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.

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Circular Economy

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Value chains: if you havent seen how global our economy really is, you will now. Let's use this to our advantage - UNEP has a plan.

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https://www.unep.org/resources/publication/catalysing-science-based-policy-action-sustainable-consum...
Maria Dumpert commented on André Confiado's Post in Circular Economy

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Sharing about UNEP's work on circular jobs, together with ICLEI and Circle Economy.

The objective of the project is to support Bogor in creating and protecting local jobs that are sustainable and resilient by facilitating the shift of a priority sector toward a circular economy.

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https://www.iclei.org/en/media/supporting-circular-jobs-for-covid-19-recovery-in-bogor-city

Together with 30 companies WBCSD launched version 2.0 of its Circular Transition Indicators framework that provides companies with a common language for internal decision-making and communicating to key stakeholders in their transition to circular economy. This version features new water circularity metrics, a new indicator on circular financial performance, and extensive guidance on the bioeconomy.

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https://www.wbcsd.org/Programs/Circular-Economy/Factor-10/Metrics-Measurement/Circular-transition-in...

Changing Course: Four Reasons Why 2021 Is The Year The U.S. (And Other Countries) Will Lead The Way To Turn Plastic Waste Into A Resource — “As far as the U.S. is concerned, one place we can start is by investing in our recycling infrastructure. The fact is that we haven’t really updated recycling infrastructure and related new technologies for roughly 20 years.“

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https://www.forbes.com/sites/robkaplan/2021/01/22/changing-course-four-reasons-why-2021-is-the-year-...

Circulytics supports a company’s transition towards the circular economy by revealing the extent to which a company has achieved circularity across its entire operations, beyond assessing products and material flows.

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https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/resources/apply/circulytics-measuring-circularity/data-insi...
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What Does the Draft European Union–China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment Mean for Sustainable Development?

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https://www.iisd.org/articles/what-does-draft-european-union-china-comprehensive-agreement-investmen...

How will the circular economy grow in 2021? Check out this article to learn more - companies will play a significant role in the process.

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https://www.fastcompany.com/90593584/7-ways-the-circular-economy-will-grow-in-2021