https://climatejournal.news/ en https://climatejournal.news/news/most-irish-smes-plan-to-increase-or-maintain-investment-in-sustainability <div class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item"><span>Most Irish SMEs plan to increase or maintain investment in sustainability</span> </div> <span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 addtoany_list" data-a2a-url="https://climatejournal.news/news/most-irish-smes-plan-to-increase-or-maintain-investment-in-sustainability" data-a2a-title="Most Irish SMEs plan to increase or maintain investment in sustainability"><a class="a2a_button_linkedin"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/linkedin.svg" border="0" alt="LinkedIn" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/linkedin_hover.svg" border="0" alt="LinkedIn" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_facebook"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/facebook.svg" border="0" alt="Facebook" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/facebook_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Facebook" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/twitter.svg" border="0" alt="Twitter" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/twitter_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Twitter" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/email.svg" border="0" alt="Email" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/email_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Email" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_dd" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/share_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Share" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/share.svg" border="0" alt="Share" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"> Share </a></span> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Tags</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/business-sustainability" hreflang="en">Business Sustainability</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/smes" hreflang="en">SMEs</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Topic</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/business" hreflang="en">Business</a></div> </div> </div> <img alt="Most Irish SMEs plan to increase or maintain investment in sustainability" title="Most Irish SMEs plan to increase or maintain investment in sustainability" class="img-responsive" src="/files/styles/news_full_main_image/public/bsp-images/news/1393.jpg?itok=b2QbaEJz" width="687" height="687" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4247 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4248 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Irish Water,<a href="https://www.water.ie/" target="_blank"> Uisce Éireann</a> published its SME Sustainability Sentiment Survey, which found that 94 per cent of Irish SMEs plan to increase or maintain their investment in sustainability.</p> <p>This represents nine out of 10 Irish SMEs that plan to keep their investment in the next 12 months to meet the demand for more sustainable services and products.</p> <p class="font-greentitle">About the survey</p> <p>The research conducted by Behaviour and Attitudes (B&amp;A) inspired these developments, and over 350 SMEs were interviewed.</p> <p>The purpose of the survey was to get their opinion on the importance of investing in sustainability for their customers and businesses. In addition, to examine the barriers that currently exist to investment in sustainability.</p> <p class="font-greentitle">What were the results of the survey?</p> <p>Most of the survey respondents (73 per cent) said they intend to maintain the current levels of investment. However, over 1 in 5 responded that they would expect to raise their spending in this specific area.</p> <blockquote> <p>The research determined that satisfying customers’ desire for more eco-friendly services and products is now the second (43 per cent) critical key driver influencing SME decision-making concerning investment in sustainability. This ranked behind cost savings (55 per cent).</p> </blockquote> <p>Over half of the Irish SMEs (52 percent) shared they feel operating a responsible business attracts more customers too. Cost concerns and rising prices continue to be stand-out barriers to investing more in sustainability initiatives and strategies for 72 per cent of SMEs.</p> <p>Lack of education or information and Government support also remains a barrier to investment for 45 per cent of SMEs.</p> <p>The survey also uncovered that most Irish SMEs (64 per cent) are unaware or uncertain as to how to access support, including financial guidance and information to achieve sustainable savings.</p> <p class="font-greentitle">What does the research mean, and how is Uisce Éireann supporting Irish SMEs?</p> <p>This research gathered by Uisce Éireann reveals that Irish SMEs recognise the importance of providing sustainable services and products to their customers. With this in mind, most of them are planning to either continue putting money into sustainability or increase their investment to introduce new sustainable solutions and practices.</p> <p>In saying that, the survey did highlight there is a lack of guidance and education for businesses surrounding sustainability.</p> <blockquote> <p>Nine out of ten respondents shared they do not know what to do or how to access support.</p> </blockquote> <p>Uisce Éireann is trying to tackle this by offering a suite of easy-to-access and free <a href="https://www.water.ie/projects/" target="_blank">resources </a>to assist SMEs in becoming more eco-friendly and cutting costs when it comes to the use of water.</p> <p>This includes their Annual Certification Scheme and Water Stewardship Programme.</p> <p>The decision to launch these resources comes as they recognise the challenges facing SMEs and their concerns around sustainability.</p> <p>They have said SMEs understand the value of water to their business but that they desperately need to become more water-aware.</p> <p> </p> <p class="text-align-right"><span style="font-size:8px">Headline image by<a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/young-successful-businesswoman-talking-mobile-phone-holding-telephone-folder-with-work_79669652.htm#fromView=search&amp;page=1&amp;position=22&amp;uuid=a834ca32-f019-4606-b11f-02917c8981c7"> benzoix on Freepik</a></span></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-background-style field--type-list-string field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Background style</div> <div class="field--item">Light</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-sponsored field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Sponsored?