Prof. Shauhrat S. Chopra, Assistant Professor, from the School of Energy and Environment (SEE) has joined forces with an international group of industrial ecology experts to publish a White Paper titled “10 INSIGHTS FROM INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY FOR THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY” on 26 June 2023. The report, led by Dr. Stijn van Ewijk at University College London, calls for greater involvement of scientists in the development of policies and systems for a sustainable, circular economy. The publisher International Society for Industrial Ecology (ISIE) has summarised a video for details.

This pioneering collaboration among leading researchers from the United Kingdom, European Union, China, and the United States, including our own faculty member, presents a guide outlining essential principles for policymakers and industry to ensure that the circular economy doesn't become just another buzzword. Industrial ecology has long focused on sustainability, minimizing waste, and designing eco-friendly systems. Their experience and knowledge are invaluable in shaping the future of the circular economy.

One key insight from the report is the need for a life cycle perspective that accounts for all impacts from raw material extraction to end-of-life waste. This approach prevents problems from being shifted elsewhere or creating worse issues, as seen with reusable cups that have increased emissions due to their irregular use.

Another crucial point is the importance of early, whole-system interventions to prevent waste. Rather than tweaking existing systems, the researchers call for designing more efficient and long-lasting solutions. For example, electric cars may replace fossil fuel vehicles, but they don't address the problem of too many cars on the road. A systems perspective on mobility is needed.

The International Society for Industrial Ecology (ISIE) promotes industrial ecology as a way to address sustainability challenges and achieve a circular economy. The ISIE facilitates communication among scientists, engineers, policymakers, managers, and advocates who are interested in better integrating environmental concerns with economic activities.

The white paper emphasizes the need for a scientific approach to the circular economy, and urges political leaders and companies to work with industrial ecologists in developing evidence-based policies and utilizing existing expertise.

Collaborating Universities:

1. University College London, United Kingdom
2. Illinois Institute of Technology, United States
3. Technical University of Berlin, Germany
4. University of Antwerp, Belgium
5. Yale University, United States
6. City University of Hong Kong, China
7. Leiden University, Netherlands
8. University of Limerick, Ireland
9. Newcastle University, United Kingdom
10. Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research & University of Jena, Germany
11. Metabolic Institute, Netherlands
12. Delft University of Technology, Netherlands
13. Imperial College London, United Kingdom

Citation:

Van Ewijk, S., Ashton, W. S., Berrill, P., Cao, Z., Chertow, M., Chopra, S. S., Fishman, T., Fitzpatrick, C., Heidrich, O., Leipold, S., Ritter, F., Sprecher, B., Yao, Y., Myers, R. J. (2023). Ten insights from industrial ecology for the circular economy. Leiden, The Netherlands: International Society for Industrial Ecology (ISIE).

“10 INSIGHTS FROM INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY FOR THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY” White Paper

Youtube Link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzqpbyIAmHA