Policy brief: driving the transition to a circular economy

WBCSD’s Vision 2050 report identifies the circular economy as a key lever in achieving a world where nine billion people live well within planetary boundaries while contributing to global agendas such as the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The latest science highlights that the circular economy can reduce global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 39% by 2032 and mitigate biodiversity loss.

However, despite the global momentum on the circular economy, today the world is only 8.6% circular 0.5 down from 9.1% in 2019.

Now is the time for ambitious actions and scaling the circular economy will be a collective effort. And, while our Vision 2050 report provides detailed action areas for business to leverage circular opportunities, governments must raise the ambition to facilitate this transition.

This policy brief highlights key priority policy areas that can drive a circular economy and put society on the path to reaching global sustainability goals. Government policy priorities span four categories each including specific policy recommendations and related policy actions: stimulating circular business models; supporting design for circularity; reinforcing product life cycles to maximize value and protect nature and sustaining transition that leaves no one behind.