T12:13:57.000Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1516},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1518],{"id":1519,"score":12,"body":1520,"status":111,"article_id":1512,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1514,"published_at":1238},"xSpM",{"image":1521,"title":1522,"content":1523,"summary":16,"attachment":1524,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380877493-pG2qLoHj.jpg","Your home is a potential goldmine: the household role in turning WEEE from trash to treasure","\u003Cp id=\"\">Globally, electronic waste, or WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment), is a rapidly growing problem. According to the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ewastemonitor.info/the-global-e-waste-monitor-2024/\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">United Nations\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>, in 2023, an average of 8 kilograms of WEEE per person will be generated worldwide, totalling around 61.3 million tonnes. Yet, only 17.4% of this e-waste is properly collected, treated, and recycled. The remaining 50.6 million tonnes will end up stacked in attics, garages and drawers, dumped in landfills, burned, traded illegally, or processed poorly.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Europe leads the world in e-waste recycling efforts, driven by the WEEE Directive, which has progressively increased collection targets, from 45% in 2016 to 65% from 2019 onward. Despite this leadership, in 2022, only \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Waste_statistics_-_electrical_and_electronic_equipment\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">40.1% of e-waste in Europe was officially collected and recycled\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>, equivalent to 11.2 kg per inhabitant. However, it is worth noting that collection rates do not automatically mean circular behaviour is being encouraged. Some countries prioritise repair and refurbishment, which extends product life rather than immediately recycling components into raw material streams.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">As a response to this pressing issue, the EU’s \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/raw-materials/areas-specific-interest/critical-raw-materials/critical-raw-materials-act_en\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Critical Raw Materials Act\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> (CRM Act), introduced in 2023 with targets set for 2030, aims to source a greater share of minerals domestically and through recycling. Targets include:\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Domestic extraction: target 10% of EU annual consumption\u003C/strong>. Currently estimated at \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.unpri.org/download?ac=22365\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">less than 2%\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Domestic processing: target 40% of annual consumption\u003C/strong>. The European Commission identified \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_864\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">24 strategic projects\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> across 13 Member States in 2025, specifically aimed at building domestic processing capacity. Despite this progress, industry and policy analysts say the EU is unlikely to reach its target without a sharp acceleration. Many projects face regulatory delays, local opposition and investment challenges.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Recycling: target 25% of annual consumption from recycling sources\u003C/strong>. For some critical materials, the current recycling rate is minuscule. For example, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/recycling-kick-long-term-solution-eu-rare-earths-challenge-2024-06-27/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">less than 1% of rare earths consumed in the EU are recycled\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Supply diversification: no more than 65% of annual consumption from a single third country\u003C/strong>. \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/raw-materials/areas-specific-interest/critical-raw-materials_en\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Dependency remains high\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> for several materials: China supplies 100% of heavy rare earths, Turkey supplies 99% of the EU’s boron, and South Africa supplies 71% of the platinum used in the EU.\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Inside homes: Untapped wealth of unused electronics\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">A \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.rsc.org/news/2022/may/precious-elements-new-campaign-highlights-need-for-more-sustainable-electronics\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">survey\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> by the Royal Society of Chemistry focusing on UK households found that over half have at least one unused electronic device, with 45% of homes holding up to five such gadgets. Extrapolated, this could mean as many as 40 million unused devices lying idle. Across the EU, between \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://circulairekennis.nl/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/O013-Onderzoek-naar-retourmogelijkheden-van-kleine-gadgets.pdf\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">25% and 50% of Europeans keep their old, unused devices\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>, and in some cases, the total number of stored devices can exceed the population, depending on the source and geographic scope. In 2024, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Green_ICT_-_digital_devices_in_households\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">51% of EU individuals aged 16 to 74 reported simply keeping their old mobile phones\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> in their households.\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1398px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1398px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"Article content\" src=\"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/6929910244682999ab6281a1_1764153970627.jpeg\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"auto\">\u003C/div>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"\">Photo by Lukas Werner\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cbr>Despite well-established collection systems for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) across the EU, such as kerbside collection and retailer take-back schemes, recycling rates remain suboptimal. A \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://weee-forum.org/ws_news/e-waste-experts-urge-public-stop-trashing-electronic-products-with-ordinary-garbage/\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">2022 survey by the WEEE Forum\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> revealed several key reasons behind consumer reluctance to recycle e-waste: nearly half of Europeans keep unused electronics because they might use them again, while others hold onto devices intending to resell or gift them, or due to sentimental attachment. A notable portion also retains electronics because they value the potential future worth or lack confidence in how to dispose of them properly. This reluctance stems from a combination of habitual behaviour, perceived economic or emotional value, and insufficient awareness or trust in local recycling systems. As a result, many devices accumulate in homes instead of entering formal recycling channels, impeding the circular economy's full potential and the recovery of critical raw materials essential to Europe’s sustainability goals.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Improving consumer awareness, providing clear information on disposal options, and strengthening trust in responsible handling are crucial steps to overcoming these barriers and boosting e-waste recycling participation across the EU.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">EU policy momentum\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The EU has introduced several measures that will help, including the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1583933814386&uri=COM:2020:98:FIN\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Circular Economy Action Plan\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> (CEAP), proposals to strengthen the “\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/right-to-repair-products/#:~:text=30%20May%202024)-,Obligation%20to%20repair,vacuum%20cleaners%20or%20mobile%20phones.\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">right to repair\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>”, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1542/oj\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">new battery regulations\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>, and the move to \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://commission.europa.eu/news-and-media/news/eu-common-charger-rules-power-all-your-devices-single-charger-2024-12-28_en\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">USB Type-C as a standard charger\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> by 2024 and for laptops by 28 April 2026. Those rules should reduce waste growth and improve repair and reuse options. Still, policy alone will not collect the untapped resources sitting in households.