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A SPECIAL INTEREST SECTION BY MEDIAPLANET
Circular Economy Utilizing the Circular Economy to Boost Innovation and Competitiveness To address the climate crisis, we must first fix the economy by moving away from our current linear industries and supply chains. Paul Shorthouse Managing Director, Circular Economy Leadership Canada
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y adopting a circular economy approach, Canada has a unique opportunity to simultaneously foster innovation, enhance competitiveness and supply chain resiliency, and achieve its net-zero climate goals, benefiting the long-term prosperity of people and planet. Talk about a win-win!
UN Treaty Is a Once-in-aLifetime Opportunity to End Plastic Pollution The current negotiations for a UN treaty to end plastic pollution highlight that tackling the world’s plastic problem is no longer a utopian ideal, but an urgent mission.
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Jo de Vries, Editorial Lead, Ellen MacArthur Foundation
ith 170 trillion plastic particles floating in the world’s ocean, it is clear that plastic pollution is a global problem that needs a global solution. The UN treaty negotiations in Paris last month represented a major stepping stone in finding such a solution as parties agreed to start developing a treaty text. Canada has already been championing the Golden Design Rules for plastic and publishing guidance on problematic plastics to avoid, through the Canada Plastics Pact (CPP) – part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s global network of Plastics Pacts. By embracing a circular economy approach, these Plastics Pacts support their members in redesigning the world’s relationship with single-use plas-
tic: eliminating all unnecessary plastics and those that pose a high risk to the environment; innovating to ensure that plastics that are needed currently are reusable, recyclable, or compostable; and creating models that design out single-use plastics through reuse models, which offer one of the biggest opportunities to cut plastic leakage, as well as lower emissions and pressure on natural resources. Like so many global challenges, there is no single solution, but by adopting an interconnected set of circular econExplore further at omy measures, the treaty could be a ellenmacarthur landmark moment in ending plastic foundation.org/ pollution once and for all. a-un-treaty-to-endplastic-pollution.
Fostering innovation The circular economy encourages innovative thinking and problem-solving by requiring a shift from the "take-make-dispose" mindset to one that promotes resource conservation, the reuse of materials, and the design of products with extended lifecycles. This shift necessitates the development of new technologies, materials, and business models. By embracing circularity, Canada can nurture a culture of innovation, inspiring entrepreneurs, startups, and established businesses to create sustainable solutions, such as advanced recycling methods, eco-design, and sharing platforms.
Driving greater competitiveness A circular approach can not only reduce costs, enhance productivity, and improve resource efficiency, but can also differentiate Canadian products and services in the international market. By embracing circularity, Canadian businesses can attract investors, gain a competitive edge, and strengthen the country's economic position.
Enabling more sustainable supply chains In a circular economy, supply chains become more resilient, sustainable, and cost-effective. By optimizing material flows, promoting local sourcing, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, Canada can develop more transparent circular supply chains that reduce waste, emissions, and environmental impacts.
Circularity Addresses Climate Change and Natural Resource Protection The circular economy is key to combating climate change and driving sustainable economic growth. Discover how to unlock its power. Jo-Anne St. Godard, Executive Director, Circular Innovation Council
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s the urgency to combat climate change grows, it’s becoming clear that current efforts to cut carbon emissions will fall short. To achieve climate targets, we need to think beyond tailpipes and solar panels.
Embodied carbon: unveiling the hidden emissions Products we use daily contribute 45 per cent of our carbon emission target through their lifecycle. Production, consumption, and disposal processes generate significant emissions. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for governments, businesses, and individuals.
The circular economy: a sustainable pathway for emissions reduction The circular economy offers a transformative approach to address embodied carbon, optimize resources, and reduce emissions. By embracing circular principles, businesses, governments, and individuals can play a vital role in creating a sustainable future.
Exploring circular business models Five key circular business models drive the transition to a circular economy:
• SHARING PLATFORMS: Collaborative use of products and resources to minimize production demand
• PRODUCT AS A SERVICE: Shifting from ownership to service-based models
• PRODUCT LIFE EXTENSION: Repair, refurbishment, and remanufacturing to extend product lifespan
• CIRCULAR SUPPLIES: Using discarded materials and renewable energy to promote resource efficiency
• RESOURCE RECOVERY: Optimizing resource consumption through improved design and manufacturing processes
Join the movement: how to take action on the circular economy Delve deeper into the circular economy's potential at the 2023 Canadian Circular Economy Summit. Engage in discussions on transitioning markets, creating demand, and achieving climate goals. By fostering change at the market level, we can drive widespread implementation of circular practices. Discover more about the circular economy and its business models through detailed articles on our website. Gain practical guidVisit ance, inspiring examples, and circularinnovation.ca deep insights to propel your to learn more and organization's circular jourget involved. ney. Together, let's accelerate the transition toward a sustainable, circular economy.
Accelerating our net-zero climate goals By embracing circularity, Canada can significantly reduce its carbon footprint and conserve natural resources. The circular economy approach minimizes waste generation, promotes recycling and reuse, and encourages renewable energy adoption. By integrating renewable energy sources into production processes and adopting energy-efficient technologies, Canada can make substantial progress toward achieving its net-zero emissions targets.
Unlocking new economic opportunities The circular economy offers Canada the potential to unlock new economic opportunities across various sectors. Embracing circularity can lead to the creation of new jobs, stimulate entrepreneurship, and drive investment in sustainable industries. As global markets shift toward a more sustainable and circular paradigm, Canadian businesses that proactively adopt circular practices will be better positioned to seize market opportunities, attract customers, and thrive in a rapidly changing economic landscape while simultaneously reducing environmental impacts. It's time for Canada to seize this opportunity and lead the way in the circular economy revolution. At the first Canadian Circular Economy Summit, more than 400 leaders from business, governments, and civil society from across the country will come together to advance the Visit circular economysummit.ca circular opportunities to learn more. for Canada. Be there or be square!
Publisher: Katie Babiarz Business Development Manager: Sarah Ferreira Country Manager: Nina Theodorlis Production Lead: Michael Taylor Creative Lead: Kylie Armishaw Web Editor: Christina Morgan Digital Media Coordinator: Kristen Neals Digital Traffic Strategist: Karm RathodAll images are from Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve The National Post or its editorial departments. Send all inquiries to ca.editorial@mediaplanet.com.