</div> <div class="field--item">No</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden field--item">March 2024</div> <div class="field field--name-field-collaborative-content-with field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Collaborative content with</div> <div class="field--item"> <a href="/partner/institute-of-sustainability-studies">Institute of Sustainability Studies</a> </div> </div> Tue, 05 Mar 2024 10:55:09 +0000 Bronagh Loughlin 308 at https://climatejournal.news https://climatejournal.news/news/companies-going-quiet-about-their-climate-efforts-is-becoming-a-massive-global-trend <div class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item"><span>Companies going quiet about their climate efforts is becoming a massive global trend</span> </div> <span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 addtoany_list" data-a2a-url="https://climatejournal.news/news/companies-going-quiet-about-their-climate-efforts-is-becoming-a-massive-global-trend" data-a2a-title="Companies going quiet about their climate efforts is becoming a massive global trend"><a class="a2a_button_linkedin"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/linkedin.svg" border="0" alt="LinkedIn" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/linkedin_hover.svg" border="0" alt="LinkedIn" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_facebook"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/facebook.svg" border="0" alt="Facebook" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/facebook_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Facebook" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/twitter.svg" border="0" alt="Twitter" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/twitter_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Twitter" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/email.svg" border="0" alt="Email" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/email_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Email" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_dd" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/share_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Share" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/share.svg" border="0" alt="Share" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"> Share </a></span> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Tags</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/climate-communication" hreflang="en">Climate Communication</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/climate-action" hreflang="en">Climate Action</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/climate-change" hreflang="en">Climate Change</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/business" hreflang="en">Business</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Topic</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/climate-communication" hreflang="en">Climate Communication</a></div> </div> </div> <img alt="Companies going quiet about their climate efforts is becoming a massive global trend" title="Companies going quiet about their climate efforts is becoming a massive global trend" class="img-responsive" src="/files/styles/news_full_main_image/public/bsp-images/news/1360.jpg?itok=Wb1vofWK" width="687" height="687" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4147 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4149 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>In recent years, business climate communication has become a spotlight issue to fight off greenwashing, and watchdogs are regularly fining companies for misleading marketing and advertising activities, as has happened lately to Shell with one of their <a href="https://climatejournal.news/news/why-was-a-shell-green-ad-banned-in-the-uk" target="_blank">public campaigns on green energy</a>.</p> <p>Besides, new regulations are shaping the landscape as the EU Parliament and Council new rules are coming to<a href="https://climatejournal.news/news/eu-plans-to-ban-climate-neutral-and-other-sustainability-claims" target="_blank"> ban generic environmental claims</a> and provide consumers with better product information from 2026.</p> <p>All these changes seem to put too much pressure on companies, making them afraid to go public about their climate initiatives or plans.</p> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-callout paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--width--full callout-style--b" id="callout-4151"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="callout-body"> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4150 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>According to the latest <a href="https://www.southpole.com/publications/destination-net-zero-report" target="_blank">Net Zero Report</a> released in January by South Pole, a global organisation supporting companies to achieve net zero emissions, the majority of surveyed companies are intentionally keeping quiet, decreasing their climate communications, otherwise known as 'greenhushing', despite increasing investment in carbon management and climate action.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4152 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <blockquote> <p>Data collected from climate-conscious companies revealed that 70 per cent of them admit to 'greenhushing', which is present across nearly every major sector worldwide, from fashion to tech, consumer goods, oil and even environmental services.</p> </blockquote> <p>The report explored why companies choose not to publicise their climate strategies or goals and deliberately decrease or cease external communications around them by surveying over 1,400 companies with dedicated sustainability leads across 12 countries and 14 sectors.</p> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4155 paragraph--width--full paragraph--style--75-25"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column1"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4153 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Reflecting on the result, John Davis, Interim CEO of South Pole, said:</p> <blockquote> <p>“It reveals that regulation, industry requirements on reporting on climate goals and heightened scrutiny from various stakeholders are the core reasons for companies keeping quiet about their climate goals and progress.”</p> </blockquote> <p>Scaling down communication happens despite most surveyed respondents (81 per cent) claiming to be on track to meet their net zero goals and recognise the value of communicating climate action.