Our key takeaway: The linear approach that we’ve adopted to producing goods to meet our needs - which revolves around increased material consumption, pollution, and waste - is not working for people and planet. We have not met the needs of people around the world, who are typically in low-income and less developed countries. We have also transgressed 6 out of 9 planetary boundaries, which are necessary to ensure stable and resilient Earth systems within which humanity can survive. A transition to a circular economy is a solution to meeting our needs within safe levels of planetary boundaries. However, the circular economy transition must be just and people-centric for it to deliver decent work, improve wellbeing, and reduce inequality. As the report states: “People are central to this story: we envision a transition in which no one is left behind, that is safe and just for workers, citizens and consumers.” What can companies do? Companies can: 1) Assess their circular economy practices through a just transition lens to ensure that they do not harm people; 2) Implement holistic strategies that integrate circularity targets with their human rights, environmental and climate targets; and 3) Foster collaboration with other stakeholders to build support for a just transition to a circular economy.
Circle Economy Foundation published The Circularity Gap Report 2024 (February 2024):