Circular economy as a climate strategy: current knowledge and calls-to-action

Summary

This working paper by the World Resources Institute highlights the urgent need for additional strategies to close the 25 Gt CO2e emission gap by 2030 to meet the 1.5°C Paris climate goal. It synthesizes current knowledge on the circular economy's role in climate change management, noting that about half of global GHG emissions come from material extraction and processing. Circular economy strategies could reduce emissions from key industrial materials in buildings by 34–38% by 2050 and in passenger cars by 57–70% by 2050 in G7 countries. Furthermore, it emphasizes the circular economy's critical role in a sustainable clean energy transition, projecting a doubling of mineral demand for clean energy by 2040, and foreseeing 78 million tons of solar panel waste and 43 million tons of wind turbine blade waste cumulatively by 2050. The paper concludes with nine calls to action to integrate and accelerate circular economy strategies for climate benefits, including shifting consumption patterns and stimulating product circularity from the design phase.

Key Facts

Source Document

https://example-government.gov/policy-document-link