Circular Economy

An opportunity to rethink our economic future. 

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s report (Completing the Picture) on the Economics of a Circular Economy invites readers to imagine an economy in which today’s goods are tomorrow’s resources, forming a virtuous cycle that fosters prosperity in a world of finite resources.  Click here to see 'Completing the Picture' extracts.

This change in perspective is important to address many of today’s fundamental challenges. Traditional linear consumption patterns (‘take-make-dispose’) are coming up against constraints on the availability of resources. The challenges on the resource side are compounded by rising demand from the world’s growing and increasingly affluent population. As a result, we are observing unsustainable overuse of resources, higher price levels, and more volatility in many markets.

To see the full report on Completing the Picture and how the Circular Economy tackles climate change click here.

The report highlights the following:-

• Meeting climate targets requires transformation in the way we produce and use goods.
• The Circular Economy has a major role to play in meeting climate targets.
• The Circular Economy opportunity for industry and the food system.
• See the opportunity for the built environment and mobility.
• The Circular Economy could help build resilience to the effects of climate change.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Lila Thompson, Chief Executive of British Water said, "The circular economy is an alternative to the traditional linear economy of make, use and dispose.  It keeps resources in use for as long as possible, saving money and reducing waste"

This is one of the many tangible benefits of ENiGMA.

Dame Ellen MacArthur has used her fame from her world beating yachting achievements and combined it with her passion for the planet's health to create and promote The Circular Economy through the foundation she set up.

There's a world of opportunity to re-think and re-design the way we make things.

'Re-Thinking Progress' explores how, through a change in perspective, we can re-design the way our economy works; designing products that can be 'made to be made again' and powering the system with renewable energy.  It questions whether with creativity and innovation we can build a restorative economy.

We at ETC fully support Dame Ellen and British Water in their efforts to work toward a Circular Economy.

Find out more about the Circular Economy at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.