The world is only 9% circular, which means there is still 91% room for improvement.
Peter Bakker - President World Business Council for Sustainable Development
A circular economy offers enormous potential for accelerating the transition to a more sustainable world. A sustainable world that is more and more urgently needed due to the growing pressure humans are placing on nature and the climate. The current COVID-19 crisis is holding up a mirror to society, and the reflection is shocking. It is showing us just how closely our economic systems, our health and nature are intertwined.
By unleashing circular innovation, we can bolster the resilience of our planet, people and communities as well as companies and the global economy, while contributing to the necessary systems transformation and realising the climate accord and agreed sustainability objectives.
Moreover, given the sheer potential of the circular economy, we have no excuse to miss this opportunity for change.
You can make the difference. Visionary and strong ‘allround’ leadership by companies and entrepreneurs is indispensable to seizing this opportunity. This means collaborating (no one can achieve the necessary change on their own), taking account of all stakeholders and opportunities and continuously balancing the challenges with the interests of the planet and people. There is no room for waste, rather the focus lies on retaining value through restoration and reuse.
We must realise that we are talking about the single greatest opportunity to transform production and consumption since the first industrial revolution. And a prosperous sustainable world is simply not feasible without circularity.
Be inspired by this magazine packed with circular difference-makers and start today on making your own contribution. Our planet and the people who call it home are counting on you!
