Targets for the Circular Economy – The industry perspective

Sammanfattning

Resource extraction and processing contribute to more than 90% of biodiversity loss and water scarcity and about 50% of climate impacts globally. Moving towards a sustainable resource use is fundamental for reducing environmental impact. Resource use is often considered within the framework of the Circular Economy, a concept that has been widely adopted as a key strategy to meet this challenge. Industry is recognised as a high-impact actor in the transition to a Circular Economy. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the transition to sustainable resource use in the industry through Circular Economy, and particularly through targets. This study explores the industry’s Circular Economy efforts and their perspectives on Circular Economy targets. To do this, a literature review and semi-structured interviews with industry representatives and relat-ed organisations were conducted. The results from this study show that industry sectors and associated organisations have a high focus on resource use, in particular on materials use. Their specific concerns centre around access to materials, both primary and secondary, the cost balance between them and the impact on competitiveness in cases where supply does not meet the demand. Furthermore, the re-spondents expressed a need for fair competition with the traditional linear economy model. To-day the circular models have a disadvantage in major areas such as cost, legislation, smoothness of operation and knowledge level. To support operational implementation, the respondents cited the need for targets that are tangible, result driven and product focused (rather than material focused), along with long-term commitment from legislators to the set targets. Industry repre-sentatives also highlighted the role of the supply chain; and the need for targets that encompass, and incentivise efforts, along the entire supply chain. Regarding legislation, the industry wants policymakers to create conditions that supports balanced competition through a supervisory scheme that rewards the forerunners and sanctions the rule-breakers.