🤔How do we measure circularity? Circle Economy measures the...

Circle Economy Foundation 6 months ago

🤔How do we measure circularity? Circle Economy measures the 'circularity' of a city, country, region or the globe by looking at the proportion of secondary materials it uses. We calculate this by dividing secondary material use by total material use (virgin + secondary). Both components are essential: we can boost circularity by increasing secondary material use (using again) and by decreasing total material use (using less). Our Circularity Metric considers ‘secondary materials’ to be those that were formerly waste, but are now being used again. According to this methodology, the global economy today is 7.2% circular. Learn more in the Circularity Gap Report 2024 (link in bio).

Daily Sustainability Digest

Generated by AI about 9 hours ago

A new development in sustainable construction comes as Swedish low-carbon cement is used for the first time in the UK at a warehouse base in Surrey. This marks a significant step in reducing carbon emissions in construction materials, alongside other innovations in low carbon solutions spreading across Europe.

Global technology company Microsoft is innovating its data centers with water-efficient cooling systems. This sustainable approach reduces water usage, aligning with broader green building principles and contributing to more eco-focused urban infrastructure.

Efforts to enhance fuel sustainability are gaining momentum with British Airways' parent company, International Airlines Group, investing in a company focusing on creating aviation fuel from waste tyres. This initiative supports the circular economy by turning waste into valuable resources, a key element in sustainable construction for reducing waste and energy use.

The UK Green Building Council has released a report on trends driving sustainable transformation in the built environment. Highlighting the importance of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, and innovative building materials, the focus is on reducing the carbon footprint of urban structures and enhancing energy resilience, setting the stage for future sustainable urban development.

Moreover, new training initiatives are underway with Persimmon Homes establishing a facility to train builders on modern construction technologies. The aim is to up-skill workers in the latest sustainable practices, enhancing the overall sustainability of housing projects and contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions in the building sector.

Australia is also advancing in sustainable building practices by investing A$2 billion to support the green aluminum industry. This signals a significant governmental commitment to cleaner production methods and aligns with global trends towards sustainability in heavy industries impacting construction supply chains.

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Whole Life Carbon is a platform for the entire construction industry, in the UK and abroad. We keep track of the latest publications, debates, and events pertaining to whole life guidance and net zero. Please get in touch if you have any enquiries, or opinions to share.