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Turning the tide: Households as a resource\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Households represent a substantial, underused supply of recoverable materials. Household electronics contain a surprising array of valuable substances: precious and base metals, rare earth elements, copper, lithium and other battery metals that are worth recovering. Even small devices can be rich in recoverable material when aggregated across millions of homes. A recent \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://evertiq.com/news/2025-10-16-billions-in-raw-materials-hidden-in-europes-old-smartphones\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">report\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> by Fraunhofer and refurbed estimates that annual professional recycling of EU household smartphones could recover 5,258 tonnes of cobalt, 431 tonnes of tin, 129 tonnes of magnesium, 43 tonnes of tungsten, 1.3 tonnes of palladium and 8.6 tonnes of gold. Valued at market prices in 2025, the total worth of these metals in unused smartphones is estimated at €1.1 billion.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">With such potential in mind, here are some practical actions individuals can take today to contribute to circularity and resource recovery:\u003C/p>\u003Cul id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Choose durable, repairable products.\u003C/strong> Look for brands that supply spare parts, service manuals and modular designs. Long warranties help too. Fairphone is a well-known example of a European brand that embraces durability and reparability. \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://shop.fairphone.com/nl/fairphone-5\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Fairphone 5\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> offers ten swappable spare parts, a modular design, eight years of software updates, and a five-year warranty. \u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Repair before replacing.\u003C/strong> Use local repair cafés, independent repair shops or manufacturer repair programmes. Repair extends product life and delays entry into waste streams. The network of the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://repair.eu/our-network/\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Right to Repair campaign\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> is made up of organisations based in several European countries and representing civil society organisations, repair businesses, community repair initiatives and public institutions.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Buy second-hand or refurbished.\u003C/strong> This lowers demand for freshly mined materials and gives devices a second life. \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.backmarket.nl/nl-nl\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Back Market\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> is a leading pan-European marketplace for refurbished electronics, active in over 16 countries. It specialises in smartphones, laptops, tablets, and other consumer electronics with quality-checked products and warranties.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Use clear take-back schemes.\u003C/strong> Check local kerbside options, click-and-collect schemes at retailers, or municipal collection events. Using digital platforms that explain what to do with specific items can make recycling far easier. For example, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/posts/media-markt-saturn_mediamarkt-saturn-sustainability-activity-7258009947362283520-0aC9/\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">MediaMarktSaturn\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>, one of Europe’s largest consumer electronics retailers, offers a wide range of circular services across its stores in Germany. These include trade-in programmes, repair and maintenance of electronic devices, resale and recycling options, exchange of old mobile phones for gift cards, an expanding range of refurbished products, and the collection and disposal of old electronic appliances across all MediaMarkt and Saturn stores.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Donate or sell responsibly.\u003C/strong> Passing on working devices to family, friends or to the secondhand store reduces new production and stretches the embedded resources further.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Store with a plan.\u003C/strong> If an old device is kept for potential future use, label it and set a reminder to reassess its value in six months. That helps avoid indefinite hoarding.\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003Cp id=\"\">Policy changes are essential, but so is citizen action. Households can unlock a significant stream of critical raw materials simply by repairing, returning, donating or recycling unwanted electronics. Turning “trash” into treasure starts at home, and every device that is reused or recycled reduces dependence on imported materials, supports circular industry jobs and keeps valuable resources in play.\u003C/p>\u003Ch1>—\u003C/h1>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Learn more\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circle Economy has a proven track record of designing and implementing impactful circular economy strategies worldwide, rethinking circularity to ensure successful citizen uptake and broad societal adoption. Under the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.switchtocircular.eu/value-chains/electronics-ict\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">SWITCH2CE\u003C/strong>\u003C/a> project in Egypt, we are leading capacity development to train local personnel and TVET graduates to adopt practices that enable circular transitions within the electronics sector.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Our team possesses the skills, experience, and mindset necessary to design and implement impactful circular economy strategies with and for you. Let us guide you on your circular journey!\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">You can reach out to us via our \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/contact\" target=\"_self\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">contact form\u003C/strong>\u003C/a>. \u003C/p>",[],[],{"id":1527,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1528,"updated_at":1529,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":667,"owner":1530,"contents":1532,"contributors":1541,"image":17},"1Ozu","2024-01-09T12:22:31.000Z","2026-04-28T12:55:43.872Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1531},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1533],{"id":1534,"score":12,"body":1535,"status":111,"article_id":1527,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1540,"published_at":112},"ZS6I",{"image":1536,"title":1537,"content":1538,"summary":16,"attachment":1539,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380772467-YBYUDPYv.jpg","How AI can boost data-driven policymaking in the circular economy","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">This article was originally published by \u003Ca href=\"https://www.euronews.com/business/2024/01/04/can-ai-boost-data-driven-policymaking-in-the-circular-economy\">Euronews\u003C/a>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">By now, most of us are familiar with certain language models, like ChatGPT or OpenAI, which have become almost omnipresent in public discourse surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI). They’ve made an extraordinary splash, met with both praise and disdain, prompting a larger discussion about the place of AI in our lives. But many of us may not know that scientists and data analysts have been using AI-based language models to aid research efforts for \u003Cem id=\"\">years\u003C/em>—also in the world of sustainability. With the climate crisis looming—posing a vast and complex threat to life on Earth—AI is rising to the fore as a tool to aid impactful solutions. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">One such solution: the circular economy, a systems framework that transforms our linear ‘take-make-waste’ economy into one that circulates resources and regenerates nature. For researchers and policymakers wanting to monitor circular economy activities and resource use—as well as discover these activities’ impacts—AI has the potential to provide valuable insights. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Putting AI to work on circular job market analysis\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">To bring the circular economy from theory to practice, policymakers first need to understand which skills are in demand for businesses implementing circular strategies—and which sectors and occupations need to re-train their workers. This will be crucial to move the needle on high-impact industries: the textiles and clothing sector, for example, which releases 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 each year. So where does AI come in? Amsterdam-based impact organisation, Circle Economy, rolled out an innovative new method for analysing demand for skills in the job market in its report \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/putting-circular-textiles-to-work-2\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Putting Circular Textiles to Work\u003C/em>\u003C/a>, which explores the Dutch textile industry’s employment potential. A year’s worth of job listings from across the industry were analysed, with AI leveraged to determine whether or not the listings indicated a need for ‘circular’ skills—think repair or circular design, for example. This highlighted demand for circular skills compared to ‘traditional’ ones: a report card of sorts for the industry’s sustainable transition. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">This method has excellent potential to be applied across sectors: partnerships with job listing sites, from Indeed to LinkedIn, could help monitor demand for circular versus linear skills on an ongoing basis. This more granular view of the labour market’s demand for circular skills can help define more accurate, dynamic parameters for traditional scenario models that can forecast employment—and can even be used to evaluate job-seeker’s profiles to also shed light on the availability of circular skills. This method wouldn’t be fool-proof—certain operations (small-scale agriculture, for example, or construction) may not use online platforms to seek workers—but can still be used to provide new insights on the future of employment in a circular economy. