Over the six years between headline-grabbing conferences in the climate calendar, the global economy consumed half a trillion tonnes of virgin materials. This means that between the COP25 in Paris in 2015, where the Paris Agreement was formed, and COP26 in Glasgow in 2021, 70% more virgin materials were extracted than what the Earth can safely replenish.
To safeguard the future of the planet, we must do better. And we can: the circular economy offers solutions that can limit global warming, conserve finite natural resources and boost equitable societies.
The 2022 edition of the Circularity Gap Report draws on five years of analysis to show the power of the circular economy to equitably fulfil global needs and wants, but with radically fewer materials and emissions. The report presents what the circular economy is, the circularity and climate link, as well as 21 circular solutions for businesses, governments and more.