Stepping up the fight against waste and embracing the circular economy
By Patrick Haverman, Regional Partnership Advisor at UNDP’s Bangkok Regional Hub. Editing by Kate Jean Smith.
Have you ever looked at your phone and wondered what it is made of? Where its constituent parts originated? Who assembled it? Where it will go after you buy a new model?
The current ‘linear’ model of the economy, widely embraced since the industrial revolution two hundred years ago, goes something like this: extract-produce-use-dispose. Under this model, we extract resources from the Earth (from coal and oil to water and trees) to produce products, which we use until no longer useful or convenient, and then we dispose what’s left.
Unfortunately, this approach to production has not served us well… Consider these startling facts and figures:
· The best research available estimates there are over 150 million tonnes of plastics in the ocean today.
· Under a business-as-usual scenario, the ocean will contain more plastics than fish, by weight, by 2050.
· It’s estimated that world cities generate about 1.3 billion tonnes of solid waste per year, with the volume expected to increase to 2.2 billion tonnes by 2025.
Our waste problem is, put simply, enormous. And while initiatives such as forbidding plastic straws, encouraging alternatives to plastic coffee cups, and hosting ocean cleanups are very important contributions, they are not addressing the root of the issues, and are not moving the needle nearly enough. Recycling is not a panacea for our waste woes.
To get a grasp on the problem, we need new thinking and we need to scale-up. Now. But where lie the solutions? How are we to move the proverbial needle to where it needs to be?
First, we must more deeply realise that a thriving planet — with healthy ecosystems and biodiversity — are crucial to development and a sustainable future. From reducing poverty to achieving zero hunger to securing economic growth and sustainable cities, we need a healthy environment.
Second, we need to recognise the world’s capacity for economic growth is not unlimited. In fact, just as my two kids, six and eight years old will stop growing in 10 years, in the same way, a linear economy is probably limited in its growth as well. This is outlined by economist Kate Raworth (who has previously co-authored UNDP’s Human Development Report) in her book Doughnut Economics. Raworth argues that that we have reached our planetary boundaries and that unlimited growth might not be sustainable.
Third, we need to step-up action at-scale. It is through sound government policy and business leadership, that we will make a difference.
Indeed, the private sector — multinational corporations down to small- and medium-sized enterprises — are key partners.
Tapping the private sector for innovation
With the view of drawing on private sector perspectives, the Bangkok Regional Hub in preparation of the Responsible Business Forum recently invited business leaders — with expertise in food and nutrition, business and human rights, climate change, urbanization and circular economy — to discuss the most significant issues related to the Sustainable Development Goals .
The event was both instructive and inspiring.
From Jeff James at AkzoNobel introducing some of Akzo’s corporate sustainability practices, to Roelof Westerbeek ex-executive of Amcor Flexibles sharing his experience of reducing packaging, to Trish Hyde of The Plastics Circle discussing the enormous challenge ahead of us, our speakers shared examples of businesses adjusting their practices at-scale and embracing innovation to use less, re-use and recycle more.
Embracing the circular economy
What is the circular economy? In contrast to the linear, extractive model I mentioned earlier, the circular economy is “an industrial system that is restorative or regenerative by intention and design”. It describes a system in which re-using and recycling is maximised and waste and negative impacts are minimized — a closed loop system in which as little as possible is thrown away.
The concept is not new and has been gaining interest over the past years. However, we remain far from realizing our goals.
“We have an opportunity with the circular economy to rethink how we use resources like plastic and become a more responsible custodian of the planet. By using resources more efficiently and creating policies and economic infrastructure that encourage recycling and reuse, we can advance both Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement.” — Achim Steiner, Administrator of the UN Development Programme
Successfully moving towards to a circular economy is not easy and requires a range of solutions with the strong backing of governments and businesses. We need regulations (for example regulation of materials that can be used in production) and financial carrots and sticks. Changes in taxes and subsidies that nudge companies and individuals to change their practices or behavior.
We also must start properly accounting for previously un-costed negative “externalities” — as long as the cost of pollution and cleaning up is not included in the price of natural resources, the market will not correct itself.
In the private sector there are examples, such as Interface and Unilever, which are making good progress and have inspirational leaders, but will the rest follow?
What, then, is the role of the United Nations?
Around the world, the UN Development Programme supports countries and territories to achieve their development aspirations, to eradicate poverty and help people build better lives.
With environmental sustainability so inextricably linked to the Sustainable Development Goals and 2030 Agenda, what can UNDP do to contribute to the discussion and solutions around waste and pollution?
This blog is a step towards sparking conversations and ideas ahead of UNDP’s annual Responsible Business Forum.
Please leave a comment below and join us at the Forum (registrations here).
Let us make the economy circular.
At the Responsible Business Forum in October, UNDP will host companies driving solutions towards the circular economy, climate action, urbanization, human rights, food & nutrition. For more information, visit http://www.responsiblebusiness.com/forum/responsible-business-forum-sustainable-development/