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">AI enables more holistic circular research\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">A common obstacle for researchers: complete and reliable data isn’t a given. Researchers trying to evaluate circular activities often aren’t able to do so because activities are classified under traditional sector codes (for example, Construction or Manufacturing), which do not accurately reflect circular activities (for example, the construction of circular buildings, circular demolition, secondary repair activities, or manufacturing of wind turbines). Companies are also often associated with multiple activities, which is not reflected by—and therefore skews—traditional business activity data.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">AI was leveraged here to correct Nomenclature of Economic Activities (more commonly known as NACE) codes—the European classification system used for product and business statistics. The\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://vito.be/en\"> Flemish Institute for Technical Research\u003C/a> (VITO), Circle Economy and the\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://associatie.kuleuven.be/eng\"> KU Leuven Association\u003C/a> teamed up with\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.inoopa.com/\"> Inoopa\u003C/a>, a company that conducts AI-based natural language analysis of companies, to estimate sectors’ circular activities. They used AI to scan all the text appearing on companies’ websites—be it from a blog, report, video or webpage—and organise it into similar themes called ‘concepts’. By correlating these ‘concepts’ with predefined circular concepts, companies could be graded on their circular activity. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In practice, for example, a consumer goods company would largely exhibit ‘concepts’ surrounding their products—but also potentially around goals to cut packaging or minimise water use in their production processes. These themes can be analysed to generate a score indicating the extent to which the business is talking about their circular activities. Using this method, a dedicated repair company would likely have a very high score, whilst the above-mentioned consumer goods company (which seems to be working on circular goals) might have a medium score. With these new insights on circularity, policymakers can better develop enabling policies to support inter-industrial collaboration and infrastructure for sectors and companies active in the circular economy transition.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">AI can drive the quick creation of legal and policy documents\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">A crucial factor in driving the circular transition: putting our money where our mouth is. Sustainable projects need capital to flourish—and to scale. While the EU is leading on this with sustainable finance regulations like the \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://finance.ec.europa.eu/sustainable-finance/tools-and-standards/eu-taxonomy-sustainable-activities_en\">EU Taxonomy\u003C/a>, which can help investors make greener choices, complex data disclosure is muddying the process. \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.briink.com/post/how-nlp-will-accelerate-sustainable-finance\">Briink\u003C/a> details how natural language processing can help here, too: these models can scan through huge amounts of unstructured text to find evidence of the sustainable activities listed in the EU Taxonomy, for example, which can help investors determine which apply to a company, portfolio or customer list. And as new and complex laws emerge in different EU Member States, natural language processing can be put to work to map various legal documents, providing an up-to-date overview of the legislative landscape. This will ease the work of analysts and practitioners, allowing developments to take place at the speed and scale the climate crisis demands. \u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">AI, big data and the climate crisis\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">While the integration of AI into circular economy research is well underway, there is still much to explore using natural language models. Considering the amount of text available—case studies, policy documents, job listings, research papers, social media posts—and the maturity of AI language models, there are opportunities to leverage AI to fill data gaps and provide new perspectives on the circular economy as it evolves in different sectors and geographies. There may not be a silver bullet solution to climate change, but AI-based research can help us find solutions to the most complex crisis of our time.\u003C/p>",[],"2024-02-23T15:40:02.000Z",[],{"id":1543,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":1544,"updated_at":1545,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":667,"owner":1546,"contents":1548,"contributors":1557,"image":17},"z7DV","2023-04-17T10:04:36.000Z","2026-04-28T22:51:46.035Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1547},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1549],{"id":1550,"score":12,"body":1551,"status":111,"article_id":1543,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1556,"published_at":112},"EUn8",{"image":1552,"title":1553,"content":1554,"summary":16,"attachment":1555,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380860403-4_iVLN_y.jpg","To reach sustainability goals at COP27, we must prioritise — and finance — circular projects","\u003Cblockquote id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">This article was first published by the \u003C/em>\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://thegreenforum.org/blog/reach-sustainability-goals-cop27-we-must-prioritise-and-finance-circular-projects\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Green Forum\u003C/em>\u003C/a>\u003C/blockquote>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‘“Show me the money’’ might seem like a crass way of summarising COP27 climate negotiations. Yet it gets to the heart of what the world must do to tackle climate change and the reason why the United Nations organises these annual climate conferences,’ notes Akshat Rathi and John Ainger of \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/how-payouts-for-climate-damage-fit-into-cop27-s-trillion-dollar-fight-1.1842787\" target=\"_blank\">Bloomberg Green.\u003C/a>‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Today, the large majority of climate initiatives focus on the critical role of renewables and energy-efficiency — yet research shows that energy-use is only responsible for 30% of current greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The other 70% stem from\u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2021\" target=\"_blank\"> material use and production processes\u003C/a>. This highlights a huge opportunity to employ circular strategies as a strong economic and environmental tool. At this year’s COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, finance for climate change mitigation and adaptation remains a hot topic. This year will hopefully provide the long overdue opportunity to position the financial system as a key driver of sustainable development and broaden its scope to include new or alternative approaches — chiefly the circular economy.‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">This article explores the specific opportunity that the circular economy provides for International Financial Institutions (IFIs), positioning the concept as a systemic approach to sustainable development that addresses multiple environmental objectives in tandem with economic prosperity. It summarises the findings of a paper published by Amsterdam-based impact organisation Circle Economy. The paper, \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/unlocking-the-potential-of-international-financial-institutions-in-the-circular-economy-transition\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Unlocking the Potential of International Financial Institutions in the Circular Transition: A High-level Roadmap\u003C/em>\u003C/a>, was commissioned by the Dutch government and was developed based on work sessions with the IFI circularity exchange network. These findings will be presented during the Launch of the Circular Finance Roadmap for International Financial Institutions (IFIs) at COP27 on the 17th of November.‍\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cfigure id=\"\" class=\"w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-fullwidth\" style=\"max-width:1200px\" data-rt-type=\"image\" data-rt-align=\"fullwidth\" data-rt-max-width=\"1200px\">\u003Cdiv id=\"\">\u003Cimg id=\"\" alt=\"UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE CIRCULAR TRANSITION\" src=\"https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5d26d80e8836af2d12ed1269/643d1666d266ede5b8ea1bc9_image%202.webp\" width=\"auto\" height=\"auto\" loading=\"lazy\">\u003C/div>\u003C/figure>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">‍\u003C/h3>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Beyond tunnel vision on net-zero and towards a circular economy\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The current economy takes materials from the Earth and makes materials and products from them that are largely discarded as waste. This process is linear. A circular economy significantly improves the efficiency of how we use materials, and aims to replace virgin materials with secondary materials recovered from waste streams. The formation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, upon the signing of the Paris Agreement, recognised the circular economy as an essential approach to addressing the root causes of multiple cross-cutting sustainability challenges. The agreement states that extraction-led growth has been detrimental to the environment and that fundamental changes in resource use are imperative to keeping global temperature rise within 1.5-degrees.‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">For the low- and middle- income countries where IFIs typically direct their resources, the circular economy offers a multi-faceted approach to development. Proper cycling of resources has been shown to have a profound mitigating effect on biodiversity loss and pollution, while also relieving material shortages to \u003Ca id=\"\" href=\"https://www.circularity-gap.world/2021\" target=\"_blank\">improve climate resilience\u003C/a>. At the same time, the circular economy offers new opportunities for economic diversification, skills development and job creation. For IFIs, this represents a new paradigm for financing sustainable development.‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Unfortunately, however, the circular economy is often seen as separate to traditional sustainable development approaches, rather than an improvement of them — or worse still, as a tool only for rich countries. A key issue for IFIs is a historic reliance on extractive-led growth in industrialising economies, where natural material extraction has traditionally been pursued as standard practice for economic development. As such, the circular economy can seem counterintuitive or overly-complex to IFI’s client countries, and this often results in lesser demand for circular projects in these regions.‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">These aren’t the only barriers: other factors also prevent financiers from making investments in circular projects. A lack of circular investment standards and indicators make assessments difficult, for example, while limited experience and minimal proof of concept increases the perceived risk. For IFIs, working to overcome these obstacles is essential to leveraging the systemic potential of the circular economy in their development efforts. For the low- and middle-income countries set to benefit from financing, the shift would provide an alternative strategy for development that makes them less vulnerable to supply volatility and economic shocks, while mitigating GHG emissions.‍\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Four ways IFIs can support the circular transition\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Circle Economy organised the IFI circularity exchange network to identify obstacles to financing circularity in low- and middle-income countries today, and then to consider the changes that need to be made to address them. The result of this work was a high-level roadmap that proposes a number of goals for IFIs to reach by 2030, structured across four overarching objectives:\u003C/p>\u003Col id=\"\">\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Link circularity with existing environmental objectives \u003C/strong>to ensure that the circular economy becomes both a standalone objective and a critical tool to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Improve assessment methods for circular economy investments \u003C/strong>so that high-impact circular projects can be identified and compared effectively and at scale.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Build internal capacity for the circular transition \u003C/strong>so that it is embedded in operations to achieve both economic success for countries and partners, and as a systemic approach to meeting environmental objectives.\u003C/li>\u003Cli id=\"\">\u003Cstrong id=\"\">Develop mechanisms to de-risk and improve funding for the circular economy \u003C/strong>that leverage public-private collaboration.\u003C/li>\u003C/ol>\u003Cp id=\"\">Embracing the circular economy could mean massive impact for IFIs, and could help align their goals with those of the Paris Agreement — while acting as levers for circular funding and catalysing financial contributions from private banks.\u003C/p>\u003Ch1 id=\"\">—\u003C/h1>\u003Ch4 id=\"\">The COP for action: join our event to learn more\u003C/h4>\u003Cp id=\"\">According to COP’s presidency vision, the conference must focus on moving from negotiation to implementation: it’s time to formulate a ‘response with an aim to create a resilient planet’. Finance must be a part of this. Circle Economy’s Circular Finance Roadmap provides IFIs with the actionable steps toward creating a more resilient planet for all. \u003Cstrong id=\"\">You can learn more at the Launch of the Circular Finance Roadmap for International Financial Institutions at COP27, Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt, on the 17th of November in the EIB & Benelux Pavilion from 17.30 to 19.00 CET.\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">‍\u003C/p>",[],"2024-02-23T16:12:02.000Z",[],{"id":1559,"type":700,"cta":17,"cta_link":17,"created_at":1560,"updated_at":1560,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":703,"views":12,"owner":1561,"contents":1563,"contributors":1580,"image":1581},"Ik-y","2026-04-29T10:01:13.609Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1562},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1564],{"id":1565,"score":12,"body":1566,"status":111,"article_id":1559,"created_at":1560,"updated_at":1579,"published_at":17},"64LG",{"title":1567,"outcome":1568,"problem":1569,"summary":1570,"solution":1571,"attachment":1572},"Retaining value from waste in manufacturing: Sohar Aluminium in Oman","\u003Cp>In 2024, Sohar Aluminium recycled approximately 3,500 tonnes of aluminium scrap, with ambitions to increase volumes in subsequent years. These efforts contribute to higher material retention within Oman’s manufacturing system and demonstrate the economic viability of circular practices in heavy industry. At the national level, recycling rates for scrap materials have increased from approximately 25% in 2022 to 40% in 2024, indicating growing momentum for industrial recycling. While further clarification and standardisation of metrics are needed, Sohar Aluminium’s initiatives illustrate how circular manufacturing can reduce waste, improve resource efficiency, and support Oman’s broader economic diversification and sustainability objectives.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Sources include links added and information provided by Sohar Aluminium.\u003C/em>\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>Linear manufacturing models are characterised by intensive resource extraction, high energy use, significant waste generation, and substantial greenhouse gas emissions. In Oman, manufacturing plays a central role in the country’s economic diversification strategy but remains largely resource- and energy-intensive, with limited uptake of circular practices such as reuse, remanufacturing, recycling, and industrial symbiosis.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>In Oman, industrial activities are geographically concentrated in hubs such as Sohar, Duqm, and Salalah, creating clear opportunities for shared infrastructure and material flows. However, these opportunities remain largely underexploited due to limited policy incentives, gaps in technical expertise, underdeveloped recycling infrastructure, and a lack of mature circular supply chains. As a result, industrial waste streams are not fully valorised, and the sector continues to depend heavily on imported primary materials.\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>Omani aluminium producer, Sohar Aluminium, is integrating circular economy principles into its manufacturing operations, positioning aluminium recycling as a strategic lever for domestic value creation. By strengthening local recycling capacity, the company aims to reduce reliance on imported raw materials, improve resource efficiency, and support job creation while enhancing Oman’s attractiveness for foreign investment in circular manufacturing.\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>Circular manufacturing replaces extractive, linear models with regenerative systems that retain material value, reduce waste, and lower exposure to volatile global raw material markets. For Oman, this transition offers cost savings, increased supply-chain resilience, reduced emissions, and opportunities for innovation and employment.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Sohar Aluminium has begun applying circular principles through the reuse, recycling, and recovery of materials across its operations. These initiatives include the recycling of aluminium scrap as well as other long-standing material streams such as ferrous metals, batteries, tyres, wood, paper, and plastics. In 2024, Sohar Aluminium recycled up to 90% of the long-standing materials mentioned, generating revenue from materials previously treated as waste.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Aluminium recycling is particularly significant due to its substantially lower energy requirements compared to primary aluminium production, making it a high-impact circular manufacturing strategy. In addition to material recovery, Sohar Aluminium is advancing energy-efficiency projects and workforce well-being programmes as part of a broader approach to sustainable industrial operations. The company positions Oman as a potential aluminium recycling hub within the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC), highlighting the strategic importance of circular manufacturing in the region.