Global material extraction and consumption levels have been
rising exponentially since the beginning of the 20th century.
In 2018, the number of extracted raw materials reached to 92
billion tonnes, and the current trajectory shows that this number will increase
to 177 billion tonnes by 2050.
اضافة اعلان
With the linear economy model of production and consumption
the global economy, it is estimated that 91.4 percent of all materials are only
used once.
A reliance on nature
PwC has reported that the health of natural ecosystems and
biodiversity have far-reaching implications, with more than half of the market
value exposed to material nature risk.
Over half of the world's gross domestic product (GDP),
equivalent to an estimated $58 trillion, is moderately or highly dependent on
natural materials, an increase from $44 trillion in 2020.
A linear economy
The current economic system can be considered a linear
economy, built on the model of extracting raw materials from nature, turning
them into products, and then discarding them as waste.
The usage of plastic highlights an even greater issue, that the Kingdgom has a significant contribution to overall waste generation just based on single used items.
Only 7.2 percent of used textiles are recycled back into
production after its use, which creates a significant burden to the
environment, contributing to an increase of climate, biodiversity, and
pollution crises.
A shift towards a circular economy
Given the ecological concerns of the world today, countries
should shift towards a circular economy.
By 2030, the circular economy could unlock $4.5 trillion in
new economic growth. We need collective solutions to unlock value at the scale
required to make sustainable change.
Those solutions can emerge by utilizing the experience and
technology of experts in their respective fields. And with the involvement of
public and private sectors, industries can take a holistic approach with a
sustainable and environmental economy.
The Kingdom’s potential with a circular economy
The Kingdom has vast potential, yet, limited resources with
a circular economy. Taking on the
approach of a linear economy, the country can bring science and innovation to
meet the industrial revolution and tend to consumers’ needs.
The circular economy
can foster growth through employment opportunities for skilled and unskilled
labor workers, and even give informal actors the opportunity to partner with
formal entities, to build and sell Circular Credits.
Solid waste in the Kingdom
A 2021 report by EcoMENA shared its findings that Jordan had
reached 2.1 million tonnes of solid waste, with about 20 percent being plastic.
The usage of plastic highlights an even greater issue, that
the Kingdom has a significant contribution to overall waste generation just
based on single used items.
Meanwhile, a World Bank report stated that Jordan's
municipal solid waste generation is approximately 1.1 kilograms per capita per
day, with around 18 percent of the waste being plastic.
Organic industrial waste, either liquid or solid, is a good
biomass resource and a suitable substrate for biogas generation.
Only 7.2 percent of used textiles are recycled back into production after its use, which creates a significant burden to the environment, contributing to an increase of climate, biodiversity, and pollution crises.
Utilizing anaerobic digestion technology for biomass waste
management would be a significant step in Jordan's emerging renewable energy
hub in the MENA region.
In textiles and fashion, there are opportunities to employ
regenerative agriculture to produce organic cotton and other natural fibers,
using natural colorings and dye, thus ensuring higher quality and safer
garments for the health of consumers and the environment.
Repair, thrift, recycle, and repeat
By producing higher quality garments, clothing can last
longer and be repaired, thrift, and recycled.
A circular business model not only allows mining companies
to meet ESG credentials and requirements that have a positive impact on brand
reputation but also serves as a source of competitive advantage by focusing on
"mining" above-ground resources instead of extracting virgin
resources, mining companies may reduce their carbon footprint and decrease
costs.
The water-food nexus in the region is characterized by
resource depletion, import dependence, and environmental degradation.
This contribution proposes that consumer awareness and
resource circularity can be seen as a pathway to alleviate environmental
problems and achieve long-term supply security in the water and food sectors.
Shifting jobs toward a circular economy requires translating
global targets into local strategies and incentivizing sectors, supply chains,
regions, and cities to reach these objectives.
The transition requires international collaboration across
countries, enterprises, and workers. The interconnectedness of global supply
chains means that consumption and production in one country embed the emissions
and materials used in others.
The circular economy allows Jordan to get maximum economic
benefits from its scarce resources.
Creating fiscal incentives, legal framework, and business
development services could help encourage market development in the circular
economy.
Hamzeh S. Al-Alayani is a Jordanian public-sector government
investments management company board member and a regular regional energy and
industrial commentator. Hamzeh holds an MBA from the University of Aberdeen,
UK, and a BSc in Mechanical Engineering.
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