{"id":638,"date":"2025-08-19T14:39:12","date_gmt":"2025-08-19T14:39:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/businesssinglesmeet.com\/?p=638"},"modified":"2025-08-21T09:10:52","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T09:10:52","slug":"how-circularity-can-drive-economic-growth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/businesssinglesmeet.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/19\/how-circularity-can-drive-economic-growth\/","title":{"rendered":"How circularity can drive economic growth\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
\u00a0<\/div>\n

\"Economic<\/h4>\n

Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland<\/a>, explains how circularity can drive economic growth, not only environmental benefits.<\/h4>\n

With recent data and headlines proclaiming challenges to economic growth, there\u2019s no doubt that fostering increased GDP is at the top of many political leaders\u2019 agendas.<\/p>\n

Dismal statistics across much of the globe, including the UK, have decision makers scrambling for strategies to drive up GDP \u2013 and environmentalists taking a sharp intake of breath.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s because there\u2019s a pervasive assumption that growing the economy must come at the cost of environmental responsibility.<\/p>\n

But that perception is intrinsically linked to an outdated economic model that puts the commercial interests of the economy before those of the environment.<\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t have to be that way; we need to see more investors catching on if we\u2019re to evolve a futureproof economic system that works for both people and the planet.<\/p>\n

Businesses and the circular economy<\/h2>\n

Circular business practices have unrivalled potential to help us decouple from unsustainable resource extraction and keep materials in high-value use.<\/p>\n

Yet while evolving a circular economy is recognised as an environmental must, with growing geopolitical tensions affecting supply chain resilience and giving rise to ethical concerns it has also fast become a matter of national economic security.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re now at a critical tipping point where the economic and environmental agendas are converging \u2013 and that could be good news for circular finance.<\/p>\n

Investors increasingly want to see evidence of long-term resilience in a business plan, and with material costs at a premium and businesses struggling to operate long-term \u2013 let alone scale \u2013 circular investment opportunities are ones with longevity.<\/p>\n

The case for economic growth<\/h2>\n
\"\"
Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There\u2019s a growing body of evidence that shows the circular economy is not just a means for environmental sustainability, but a viable and lucrative economic opportunity that\u2019s futureproof too.<\/p>\n

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Environment recently stated that, by creating the right circumstances for circularity to thrive, we could boost the UK economy by \u00a325billion by 2025<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Green Alliance<\/a> insist that, through ambitious approaches, around 470,000 UK jobs could be created by the same year, alongside an 11% decrease in carbon emissions by 2050.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Productivity and resilience would also prosper, argues PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)<\/a>, noting that despite more people working productivity is stagnant \u2013 inhibiting wage growth and living standards.<\/p>\n

Yet applying the right circular models to businesses could see labour productivity increase by up to 0.4%. That\u2019s more than what\u2019s projected from many emerging technologies.<\/p>\n

At Zero Waste Scotland we\u2019re contributing our own strategic research. From our partnership with the Economic Development Association Scotland (EDAS)<\/a> to explore the role of circularity in economic policy and strategy to our work with Prosper on the milestone report \u2018Scotland\u2019s Blueprint: The Art of the Possible<\/a>\u2019, which highlights opportunities for Scotland to compete on a global scale while generating economic, social, and environmental benefit at home.<\/p>\n

The message is clear: economy and environment must come together if we\u2019re to realise either ambition successfully, and that, in taking a more holistic approach, we can better leverage the benefits.<\/p>\n

Circular business models in action<\/h2>\n

There are a growing number of innovative examples out there showcasing circular investment as a catalyst for economic, environmental, and social improvement.<\/p>\n

One such example is CirCoFin (Circular Construction Finance)<\/a> in Scotland \u2013 a pioneering, EU-funded project that will see Zero Waste Scotland develop an investment-ready Circular Construction Hub model by December 2027.<\/p>\n

The initiative has huge environmental potential: keeping valuable materials in good use for longer and relieving the environmental impact of the construction and demolition sector, which accounts for 45% of all waste in Scotland.<\/p>\n

But significantly, CirCoFin is targeting \u20ac80million (approximately \u00a367million) in private investment across its four Circular Construction Hub projects in mainland Europe, of which Scotland is one.<\/p>\n

This represents a clear demonstration of commitment and attractiveness of circular projects to draw investment and generate economic benefit.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, Scotland boasts a growing network of circular businesses that continue not just to survive, but to thrive.<\/p>\n

Since 2016, Zero Waste Scotland\u2019s Circular Economy Investment Fund has invested \u00a312 million in more than 60 Scottish enterprises, helping to create more than 70 jobs in Scotland.<\/p>\n

The businesses have since collectively secured \u00a335 million in match funding, showcasing the huge economic potential that circularity represents.<\/p>\n

Financially secure, sustainable change<\/h2>\n

For too long a circular economy has been seen as an \u2018alternative\u2019 vision that traditional economists have struggled to reconcile with the linear reality.<\/p>\n

As we look for ways to navigate economic downturn it\u2019s not just an environmental necessity, but a sound economic strategy with significant growth potential.<\/p>\n

In Scotland we have opportunities on the ground that are showcasing this in real time \u2013 not just generating investable green business models but contributing to community wealth and resilience, and raising people\u2019s living standards in the process.<\/p>\n

However, if we want to continue in this vein and maximise the opportunities available it\u2019s vital that we reject the perceived dichotomy between environment and economy for good and embed circular finance into our economic strategy.<\/p>\n

The knowledge and evidence exists; now is the time for impactful solutions that work for people, planet, and prosperity. A financially secure, circular economy will help us evolve a sustainable future that benefits for all three.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The post How circularity can drive economic growth\u00a0<\/a> appeared first on Circular Online<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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