The Circular Economy (DP IB Geography): Revision Note

The Tragedy of the Commons

• Global commons are parts of the Earth that are not owned or managed by any single country

• They are shared resources that belong to everyone, and as such, they require a cooperative approach to management

• The principle of the common heritage of mankind is applied to the global commons

  • The idea is that resources are essential for the survival and well-being of all people

  • They are too important to be owned by one nation and instead should be managed equitably and sustainably for the benefit of everyone

• There are four global commons identified by international law

• The global commons are essential for human well-being and therefore a priority for conservation

• Benefits include climate regulation, economic value, e.g. through tourism and fishing, and cultural and spiritual significance

• No single country has an exclusive right to these resources, instead, they need to be managed through a cooperative approach to benefit everyone, now and in the future

The tragedy of the commons

• If individuals or countries act in their own self-interest without considering the needs of others, this could lead to the damage or depletion of a shared resource

• This is known as the tragedy of the commons 

• The tragedy of the commons (as explained by Garret Hardin in 1968) occurs when common pool resources are used in production in an unsustainable way:

  • In the fishing industry, the more fish each country catches, the greater their profit

  • This will lead to overfishing as other countries feel the need to increase their catch to keep up

  • Potentially causing the industry to collapse and reducing resources for future generations

The Value of the Circular Economy

• Currently, most resources are part of a linear system where

  • Finite resources are used to make products

  • The products are used

  • At the end of their lifecycle, the products are thrown away

• This leads to increasing amounts of waste

• Recycling is considered to be the first step towards the ambitious goal of a ‘circular’ economy

What is the circular economy?

• The circular economy is a sustainable management concept

• It has its origins in the 'cradle to cradle' concept developed by William McDonough in 2002

• It is based on three principles:

  • Ending waste and pollution

  • Reusing products and materials

  • Regeneration of nature

• The aim is that a circular economy will lead to both sustainable environmental and economic development

• Within the circular economy, there are two cycles

  • The technical cycle where products are recycled, reused, repaired or remanufactured

  • The biological cycle is where the biodegradable products are returned to the natural environment

How does the circular economy work?

• All waste is considered to be a resource 

  • The design of products considers how the components will be reused or recycled when the item reaches the end of their lifecycle

  • Food waste is all composted and returned to the biological cycle to support new growth 

The circular economy on a global scale

• The Ellen McArthur Foundation leads the way on the circular economy concept

• The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) include the reduction of waste from food systems (Goal 12)

• The European Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) was first adopted in 2015, and then the New Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) was adopted in 2020. It aims to:

  • Ensure less waste

  • Make sustainable products the norm

  • Focus on increasing circularity in sectors that use large amounts of resources

  • Promote the circular economy internationally

• The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) started work on circular economy in 2015, encouraging discussions on consumer awareness and innovation in business

The circular economy on a national scale

• In 2016, France made it illegal for retailers to throw away food

• China introduced a law in 2021 which banned competitive eating and the sharing of binge-eating videos

The circular economy on a local scale

• Malmö in Sweden is piloting a circular economy approach

  • The pilot began in 2018

  • The bus fleet runs on biogas and CNG, which reduces emissions

  • It is compulsory for households to sort food waste

  • Household waste is recycled and reused (98%)

  • Recycling and repair of IT equipment by the local government have more than doubled

  • Local construction companies have signed up to the Climate Neutral Building partnership which focuses on using recycled and upcycled materials

  • Water recovery systems have been installed