On October 15, 2019, Circle Economy hosted a webinar targeting world leaders and economists about "Why Countries Matter in Closing the Global Circularity Gap."
Today, "our world economy is only 9.1% circular." Countries like China, Sweden, and the Netherlands have already adopted country-wide circular economy roadmaps. Austria, as a member of the European commission, ranks as one of the top nations for recycling waste, with a circularity metric of 9.7%.
With all this progress, however, there remains 90% of the economy still succumbing to linear production models. It is crucial that countries around the world take action to close the circularity gap because the linear production model is affecting people and the planet negatively. Efforts are needed to transition away from this model. During the webinar, speakers discussed strategic pathways countries can use to transition into a circular economy, including the need for authorities to expose the harmful effects of the current economy and set pragmatic goals. Strategies will require an alignment of government officials, front-running businesses, academics, and NGOS, to assemble and affectively reduce the gas emissions and increase SDGS (sustainable development goals).
This can then lead to a flourishing environment for the people and biodiversity of our planet. It will help employment tremendously and countries leading the way in their continued commitments to the Paris Climate Agreement are starting to see the effects it has. If the remaining 90% of countries and economies join forces for the health of our only home, it can have a powerful change in our day to day lives. The kind of change that will help us stop creating waste, and instead recreate.
-Victoria Garcia
Victoria is a member of CFLA's Fall 2019 Intern Team and is studying fashion design and sustainability at Woodbury University in Burbank, CA.
Sources: