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Policies for a Circular Economy - Part 3

ADVANCING SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS

Policies are needed to ensure a circular economy. In the final episode of our mini-series on the circular economy, we explore the role of policy and the need for research to ensure policies like the European Green Deal promote a circular economy for sustainability.

We discuss the trade-offs of slowing resource loops and energy efficiency, for example, knowing when to exchange your LED lightbulb for a more energy efficient bulb?

We talk to our colleague Carl Dalhammar who explains why policies should regulate the design of our products. Then, we sit down with Jessika Luth Richter, who shares her research on policies for a circular economy.

We discuss policies for narrowing, slowing and closing resource loops and answer the question when longer product lifetimes are more or less desirable.

Show Notes:

In this month's episode, we discuss the following: 

2:11    - Overview of the Circular Economy
4:25    - The Role of Business and Policy for a Circular Economy
6:56    - Sustainability Scoop: EEA & EU on the European Green Deal
12:40  - Definitions of Policy for a Circular Economy
14:48  - Interview w/ Associate Professor Carl Dalhammar
20:40  - Interview w/ Jessika Luth Richter
23:40  - Planned Obsolescence
25:22  - Phoebus Cartel
27:30  - Circular Policy Examples for Lightbulbs
37:15  - Critical Raw Materials
42:00  - Concluding our Miniseries on the Circular Economy

The Sustainability Scoop

In this month's sustainability scoop, we discuss two pieces of policy-related news relevant to our discussion on the circular economy. 

  • On the 4th of December, the European Environment Agency (EEA) released its 500 page report on the state and outlook of the European environment (SOER-2020). The report calls on policymakers to develop more systemic, long-term policy frameworks with binding targets and mechanisms for enforcement. In the report, the circular economy is featured to a high degree. It’s mentioned more than 150 times and even has its own chapter.
  • The circular economy is said to be the 'number one priority' of the forthcoming European Green Deal, which supports Europe’s aim to become the world’s first climate-neutral continent! In order to do so, they have already suggested some industries likely to be the focus of forthcoming EU regulation. These include textiles, transport, food as well as the construction sector.

 


Podcast Episode # 13: Policies for a Circular Economy: Part 3 of the mini-series on Circular Economy

Promo image for podcast episode.

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