Download Climate and jobs winners if East-European economies go circular

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New report on the circular economy and its benefits for society – Case studies for the
Polish and Czech economies
Climate and jobs winners if East-European economies go circular,
according to new study by the Club of Rome
Brussels, October 10th, 2016
Transforming the production and consumption system
from a linear “take, make, waste” model to a circular
model, where products are designed for reuse, recycling,
upgrading and remanufacturing is not a futuristic
concept. It is a concept gaining ground all over Europe as
policy-makers and business leaders realise that our linear
system of resource use exposes societies and businesses
to serious risks. Many studies have already shown the
business case for a circular economy. But how would a
circular economy benefit society more broadly?
The new Club of Rome study looks at the impact of a
circular economy on jobs, carbon emissions and the trade
balance in two different Eastern European economies: in
Poland and the Czech Republic. Using an input/output
model and data from the World Input Output Database,
the study concludes that in both countries, an
economy based on circular resource flows would
create jobs, reduce carbon emissions and improve the
trade balance.
“A circular economy in Poland and the Czech Republic would offer many benefits”,
comments Club of Rome Co-President Anders Wijkman: “While relative decoupling of
economic growth from resource use has been happening over the past decades, the gains
made so far have been rapidly eaten up by a combination of economic growth and the socalled rebound effect, i.e. that the resources freed up by increased efficiency are used up
very soon through increased consumption. Here is where the circular economy as a powerful
concept comes into play”.
Most studies so far on the circular economy have focused primarily on the business case
for enhanced resource efficiency. This study rather focuses on the social benefits that
a transformation from a linear to a circular economy would entail.
The Club of Rome - International Secretariat
Lagerhausstrasse 9, 8400 Winterthur, Switzerland
Tel: +41 (0)52/244 08 08, Fax: +41 (0)52/244 08 09
[email protected], www.clubofrome.org
The main purpose of these case studies is to broadly explore the potential for a
significant increase in resource efficiency and to specifically assess what the main
benefits for society would be - looking at carbon emissions and employment in
particular. In a previous report (October 2015), the focus was on Finland, France, the
Netherlands, Spain and Sweden. In June this year, a special report on the Norwegian
economy was realized.
The study is relevant not only from an academic but also from a political perspective,
particularly in the EU context. “We hope that this report can provide valuable input to the
ongoing discussion on the EU Commission’s Circular Economy Package proposals, as well as
discussions on national policies, particularly in terms of highlighting the opportunities
offered by the Circular Economy for the the strengthening of EU’s competitiveness and
jobs.”, concludes Club of Rome Co-President Anders Wijkman.
The new case study on the Polish and Czech economy can be downloaded from the
Club of Rome website at www.clubofrome.org/project/circulareconomy/ in English
and Polish. The final report with the case studies on the Dutch, Finnish, French, Spanish
and Swedish economies is also available under the same link in English, French and
Polish.
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Club of Rome:
Alexander Stefes, Executive Director, [email protected], +41 (0)52 244 08 05
The Club of Rome - International Secretariat
Lagerhausstrasse 9, 8400 Winterthur, Switzerland
Tel: +41 (0)52/244 08 08, Fax: +41 (0)52/244 08 09
[email protected], www.clubofrome.org