New IUCN Report: To fulfil its promise, circular economy must take biodiversity into account

Translated by WANG Qianqian

Abstract: The circular economy holds great potential to achieve our environmental goals. Recently, a new report issued by the IUCN European operational region recognizes the role of circular economy. This report examines links and policy gaps between circular economy concepts and biodiversity. It finds that the circular economy has important potential benefits for nature, but needs to be integrated more closely with biodiversity policies and strategies. It is also noted that some of the theories or practices associated with the circular economy concept nowadays need to be carefully considered, to ensure that they do not pose a risk to biodiversity. This will help to avoid its unintended negative impacts while strengthening the circular economy’s positive contribution to nature.

Key words: Circular economy, nature conservation, biodiversity

IUCN. New IUCN Report: To fulfil its promise, circular economy must take biodiversity into account. Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development. WANG Qianqian, tr. Volume 1, Issue 13. December 2022. ISSN2749-9065

Circular economy approaches need to be implemented with biodiversity in mind to avoid possible unintended consequences - e.g. an increase of pressure on land to grow cotton in a shift away from synthetic, fossil-based fibres in textiles.

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