“The circular economy concept can undoubtedly be a great asset in transforming our production and consumption patterns and achieving environmental goals. However, we cannot take this for granted: some practices linked to circular economy, if not implemented with nature in mind, may potentially pose risks to biodiversity. To ensure we get the maximum out of the circular economy to help biodiversity, the two policy areas need to be more integrated“, says Alberto Schnell Arroyo, Senior Manager, Policy and Programme, IUCN Europe. 

The new report, Towards a circular economy that begins and ends in nature, examines links and potential gaps between circular economy and biodiversity policy approaches in the European Union. Specifically, it focuses on policies related to the food, water and nutrients value chain, which is a key driver of land use change and biodiversity loss, and was highlighted in the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan as a sector with high resource use and potential for circularity.

The report acknowledges the strong potential of the circular economy to achieve our environmental targets. It also points out that some theories or practices associated with the circular economy concept today need to be carefully considered to ensure they do not pose a risk to biodiversity. For instance, a growing demand for bio-based materials to replace plastics can result in increased land use pressures and habitat losses, while a growing demand for timber as a sustainable building material may lead to a loss of primary forests or the plantation of monocultures.

To address these potential issues and ensure that efforts to transition to a circular economy maximises its contribution to reversing biodiversity loss, the authors call for more policy cohesion within the EU as well as internationally, for instance through the United Nations’ post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, which is expected to be adopted in Montreal this month.

Contact:
IUCN Media relations, press@iucn.org