Library | ESG issues

Circular Economy

A circular economy is an economic model focused on minimising waste and maximising resource efficiency by reusing, recycling, and regenerating materials. It emphasises designing out waste, keeping materials in use, and regenerating natural systems, offering opportunities for sustainable growth and resilience. Companies that demonstrate circularity can enhance long-term business resilience, resource efficiency and cost-savings.

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Circle Economy's circularity gap report series

Circle Economy
The Circularity Gap Report series, launched annually since 2018 by Circle Economy, offers key insights into the global circular economy. Each report focuses on vital topics driving action, from the first global metric in 2018 to industry and country perspectives in subsequent years.
Benchmark/series

Beyond an age of waste: Turning rubbish into a resource

United Nations Environment Programme
The report highlights the urgent need to rethink waste as a resource. It emphasises the significance of reducing waste generation, improving waste management practices, and transitioning towards a circular economy to mitigate the environmental impacts of waste. The report presents scenarios for future waste management and advocates for global action to prevent a worsening waste crisis.
Research
26 March 2024

Natural Capital Protocol

Capitals Coalition (CapsCo)
The Natural Capital Protocol provides a step-by-step guide for businesses to measure, value, and integrate natural capital into their operations. Divided into 9 stages, this comprehensive guide offers a practical approach to assess material risks and opportunities, communicate with stakeholders, and make informed decisions towards sustainable business practices.
Research
8 July 2016

Regenerative development and design

The report explores the necessity and principles of regenerative development, aiming to create thriving living systems that evolve toward greater health and vitality. It emphasises aligning human actions with natural systems, integrating ancient wisdom with modern science, and fostering holistic, co-creative partnerships between people and the planet for sustainable and thriving futures.
Research
13 June 2024

A new economy: Exploring the root causes of the polycrisis and the principles to unlock a sustainable future

Ernst & Young (EY)
The report examines the systemic flaws of the current economic model, highlighting ecological, social, and geoeconomic crises. It proposes transitioning to a regenerative economy based on principles of sufficiency, circularity, systems thinking, equity, and redefining value to achieve sustainable and equitable growth.
Research
31 May 2024

An innovation pathway to decarbonization: Circular economy solutions for policymakers and industry in the US

Ellen MacArthur Foundation
The US has a significant opportunity to decarbonise its industrial sector and boost its economy by transitioning to a circular economy. This report explores the economic and environmental benefits of circular solutions in key industries, such as batteries, construction, and electronics. It also analyses current US policies that support a circular economy and provides recommendations for further policy interventions to accelerate this transition.
Research
23 April 2024

Exploring the cooperative economy report 2023

World Cooperative Monitor
The 2023 World Cooperative Monitor Report provides rankings of the top 300 global cooperatives by turnover and GDP per capita. It highlights the economic impact and member benefits of cooperatives, offering insights into their performance, sustainability, and contribution to local communities and development goals.
Research
30 January 2024

Navigating transition finance: An action list

CFA Institute
This report explores how transition finance can help decarbonise high-emitting activities and other economic sectors. It offers recommendations to improve awareness, clarify transition activities and finance products, and mitigate associated risks. Collaborative efforts are needed to navigate the complex economic, regulatory, environmental, and technological landscape.
Research
26 March 2024

Social and Human Capital Protocol

Capitals Coalition (CapsCo)
This protocol sets out principles for valuing human and social capital, helping businesses to measure the value of community relationships and employee talent. The goal is to help businesses make truly sustainable decisions; however, this is a nascent field requiring more detailed data, and tailored techniques, to ensure more accurate results.
Research
5 March 2019

BNP Paribas

Finance Industry Groups
Explore the diverse offerings of BNP Paribas Group, a global leader in banking and financial services. From retail banking to corporate and institutional banking, their expertise spans various sectors. With a commitment to sustainability and innovation, they provide tailored solutions to meet the needs of clients worldwide.
Organisation
2 research items

Australian material flow analysis to progress to a circular economy

CSIRO
This report provides a comprehensive material flow account for Australia in 2019 to support the assessment of its circular economy progress. The report highlights key areas where policy interventions can improve material intensity, resource efficiency, and waste minimisation. It also evaluates Australia's circularity indicators and performs well on three proposed indicators.
Research
5 March 2024

Getting ahead of the curve on dynamic materiality: How U.S. investors can foster more inclusive capitalism

Oxfam
This discussion paper highlights tools and opportunities for US investors to foster sustainable and responsible value creation in order to support more inclusive and thriving economy. It also discusses the risks posed to portfolios by social and environmental risks and how diversified investors can mitigate them.
Research
9 March 2024

Resilience: Regenerative City Living Lab (Victoria University)

Academic Institutions
The Victoria University Resilience and Regenerative City Living Lab (VU RISE) focuses on urban sustainability, resilience, and regeneration. Through collaborative research and community engagement, VU RISE addresses challenges in urban environments, fostering innovation for sustainable city living.
Organisation
1 research item

Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB)

Other Industry / Sector Specific Groups & Sponsored Organisations
The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) promotes sustainable practices in the biomass industry. It sets global standards for environmentally and socially responsible production of biomass materials. RSB fosters collaboration among stakeholders to ensure ethical and sustainable practices throughout the biomass supply chain.
Organisation
1 research item

Change finance, not the climate

This is a comprehensive and practical handbook by Transnational Institute and Institute for Policy Studies. This report outlines how to democratically marshal financial resources for a Global Green New Deal and to green the financial institutions by focusing on central banking, private banks, and financial markets towards tackling climate chaos.
Research
4 June 2020

200 and counting: Global financial institutions are exiting coal

Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA)
Financial institutions (FI) across the world are increasingly recognising the risks and opportunities connected to coal, and many are reducing their exposure to the industry. The number of FIs withdrawing from coal is rapidly increasing, and this report catalogues the global trend towards coal withdrawal.
Research
3 May 2023
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