EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Our world economy is only 9.1% circular, leaving a Bridging the circularity gap requires intervention
massive ‘Circularity Gap’. This alarming statistic is across the full breath of society and action in
the main output of this first Circularity Gap Report, nations, sectors, supply chains and cities. Major trend
in which we launch a metric for the circular state corrections are needed to get the global economy on
of the planet. Taking the United Nations’ Emissions a pathway towards circularity. This Report identifies
Gap Report1 as inspiration, the Circularity Gap Report key levers at a global level and points to ‘inconvenient
provides a framework and fact-base to measure truths’ that provide systemic challenges for moving to
and monitor progress in bridging the gap, year on circularity by mid-21st century.
year. Being able to track and target performance via
the Global Circularity Metric will help us engage in
4
uniform goal-setting and guide future action in the STEPS TO TAKE ACTION
most impactful way. IN BRIDGING THE
Closing the circularity gap serves the higher CIRCULARITY GAP
objective of preventing further and accelerated THROUGH LEADERSHIP
environmental degradation and social inequality. AND ACTION
The transition to circularity is therefore a means to an
end. As a multi-stakeholder model, a circular economy 1 Build a global coalition for action,
comprised of front-running businesses,
has the ability to unite a global community behind governments, NGOs and academics, that
an action agenda, engaged and empowered both will input and convene an authoritative
collectively and individually. Its systemic approach annual report on the circular state of the
boosts capacity and capability to serve societal needs, global economy and measure progress
by embracing and endorsing the best humankind has towards its implementation.
to offer: the power of entrepreneurship, innovation
and collaboration.
2 Develop a global target and action agenda
by working with all relevant stakeholders to
The circular transition thereby provides actionable agree clear goal-setting and alignment with
ways forward to contribute to reaching the the SDGs and emission-reduction targets.
Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris
Agreement. Our linear model is effectively no longer
fit for purpose, failing both people and the planet.
3 Translate global targets into local
pathways for circular change, taking
Circular economy strategies have the potential to be big-picture directions and interpreting
instrumental in the push to mitigate the associated these for nation states, individual sectors,
climate impacts, given that majority (67%) of global supply chains, regions and cities to embed
greenhouse gas emissions are related to material strategies in their specific context and align
management. with incentives and mandates.
The report shows how key societal needs are met
and the resource reality behind the delivery. For
4 Improve our understanding of how
different levers for circular change affect
key needs like housing, mobility and nutrition, the aspects such as material saving, value
Report reveals the global material footprint. It shows retention and climate mitigation. Also
which needs consume what resources. Our global consider fully the dynamics of international
metabolism visual illustrates what happens with trade and employment, plus implications
products and materials after their functional use in for education, training and future skills,
society. In particular, it uncovers the modest flow of both for young people today and the next
resources cycled back into the economy and helps generations of tomorrow.
us estimate how much material goes wasted beyond
recovery. This exposes how deeply our linear system is
still ingrained in our daily lives.
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TO BRIDGE THE CIRCULARITY GAP WE NEED TO:
! Stop extracting ! Stop wasting ! Optimise what we already have ! Cycle more and better
!
Created by:
! !
THE CIRCULARITY GAP REPORT