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column2"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-image paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4154 paragraph--width--full"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="field field--name-bp-image-field field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <img alt="" title="" src="/files/bsp-images/paragraph/1361.jpg" width="400" height="400" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-image-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">John Davis, Interim CEO of South Pole. Image source: South Pole</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4156 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Consumer goods companies marketing food, beverages, and household goods were more likely to be `greenhushing` (86 per cent), more than the oil and gas industry (72 per cent).</p> <p>Controversially, 93 per cent of surveyed companies see communications as crucial to commercial success, and nearly half (46 per cent) say that customer demand is the number one reason to pursue net zero targets for the third year in a row.</p> <p>Yet, they are holding back on connecting climate action and communication.</p> <p>Besides customers, the desire to have better oversight of supply chain risks and to future-proof operations are the leading drivers for pledging net zero goals, surpassing the need to stay ahead of the competition.</p> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-image paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4157 paragraph--width--full"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="field field--name-bp-image-field field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <img alt="" title="" src="/files/bsp-images/paragraph/1362.jpg" width="1015" height="542" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-image-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">Drivers to set net zero company targets over the years. Image source: Net Zero Report 2024, South Pole</div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4158 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Nearly half (44 per cent) of surveyed businesses claimed that due to lack of clarity and changing regulations, they find it more difficult than before to communicate about their net zero plans and actions despite the vast majority (81 per cent) of companies saying it is good for their bottom line.</p> <p>The study showed that 2025 to 2030 is the most common net zero target year range, which raises some questions about delivering meaningful results.</p> <p>The Net Zero Report found that over three quarters (76 per cent) of researched companies claim to be increasing their budgets to meet their net zero targets, and the vast majority say they feel like they are “on track" to meeting targets.</p> <blockquote> <p>“Our latest research shows that too many companies in the surveyed cohort are working towards highly optimistic, possibly even unrealistic, net zero target dates of by 2030 or earlier.</p> <p>The coming years will either bring unprecedented industry transformations or deep disappointments,”</p> </blockquote> <p>says Franziska Sinner, Senior Director of Climate Strategies at South Pole.</p> <p>She adds:</p> <p>"What remains crystal clear today, however, is that corporate leaders must step up and speak up if we are to make a dent in this terrifying climate challenge.”</p> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4159 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>According to another <a href="https://zerotracker.net/analysis/new-analysis-half-of-worlds-largest-companies-are-committed-to-net-zero" target="_blank">research </a>by Net Zero Tracker, the number of company net zero targets has risen by more than 40 per cent in 16 months from 2022 to 2023 based on numbers from assessing 1000 companies' net zero targets from the Forbes Global 2000 list of the world's largest companies.</p> <p>However, only 4 per cent of these commitments meet the revised ‘Starting Line criteria’ set out in 2022 by the UN Race to Zero campaign, aiming to have clear and specific measurements and actions in place for carbon offsetting, reduction, and reporting progress.</p> <p>This resonates with results based on analysing South Pole’s proprietary database of 77,000 listed companies, showing that only 8 per cent have set a net zero target, with 92 per cent having no targets or progress.</p> <p>The data collected by South Pole in the Net Zero Report for the fourth year strongly suggests that most companies struggle to find the confidence to go public about their carbon management mainly because of their fear of scrutiny by stakeholders, regulatory requirements, and lack of guidance on best practices.</p> <p>The lack of communication can jeopardise progress on climate action in the business community since there will be no best practices to follow or lessons to learn from.</p> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4148 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p class="text-align-right"><span style="font-size:8px">Headline <a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/hand-touching-with-search-icon-search-engine-optimisation-seo-concept-find-information-by-internet-connection_24458785.htm#query=information&amp;position=11&amp;from_view=search&amp;track=sph&amp;uuid=084a712f-7d29-4be3-a3d9-67d36b013934">Image by DilokaStudio</a> on Freepik</span></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-background-style field--type-list-string field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Background style</div> <div class="field--item">Light</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-sponsored field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Sponsored?</div> <div class="field--item">No</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden field--item">January 2024</div> Fri, 19 Jan 2024 09:13:09 +0000 Szilvia Szabó 302 at https://climatejournal.news https://climatejournal.news/news/a-circular-economy-could-prevent-climate-breakdown-but-needs-speeding-up <div class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item"><span>A Circular Economy could prevent climate breakdown but needs speeding up</span> </div> <span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 addtoany_list" data-a2a-url="https://climatejournal.news/news/a-circular-economy-could-prevent-climate-breakdown-but-needs-speeding-up" data-a2a-title="A Circular Economy could prevent climate breakdown but needs speeding up"><a class="a2a_button_linkedin"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/linkedin.svg" border="0" alt="LinkedIn" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/linkedin_hover.svg" border="0" alt="LinkedIn" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_facebook"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/facebook.svg" border="0" alt="Facebook" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/facebook_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Facebook" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/twitter.svg" border="0" alt="Twitter" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/twitter_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Twitter" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/email.svg" border="0" alt="Email" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/email_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Email" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_dd" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/share_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Share" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/share.svg" border="0" alt="Share" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"> Share </a></span> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Tags</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/circular-economy" hreflang="en">Circular Economy</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/research" hreflang="en">Research</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/climate-change" hreflang="en">Climate Change</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/business" hreflang="en">Business</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/policy" hreflang="en">Policy</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Topic</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/circular-economy" hreflang="en">Circular Economy</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/climate-change" hreflang="en">Climate Change</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/report" hreflang="en">Report</a></div> </div> </div> <img width="32" height="32" alt="Business" title="Business" class="img-responsive" src="/files/bsp-images/icons/55.svg" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <img width="32" height="32" alt="Circular Economy" title="Circular Economy" class="img-responsive" src="/files/bsp-images/icons/54.svg" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <img width="32" height="32" alt="Research" title="Research" class="img-responsive" src="/files/bsp-images/icons/243.svg" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <img width="32" height="32" alt="Sustainability" title="Sustainability" class="img-responsive" src="/files/bsp-images/icons/52.svg" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <img alt="A Circular Economy could prevent climate breakdown but needs speeding up" title="A Circular Economy could prevent climate breakdown but needs speeding up" class="img-responsive" src="/files/styles/news_full_main_image/public/bsp-images/news/562.jpg?itok=Wz_PvSgz" width="687" height="687" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <div class="field field--name-field-lead field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">The Circularity Gap Report 2021 offers not only a sober warning of the danger of climate inaction but a clear map forward</div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1775 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1780 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>The <a href="https://www.circularity-gap.world/2021" target="_blank">Circularity Gap Report 2021</a>, based on a global scoring system, was released on the 26th of January, highlighting the urgent need to transition to a circular economy in order to tackle climate change related risks.</p> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1778 paragraph--width--full paragraph--style--58-42"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column1"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1776 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>It aims to empower key decision-makers in both business and government to coordinate actions to accelerate necessary changes.</p> <p>The research revealed that Circular Economy strategies could cut global emissions by 39%.</p> <p>Still, the global economy was just 8.6% circular in 2020, meaning the world is consuming over 100 billion tonnes of materials per year and only 8.6% of that is reused in any form.</p> <p>Two years prior, it was 9.1%, which makes it clear that things have effectively gotten worse.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column2"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-image paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1777 paragraph--width--full"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="field field--name-bp-image-field field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <img alt="" title="" src="/files/bsp-images/paragraph/563.jpg" width="808" height="579" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-image-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">The Circularity Gap Report 2021, image: Circular Economy</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1779 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>The report is launched annually during The World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos, published by the <a href="https://www.circle-economy.com/" target="_blank">Circle Economy</a> impact organisation dedicated to accelerating the circular economy transition.</p> <blockquote> <p>“The Circularity Gap Report offers not only a sober warning of the danger of climate inaction but a clear map forward.</p> </blockquote> <p>A collaborative effort is necessary among government, business and civil society to scale the circular economy and drive down emissions.</p> <p>Only through collective investment in and commitment to circular practices can we shape a more sustainable, resilient future,” said Borge Brende, President of the <a href="https://www.weforum.org/focus" target="_blank">World Economic Forum</a>, at the launch.</p> <p>The report finds that 22.8 billion tonnes (Gt) of annual emissions associated with creating new products from virgin materials can be eliminated by applying circular strategies.</p> <p>That would drastically reduce the amount of minerals, fossil fuels, metals and biomass consumed globally.</p> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-callout paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--width--full callout-style--b" id="callout-1782"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="callout-body"> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1781 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>It calculates that approximately 70% of all emissions are generated by the extraction, processing and manufacturing of goods to meet society’s needs – the meals we eat, the clothes we wear and so on.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1783 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Martijn Lopes Cardozo, Circle Economy CEO, said: “Governments are making huge decisions that will shape our climate future.</p> <p>They are spending billions to stimulate their economies after the Covid pandemic, and they are committed to strengthening their climate commitments ahead of the Glasgow Climate Summit.