Shifting to circular economy key way to cut emissions Circular economy offers $2 trillion in opportunities by 2050 Two-thirds of global carbon footprint driven by households
By Anastasia Moloney
BOGOTA, Feb 5 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - 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% of the 100 billion tonnes of materials utilised each year are put back into service, according to Amsterdam-based social enterprise Circle Economy.