WORLD / CROSS-BORDERS
By Reuters Published: Feb 07, 2021 05:03 PM
Countries worldwide will not meet their targets to slash planet-warming emissions unless they cut unnecessary consumption and shift urgently to circular economies that reuse resources, environment ministers and top executives said this week.
In a circular economy, materials - such as metals, minerals and plastic - are recycled to cut back on waste and pollution harming the Earth's environment and climate. Only 8.6 percent of the 100 billion tons of materials utilized each year are put back into service, according to Amsterdam-based social enterprise Circle Economy.
A view of London's iconic Carnaby Street Christmas lights switched on November 14, 2019. This years Christmas lights are different from previous years, with a message in collaboration with Project Zero, they have been created with recycled materials to create a variety of endangered undersea creatures to highlight areas of our oceans most in need of conservation. Photo: VCGDutch environment minister Stientje van Veldhoven said changing that should be "much higher on the political agenda."