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The CEO of our newest firm, Circle Economy Consulting, reflects on ten years at Circle Economy
September 6, 2023
The CEO of our newest firm, Circle Economy Consulting, reflects on ten years at Circle Economy

Over ten years ago, Marc de Wit began his journey at Circle Economy as one of its first employees building an organisation based on the vision of founder Robert-Jan van Ogtrop. When Circle Economy started in Amsterdam 12 years ago, the idea of the circular economy was hardly on the radar. Today, the concept has become well-known as a leading solution to the ongoing climate crisis. With the team now 70 people strong and the launch of a new firm, Circle Economy Consulting, on the horizon, we’re taking this opportunity to sit down with Marc to take stock of the last ten years and the journey that lies ahead.

Before diving into your 11 years at Circle Economy, what can you share about the upcoming change?

Well, I am really excited that today we start a new firm, Circle Economy Consulting. Still as part of the Circle Economy family but fully focussed on helping businesses to implement circular solutions. It builds on everything we have learned over the past ten years working with so many great companies, from small ones like Fairphone to big names like Philips.

Looking back, can you share a bit about what inspired you to join Circle Economy in the beginning?

I was working in sustainability consulting when I made the transition to Circle Economy. The big draw for me was the new adventure. A new organisation. A concept that was based on such a powerful idea yet with so much territory to be explored. And the founders’ idea that this transition should focus on all relevant stakeholders—from government to education and the business community—was very intriguing to me. Being able to connect worlds, build bridges and dissect the challenges various players face in the transition to the circular economy. 

And what was it that made you stick around all these years?

One red thread has been collaboration. I have been fascinated by the variety of stakeholders that I have worked with over the years—and that are all needed to make the circular economy a reality. This was such a joy. One day, I’d be working with a civil servant in the city of Amsterdam, presenting to the deputy mayor, while the next moment, I’d be discussing how to speed up investments at a bank or discuss technological innovations and new business models in the manufacturing industries. It has been these years of seeing and discussing all perspectives that have been both rewarding as well as eye-opening.

What do you enjoy most about working with clients?

The most rewarding moment of working alongside clients is when you reach breakthroughs. From the moment we analyse the data and get a sense of where the real impact is to becoming more circular, reducing carbon emissions, boosting company resilience or delivering better products to customers. To generate these insights, we have developed and refined an approach that relies heavily on data analysis but always in combination with the human touch. 

Can you share some highlights from your time at Circle Economy?

I am really grateful for the opportunities I got during my time at Circle Economy. It has always felt like we could do everything we wanted as long as we could get the right people together and a bit of money to get started. This is how we began our work with businesses, which soon led to our first City Scan with Amsterdam in 2016. Another highlight was the article in National Geographic, which was great recognition while introducing the topic to a general audience. Also, the launch of the first CGR in 2018 and the launch of the first national CGR in Austria in 2019. So many!

What have been some of the pivotal moments for you in the development of circular thinking?

One particular point stands out for me, which must have been in 2017. The topic of a circular economy was catching on. But it struck me that there was an exclusive focus on new business models for circularity, which remained relatively vague. Thinking about moving forward in the transition, I thought it was crucial to develop a measurement of circularity. An answer to the question: How circular is the world today?  Already in the early years at Circle Economy, we started to collect data and look at patterns across the global economy. From these early steps in a small team and with our own investment, we wrote the first Circularity Gap Report (CGR) back in 2018. And this thinking is the central offering to businesses as well. Where do you stand today, where can you go and how can you get there?

What do you think the role of consulting is in the circular economy space?

When we started more than ten years ago, we were pioneers. Pioneers in developing a basic notion of what a circular economy is and is not. Grounding our analysis in data. Data that is scarcely available, but with the right mindset and experience, there is always a lot you can find if you know where to look. But moving from the analysis, it is crucial to work with people in organisations that transfer the insights and build the capabilities to continue on their own. Our work aims to get people in a position where they can move forward without us. So, in short, the key is to move from a place of long-standing and deep insights, let analysis play a role in understanding where you stand and where you want to go and get people trained up and in a place where they themselves can drive tangible change.

What do you see as Circle Economy Consulting’s unique contribution?

In short, central to our approach are two things: data and people. We strongly believe that with the right data and analysis, you have a solid starting point and knowledge to light your path. But ultimately, you need people to interpret these data and people to add their experience, skills and energy to transform and implement real solutions. We want to nourish our track record of deep insights and a pragmatic approach while creating solutions that people can apply in the real world. We strongly believe in working closely with businesses—getting to know each other and developing solutions together. 