\u003C/p>",[1573,1576],{"name":1574,"type":718,"value":1575},"15,000 tpa of aluminium recycled as Oman advances in circular economy","https://www.omanobserver.om/article/1169439/business/economy/15000-tpa-of-aluminium-recycled-as-oman-advances-in-circular-economy",{"name":1577,"type":718,"value":1578},"Sohar Aluminium highlights environmental progress in Sustainability Report","https://aluminiumtoday.com/news/sohar-aluminium-highlights-environmental-progress-in-sustainability-report","2026-04-29T10:01:13.690Z",[],{"id":1582,"link":1583,"alt":1584,"source":1585,"created_at":1586,"updated_at":1586,"article_id":1559,"image_profile_id":17,"banner_profile_id":17},"cmojvxh980007sb01arrnjj6y","https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/b2UuIVKzf5vYFVJ1.jpg","Photo from Sohar Aluminium Website","Sohar Aluminium Website","2026-04-29T10:01:13.629Z",{"id":1588,"type":732,"cta":17,"cta_link":17,"created_at":1589,"updated_at":1589,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":703,"views":12,"owner":1590,"contents":1592,"contributors":1624,"image":1625},"xpET","2026-04-29T10:20:05.646Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1591},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1593],{"id":1594,"score":12,"body":1595,"status":111,"article_id":1588,"created_at":1589,"updated_at":1623,"published_at":17},"z6X8",{"title":1596,"outcome":1597,"problem":1598,"summary":1599,"solution":1600,"attachment":1601},"Shared mobility in a car-dependent system: vanpooling and shared taxis in Oman","\u003Cp>These shared mobility practices collectively contribute to increased vehicle occupancy and reduced per-capita transport emissions in a system otherwise dominated by private cars. Taxis account for over 28,000 registered vehicles (around 1.6% of all registered vehicles) and operate in near-continuous circulation, serving multiple passengers daily. Public transport is also gaining acceptance, with the national operator carrying more than 4.7 million passengers in 2024, alongside continued expansion of bus routes and stations.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>While carpooling and shared taxis have declined in some areas due to the growth of app-based ride services and bus networks, shared vans, collective taxis, and ride-hailing platforms remain critical mobility solutions, particularly for lower-income groups and intercity travel. Together, these systems demonstrate that circular mobility practices already exist in Oman, even within a car-dependent context. Scaling and formalising these models, through regulation, digital platforms, and integration with public transport, offers a realistic pathway to reducing car ownership, congestion, and emissions while maintaining access and affordability.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Sources include links added, and Circle Economy. (2026). The circularity gap report Oman. Amsterdam: Circle Economy.\u003C/em>\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>Mobility is essential for access to employment, services, and social participation, yet it is also a major contributor to emissions and material use through private vehicle ownership. In Oman, personal transport (and household emissions) accounts for a substantial share of carbon emissions, reflecting a strong reliance on private cars. Car dependency is reinforced by two structural factors. First, Oman’s vast geography and low population density make private vehicles the most practical option for many journeys, particularly outside urban centres. Second, extreme heat limits the feasibility of active mobility such as walking and cycling for much of the year. As a result, the majority of residents use cars daily, while public transport and active mobility options remain limited.\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>Oman’s transport system is car dependent, driven by geographic scale, dispersed settlement patterns, limited public transport coverage, and harsh climate conditions. However, shared mobility practices, such as vanpooling, shared minibuses, and collective taxi use, are already embedded in everyday mobility, especially for commuting and intercity travel. While  not explicitly labelled as circular, these practices increase vehicle occupancy, reduce per-capita emissions, and decrease car ownership.\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>Circular mobility in the Omani context hinges on reducing private car ownership, improving vehicle utilisation, and expanding shared and public transport options, alongside developing urban mobility systems that better support circular mobility. While formal public transport is expanding, its modal share remains modest. Achieving lower emissions and reduced congestion will therefore require greater reliance on shared mobility solutions that make more efficient use of existing vehicles. Shared mobility already exists in Oman through a mix of formal, semi-formal, and informal systems, which increase occupancy rates and reduce per-capita transport impacts.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The most widespread are shared vans and minibuses (so called Baisa buses), which carry up to 15 passengers and provide the lowest-cost intra-urban transport, particularly used by low-wage expatriate workers. Operating on flexible routes and organised informally via social networks and messaging platforms, they function as daily vanpooling systems. Shared taxis are another long-standing model, operating in both urban and intercity contexts, where passengers travelling in the same direction share a car at a fixed fare. This system offers a practical alternative on routes with limited bus services and allows flexible occupancy, as passengers heading to the same destination can either share rides or pay the full fare for private travel. More recently, shared mobility has expanded through the formalisation and digitalisation of taxi services. Regulated ride-hailing platforms such as Otaxi, in partnership with Yango, use app-based dispatch, metered fares, and fleet management to modernise services and pool demand, reducing reliance on private car ownership.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Policy developments are reinforcing this shift. From April 2025, all regular taxis operating in public spaces must register with licensed ride-hailing applications, enabling service standardisation and data reporting. Muscat Municipality has also promoted carpooling to reduce congestion, emissions, parking demand, and transport costs.\u003C/p>",[1602,1605,1608,1611,1614,1617,1620],{"name":1603,"type":718,"value":1604},"Profiling Socially-Structured Vanpooling Users in Oman: A Data-Driven Approach","https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352146525006805",{"name":1606,"type":718,"value":1607},"Yango Reveals Key Ride-Hailing & Transport Trends Across the UAE and Oman","https://www.biztoday.news/2026/01/26/yango-reveals-key-ride-hailing-transport-trends-across-the-uae-and-oman/",{"name":1609,"type":718,"value":1610},"Is carpooling an option in Muscat to reduce traffic, parking woes?","https://www.omanobserver.om/article/1173572/oman/transport/is-carpooling-an-option-in-muscat-to-reduce-traffic-parking-woes",{"name":1612,"type":718,"value":1613},"“Ready to drive change together?” Muscat Municipality urges public to adopt carpooling","https://www.thearabianstories.com/2025/07/15/ready-to-drive-change-together-muscat-municipality-urges-public-to-adopt-carpooling/",{"name":1615,"type":718,"value":1616},"Otaxi signs strategic partnership agreement with ITHCA Group and Yango Group to elevate taxi services in Oman","https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/otaxi-signs-strategic-partnership-agreement-with-ithca-group-and-yango-group-to-elevate-taxi-services-in-oman-wb60fr2p",{"name":1618,"type":718,"value":1619},"All street taxis in Oman must register with app-based firms by April 1: Ministry issues reminder","https://www.thearabianstories.com/2025/03/15/all-street-taxis-in-oman-must-register-with-app-based-firms-by-april-1-ministry-issues-reminder/",{"name":1621,"type":718,"value":1622},"Public Transportation in Oman: A Practical Guide to Getting Around Without a Car","https://www.jarniascyril.com/expatriation/moving-to-oman-expat-guide-complete/public-transport-oman-practical-guide/","2026-04-29T10:20:05.789Z",[],{"id":1626,"link":1627,"alt":1628,"source":1629,"created_at":1630,"updated_at":1630,"article_id":1588,"image_profile_id":17,"banner_profile_id":17},"cmojwlqsk0001sc01j0n7o2vs","https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/nNl2w8vnER5cAjm_.jpg","Photo from an article by Vinod Nair, Oman Daily Observer","an article by Vinod Nair, Oman Daily Observer","2026-04-29T10:20:05.732Z",{"id":1632,"type":732,"cta":17,"cta_link":17,"created_at":1633,"updated_at":1633,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":703,"views":12,"owner":1634,"contents":1636,"contributors":1662,"image":1663},"hU8U","2026-04-29T11:26:05.848Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1635},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1637],{"id":1638,"score":12,"body":1639,"status":111,"article_id":1632,"created_at":1633,"updated_at":1661,"published_at":17},"doMG",{"title":1640,"outcome":1641,"problem":1642,"summary":1643,"solution":1644,"attachment":1645},"The shift away from an oil economy: renewable energy projects in Oman","\u003Cp>Oman has made significant progress in expanding renewable energy capacity and building domestic clean energy manufacturing. Large-scale projects such as the North Solar PV IPP and Riyah wind farms are expected to be operational by 2026, collectively saving millions of cubic metres of natural gas and reducing CO₂ emissions by over 960,000 tonnes annually. Smaller distributed projects under the Sahim initiative are extending renewable adoption to residential and commercial users. Utility-scale projects including Ibri-II and Dhofar wind farms are already operational or nearing completion, marking a major milestone in Oman’s green energy transition. The domestic green hydrogen sector is attracting substantial investment and developing infrastructure for production, storage, and distribution, including refuelling stations. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the solar panel factory in Sohar Freezone and the wind turbine factory in Duqm Special Economic Zone are establishing new industrial and technology sectors, supply chains, and skilled job opportunities within Oman. Together, these projects support Oman’s goal of sourcing 30–40% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and align with the Net Zero 2050 pledge. Policy support, international investment, and the deployment of both large-scale and smaller distributed renewable energy projects, combined with the creation of local manufacturing capacity, position Oman to reduce fossil fuel dependence, cut emissions, and develop a resilient, circular, and low-carbon energy system.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Sources include links added, information given by the Ministry of Economy, and Circle Economy. (2026). The circularity gap report Oman. Amsterdam: Circle Economy.\u003C/em>\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>Oman is a relatively high-income country whose development has been shaped by the hydrocarbon industry. Its economy relies on oil, natural gas, and related extractive sectors, which have supported significant economic and social development, underpinning a strong welfare state with free healthcare, education, and low taxation, and contributing to relatively high living standards. This reliance links the economy, society, and governance to global energy market volatility, exposing the country to supply chain disruptions and geopolitical shocks.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Despite modest growth in renewables, domestic capacity remains limited relative to national decarbonisation goals. The energy-intensive economy, combined with rising electricity demand and continued fossil fuel dependence, drives substantial greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impacts. Oman must therefore expand clean energy deployment while strengthening technical, financial, and regulatory capacity to meet its decarbonisation objectives.\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>Oman is actively transitioning away from a fossil fuel–dominated energy system toward renewable and low-carbon energy sources, in line with its Net Zero by 2050 pledge and Vision 2040. In 2025, renewable energy contributed approximately 9% of total electricity generation, with solar and wind accounting for approximately 5%, almost doubling from 2024. The Omani government is diversifying Oman's energy mix to include more renewables, reducing carbon emissions, and improving resilience.\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>Oman is focused on increasing renewable energy in its energy mix, supported by policy and financial incentives. The country is deploying a combination of large-scale renewable energy projects, smaller distributed generation systems, green hydrogen initiatives, and domestic clean energy manufacturing. For example, solar and wind energy projects like the North Solar 100 MW PV independent power project and the Riyah-1 and Riyah-2 wind farms, which to date collectively generating 200 MW per year. These projects, supported by Petroleum Development Oman in partnership with OQ Alternative Energy and TotalEnergies Renewables, integrate renewable generation into the national grid and reduce CO₂ emissions by hundreds of thousands of tonnes annually.  Solar-diesel hybrid systems and the \u003Cem>Sahim \u003C/em>program enable residential and commercial buildings to generate solar electricity and feed excess energy back into the grid. Other large-scale projects such as the Ibri-II solar PV plant and Dhofar-I wind IPP are operational or nearing completion, while additional wind projects in Jaalan Bani Bu Ali, Harweel, Duqm, and Dhofar are planned, totaling several hundred megawatts.  The green hydrogen sector, led by Hydrom and supported by international investment, is targeting production of 1.4 million tonnes per year and has launched the first hydrogen refuelling stations in 2025.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Clean energy manufacturing not only contributes to increased renewable energy use in Oman, but is also driving industrial development. A solar panel and cell factory in the Sohar Freezone is being implemented by JA Solar with an investment of approximately OMR 217 million, establishing the domestic renewable energy components industry. Similarly, the Duqm Special Economic Zone hosts a wind turbine factory implemented by Mawarid Turbine in partnership with international entities, with an investment exceeding OMR 70 million, marking the first facility in the region capable of manufacturing high-capacity turbines. These initiatives create supporting manufacturing and technology industries, supply chains, and new employment opportunities in the renewable energy sector, contributing to economic diversification and positioning Oman as a regional clean energy hub. Policy and regulatory measures, including Royal Decree No. 10/2023 allocating 65,000 km² for renewable and hydrogen projects, and Nama Energy and Water Procurement Company’s procurement of 8,010 MW in solar and wind projects through 2030, underpin these initiatives and support grid integration, electricity storage, and energy diversification.\u003C/p>",[1646,1649,1652,1655,1658],{"name":1647,"type":718,"value":1648},"Renewable energy in Oman","https://cms.law/en/int/expert-guides/cms-expert-guide-to-renewable-energy/oman",{"name":1650,"type":718,"value":1651},"PDO awards three renewable energy projects","https://www.muscatdaily.com/2024/12/11/pdo-awards-three-renewable-energy-projects/",{"name":1653,"type":718,"value":1654},"Oman’s Renewable Energy Projects","https://www.trade.gov/market-intelligence/omans-renewable-energy-projects",{"name":1656,"type":718,"value":1657},"Work begins on PDO’s Rawafid renewable energy projects","https://omansustainabilityweek.com/newfront/news/work-begins-on-pdos-rawafid-renewable-energy-projects",{"name":1659,"type":718,"value":1660},"The Production Gap Report 2025","https://productiongap.org/2025report/","2026-04-29T11:26:05.925Z",[],{"id":1664,"link":1665,"alt":1666,"source":1667,"created_at":1668,"updated_at":1668,"article_id":1632,"image_profile_id":17,"banner_profile_id":17},"cmojyymg60007sc01mkh7bxdc","https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/4h0xh9QgoQM9gLr2.jpg","Photo from anArticle by International Finance Article (International Finance Website)","anArticle by International Finance Article (International Finance Website)","2026-04-29T11:26:05.862Z",{"id":1670,"type":5,"cta":6,"cta_link":7,"created_at":323,"updated_at":1671,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":11,"views":667,"owner":1672,"contents":1674,"contributors":1684,"image":17},"NM3U","2026-04-29T11:30:43.257Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1673},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1675],{"id":1676,"score":12,"body":1677,"status":111,"article_id":1670,"created_at":40,"updated_at":1683,"published_at":1683},"K8FQ",{"image":1678,"title":1679,"content":1680,"summary":1681,"attachment":1682,"imageCaption":16},"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1777380796386-OOIJ31sz.jpeg","How Philips innovated from product to service","\u003Ch2 id=\"\">How Philips innovated from product to service\u003C/h2>\u003Cp id=\"\">\u003Cem id=\"\">Philips didn’t just sell lamps. They sold light. Facing commoditised markets and fierce global competition, the company transformed its business model from one-off product sales to a service-based approach. With Light as a Service, customers pay for the light they need, not the physical product, while Philips turns circular innovation into a business advantage.\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">In 2011, Philips faced a critical challenge: their markets had matured, its products had become commodities, and global competitors, particularly from China, were rapidly eroding market share. Selling a product had become a one-off transaction: once a lamp, toothbrush, or medical scanner left Philips’ hands, the company had no control over it, no opportunity to update it, and no way to build ongoing value. Philips needed a radical rethink—one that would turn products into services and customers into long-term partners.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The first proof of that rethink became Light as a Service (LaaS). The idea was deceptively simple: customers don’t want to buy lamps—they want light. By shifting from selling physical products to providing lighting as a service, Philips could retain control, extend product lifespans, and deliver measurable value to both itself and its customers. Customers no longer had to worry about maintenance or replacements—they paid only for the light they needed—and energy savings were realised through longer-lasting LED technology. Philips, in turn, gained loyalty, reduced material waste, and created a resilient business model that was difficult to replicate.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">From campfire conversation to global implementation\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">The concept for Lighting as a Service at Philips was conceived in the midst of nature, during a jungle trail in Botswana, where Circle Economy's founder Robert-Jan van Ogtrop and Philips CEO Frans van Houten brainstormed about the possibilities of circularity in business models. Circle Economy played a critical role in shaping Philips’ LaaS by analysing business cases—such as street lighting for Eindhoven City Council and airport lighting at Schiphol—helping Philips understand both the economic and environmental impact of the new model.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The first implementations demonstrated clear benefits: extended LED lifespans, reduced energy consumption, and simplified maintenance. Customers experienced cost savings, while Philips generated recurring revenue streams from long-term service contracts. The success of these pilots paved the way for global adoption in municipalities, airports and industrial clients.\u003C/p>\u003Ch3 id=\"\">Scaling circular impact across industries\u003C/h3>\u003Cp id=\"\">Philips’ innovation didn’t stop with lighting. They became a driving force in shaping circular business practices across the capital equipment industry. LaaS inspired the Capital Equipment Coalition, uniting ASML, Cisco, Dell, KPN, Damen, Lely, Enel and Vanderlande in their commitment to accelerate circular practices. Philips also became one of the founding partners of PACE, a public-private collaboration platform dedicated to scaling circular economy initiatives worldwide.