Circularity Gap Report 2020

The global circularity gap is widening. Today, the global economy is only 8.6% circular — just two years ago it was 9.1%.  The report explains the negative trend overall by three related, underlying trends: high rates of extraction; ongoing stock build-up; plus, low levels of end-of-use processing and cycling.

The authors see Countries as critical facilitators of the circular economy. Because of what they could deliver in the future. What the 2020 Circularity Gap Report aims to do is set out the critical role to be played by one of the key potential agents of positive change: Countries.

The Circularity Gap Report provides examples across the globe to illustrate how the practical implementation of circular economy strategies and solutions is an everyday reality. As an annual report, it's goal is to inspire action and realize a global circular economy.

Five aims of the 2020 Circularity Gap Report

1. Report on the progress of global circularity and the gap by applying the Circularity Gap Metric to new data.

2. Based on the above, identify key trends and possible levers for transitioning to circularity at a global level by mid-21st century.

3. Also, identify hardwired habits and business-as usual behaviors with potential to form systemic blockages.

4. Analyze how 176 countries perform on their Social Progress and Ecological Footprint to determine their distance to the safe and just operating space for humankind.

5. Identify key pathways for three distinct country groups to transition towards the safe and just space.

This world is still embedded deep within the ‘take-make-waste’ tradition of the linear economy. The report shows once more that we can only save our planet if we are more sustainable and push Circular Economy.

The Circular Economy Solutions GmbH supports the request of the report and is focused 100% on circular economy. Founded in 2016, the company has grown to more than double the size by now. Working with 28 employees on C-ECO's biggest goal: Make this world more circular!

The report is published as part of the Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy (PACE). PACE is a public-private collaboration mechanism and project accelerator dedicated to bringing about the circular economy at speed and scale. It brings together a coalition of more than 70 leaders and is co-chaired by the heads of Royal Philips and the Global Environment Facility. It was initiated at the World Economic Forum and is currently hosted by the World Resources Institute.