Who are you taking with you on this adventure?

It’s great that you asked that question. Because on top of how we work, as I just explained, it is most important and fun to work with the best in the field. I am incredibly happy that I’m launching this brand-new firm with a passionate team of circular economy experts. A team with a long-standing track record of collaborating with over 100 businesses, including industry leaders like Philips, Action and Rockwool.

To wrap up, why is now the time for Circle Economy Consulting, and what are your hopes for the future?

The time for this initiative really is now. We’re coming out of a year where not only do we see nature taking a hit with record temperatures, wildfires and floods, but also businesses are feeling the impact. Even with covid-19 being a vague memory, we see that the current state of the world is putting a magnifying glass on the cracks in the system—surging resource scarcity, supply chain disruptions and, at least in Europe, increasing legislation that requires businesses to act. We want to play a proactive role in helping businesses embed circular economy thinking to become future-proof and play an active role in shaping a future where all people and the planet can thrive.

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Circle Economy launches dedicated consulting firm to better serve businesses
September 6, 2023
Circle Economy launches dedicated consulting firm to better serve businesses

Amsterdam, Netherlands, September 6, 2023—Circle Economy Foundation announces the launch of Circle Economy Consulting, a dedicated consulting firm designed to better serve the needs of businesses in implementing circular economy solutions. 

Circle Economy Consulting shares the goal and vision of its parent organisation: doubling global circularity by 2032. This means envisioning an economic system—the circular economy—that ensures the planet and all people can thrive. To do this, the consultancy provides services to accelerate the circular transition within businesses.

‘After putting the circular economy on the map as a concept to drive real change, we now need to achieve speed and scale with businesses implementing real solutions’, said Marc de Wit, CEO of Circle Economy Consulting. ‘This is an exciting next step both in the history of Circle Economy and for me personally. After more than ten years of building up Circle Economy and bringing expertise to companies, I see this as a natural evolution to bring greater benefits to businesses as they move toward circularity’.

As more and more businesses begin to factor sustainability issues into their choices, Circle Economy Consulting aims to help embed circular principles into corporate strategy and culture. It assesses the current state of circularity, co-develops a future vision and identifies circular solutions that are practical, contextual and actionable. 

‘The circular economy is becoming mainstream, and companies are now looking for circular solutions, measurement and implementation support’, says Martijn Lopes Cardozo, CEO of Circle Economy Foundation. ‘With Circle Economy Consulting, we offer dedicated support and expertise for businesses in their adoption of the circular economy’. 

Circle Economy Foundation will continue to drive the transition towards the circular economy with practical and scalable solutions.

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The new head of the Circularity Gap Reporting Initiative reflects on the future of Circle Economy’s flagship product
September 4, 2023
The new head of the Circularity Gap Reporting Initiative reflects on the future of Circle Economy’s flagship product

We’re thrilled to announce the new lead of the Circularity Gap Reporting Initiative (CGRi)! Marijana Novak,  who previously led our Data team, will spearhead the CGRi and work on exciting new developments for our flagship product. Marijana joined Circle Economy in 2018, the year that the first Circularity Gap Report (CGR) was launched.  She has a background in Actuarial Science, Sustainable Finance and risk modelling using big data for real estate, the built environment and the economy. She has been active in the circular economy research field for over ten years. We took this opportunity to sit down with her and look back at the evolution of the CGRi and discuss its future.

Congratulations on your new role! Let’s talk about your journey within Circle Economy. What you’ve been busy with over the past years? 

I joined Circle Economy back in 2018, initially as a data strategist. My focus was on integrating data into the circular economy framework at scale. This involved working with research programs, shaping digital products and establishing a robust data infrastructure to bolster our initiatives—think of data collection, automation and analysis, partnerships, methodology development and addressing data gaps through alternative data, using artificial intelligence, and data collaboratives.   


When you started working at Circle, did you imagine yourself spearheading the CGRi? Was it a planned direction or rather a sudden twist in your career?


My thing is building databases, particularly ones that enable data-driven decisions in the circular economy and how to ensure we achieve a positive impact. Meanwhile, the CGRi evolved as a flagship product, bringing data research and stakeholders together to kickstart conversations around the circular economy worldwide and, ultimately, converging with my aspiration of providing evidential support for the circular economy. So I would say me and the CGRi were trotting on separate paths and then came to a clearing in the woods. 

