June 21st, 2019
The inclusion of a circular economy module in the Government’s new Climate Action Plan is a “welcome change” according to experts.
A circular economy aims to reduce waste at all
stages of the production cycle and ensure materials are used as efficiently as
possible for a reduced carbon output.
Targets in the plan include developing a circular
economy action plan and supporting eco-design for Irish companies, as well as aligning
with the EU Circular
Economy Package finalised in March
2019.
Environmental groups have been calling for a
transition from a linear economy to a circular economy for some time.
Cillian Lohan, CEO of the Green Economy Foundation
said “it’s great” that that Government are recognising circular economy as “a
tool for climate action”.
Mr Lohan said, however, it was “disappointing” that
the plan appears to make circular economy and waste “synonymous”.
He said that goal 135 in the plan, developing the circular
economy action plan, would be “crucial” as to how we move forward as a country.
“It needs to be a move from a linear to circular
economic model,” he said.
CEO of the Rediscovery Centre, Dr Sarah Miller said
that governance and oversight of the plan will be “essential” to turn it from a
“plan into action”.
With regards the proposed circular economy action
plan, Dr Miller said that it is “long overdue”, adding that it should be
“prioritised and fast-tracked”.
Public consultation on the action plan is due to
begin in the third quarter of 2019 in advance of publication in the second
quarter of 2020.
“If we’re going to transition, we need a plan that
doesn’t just focus on waste. It’s about managing how we live, the consumption, production
and distribution of products as well,” Ms Miller added.
“It’s important to remember that 40 per cent of
carbon associated with products comes from their production and less than 2 per
cent comes from the waste management,” she said.
Simon O’Rafferty, strategy designer and author of
the study ‘Moving
Ireland towards the Circular Economy’,
said the public consultation process moving forward should be “deliberative and
co-creative”.
He also believes that Ireland needs to support the
emergence of innovative start-ups that are “enabling circular business models
and future jobs”.
“Ireland has some possible advantages in the digital and tech sectors
which can drive the underlying services and data infrastructures for a circular
economy,” he said.
“We are not yet capturing the true potential of a circular sharing
economy, digital manufacturing methods, artificial intelligence and
block-chain, digital services and social innovation,” he added.
Mr O’Rafferty also maintained that Ireland needs to look at its physical
infrastructure.
“We need to consider reintroducing
reprocessing infrastructure in Ireland. We already have one of Europe’s largest
PET drink bottles reprocessing companies in Ireland providing decent jobs, so
we need to start developing further,” he said.
By Marianne Foody
The post Climate Plan: Circular Economy a welcome feature appeared first on Green News Ireland.
