1) A circular economy is a new, regenerative economic model that focuses on material flows in closed loops. However, there is a need to also consider social aspects and redesign systems and relationships, not just products.
2) While the concept of a circular economy is gaining consensus, the "honeymoon" of novel ideas is over and more work needs to be done to develop sustainable solutions for hundreds of years.
3) Transitioning to a circular economy requires systemic change across all sectors and levels through approaches like biomimicry, design for the environment, and creating enabling conditions for circular businesses.
3. More granular!
A circular economy (CE) is an umbrella term describing a new,
regenerative economic model. What we are witnessing now is
that different sectors are researching and learning what a
circular economy approach means to them, so we are getting
more granular and more specific with the term. !
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Social aspect!
The main focus of a CE has been very much on material flows.
However, there has never been a better moment to rethink
capitalism: how to create a more just, transparent and equal
capitalist system. We’re not there yet, but we are currently
learning how to embed social aspects into the CE approach. !
!
Honeymoon is over !
This heading refers to the two points: !
1) The future will be circular, whether we want it or not. There
is a growing consensus that we just need to get on with it
and start exploring how to solve various challenges that
transitioning to a CE brings with it. !
2) We’re realising that simply creating closed loops is not
panacea. A circular economy “philosophy” needs to be
constantly further developed and made sure that it is
sustainable for the next several hundred years. !
CIRCULAR ECONOMY:!
!
WHERE ARE WE NOW? !
4. Too much about waste!
However, the focus is still too much on waste and not
sufficiently on design. Like messieurs William McDonough and
Michael Braungart have stated: “We don’t have a waste
problem, we have a design problem”. So there is a lot to learn in
terms of redesigning not only products, but also systems and
relationships. !
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Joe the Public!
If you ask Joe the Public what a circular or bioeconomy is
about, it is most likely that s/he could not answer your question.
We need to get far better with communications, marketing,
branding and telling the story behind the circular principles. !
!
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Leap of faith!
There is not cookie cutting formula regarding the transition to a
circular economy. Rather, every organisation’s or municipality’s
road is different and hence, tailored. There needs to be a clear
vision, but a solid business case might be difficult to calculate. !
Accordingly, taking the CE road requires managing step
change and the ability to start thinking in circles. In other words,
it requires a taking leap of faith. !
CIRCULAR ECONOMY:!
!
WHERE ARE WE NOW?!
5. THE BIOECONOMY IS NOW ALWAYS CIRCULAR!
AND THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY IS NOT ALWAYS!
BIOBASED!
8. SELF-SUSTAINING CIRCULATION!
INNOVATION: MARINE FISH OIL REPLACED WITH SPECIAL RAPESEED OIL FOR FISH FEED!
!
RESTORATIVE: IMPROVES THE STATE OF THE BALTIC SEA BY MINIMISING NUTRIENT LOAD!
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REPLENISHABLE: HELPS CONSERVING DIMINISHING MARINE RESOURCES!
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FOOD: SUSTAINABLE, LOCAL FISH FARMING !
11. Transitioning to a circular economy!
requires systemic change and change on
every single level. !
of operations and decision making. There
is no sector that is left untouched by this
transition. So the question is: how do we
get all the players looking in the same
direction, sharing more or less the same
vision? !
How do we create a level playing field for
those, who want to pursue a circular path?!
How do we get investors onboard? How do
we support our decision-makers in their
regulatory work in creating enabling
conditions for circular businesses? How do
we create procurement criteria that favours
circular products and services? How do we
convince urban planners to create plans
that are based in cycles? And last but not
least, how do we ensure that the education
sector is educating people whose thinking
is not based in a linear model. !
WE NEED EVERYBODY ONBOARD!