• Energy Research
• 2021-2025close
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National net zero emission targets could, if fully implemented, reduce best estimates of projected global average temperature increase to 2.0–2.4 °C by 2100, bringing the Paris Agreement temperature goal within reach. A total of 131 countries are discussing, have announced or have adopted net zero targets, covering 72% of global emissions. These targets could substantially lower projected warming as compared to currently implemented policies (2.9–3.2 °C) or pledges submitted to the Paris Agreement (2.4–2.9 °C). Current pledges for emissions cuts are insufficient to meet the Paris Agreement temperature goal. The wave of net zero targets being discussed and adopted could make the Paris goal possible if further countries follow suit.

AbstractThis study describes the relationships between climate change and the concept of a circular economy, outlining the need for synergies within a company's context. It reports on a bibliometric analysis of the relations between climate change and circular economy, and it provides evidence and assessments based on a sample of 11 large companies in the chemical industry. The results show that there is a concern in the academic literature to discuss circular economy efforts to combat climate change, reduce carbon emissions, strengthen the supply chain, assess the life cycle of products, their environmental impact, and waste management, and identify barriers to implementing the circular economy. In addition, there is a close association between the CE concept and tackling climate change in how organisations report their practices to the stakeholders, in considering concepts of recycling, reusing, adopting renewable energy, seeking resource efficiency, and rethinking strategies. The study concludes by providing some suggestions that may assist companies in intensifying their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint, combining them with more circular business models. Efforts from interested stakeholders must focus on defining CE in a more detailed manner, as well as its implementation at the different stages of production and consumption, especially in operations for which no uniform approach or common practice can be established. In this context, implications for positive social and environmental impacts by promoting a faster and more proactive climate transition in the chemical sector are presented. The novelty of this paper relies on the fact that it advances knowledge on matters related to the circular economy under a climate change context, identifying current trends and suggesting some measures which may optimise current business practices of the chemical sector.

Abstract: Today, the concept of a circular economy (CE) has become omnipresent. Central to this concept is the term value, however, it is not properly defined, which leads to different interpretations, and hinders implementation of the CE concept. Hence, this article operationalizes the theoretical concept of value into a more practical understanding. First, the meaning of value within the CE context is examined, followed by the development of a framework wherein value is decomposed into two essential types; functional and created value. Next, the framework is applied to an illustrative case study involving four different end-of-life strategies: landfilling, closed loop recycling, remanufacturing and reusing. The framework enables a holistic comparison of the different strategies, represented in a visually compelling way, and clarifies the connection between theoretical CE concepts and practical measures. Consequently, it enhances the understanding of existing CE indicators and serves as a stepstone for the development of new indicators.