Circular Economy Metrics

Metrics kick off National Dialogue for Circular Economy by 2030

Circular Australia today released a valuable circular economy guide for governments and other organisations taking action on progressing towards a circular economy.

The Circular Economy Metrics: A Review by UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) kickstarts an important national dialogue providing ways governments and other organisations can report and measure progress towards designing out waste and pollution, cutting the massive hidden carbon emissions in waste streams, and new circular economy jobs.

“Designing out waste and carbon from our economy is now the core aspiration of businesses, governments, communities and individuals,” Circular Australia Managing Director and CEO Lisa McLean said.

“To turn aspiration into action we need to set targets, change behaviours and measure our progress – and that begins with metrics.

Circular Australia looks forward to driving the Australian circular economy metrics agenda with our partners and leaders to ensure we all act to stop waste.”

Thirty-one potential circular economy metrics are examined by the research, across material use, energy, greenhouse gas emissions, jobs, investment, water, and the natural environment, including a case study for New South Wales to assess:

1. Carbon savings from recycling

2. New investment in recycling infrastructure and capabilities capacity

3. Sustainable procurement

4. Industrial ecology performance in business networks

5. Jobs in reuse, repair, and recycling

6. The Circularity gap on how far we need to go in economy-wide material flows

“This exploratory research builds on international frameworks for measuring the circular economy, by defining metrics and data needs for an Australian circular economy. We are excited to start this dialogue to enable governments, organisations and businesses to set targets and measure progress,” ISF Circular Economy Theme Lead, Dr. Simran Talwar said.

Circular Australia thanks the NSW Government and the NSW Office of Chief Scientist and Engineer for funding this leading research.

For media enquiries contact Alex Cramb 0418 602 050

Read the full reports below.