Circular economy as a climate strategy: current knowledge and calls-to-action

Wang, Ke; Belt, Milo Costanza-van den; Heath, Garvin; Walzberg, Julien; Curtis, Taylor L.; Berrie, Jack; Schroder, Patrick; Lazer, Leah; Altamirano, Juan

doi:10.2172/1897625

Cited by 17 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…This is mainly attained by the development of heat networks and building renovations in the building sector. These results are congruent with several other studies in the literature that show that this sector presents the largest potential for emissions reduction due to the many different options available for the decarbonization of energy consumption [36,85,86]. Alternatives include using ambient heat or geothermal energy, increased electrification, reduced consumption via behavioral change, etc.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…In the CE scenario, individual mobility vehicles have been used to cover 7% of the final mobility demand in the region. As stated by [85], the highest potential for reducing emissions in the sector is via a shift in use patterns. Finally, the application of a CE strategy in the industry sector increases the use of heat waste, and electricity production is mainly based on renewable sources.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Circular Economy for the Energy System as a Leverage for Low-Carbon Transition: Long-Term Analysis of the Case of the South-East Region of France

Andrade,

Selosse

2024

Energies

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The circular economy is a decisive strategy for reconciling economic development and the environment. In France, the CE was introduced into the law in 2015 with the objective of closing the loop. The legislation also delegates energy policy towards the French regions by granting them the jurisdiction to directly plan the energy–climate issues on their territory and to develop local energy resources. Thereby, the SUD PACA region has redefined its objectives and targeted carbon neutrality and the transition to a CE by 2050. To study this transition, we developed a TIMESPACA optimization model. The results show that following a CE perspective to develop a local energy system could contribute to reducing CO2 emissions by 50% in final energy consumption and reaching almost free electricity production. To obtain greater reductions, the development of the regional energy systems should follow a careful policy design favoring the transition to low energy-consuming behavior and the strategical allocation of resources across the different sectors. Biomethane should be allocated to the buildings and industrial sector, while hydrogen should be deployed for buses and freight transport vehicles.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Circular Economy for the Energy System as a Leverage for Low-Carbon Transition: Long-Term Analysis of the Case of the South-East Region of France

Andrade,

Selosse

2024

Energies

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Section: Limited Attention To Materials Efficiency In Climate Policymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, regarding materials efficiency as a strategy primarily intended to mitigate climate change mitigation is new (International Energy Agency, 2020). 9 A variety of non‐governmental and multilateral organizations have started to draw attention to the potential for GHG reduction through circular economy strategies but material efficiency is only starting to be included in climate policy (e.g., Bardout & Hoogzaad, 2017; K. Wang et al, 2022). One indication of the relative absence of material efficiency as a climate policy can be found in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the non‐binding national plans for climate actions by governments as a contribution to achieve the global targets set out in the Paris Agreement.…”

Section: Patterns In Materials Efficiency Policymentioning

confidence: 99%

Policy for material efficiency in homes and cars: Enabling new climate change mitigation strategies

Lifset,

Hertwich,

Makov

2024

WIREs Climate Change

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Material efficiency (ME), making products with less material or substituting with less carbon‐intensive material without a loss of functionality, can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and complement other strategies to mitigate climate change. Seven ME strategies for cars and homes in the G7 countries were recently modeled in a study by the International Resource Panel. Modeling indicates that ME strategies focusing on construction and use of homes could lower the overall cumulative emissions in the G7 between 2016 and 2060 by 8.5 Gt CO2e (20%), while ME strategies for the production and use of cars could reduce up to 12 Gt (24%). For both homes and cars, the strategy of more intensive use—where fewer or smaller products are required to provide the same basic service—showed the greatest potential. A review of existing ME policies reveals that attention to ME in climate policy has been limited. Policy toward ME has historically focused on waste management rather than GHG reduction. Ex post evaluation of policies that do exist, especially for recycling and related waste strategies, is infrequent. Framing efficient use of materials as a measure primarily intended for climate mitigation is relatively recent and uncommon. Production‐related policy opportunities have been neglected because using ME to reduce GHGs is novel in some sectors and because increased ME faces economic and social barriers. Rebound effects where reduction of the cost of housing or transportation can increase material consumption offsetting potential gains, a problem for all efficiency‐based approaches, is understudied and not currently addressed through policy.This article is categorized under: The Carbon Economy and Climate Mitigation > Policies, Instruments, Lifestyles, Behavior The Carbon Economy and Climate Mitigation > Decarbonizing Energy and/or Reducing Demand

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“…Wang et al (2022) also highlighted that CE strategies reduce GHG emissions, maintain the demand for raw materials and new products, support the transition to clean energy, and improve adaptation to climate change. Therefore, CE can be considered a significant catalyst for responding to a global climate crisis(Romero-Perdomo et al, 2022), playing an essential role in reducing GHG emissions, with eco-innovation being a moderator between CE and climate change(Khanna et al, 2022).In this sense,Yang et al (2023) reported that CE strategies are achieved to combat climate change and can reduce carbon emissions in the industry, waste disposal, energy use, civil construction, and transportation, and improve air and water quality, reduce energy consumption, use of natural resources, and improve the correct disposal of solid and toxic waste.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating climate change practices in a circular economy context—The perspective from chemical enterprises

Leal Filho,

Frizzo,

Eustachio

et al. 2023

Sustainable Development

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This study describes the relationships between climate change and the concept of a circular economy, outlining the need for synergies within a company's context. It reports on a bibliometric analysis of the relations between climate change and circular economy, and it provides evidence and assessments based on a sample of 11 large companies in the chemical industry. The results show that there is a concern in the academic literature to discuss circular economy efforts to combat climate change, reduce carbon emissions, strengthen the supply chain, assess the life cycle of products, their environmental impact, and waste management, and identify barriers to implementing the circular economy. In addition, there is a close association between the CE concept and tackling climate change in how organisations report their practices to the stakeholders, in considering concepts of recycling, reusing, adopting renewable energy, seeking resource efficiency, and rethinking strategies. The study concludes by providing some suggestions that may assist companies in intensifying their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint, combining them with more circular business models. Efforts from interested stakeholders must focus on defining CE in a more detailed manner, as well as its implementation at the different stages of production and consumption, especially in operations for which no uniform approach or common practice can be established. In this context, implications for positive social and environmental impacts by promoting a faster and more proactive climate transition in the chemical sector are presented. The novelty of this paper relies on the fact that it advances knowledge on matters related to the circular economy under a climate change context, identifying current trends and suggesting some measures which may optimise current business practices of the chemical sector.

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Circular economy as a climate strategy: current knowledge and calls-to-action

Abstract: Working Papers contain preliminary research, analysis, findings, and recommendations. They are circulated to stimulate timely discussion and critical feedback, and to influence ongoing debate on emerging issues.

Cited by 17 publications

References 27 publications

Circular Economy for the Energy System as a Leverage for Low-Carbon Transition: Long-Term Analysis of the Case of the South-East Region of France

Circular Economy for the Energy System as a Leverage for Low-Carbon Transition: Long-Term Analysis of the Case of the South-East Region of France

Policy for material efficiency in homes and cars: Enabling new climate change mitigation strategies

Integrating climate change practices in a circular economy context—The perspective from chemical enterprises

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