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">The success of the lighting-as-a-service model motivated Philips to invest in other circular innovations, such as Hospital Patient Monitoring as a service for its medical division. In addition, the company later launched a buyback scheme for its large medical equipment, such as CT and MRI scanners. The devices bought back from the clinics are refurbished and sold at a discount to hospitals that couldn’t afford them otherwise. \u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Today, Signify (formerly Philips Lighting) is a global leader in LED and connected lighting, with a significant portion of its €6.1 billion revenue generated through LaaS. Light as a Service is not only central to Signify’s commercial strategy but also a pillar of its ‘Brighter Lives, Better World 2025’ programme, which aims to double circular revenues while continuing to embed circular innovation in the company’s core operations.\u003C/p>\u003Cp id=\"\">Philips’ journey illustrates how circular thinking can transform markets. By focusing on services rather than products, the company built stronger customer relationships, unlocked new revenue streams, and reduced environmental impact—all while creating a model that competitors could not easily replicate. LaaS shows that circular economy innovation is not just about sustainability; it’s about resilient business, customer-centric design, and systemic change.\u003C/p>","Philips didn’t just sell lamps. They sold light. Facing commoditised markets and fierce global competition, the company transformed its business model from one-off product sales to a service-based approach. With Light as a Service, customers pay for the light they need, not the physical product, while Philips turns circular innovation into a business advantage.",[],"2026-02-11T11:05:48.000Z",[],{"id":1686,"type":700,"cta":17,"cta_link":17,"created_at":1687,"updated_at":1688,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":703,"views":667,"owner":1689,"contents":1691,"contributors":1708,"image":1709},"MdfX","2026-04-29T11:32:23.830Z","2026-04-29T13:27:28.646Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1690},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1692],{"id":1693,"score":12,"body":1694,"status":111,"article_id":1686,"created_at":1687,"updated_at":1707,"published_at":17},"QIjt",{"title":1695,"outcome":1696,"problem":1697,"summary":1698,"solution":1699,"attachment":1700}," From waste to value: Tadweer Future Projects, Oman","\u003Cp>The company emphasises environmental protection, emission reduction, and resource efficiency, with an estimated 1,300 tonnes of emissions prevented annually. Its model integrates industrial innovation, domestic value creation, and environmental stewardship, setting a benchmark for circular waste management in Oman and demonstrating how waste can be transformed into economic and environmental value. Tadweer Future Projects’ material recycling of rubber and gravel waste streams highlights the potential for replication across other waste types and sectors, reinforcing the role of increased domestic processing in building a more sustainable, circular economy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Sources include links added, and information given by Tadweer Future Projects LLC.\u003C/em>\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>Effective waste management is a cornerstone of circularity, as it reduces environmental impact, recovers resources, and ensures materials are reused, recycled, or safely treated. In Oman, waste generation continues to grow alongside increased urbanisation and industrial activity, yet much of the system remains linear. Current government measures, such as \u003Cem>Oman Vision 2040\u003C/em>, promote circular approaches, including the use of R-strategies to divert waste from landfills and generate economic opportunities. Despite this ambition, Oman’s waste management remains focused on disposal and cannot yet be accurately described as circular. \u003C/p>","\u003Cp>Tadweer Future Projects LLC exemplifies how waste management in Oman can go beyond disposal to actively support a circular economy. The company focuses on converting construction and industrial waste into high-value, eco-friendly products, particularly recycled rubber and building materials. By keeping materials in use and creating domestic value-added products, Tadweer Future Projects not only reduces environmental impacts but also generates employment, and strengthens Oman’s recycling sector.\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>Tadweer Future Projects addresses these challenges by establishing local recycling facilities and processes that transform construction and rubber waste into high-value products. Its first major facility, located in the Samail Industrial City specialises in sustainable rubber recycling. The plant converts waste materials, such as scrap tires, into SBR crumb rubber, SBR rubber powder, and steel bead wire. These materials are further processed into durable, eco-friendly products including rubber flooring, with around 20 million kilograms of rubber granules recycled annually and 800,000 tiles produced each year in 17 different varieties. The company has expanded into other value-added products, including construction materials through its RubbelX and GravelX subsidiaries, which recycle rubber and building waste. Tadweer Future Projects’ approach ensures that materials collected in Oman are converted into products within the country, strengthening local closed-loop cycles and reducing dependence on imported raw materials.\u003C/p>",[1701,1704],{"name":1702,"type":718,"value":1703},"Oman's circular economy: Wealth from waste","https://www.omanobserver.om/article/1170420/opinion/omans-circular-economy-wealth-from-waste",{"name":1705,"type":718,"value":1706},"Behind the curtain of Oman’s circular economy","https://businessfocus.org.uk/behind-the-curtain-of-omans-circular-economy/","2026-04-29T11:32:23.923Z",[],{"id":1710,"link":1711,"alt":1712,"source":1713,"created_at":1714,"updated_at":1714,"article_id":1686,"image_profile_id":17,"banner_profile_id":17},"cmojz6q3m0009sc01nu18kwx1","https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/JIUT28S5-T5IskYn.jpg","Photo from an article by Jason Saundalkar, ME Construction News","an article by Jason Saundalkar, ME Construction News","2026-04-29T11:32:23.842Z",{"id":1716,"type":700,"cta":17,"cta_link":17,"created_at":1717,"updated_at":1718,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":703,"views":667,"owner":1719,"contents":1721,"contributors":1741,"image":1742},"UHO5","2026-04-29T11:07:28.586Z","2026-04-29T13:31:21.602Z",{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1720},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1722],{"id":1723,"score":12,"body":1724,"status":111,"article_id":1716,"created_at":1717,"updated_at":1740,"published_at":17},"872M",{"title":1725,"outcome":1726,"problem":1727,"summary":1728,"solution":1729,"attachment":1730},"Circular textile practices in Oman: Kiswa\n","\u003Cp>Kiswa has established a business model that aims to increase public awareness and engagement, reduce textile waste, and engage with local social initiatives. Through Kiswa, communities are actively participating in collection and donation programmes, reinforcing awareness of textile waste and environmental impacts. Companies benefit from measurable sustainability impact through partnerships and reporting on the weight of textiles diverted from landfill. Recycled textiles are either redistributed for reuse or processed into secondary materials, contributing to material circularity despite limited local industrial recycling capacity.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Overall, Kiswa demonstrates how behavioural change, combined with structured collection and redistribution systems, can create measurable environmental and social outcomes in a region with limited formal recycling infrastructure. The initiative represents one of the leading examples of circular economy practices targeting lifestyles and consumption in Oman, showing that extending product lifecycles and promoting resource stewardship can be achieved even in sectors traditionally associated with high waste and low recycling.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Sources include links added, and Circle Economy. (2026). The circularity gap report Oman. Amsterdam: Circle Economy.\u003C/em>\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>Globally, the textile sector is a major contributor to water degradation, land use pressures, and pollution, accounting for an estimated 20% of clean water contamination from dyeing and finishing processes. The industry is characterised by overproduction and overconsumption, which drive resource depletion and result in significant environmental and social impacts. Textile consumption in Oman is rising, driven by imports, fast-fashion trends, and changing lifestyles. High volumes of imported used clothing, along with shifting social norms—such as more frequent purchases of traditional attire and growing interest in seasonal fashion—accelerate clothing turnover and waste.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The circular economy depends heavily on behaviour and lifestyle change, as individual consumption patterns and community practices can significantly reduce material use and carbon emissions. In Oman, community engagement is culturally central, providing a potential platform for influencing consumption and recycling behaviours. However, formal textile recycling infrastructure is limited, and industrial processing capacity is low, meaning that most efforts focus on collection and redistribution rather than large-scale recycling.