Let’s talk about how the Initiative has evolved since its onset in 2018.

Circle Economy is an innovative research organisation. After executing numerous projects across different cities and industries, we recognised the need for a global metric, which we unveiled at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2018. It was fascinating to see how it captured the curiosity of leaders at the Forum. Subsequently, we expanded its reach to encompass nations, sub-nations, cities and industries. However, what makes the CGRi unique is not just the metric but the surrounding engagement process—bringing different people to the table to discuss the metric, what it means for them and what opportunities there are to influence this metric. It’s also become important to place circularity in the context of wider impact goals. In other words, how can circular strategies enable us to stay within planetary boundaries?


What is your view on the future of the CGRi? What changes or improvements do you plan to implement?


We’re seeing an immense interest in the Circularity Gap as both a metric and a catalyst for circularity. This fascination is widespread, spanning various countries, sub-national governments, city clusters and industry leaders, all eager to contextualise their circularity gap. The challenge we face is how to deliver CGRs to these diverse entities at scale. This entails both internal collaboration and external partnerships. We’re exploring changing the mode of delivery to achieve our impact goals, which are all about activation of circularity—getting people working towards policy changes and pilot project implementation. 


Can you give us a sneak peek into what’s coming next in CGRi? 


Certainly! Our immediate plans include launching the CGR Latin America and the Caribbean—the first multinational CGR. We are also working on the CGR Munich, a pioneering endeavour focusing on the circularity gap at city level. Moreover, we are developing an online CGRi environment, enhancing the report's accessibility and interactivity through a suite of engaging features.

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Circular economy as an overlooked opportunity to reach Denmark's climate goals
August 29, 2023
Circular economy as an overlooked opportunity to reach Denmark's climate goals

The Danish economy consumes 24.5 tonnes of virgin materials per person per year, which is three times the estimated ‘sustainable’ consumption level of 8 tonnes per capita. This amount is also higher than the European average of 17.8 tonnes per person and the global average of 11.9 tonnes, a new study finds. 

According to the Circularity Gap Report Denmark, published by Circle Economy, the Danish economy is only 4% circular, lower than the global average of 7.2%. This means that out of all the materials consumed, only 4% make it back into the economy in the form of recycled materials. 

The low Circularity Metric is explained by Denmark’s high level of consumption, which makes it difficult to source secondary (recycled) materials at the scale and speed needed to create a circular economy—despite the country’s high recycling rates. What’s more, almost half of the materials consumed are 'locked-in' to long-lasting stock like buildings, infrastructure, machinery and vehicles and cannot be recycled for years to come. This is not a ‘bad’ thing per se—when items are built to last, less virgin materials are needed to replace them. A further third of the country’s consumption is represented by biomass, such as food crops, which can be considered carbon neutral and thus don’t impede circularity. 

The Danish economy is more circular than those of Scotland (1.3% circular) and Sweden (3.4% circular). Nonetheless, it trails behind Switzerland, measured to be 6.9% circular. 

The report pinpoints the circular economy as an overlooked opportunity to reach Denmark's sustainability goals. The country already boasts mostly-renewable electricity generation and some of the world’s most audacious climate targets. However, because 70% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions stem from material handling and use, these goals could prove hard to accomplish without tackling overconsumption of resources. 

The Circularity Report Denmark introduces circular scenarios within five areas with the most impact on material use and carbon emissions—construction, lifestyle, transport, agriculture and manufacturing. Other co-benefits include bolstered biodiversity and stronger, more resilient communities as well as new opportunities in the labour market.

The construction sector was found to be the most rewarding in terms of impact. To increase circularity and curb environmental impacts from construction, Denmark could, for example, promote the use of recycled materials in new buildings, increase housing occupancy, and multifuntional buildings. Combined with other interventions, this could cut the sector’s material footprint by roughly 19%, and the carbon footprint by 12%. 

Changes in lifestyle were found to deliver the second largest impact. The report encourages Denmark’s residents to rethink their purchases of new products such as textiles and electronics and to make products live longer by embracing the ‘share, repair and reuse’ economy.

The effects of all five scenarios combined constitute a material consumption reduction of 39% and a carbon footprint reduction of 42%, which would also boost the Circularity Metric from 4% to 7.6%.

About the report

The Circularity Gap Report Denmark was produced by Circle Economy, an Amsterdam-based impact organisation and commissioned by a consortium of Danish institutions, including Danish Industry Foundation, Danish Society of Engineers, Confederation of Danish Industry, Danish Technological Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Danish Design Centre, and Lifestyle & Design Cluster. The full report can be accessed via this link: https://www.circularity-gap.world/denmark

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Canada’s Circular Cities and Regions Initiative is leading the circular economy transition
June 16, 2023
Canada’s Circular Cities and Regions Initiative is leading the circular economy transition

Momentum towards a circular economy in Canada is building, and Canadian cities and regions are helping to lead the way through the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI).

The CCRI, which was launched by the National Zero Waste Council, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Green Municipal Fund, the Recycling Council of Alberta, and RECYC-QUÉBEC in 2021, aims to advance circular economy knowledge and capacity in Canadian communities of all sizes.

In the CCRI’s first 12 months, 15 cities and regions participated in an immersive year of circular economy knowledge sharing and capacity building. Ten more communities have now completed a similar year of activities and are taking the next steps on their own circular economy journey: Pinawa, Peel, Squamish,  Peterborough, Yorkton, Kelowna, Guelph-Wellington, Haute Yamaska & Granby, Outremont, and Chibougamau. 

Cities and regions are key to advancing circularity and addressing climate change. Over 80% of Canadians live in metropolitan regions, but their communities are often separated by vast distances. As identified in the Council of Canadian Academies’ foundational report, Turning Point, unique Canadian geography and population distribution means that accelerating regional circular development strategies will be as important to the country’s circular economy transition as sector-specific efforts.  

70% percent of global emissions are tied to material use and handling. Supporting the development of local circular economies could help reduce high transportation costs by shortening supply chains and retaining value locally. By implementing circular solutions and integrating them within existing climate plans, cities can lead both the net-zero and circular transition in Canada. 

The 10 local governments that participated in the CCRI’s 2022-2023 cohort are geographically diverse and varied in size and economic context, with each having its own unique entry point to the circular economy. To help kick-start thinking across different departments, the communities took part in an action planning workshop hosted by Circle Economy—a global impact organisation based in Amsterdam. The workshops helped the communities identify opportunities and next steps in their circular economy journey, and it came as no surprise that each community had its own challenges and priorities. 

For Yorkton, Saskatchewan, the community workshop provided a better understanding of the circular economy and connected the municipality to more experienced peers. ‘We are using what we have learned from this workshop to prioritise and implement initiatives which will benefit our community. One of our main lessons is that you can’t do everything at once! Being a smaller community, we have had to be specific and pick initiatives that fit our community's needs,’ says Lyndon Hicks, Solid Waste and Environmental Programs Manager, City of Yorkton. 

The smallest community, Pinawa, Manitoba, has only 1,558 residents. As a starting point, they are building on their success with community events, expanding them to include additional circular activities such as repair workshops and the recycling collection of special products. 

Meanwhile, Peel Region, Ontario, with a population surpassing 1.5 million, has identified the need for circular economy solutions and strategies with regard to public procurement. ‘The main lesson from participating in the CCRI has been the ability to take stock of the initiatives and activities currently being undertaken in all three local municipalities that are circular in nature but not marketed as circular. There’s a great amount of work that we can tap into to further advance circularity,’ says Erwin Pascual, Manager, Waste Planning, Peel Region. 

Haute Yamaska & Granby, Quebec, which house a robust industrial sector, determined that they are well-poised to boost industrial symbiosis, transforming by-products and waste generated by one company into raw materials for another company. This would include a focus on increasing the circulation of more sustainable materials, like those that are recyclable, renewable, and non-toxic, as feedstock for industry. 

Further west, the City of Kelowna, British Columbia, is experiencing significant growth and development and is leveraging its participation in the CCRI to focus on the built environment. In particular, the community is considering policy options to address embodied carbon in new buildings and exploring ways to discourage the demolition of older buildings. 

These CCRI member cities and regions, alongside others across the country, are leading the way in Canada’s circular economy transition. They are unlocking new economic opportunities, accelerating progress on climate change mitigation, and creating thriving communities from coast to coast to coast. 

To find out how to get involved with the CCRI, reach out directly about future opportunities to join the next cohort of communities or learn more at www.canadiancircularcities.ca. For more information on how to get started on your own local circular economy journey, check out, A Guide to Catalyzing a Circular Economy in Your Community, produced by FCM’s Green Municipal Fund. 

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MDBs join forces to accelerate the circular economy transition
May 31, 2023
MDBs join forces to accelerate the circular economy transition

During the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2023 in Helsinki, environment focussed directors from the leading Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) met to discuss the topic of the circular economy for the first time. 

