More often than not, solutions need to be systemic in order to cultivate meaningful and lasting results.
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr, CEO of Mayflower-Plymouth
A circular economy?
Yet another term that most people should become familiar with and become common knowledge. There is an increasing reference to this terminology in the press and social media.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has made references to it on several occasions.
Some are aware of it but are not aware of its actual meaning. A few individuals truly understand it, and perhaps an even smaller group actively practise it.
Let’s take a simple and brief journey about the circular economy, its purpose, benefits, challenges, opportunities and the necessity to better understand and practise it.
The circular economy is an economic model that is gaining traction in the business world. A circular economy is an economic system in which resources are used, reused, and recycled in a closed loop. It minimises waste and pollution.
The goal of a circular economy is to keep materials and resources in use for as long as possible. This concept encourages all to extract the maximum value from the existing resources we have at hand before recovering and regenerating them.
It is a principle that emphasises the design of durable, recyclable products and the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency to reduce resource consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and waste.
In a circular economy, you can say goodbye to the traditional linear economy, where resources are taken, used, and thrown away.
The concept of a circular economy has evolved through the work of various individuals and organisations, starting with Kenneth Boulding’s idea of a “closed-loop” economy in the 1920s and 1930s.
Walter R. Stahel coined the term “circular economy” in the 1970s and significantly contributed to the sustainability movement.
In the 1980s, David Pearce and Jan van der Straaten further developed the idea. The European Union and the United Nations began paying attention to the concept in the 1990s.
Sweden is one of the countries that complies the most with the circular economy principles. In 2020, Sweden was ranked as the world’s most circular economy according to the Circularity Index by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI).
In Asia, Japan is considered a circular economy leader, with policies and regulations that support circular economy practices and a high recycling rate.
The transition to a circular economy requires changes in consumer behaviour, legal and regulatory frameworks, and the creation of new jobs in the recycling and refurbishment sector.
So what is Sarawak doing?
The Sarawak government has embarked on a green energy agenda for sustainable development.
Abang Johari in 2021, set up the new Energy and Environmental Sustainability Ministry. He stated, “With this ministry, we hope to coordinate and give direction to the development of green, renewable energy and participate in the world issue of climate change.”
The government is also actively taking steps to implement the concept of circular economy through the 12th Malaysia Plan.
The plans include specific initiatives and strategies such as promoting the use of recycled materials for green products and services, encouraging sustainable consumption and production practices, and providing awareness campaigns about the concepts of the circular economy.
Abang Johari has also stated that our power generator, Sarawak Energy Bhd, is committed to researching low-emissions coal technologies and developing other renewable resources, such as hydropower, as part of its transition efforts towards a circular economy.
We need more policies and regulations to support the transition to a circular economy and incentives for businesses to adopt circular practices.
I am sure those who actively support improvements and protection of our environment are looking forward to legislations and policies by the newly minted Energy and Environmental Sustainability Ministry.
However, implementing a circular economy faces several challenges, including a change in mindset and behaviour, lack of infrastructure, technical and financial barriers, legal and regulatory barriers, limited public awareness, the difficulty of measuring progress, resistance from existing industries, and difficulty of scaling up.
These challenges can make it difficult for individuals and businesses to adopt a circular economy approach and for the transition to be successful on a large scale.
The government, businesses and the public will need to collaborate to overcome these challenges.
So what can you as an individual do to play your part in the circular economy?
As individuals, we have the power to play a crucial role in creating a circular economy that benefits both the environment and our communities. Here are some simple yet impactful actions you can take to make a difference:
Practise the 5Rs (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle); support sustainable businesses; fix it, don’t trash it; adopt circular consumption patterns; advocate for circular policies; support policies that promote the circular economy and sustainability, and educate others.
Here are some ways corporations can make a difference:
Implement circular business models,
Invest in sustainable technologies,
Collaborate with other companies,
Practice sustainable procurement,
Encourage resource efficiency,
Report sustainability performance, and
Educate employees and customers.
Ife there are no joint efforts by businesses, governments and individuals to make a consistent commitment to the cause, the concept of a circular economy could fail.
We in Sarawak must ensure that the circular economy does not remain a fringe concept.
Let us make it work for a better Sarawak.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
