Circular Economy and Climate Change
Renewable energy is not enough
There needs to be a fundamental shift in the global approach to tackling climate change and the circular economy can play an essential role.
Greenhouse gas emissions are not falling quickly enough to achieve climate targets
Switching to renewable energy can only cut them by 55%
Circular economy can help make up the remaining 45% by transforming how we make and use products, and how we produce food
Source: Completing the Picture: How the Circular Economy Tackles Climate Change (2019)
Reaching carbon neutrality will require a systemic change in how the Triangle and its economy operates. Efforts that focus on only one factor, such as energy efficiency, are not enough to meet the full ambitions of this target. An upcoming report from the UN International Resource Panel highlights how climate policies that neglect the circular economy are missing out on one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions.
“It is time to look beyond energy efficiency to reduce the global carbon footprint.””
In order to effectively slash their carbon footprints and prepare for the effects of climate change, cities need to integrate circular economy principles into their climate action plans, measure the consumption-based greenhouse emissions, and reduce their footprint.