The African Development Bank (AfDB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), IDB Invest, and the World Bank acknowledged the importance of the circular economy transition in combating the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, and emphasised the key role the financial sector has in supporting countries’ transition to a circular economy.  

The directors recognised the value of collaboration between the MDBs on the circular economy, and agreed that their institutions should continue to work together, including via the Circularity Exchange Network (CEN) - a group initiated by Circle Economy and the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management that also consists of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, UNEP-FI and the World Economic Forum. The Network enables the MDBs to exchange knowledge on the circular economy, as well as providing a platform to collaboratively work on standards, tools and products to facilitate circular activities and projects. 

As outlined in the report “Unlocking the Potential of the International Financial Institutions in the Circular Economy Transition”  the future MDB collaboration will consider the following aims:

  • Link circularity to key environmental objectives and in particular with the goals of the Paris Agreement. 
  • Improve and align impact assessment methods for circular economy investments 
  • Aim at increasing the share of high-impact circular projects in lending and investment practices. 
  • Build internal (MDBs) and external (project partners) capacity for utilising the circular economy as a strategy to achieve economic success and resilience in client countries.
  • Develop mechanisms to de-risk investments in the circular economy and facilitate better access to blended finance through public-private collaboration.

Based on the above, the MDBs will continue to work with private sector and national agencies, to introduce circular economy approaches into their sustainable development activities.

For questions or further information please reach out to Marvin Nusseck (marvin@circle-economy.com). 

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Circle Economy and the Centre Technique de Plasturgie et de Caoutchouc partner to support MSMEs in plastic packaging in Morocco to shift to circular economy practices
May 30, 2023
Circle Economy and the Centre Technique de Plasturgie et de Caoutchouc partner to support MSMEs in plastic packaging in Morocco to shift to circular economy practices

Under the umbrella of the global “SWITCH to Circular Value Chains” project—a five year initiative funded by the European Union and the Government of Finland—Circle Economy will implement a train-the-trainer program to support Micro, Small and Medium-size Enterprises (MSMEs) in the plastic packaging sector in Morocco to adopt circular economy practices.  For the first phase of this program, Circle Economy has partnered with the Centre Technique de Plasturgie et de Caoutchouc to assess key training needs for the sector around the circular economy. 

The CTPC brings with them extensive access to the plastic industry in Morocco, as well as established expertise in training and capacity-development, and will therefore serve as a key implementation partner in delivering an assessment of the current capacity and awareness of circularity within Moroccan companies.

“We are thrilled to have found such great and complementary partners in the CTPC. Our circular economy frameworks and tools, together with their vast experience with the plastics sector in Morocco, will ensure the content and methods we develop together are fit for purpose—and continue to serve their purpose long after the project’s end date.” — Hilde van Duijn - Head of Global Value Chains at Circle Economy 

“We are delighted to partner with Circle Economy in this important project. I am convinced that we will succeed through our collaboration in implementing an effective Circular Economy approach within Moroccan companies; which I do believe will bring sustainable added value to all stakeholders. We’ll support and help the Circle Economy team to success this initiative and achieve its assigned objectives.” — ASSOU Youssef – General Manager of CTPC

This partnership will allow to:

  • assess current levels of awareness on the circular economy;
  • shed light on the financial, technical, cultural barriers that are currently preventing producers from adopting circular strategies;
  • uncover relevant strategies to encourage the adoption of circular economy practices.

Between June and October 2023, Circle Economy and the CTPC will roll out an evaluation tool to achieve these goals and are looking to enrol MSMEs to participate in the assessment phase. 

Interested MSMEs can visit the CTPC stand at PlastExpo at El Jadida on June 7-10 to learn more about the program, or contact the CTPC team directly:

For general queries about the Switch to Circular Economy Value Chains programme, please contact the Circle Economy team:

About Switch to Circular Economy Value Chains

Launched in 2020, SWITCH2CE is a five-year initiative that assists EU multinational companies and their suppliers from developing countries to switch to more circular economy approaches and practices in three selected value chains: Plastic Packaging, Textile & Garments, and ICT and Electronics. The overall objective of SWITCH to Circular Economy Value Chain Project is to support the “Transformation towards a circular economy”, including to contribute to sustainable growth, low carbon and climate resilient development, decent jobs creation, and safer, healthier and pollution-free environment. SWITCH is co-funded by the European Union and the Government of Finland, and implemented by UNIDO, in collaboration with Chatham House, Circle Economy, and the European Investment Bank. 

