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Less consumption, more recycling needed to meet climate goals, ministers say

(Reuters, 5 Feb 2021) 'A circular economy is not only a possibility - it is a necessity and a huge opportunity,' says Chile's environment minister.

Countries worldwide will not meet their targets to slash planet-warming emissions unless they cut unnecessary consumption and shift urgently to circular economies that reuse resources, environment ministers and top executives said this week.

In a circular economy, materials - such as metals, minerals and plastic - are recycled to cut back on waste and pollution harming the Earth's environment and climate.

Only 8.6% of the 100 billion tonnes of materials utilised each year are put back into service, according to Amsterdam-based social enterprise Circle Economy.

Dutch environment minister Stientje van Veldhoven said changing that should be "much higher on the political agenda".

"What we need to get out there, with much more force, is the incredible importance of a circular economy as an instrument to reach our climate goals," she told a webinar hosted by the World Resources Institute (WRI), a U.S.-based research group.

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Reuters, 5 Feb 2021: Less consumption, more recycling needed to meet climate goals, ministers say