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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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Conceptualizing the circular economy: An analysis of 114 definitions

The aim of this paper is to create transparency regarding the current understandings of the circular economy concept. The findings indicate that the circular economy is most frequently depicted as a combination of reduce, reuse and recycle activities. Concerningly, many definitions overlook that circular economy necessitates a systemic shift.
Research
15 September 2017

Growth without economic growth

European Environment Agency (EEA)
Economic growth is closely correlated to environmental depletion and resource use. This report explores the need to decouple economic growth and resource consumption to achieve the sustainability goals and the European Green Deal. It introduces alternative views to economic growth including circular economics, green growth and doughnut economics.
Research
11 January 2021

Plastic Disclosure Project

Issue Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
Plastic Disclosure Project (PDP) is a multi-stakeholder, investor-supported global initiative to encourage the world's organisations to measure their annual plastic use and waste. With measurement, organisations can develop innovative strategies to efficiently use plastic, seize opportunities and avoid risks, all while reducing their environmental impact.
Organisation

Green Growth Knowledge Partnership

Government Sponsored / Multilateral Organisations
Green Growth Knowledge Partnership (GGKP) is a global community of policy, business and finance professionals, and organisations, committed to collaboratively generating, managing, and sharing knowledge on the transition to an inclusive green economy. They provide three knowledge platforms offering research, case studies and tools in green finance, policy, and industry.
Organisation
2 research items

New nature economy report II: The future of nature and business

World Economic Forum
This report provides an applicable agenda for businesses to contribute to the development of practical roadmaps that address the most important drivers of nature loss and build a nature-positive future. It is the second part of a three-part New Nature Economy Report series.
Research
18 July 2020

Bankrolling plastics: The banks that fund plastic packaging pollution

Portfolio Earth
Banks continue to finance the global plastics chain, despite the significant risks of lender liability from the impacts of plastic waste. This report highlights the lack of development of any due diligence systems, contingent loan criteria, or financing exclusions at the banks when it comes to the plastic packaging industry.
Research
5 January 2021

Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Issue Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation develops and promotes the implementation of the circular economy in collaboration with industry, academia and policymakers.
Organisation
2 research items

Universal circular economy policy goals: Enabling the transition to scale

Ellen MacArthur Foundation
As industries and governments move towards the circular economy, clear and aligned direction is needed for a rapid transition to scale. This paper proposes five universal policy goals that can help governments build healthier economic recoveries and lower the costs of transition for businesses across sectors.
Research
3 February 2021

The ambition loop: How business and government can advance policies that fast track zero-carbon economic growth

United Nations Global Compact
This report highlights how building on business leadership and strong national policy measures spur additional investment and action on businesses, accelerating the transition to a prosperous zero carbon economy. This requires an "ambition loop" - a positive feedback loop between business leadership and government policies.
Research
1 November 2018

United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)

Government Sponsored / Multilateral Organisations
United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is a unique partnership between the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the global financial sector. UNEP FI works closely with over 200 financial institutions that are signatories to the UNEP FI Statement on Sustainable Development to develop linkages between sustainability and financial performance.
Organisation
26 research items

Planetary boundaries: Guiding human development on a changing planet

The planetary boundaries concept presents a set of nine planetary boundaries within which humanity can continue to develop and thrive for generations to come; a 'safe operating space'. Crossing these boundaries increases the risk of generating large-scale abrupt or irreversible environmental changes.
Research
13 February 2015

Circular economy: From review of theories and practices to development of implementation tools

The paper provides an overview of the literature on Circular Economy theoretical approaches, strategies and implementation cases. After analysing different Circular Economy approaches and the underlying principles, the paper then proceeds with developing tools for Circular Economy implementation. The tools discussed include a strategies database and an implementation database.
Research
23 November 2017
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