About this Discussion

In 2019, over 92 billion tonnes of materials were extracted and processed, contributing to about half of global CO2 emissions. This “take-make-dispose” approach and the resulting waste – including plastics, textiles, food, electronics and more – is taking its toll on the environment and human health.

A circular economy model replaces this end-of-life concept with restoration, shifts towards the use of renewable energy, eliminates the use of toxic chemicals, which impair reuse and return to the biosphere, and aims for the elimination of waste through the superior design of materials, products, systems and business models. The circular economy approach improves resource efficiency and reduces environmental impact on natural capital by designing products in a more recyclable way, adopting efficient technology and turning waste into a resource. The circular economy offers a trillion-dollar opportunity in terms of possible material savings, innovation and job creation, improved land productivity and soil health, and green growth. Achieving this, however, requires strong collaboration between leaders from business, government and civil society.

Circular Economy

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Why a circular economy is key to addressing climate change? The Ellen MacArthur Foundation has launched a new paper, in collaboration with Material Economics, revealing the need for a fundamental shift in the global approach to tackling climate change and relying solely on renewable energy is not enough.

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https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/assets/downloads/Completing_The_Picture_How_The_Circular_Ec...
Green Growth Knowledge Partnership(GGKP)

The Green Growth Knowledge Partnership (GGKP) is looking for a Technical Specialist – Circular Economy and Recyclability in SIDS to ensure that the implementation of the GEF ISLANDS Programme is informed by guidance on how to use Best Available Techniques and Best Environmental Practices (BAT/BEP) on circular economy approaches to improve recycling across SIDS. The deadline to apply is 3 June 2021. Read More

Plastic credits are the newest kind of pollution offset—but do they make a difference? — “... Plastic credits and offsets alone aren’t enough to solve our plastic problem; they have to come alongside efforts from a company to change what they’re producing, to use recycled materials, and to become circular... Plastic doesn’t have to go to nature in the first place. We shouldn’t have to balance it out. We should stop it.”

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https://www.fastcompany.com/90613763/plastic-credits-are-the-newest-kind-of-pollution-offset-but-do-...

Are you an environmental specialist with technical expertise in circular economy and recycling? Apply by 3 June for this short-term consultancy to support the GEF ISLANDS Programme by developing best practice guidance on improving recycling in small island developing states (SIDS), particularly for end-of-life vehicles, waste oil, plastics, and e-waste.

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https://careers.un.org/lbw/jobdetail.aspx?id=155634&Lang=en-US
Centre for European Policy Studies(CEPS)

On 10 June 2021 at 11:00 CEST, the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) is hosting an event on "Traceability across circular value chains: How to unlock its potential and mitigate challenges?". Read More

Stephani Widorini commented on Stephani Widorini's Opportunity in Circular Economy, Industry and Entrepreneurship
Closing:
United Nations Industrial Development Organization(UNIDO)

A partnership led by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has issued a call for expressions of interest for pilot projects aiming to accelerate the circular economy in two critical value chains in developing countries, namely textiles and garments, and plastic packaging. Read More