Businesses can be part of the solution to the climate crisis

Maya Desouza

Circular Economy Director, Business in the Community (BITC)

Our current way of procuring, using and disposing of resources isn’t sustainable. Our business practices have to change.

One of the biggest challenges for businesses in meeting their net zero commitments is reducing the emissions that relate to all that “stuff’ that businesses buy and sell. This means the products and materials businesses sell and those which enable them to provide services. These are called “scope three emissions,” which corporate net zero targets must cover.

Up to 45% of global emissions are linked to the making of products like food, steel, plastic and aluminium,¹ which means that scope three emissions are important. Basically, our current linear way of using resources is contributing to the climate crisis.

Circular economy approaches are part of the solution

Businesses can address these emissions by shifting from a linear model to embracing circular economy practices and changing the way they do business.

The circular economy is a system that maximises the value of products by extending product life, then repurposes the products or recycles materials, eliminating waste. This system reduces the demand for finite material resources, lowers carbon emissions and lessens the stress put on the environment. But if businesses are to have an impact for the future, they must change practices now.

Up to 45% of global emissions are linked to the making of products like food, steel, plastic and aluminium, which means that scope three emissions are important.

As part of Business in the Community’s seven steps for climate action, step six encourages employers to embrace circular economy practices. It starts by abandoning the old-fashioned model of produce, consume and dispose. It adopts a new way of thinking and acting, by reusing, repairing and reprocessing materials, and asking whether an item needs to be produced or consumed at all.

Using our creativity and innovation to get there

This means focusing on five things:

1. Ensuring the design and usage of materials supports circularity.
2. Making the most of products out there – repurposing and upcycling, offering take back systems etc.
3. Recycling materials and turning them into new usable materials that can be recycled many more times.
4. Developing new business models that aren’t reliant on early obsolescence.
5. Using our purchasing power to support all those innovative businesses developing circular products, materials and services.

Taking action on the circular economy doesn’t need to be hard. But it’s easier to do this together. Whether it’s with other businesses, suppliers, students or other partners we can collectively tap into a rich vein of creativity and commitment to change.

[1] Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Completing the Picture: how the circular economy tackles climate change, 2021 reprint of 2019 report.