Does Circular Economy help achieve SDGs 13 Climate Action?

Circular Economy helps us tackle the climate crisis in the long run, especially with system change. The relationship between the two is not immediately apparent, but a circular economy can help achieve some targets of the SDGs 13, Climate Action.

How does Circular Economy address the climate crisis?

The Circular Economy initially attempts to address the problem of how unsustainable the way we make products are through the current Linear Economy. So it seems more directly related to SDG 12 of responsible consumption.

However, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation found that 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions are related to energy, whereas the remaining 45% are related to our consumption. This means that even if the world switched to 100% renewable energy tomorrow, we would still not have addressed 45% of global emissions.

To illustrate, consider our food system. There are areas where switching to renewable energy will reduce GHG emissions. But stages like food waste are not related to energy. For example, discarded food in landfills decomposes to release methane gas, which is a more potent GHG than CO2.

We know that circularity in our food systems will prevent that. It’s easy to see if we think in terms of the carbon cycle, and Japan has its mix of unique solutions. Right now, composting is finding popularity in Japan, for example with home LFC Compost Kits. Yamanashi Prefecture is also certified as part of the France-based 4 per 1000 Initiative, aimed at carbon fixation in the soil.

And we know that a Circular Economy is good for the climate. Japan had demonstrated a working circular economy, perfected during the Edo Period. So, we know (1) a Circular Economy works, and (2) Japan’s Circular Economy was regenerative.

How does Circular Economy achieve the targets of SDG 13?

But does it achieve SDG 13 Climate Action? When the UN developed the 17 goals, economies were only part of the consideration (which you might refer to Goals 8 or 9 about economic growth and industry). However, each goal is intrinsically linked with each other, so Circular Economy is going to be playing a part in achieving some of those goals, including Goal 13.

The five targets of SDG 13 include:

• 1. Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
• 2. Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
• 3. Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.
• a. Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its capitalization as soon as possible.
• b. Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing States, including focusing on women, youth and local and marginalized communities.

For (1), there is a distant relationship to Circular Economy, but ultimately this target focuses more on risk management.

For (2), Circular Economy becomes directly relevant, especially when one of its indicators looks at each country’s annual GHG. National policies should also promote circular businesses. For example, Japan has updated its policies to promote a recycling society, with the latest Circular Economic Vision 2020 to encourage companies to seek higher circularity and new business opportunities.

For (3), while the origin of personal carbon footprint has found suspicion among some, the way we consume will affect climate change, including mitigation and adaptation. Education and awareness become crucial for social change, too, just as climate NGO Kiko Network does in Japan, “to inform the community and give locals the knowledge they needed to decide whether the proposed power plants were good for their community or not.”

For (a), or target 13.a, is a reminder that developed countries have a responsibility to help developing countries develop sustainably. As of now, most of the conversations lie behind the switch to renewables, but we can think of creating circular models that developing countries can take reference to build their own circular communities and businesses.

For (b), also points out that we need to be diverse and inclusive in our climate solutions, including creating a Circular Economy.

Circular Economy is something we need for the long run

But there are limitations to what a Circular Economy can do for climate issues. It does not address the climate injustice happening to developing countries that are already experiencing the devastation of global warming. Circular Economy means little to a displaced climate refugee, to the farmer facing drought, to the child in famine. Accelerating the creation of a Circular Economy is going to be something developed countries need to reduce their impact on other developing countries.

So while a Circular Economy is not about climate mitigation, it is necessary discussion past the climate crisis, “So now what? Now, what about the remaining 45%?” The threat of our depleting carbon budget is overwhelming, and many have not begun this part of the conversation yet. We should see the Circular Economy as not just a means to achieve an SDG, but to realize it represents a purpose to make better economies that care for the people and the environment.