Learn more at: www.switchtocircular.eu 

About Circle Economy

Circle Economy is 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.

Learn more at: www.circle-economy.com 

About the Centre Technique de Plasturgie et de Caoutchouc

The CTPC is a non-profit association created in 2005 by the Ministry of Industry in Morocco and the Moroccan Plastic Federation (FMP) with the financial support of the European Union.

With a staff of doctors, engineers and experts in the field of polymers, it provides a specific value proposition in order to strengthen the development and technological integration of industrial companies in the field of plastics, rubbers and composites. 

Learn more at: www.ctpc.ma  

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ICMM partners with leading research institutions to accelerate a global circular economy
May 23, 2023
ICMM partners with leading research institutions to accelerate a global circular economy

London, 17 May, 2023 – Today, ICMM has announced new research partnerships with the Columbia Centre on Sustainable Investment (CCSI), the Enel Foundation and Circle Economy to investigate the role of the mining and metals sector in accelerating a global circular economy that contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aims of the Paris Agreement.

ICMM’s partnership with Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment (CCSI) and the Enel Foundation will explore the necessary conditions that would enable mineral and metals to play a central role in a global circular economy. It will focus on the value chains of wind turbines and solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and zero in on four key materials: aluminium, copper, silicon and steel. The research will also explore how mining companies could adopt new circular concepts and operations, and interact with the value chain. This work will be based on information and data gained from collaboration with the industry (through ICMM members), policy-makers, investors, financiers, research institutions and downstream purchasers of metals.

ICMM’s partnership with Circle Economy aims to better understand the flow of the key transition minerals and metals being covered in the preliminary research with CCSI and the Enel Foundation and their end use in use in solar panels and wind turbines in key markets. The outcome is expected to be a defined set of indicators that can support mining companies and others in the value chain to develop partnerships and business opportunities that maximise circularity, while creating socio-environmental and economic value. 

Christian Spano, Director of Innovation, ICMM, said: “Minerals and metals are at the heart of a just energy transition. They will power our energy and transport systems of the future, and are critical in enabling a global circular economy. As mining operations become increasingly circular – by working to eliminate waste, designing land use to be regenerative so that it can continue to add value to nature and society long after the mine has closed, and developing initiatives to recover and repurpose metals from downstream products – we have a great opportunity to drive prosperity for resource-rich countries and supply the durable materials that that the world  needs. But, to become truly circular, collaboration and innovation across value chains will be critical. We need to understand what conditions are necessary for these durable materials to be recovered at any time, when society needs them. ICMM is thrilled to be working with CCSI, the Enel Foundation and Circle Economy to help solve challenges impeding progress and accelerate a global circular economy at scale.”

Perrine Toledano, Director of Research and Policy, CCSI, said: “The mineral intensity of the zero-carbon energy transition will inevitably require an expansion in mining activities, but it will also require mining companies to systemically adopt circularity approaches, based on a comprehensive circular economy strategy. CCSI is excited to collaborate with ICMM and the Enel Foundation in continuing its research on economic, technological, legal, and policy aspects to drive primary extractive companies to respond to climate and broader sustainability imperatives by repositioning themselves as materials solutions providers.

Silvia Burgos, Senior Researcher, Enel Foundation, said: “The transition to a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions future and the digitalisation of a growing global population will increase the demand for minerals and metals. By partnering at mine sites and along materials value chains, there is an opportunity for companies to accelerate and scale up solutions to increase the value that they can deliver in terms of social and environmental progress combined with economic growth. This lens enables companies and countries to rethink how value is created, in line with sustainable development.” 

Jacco Verstraeten-Jochemsen, Lead Business Solutions, Circle Economy said: “The transition to a circular economy is essential in realising a safe and just environment for all. For instance, doubling the circularity of the global economy will bring the 1,5 ˚C pathways of the Paris Agreement within reach. The energy transition and shift to renewable energy systems should be a core focus - both to mitigate climate change and to minimise the need for and wasting of valuable minerals. Mining companies have a key role to play in implementing circular economy principles in the renewable energy value chain. They can minimise waste production, increase efficiency and implement regenerative principles at mining sites. Even more so, their technology, their expertise and their experience in waste management can prove vital for other players in the value chain that want to become more circular. Such contributions start with a clear definition of the end goal, consensus on the metrics and opportunities, and commitment to share best practices.

Findings from this research are expected to be published in early 2024. 

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