The principles of a circular economy trace back as far as 3,000 years.
Archeological evidence shows that Romans recycled trash following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Roughly 200 years later, people recycled glass during the Byzantine Empire. Fast-forward to today and circular economy strategies are projected to generate trillions in economic output by 2030.
But how does the circular economy work? This infographic from MSCI provides a guide to circular economies—from circular business models to circular technologies.
No Time to Waste
First, let’s start at the root of the problem, our current consumption trends:
Raw Materials: Global extraction is projected to double by 2060.
Textiles: 85% of clothing and textiles are discarded.
Waste: Global waste is projected to rise 70% by 2050.
Water: 80% of global wastewater is untreated or reused before returning back to the ecosystem.
To change consumption patterns and reduce waste, consumer behaviors, business models, and policies will need to change. But the big question is how?
To answer this problem, the concept of a circular economy is gaining traction.
What Is a Circular Economy?
A circular economy is centered on the idea of resources being kept as long as possible within the economic system, where materials that have undergone an entire lifecycle, from production to end stage, are returned to the economic system as an input.
Above all else, a circular economy is based on sustainable life cycles.
Circular Economy Growth
In 2019, BlackRock launched an inaugural Circular Economy fund. Since then, it has attracted $2.1 billion in investment. A number of the world’s largest asset managers have followed suit.
Policy-driven agendas are also focused on the circular economy shift:
Circular economy strategies across Latin American countries
Given the steep cost of linear economic models, governments are beginning to pay attention to the merits of a circular economy.
The Upside of a Circular Economy
Circular economy principles aligned with sustainability offer the following advantages:
Reducing GHG emissions: 9.3 billion tonnes of CO₂e could be prevented by 2050 if circular economy strategies are applied across the steel, aluminum, cement, food, and plastic sectors.
Preserving long-term biodiversity: ~50% decrease in harmful effects on farm-level biodiversity through applying circular strategies.
Improving ocean health & water quality: 80% reduction in plastics entering the ocean globally by using reclamation, recycling, and reduction strategies, among others.
Economic growth & job creation: $4.5 trillion global economic opportunity by 2030 through spurring innovation in waste reduction.
Importantly, circular strategies, technologies, and transition companies are looking beyond traditional economic models.
5 Business Models in a Circular Economy
From alternative energy to bio-based and recyclable materials, the most effective circular business models are ones that create obvious value.
Let’s consider five circular economy business models and where they can be applied in the supply chain. Additionally, some of the models can be adapted to any part of the supply chain.
Business Model
Supply Chain Example
1. Circular supplies/Circular design
Product design/R&D
Procurement/raw materials acquisition
2. Resource recovery (Recycle, Waste as a resource)
Reverse logistics
Material & product manufacturing
3. Product life extension (Remanufacture, Resell, Upgrade)
End-of-life
Sales & marketing
Product use
4. Share
Product use
Material & product manufacturing
5. Product as a service
Logistics
Product design/R&D
Today, circular models present opportunities in fashion, food systems, mining and metals, among others.
How are Circular Economy Indexes Created?
A circular economy theme is built on two key dimensions:
Efficient processes that reduce land degradation and promote diversity
Then, MSCI identifies areas of innovation that support a circular model. Consider the following circular technologies, which are produced by companies that contribute to a circular economy theme “end-state” through their products and services.
7 Circular Technologies
Example
1. Renewables & energy efficiency
Replacing oil-based plastic with compostable materials
2. Sharing economy
Peer-to-peer accommodation
3. Future mobility
Electric vehicles
4. Internet economy
Online markets
5. Water sustainability
Wastewater treatment systems
6. Plastic sustainability
Companies using only one type of polymer for packaging
7. Biodiversity
Phytotechnologies
It also looks at circular transitions, which are companies that enable the shift to a circular economy through their management of related issues.
3 Circular Transitions
Example
1. Natural resources management
Deforestation
2. Water resources management
Smart metering devices
3. Plastic transition
Biodegradable plastics
As a result MSCI has created a range of Circular Economy related indexes:
Natural Resources Stewardship
Sustainable Water Transition
Plastics Transition
Renewables & Energy Efficiency
Sharing Economy
It’s worth noting that what is measurable today will likely only expand, considering the evolving regulatory frameworks and thinking around a circular economy,
The Value of a Circular Economy
Through looking at circular economy innovation, we yield three important insights:
Competitive earnings
New economic models
Sustainable solutions
For a growing number of investors, companies, and researchers, a circular economy provides a wide scope of opportunities ranging from single-use plastics alternatives to water sustainability.
OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says real gross domestic product grew 0.2 per cent in July, following essentially no change in June, helped by strength in the retail trade sector.
The agency says the growth came as services-producing industries grew 0.2 per cent for the month.
The retail trade sector was the largest contributor to overall growth in July as it gained one per cent, helped by the motor vehicles and parts dealers subsector which gained 2.8 per cent.
The public sector aggregate, which includes the educational services, health care and social assistance, and public administration sectors, gained 0.3 per cent, while the finance and insurance sector rose 0.5 per cent.
Meanwhile, goods-producing industries gained 0.1 per cent in July as the utilities sector rose 1.3 per cent and the manufacturing sector grew 0.3 per cent.
Statistics Canada’s early estimate for August suggests real GDP for the month was essentially unchanged, as increases in oil and gas extraction and the public sector were offset by decreases in manufacturing and transportation and warehousing.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 27, 2024.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index closed above 24,000 for the first time Thursday as strength in base metals and other sectors outweighed losses in energy, while U.S. markets also rose and the S&P 500 notched another record as well.
“Another day, another record,” said Angelo Kourkafas, senior investment strategist at Edward Jones.
“The path of least resistance continues to be higher.”
The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 127.95 points at 24,033.83.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 260.36 points at 42,175.11. The S&P 500 index was up 23.11 points at 5,745.37, while the Nasdaq composite was up 108.09 points at 18,190.29.
Markets continue to be optimistic about an economic soft landing, said Kourkafas, after the U.S. Federal Reserve last week announced an outsized cut to its key interest rate following months of speculation about when it would start easing policy.
Economic data Thursday added to the story that the U.S. economy remains resilient despite higher rates, said Kourkafas.
The U.S. economy grew at a three-per-cent annual rate in the second quarter, one report said, picking up from the first quarter of the year. Another report showed fewer U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week.
The data shows “the economy remains on strong footing while the Fed is pivoting now in a decisive way towards an easier policy,” said Kourkafas.
The Fed’s decisive move gave investors more reason to believe that a soft landing is still the “base case scenario,” he said, “and likely reduces the downside risks for a recession by having the Fed moving too late or falling behind the curve.”
North of the border, the TSX usually gets a boost from Wall St. strength, said Kourkafas, but on Thursday the index also reflected some optimism of its own as the Bank of Canada has already cut rates three times to address weakening in the economy.
“The Bank of Canada likely now will be emboldened by the Fed,” he said.
“They didn’t want to move too far ahead of the Fed, and now that the Fed moved in a bigger-than-expected way, that provides more room for the Bank of Canada to cut as aggressively as needed to support the economy, given that inflation is within the target range.”
The TSX has also been benefiting from strength in materials after China’s central bank announced several measures meant to support the company’s economy, said Kourkafas.
However, energy stocks dragged on the Canadian index as oil prices fell Thursday following a report that Saudi Arabia was preparing to abandon its unofficial US$100-per-barrel price target for crude as it prepares to increase its output.
The Canadian dollar traded for 74.22 cents US compared with 74.28 cents US on Wednesday.
The November crude oil contract was down US$2.02 at US$67.67 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was down seven cents at US$2.75 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was up US$10.20 at US$2,694.90 an ounce and the December copper contract was up 15 cents at US$4.64 a pound.
— With files from The Associated Press
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2024.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 100 points in late-morning trading, helped by strength in the base metal sector, while U.S. stock markets were also higher.
The S&P/TSX composite index was 143.00 points at 24,048.88.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 174.22 points at 42,088.97. The S&P 500 index was up 10.23 points at 5,732.49, while the Nasdaq composite was up 30.02 points at 18,112.23.
The Canadian dollar traded for 74.23 cents US compared with 74.28 cents US on Wednesday.
The November crude oil contract was down US$1.68 at US$68.01 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was down six cents at US$2.75 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was up US$4.40 at US$2,689.10 an ounce and the December copper contract was up 13 cents at US$4.62 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2024.