\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>Kiswa is a social enterprise that collects, sorts, recycles, and redistributes used clothing in Oman and across the Gulf to reduce textile waste while supporting charitable causes. By combining environmental protection, community engagement, and circular resource use, Kiswa encourages individuals and businesses to extend the life of clothing, reduce textile waste sent to landfill, and adopt more sustainable consumption practices. \u003C/p>","\u003Cp>Kiswa addresses these challenges through a structured circular approach to textiles. The company provides free textile collection for individuals and businesses across Oman, using smart, solar-powered bins in most wilayats (administrative provinces), as well as app- and message-based collection requests. Promising responses within 24 hours, Kiswa ensures both accessibility and convenience. Collected clothing is sorted and classified by condition: good-quality items are sent to charities for resale, while non-reusable textiles are sent to third-party recyclers for processing into industrial rags, insulation, padding, or other secondary products.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>In addition, Kiswa encourages public engagement through awareness campaigns and provides financial incentives such as cash, vouchers, or discounts from corporate partners. These partners, including shopping malls, retailers, municipalities, and large companies, install and manage collection bins, often as part of CSR, ESG, or sustainability initiatives. While Kiswa does not operate large-scale recycling plants, it collaborates with facilities in Oman and other Gulf countries (GCC) to ensure collected textiles are recycled and diverted from landfill. The company handles approximately 200–300 collection orders per day, amounting to roughly 210,000 tonnes of textile per month, equivalent to over 1,000,000 pieces of clothing.\u003C/p>",[1731,1734,1737],{"name":1732,"type":718,"value":1733},"Kiswa Website","https://kiswame.com/en-om/partners",{"name":1735,"type":718,"value":1736},"Don't discard unwanted clothes; contact Kiswa","https://www.omanobserver.om/article/1149062/features/culture/dont-discard-unwanted-clothes-contact-kiswa",{"name":1738,"type":718,"value":1739},"The impact of textile production and waste on the environment","https://fea-vee.eu/the-impact-of-textile-production-and-waste-on-the-environment/","2026-04-29T11:07:28.642Z",[],{"id":1743,"link":1744,"alt":1745,"source":1746,"created_at":1747,"updated_at":1747,"article_id":1716,"image_profile_id":17,"banner_profile_id":17},"cmojyaod20003sc01wucbv83d","https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/F7K12sM__58XI0i3.jpg","Photo from the Holidify website","the Holidify website","2026-04-29T11:07:28.598Z",{"id":1749,"type":700,"cta":17,"cta_link":17,"created_at":1750,"updated_at":1751,"owner_id":10,"owner_relationship":703,"views":1752,"owner":1753,"contents":1755,"contributors":1778,"image":1779},"8gD4","2026-04-29T11:15:52.538Z","2026-04-29T14:15:31.807Z",2,{"id":10,"type":14,"owner_id":15,"about":16,"job_title":17,"url":17,"linkedin":17,"email":17,"staff_of_id":17,"organisation_id":10,"organisation":1754},{"id":10,"name":19,"link":7},[1756],{"id":1757,"score":12,"body":1758,"status":111,"article_id":1749,"created_at":1750,"updated_at":1777,"published_at":17},"VoI1",{"title":1759,"outcome":1760,"problem":1761,"summary":1762,"solution":1763,"attachment":1764},"Applying circular principles to mining in Oman","\u003Cp>The application of circular principles in Omani mining has enabled the conversion of waste into economically valuable resources while reducing environmental impacts. The Suhar copper tailings facility has established a domestic supply of high-purity cathode copper and plans to expand production significantly in 2026. Lead-acid battery recycling initiatives are creating domestic loops for critical materials with potential exports to international markets. These initiatives illustrate how resource efficiency, technological adoption, and industrial symbiosis in the mining sector can make extractive activities more resource efficient. By valorising waste, embedding renewable energy and water recycling, and developing downstream processing capabilities, Oman is positioning its mining sector as a model for more circular industrial development in the region.\\\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Sources include links added, and Circle Economy. (2026). The circularity gap report Oman. Amsterdam: Circle Economy.\u003C/em>\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>Mining is inherently extractive and resource-intensive, with additional negative externalities including ecosystem damage, worker hazards, and pollution. The sector continues to involve significant occupational risks and informal practices, alongside broader environmental and social impacts. For a successful circular economy transition, mining must go beyond extraction to integrate resource efficiency, local processing, recycling, and reuse.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>In Oman, adopting circular practices faces multiple challenges. Policy frameworks are evolving, with the formalisation of secondary raw material markets led by Oman Metal Trading (OMT) and regulatory guidance from the Ministry of Energy and Minerals. Economically, low-grade by-products are often costly to process and store, while the distance between extraction sites and industrial hubs raises operational expenses. Water scarcity, energy demand, and environmental impacts further constrain operations, making efficient resource use and waste minimisation essential. Additional hurdles include integrating downstream processing, maintaining quality standards, and building technical expertise to ensure that mining contributes sustainably to Oman’s economic diversification.\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>Oman is embedding circular principles into its mining sector to enhance resource efficiency, reduce waste, and add value. A leading example is the Suhar facility, which valorises copper tailings by converting them into high-purity copper cathodes using renewable energy and a closed-loop water system.  This demonstrates how circular principles can be applied to extractive industries to reduce raw material extraction and turn waste and by-products into value, minimising some negative impacts.\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>While mining is inherently extractive and cannot be fully circular, minerals remain essential for human wellbeing and the global energy transition, and secondary sources alone cannot meet demand. Circular principles can, however, make mining more resource-efficient, lower-impact, and economically resilient. Applying circularity involves reducing waste, recovering value from by-products, extending the life of materials and equipment, and planning operations—including closure—to minimise environmental and social impacts. Examples include reusing tailings and slags, urban mining, resource recovery, resource-as-a-service models, automation for efficiency and worker safety, improving water efficiency and reuse, strengthening tailings management, re-mining legacy waste, and designing for circularity.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Oman’s mining sector is shifting from traditional extraction toward extracting value from waste and by-products, supporting industrial development and aligning with Vision 2040 and its economic diversification program. Although mining contributes only around 0.5% of Oman’s GDP, it plays a crucial role in industrial activity and infrastructure, with Oman being one of the world’s largest gypsum exporters. Circular practices are emerging, treating by-products, waste rock, and process water as inputs for other processes. The Suhar facility exemplifies this approach, converting copper tailings into high-purity copper cathodes using renewable electricity and closed-loop water systems, starting at 60 tonnes per year with potential to scale to 12,000 tonnes and turning historical waste into valuable feedstock for renewable energy and industry.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr />\u003C/p>\u003Cp>In addition, Oman is developing a domestic circular ecosystem across mining and associated supply chains. The Al Thail Group operates a lead-acid battery recycling plant refining around 10,000 tonnes per year under advanced environmental controls, while Starsun Sohar is establishing a facility for lead-acid battery recycling. These initiatives enable the reuse of critical metals and materials domestically, reduce dependence on raw imports, and integrate environmental safeguards into industrial operations. Technological adoption, including automation and AI, is being promoted to improve operational efficiency, workforce training, and regulatory compliance. Government-led initiatives, exploration agreements, and industrial partnerships are designed to integrate ESG standards, recycling, and quality assurance throughout the mining value chain, anchoring domestic processing and creating a more resilient and circular sector.\u003C/p>",[1765,1768,1771,1774],{"name":1766,"type":718,"value":1767},"Digging into the future: Innovation & Sustainability in mining","https://obf.om/upload/publications/digging-into-the-future-innovation-sustainability-in-mining-report.pdf",{"name":1769,"type":718,"value":1770},"Sohar Freezone, Starsun sign deal to establish battery recycling plant","https://www.muscatdaily.com/2024/02/18/sohar-freezone-starsun-sign-deal-to-establish-battery-recycling-plant/",{"name":1772,"type":718,"value":1773},"Oman’s first copper recycling plant opens in Sohar","https://www.thearabianstories.com/2025/06/02/omans-first-copper-recycling-plant-opens-in-sohar/",{"name":1775,"type":718,"value":1776},"Green Tech Mining and Services LLC commissions Arjaa Tailing Processing Calibration Plant","https://timesofoman.com/article/154526-green-tech-mining-and-services-llc-commissions-arjaa-tailing-processing-calibration-plant","2026-04-29T11:15:52.632Z",[],{"id":1780,"link":1781,"alt":1782,"source":1783,"created_at":1784,"updated_at":1784,"article_id":1749,"image_profile_id":17,"banner_profile_id":17},"cmojylh7r0005sc017et9npwe","https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/37O9T0xsY30KITje.jpg","Photo from the Minerals Development Oman Website","the Minerals Development Oman Website","2026-04-29T11:15:52.551Z",{"likeCount":12,"isLiked":113}]