</p> <p>Circular economy strategies hold the key to a resource-efficient, low-carbon and inclusive future.”</p> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1786 paragraph--width--full paragraph--style--42-58"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column1"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--video paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1784"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="video-embed-field-provider-youtube video-embed-field-responsive-video form-group"><iframe width="854" height="480" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E3_8cMjNdq8?autoplay=0&amp;start=0&amp;rel=0"></iframe> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-image-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">Circularity Gap Report 2021</div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column2"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1785 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>The strategies identified in the publication would cut annual material consumption down to 79Gt, by reducing the number of materials used to make products and services, using resources for longer, and replacing finite resources such as fossil fuels with regenerative resources such as renewable energy.</p> <p>Additionally, they would increase the proportion of reused materials to 17%, nearly doubling the global economy's circularity.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1787 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Laxmi Haigh, science writer at Circle Economy and one of the lead authors of the Circularity Gap 2021 report shares more insights:</p> <p>“I think it is important to be optimistic.</p> <p>In the last ten years, the circular economy has moved from being more of a ‘fringe’ topic to a mainstream one.</p> <blockquote> <p>The solution for restoring balance is right in front of us, but it will take the energetic collaboration of people across governments and industries to make it a reality.”</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-callout paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--width--full callout-style--b" id="callout-1789"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="callout-body"> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1788 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Mobility, housing and nutrition are also named the three fundamental societal needs responsible for nearly 70% of global emissions. These are the areas where circular strategies can have the most significant impact.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1792 paragraph--width--full paragraph--style--66-33"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column1"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1791 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>“The tagline of our report is: 'Solutions for a world that consumes 1 billion tonnes of materials and has warmed by 1-degree'.</p> <p>And that is what we have done: provide solutions.</p> <p>We have identified which circular actions can be most beneficial in reducing virgin resource extraction and limiting greenhouse house emissions across the six most prevalent 'needs and wants'.</p> <p>Based on the findings, we present a circular roadmap of 21 interventions that countries can adopt into their climate plans moving forward.</p> <p>From adopting healthier diets to assessing how multifunctional the buildings we construct are, the roadmap is wide.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column2"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-image paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1790 paragraph--width--full"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="field field--name-bp-image-field field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <img alt="" title="" src="/files/bsp-images/paragraph/564.jpg" width="800" height="656" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-image-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">Laxmi Haigh, science writer at Circle Economy, lead authors of the Circularity Gap 2021 report</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1793 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>In this way, any country interested in integrating the circular economy into its climate plans and pledges can use our report as a handbook, or look for more tailored insights,” adds Haigh about how to make the best use of this report and take action.</p> <p>Different strategies are appropriate for different countries at various stages of economic development.</p> <p>The report presents blueprints for governments to take actions in three broad categories - low-income, middle-income and higher-income countries - with different priorities for each.</p> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1794 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>At this stage, the world is on course for a climate breakdown, but the report suggests that we can bridge the gap to achieve climate neutrality through leadership and action.</p> <blockquote> <p>Suppose the coming decade is the decisive one for humanity’s future on this planet.</p> <p>In that case, 2021 is the year to ramp up our efforts to bring our goals into realistic reach and prevent the worst potential impact of climate change from becoming our reality.</p> </blockquote> <p>Martin Frick, Senior Director Policy and Programme Coordination at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change says,</p> <p>“For billions of years, our home planet was in a perfect cycle: New life constantly emerged out of the same carbon that existed as life before.</p> <p>We need to restore this balance and achieve carbon neutrality without delay.</p> <p>For that, we need to eliminate waste and create products that last, can be repaired and ultimately can be transformed into new products.”</p> <p>In adopting a roadmap packed with circular strategies, society can pave the way for the systemic transformations required to course-correct the global economy – going far beyond the limitations of current policy and national climate pledges.</p> <p> </p> <p class="text-align-right"><span style="font-size:9px">Headline image: Pexels</span></p> </div> </div> <div>Footer</div> Circularity Gap Report 2021 <div class="field field--name-field-background-style field--type-list-string field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Background style</div> <div class="field--item">Light</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-sponsored field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Sponsored?</div> <div class="field--item">No</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden field--item">January 2021</div> Thu, 28 Jan 2021 21:57:26 +0000 Bronagh Loughlin 128 at https://climatejournal.news