Since Circle Economy first calculated the global circularity level in 2018, the figure dropped from 9.1% to 7.2%. Over the past six years alone, the global economy has extracted and used almost as many materials as over the course of the entire 20th century.

The report calls policymakers worldwide to action, focusing on 16 circular solutions that can have the most impact on global material extraction and use. They span four key systems: the food system, the built environment, mobility & transport, and manufactured goods & consumables. Implemented together, these solutions can cut material extraction by one-third thus limiting global warming to 2-degrees.
As most of the world’s population—4.4 billion people —currently lives in cities local policymakers will have a key role to play. The circular economy will be a means to an end. By investing in circular solutions, cities can find ways to alleviate congestion, decrease emissions and waste, and cut costs, all while boosting local value and jobs creation.

A City’s journey towards circularity, however, will also mean creating an enabling environment for others to take action. Different stakeholders can play a role and implement circular solutions on the ground. In collaboration with residents, organisations, businesses and the research community, the circular transition should be an iterative and interactive process, with exchanges and learning cycles among those involved.

The report was developed by Circle Economy, one of Circular Invest's partners, in collaboration with Deloitte

Read the full report here. And discover how CircularInvest is supporting circular cities here