A brief about the circular economy policy committee meeting.
The Circular Economy Policies Committee of the UAE Circular Economy Council held its third meeting in 2023, chaired by His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy. During the meeting, the committee discussed progress made in implementing the targets of the “UAE Circular Economy Agenda 2031”, as well as ways to enhance economy practices in the private sector.
What is the circular economy?
Traditional production models have faced challenges in sustainability, making it imperative for institutions today to adopt a new approach that relies on a circular economy. This approach aims to achieve sustainability in economic operations and practices.
summary
Circular economy is a strategy that replaces traditional economic models that rely on consumption and disposal of resources. Instead, it aims to create a shift in the production and consumption process, where products and services are designed to use resources efficiently and minimize waste formation. When products are used and surpassed their lifespan, they are recycled or reused instead of being disposed of. This way, a sustainable cycle of resources is created, where they continue to exist in the economic cycle and maintain their value rather than become waste.
Why
The purpose of theit is to achieve environmental, economic, and social sustainability. It aims to transform the economic system from a linear model based on consumption and disposal of resources to a circular model based on efficient use and recycling of resources.
Objectives.
Firstly, it contributes to preserving natural resources and reducing their depletion, as resources are used sustainably and efficiently. Secondly, it reduces waste formation and pollution, as products and materials are recycled and reused instead of being disposed of, reducing the need for new resources. Thirdly, it promotes innovation and employment, as the circular economy opens up opportunities for developing new technologies and services focused on recycling and sustainability.
Circular economy principles.
The three main principles of circular economy are efficient ways of disposing waste and pollution, preserving products and materials for as long as possible, and renewing natural systems. Sustainable work requires closing the cycle in the use of raw materials and energy. In the vision of an optimal circular economy, there is no waste. The ultimate goal is to ensure that economic growth does not negatively affect the environment, and to encourage the use and enhancement of renewable energy through digital innovation.
Circular economy business model.
Circular economy business models help reduce the environmental impact of your business while also designed to maximize the use of raw materials and rare products by keeping them usable for as long as possible. There are five globally recognized models of businesses based on its principles, including product-as-a-service, product life extension, refurbishment, sharing platforms, and resource recovery.
Progress made in implementing the "UAE Circular Economy Agenda 2031".
The committee discussed progress towards achieving the targets of the “UAE Circular Economy Agenda 2031”, which include: reducing waste by half by 2030, increasing recycling to 75% by 2030, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2050.
The committee stated that there has been significant progress in achieving these targets, as a number of initiatives and projects have been launched that contribute to their achievement, including:
Launch of the “Aluminum Can Recycling” initiative in 2022, which aims to increase aluminum can recycling in the UAE to 90% by 2030. Launch of the “Urban Agriculture” initiative in 2022, which aims to promote local food production and reduce the country’s dependence on food imports. Launch of the “Sustainable Manufacturing” initiative in 2022, which aims to reduce resource, energy, and waste use in manufacturing operations.
Enhancing circular economy practices within the private sector.
The committee discussed ways to promote circular economy practices among the private sector and startups, as this is one of the main goals of the UAE’s Circular Economy 2031 agenda. The committee emphasized the importance of the private sector’s role in achieving the economy goals through adopting sustainability practices in production and distribution operations, using sustainable materials and products, and reducing waste and recycling. The committee pointed out that there are several initiatives and programs aimed at supporting the private sector in implementing circular economy practices, such as the “Transition to Circular Economy” program launched by the Ministry of Economy in 2022, which aims to support companies in adopting circular economy practices, and the “Sustainable Companies” initiative launched by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2022, which grants companies that adhere to sustainability practices the “Sustainable Companies” certificate.
The meetings held by the Circular Economy Policy Committee confirm the commitment of the UAE to implementing the circular economy model, which is considered a key factor in achieving sustainable development. The efforts made by the UAE in this field are expected to contribute to achieving the goals of the “UAE Circular Economy Agenda 2031” and enhancing the country’s position as a global hub for the circular economy.
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