Ellen MacArthur Foundation

The moment is now. We’re excited to officially launch our new report, Building Prosperity: Unlocking the potential of a nature-positive, circular economy for Europe. The study shows that a targeted set of investable and scalable actions in the built environment sector can deliver significant economic, environmental, and social benefits for Europe, increasing resilience, competitiveness, and the vibrancy of its cities. It also aims to show that circular and nature-positive strategies can be applied across sectors. The circular built environment can propel Europe towards a prosperous and nature-positive future. It’s here – in this sector – we must sow the seeds of change. And we can start right now. Read it today: https://lnkd.in/eZJ6G2_z #CircularEconomy

We welcome The White House’s recent announcement of its new procurement goals and its government-wide strategy to address plastic pollution. The White House has now committed to phase out federal procurement of single-use plastics from all federal operations by 2035 and published a comprehensive report identifying key opportunities for federal action across the plastic lifecycle. The report aims to build on and expand domestic actions that can address the plastic pollution crisis and contribute to US leadership in the negotiation of a global plastics agreement. https://lnkd.in/dpNmmYaN The announcement follows calls for the Administration to accelerate action on plastic pollution, including a letter signed by the Foundation and other NGOs. The report also cites the Foundation’s work in plastics. With its announcement, the White House has acknowledged the severity of the plastic pollution crisis, recognized the importance of taking action at every stage of the plastic lifecycle, and embraced product design and other upstream solutions as key focus areas moving forward. This is a significant step forward for the US, and we look forward to the implementation of the goals and actions the White House has laid out. Explore the strategy: https://lnkd.in/d_M-jWvz

Are Cradle to Cradle and the Circular Economy essentially the same thing? In this episode from our Origins season, we’ll explore the key differences and similarities between the two system change solutions with expert Katja Hansen. Listen now: https://lnkd.in/e5cPAm-g

The partnership between beverage company Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I and English blackcurrant farmer Rosie Begg shows a new way of farming: one that has the potential to yield regenerative outcomes for the land. The transformative partnership experiments with natural methods of building soil fertility, refined composting techniques, and explores how to achieve optimal levels of photosynthesis for the blackcurrant plants. The nature-first-farm aims to provide visible evidence of the effects of farming regeneratively,providing a space that local farmers can visit and learn from. Read in more detail here: https://lnkd.in/dn5xFrn4

Urban asset owners and occupiers can shape the future of our built environment and become pioneers in nature-positive urban stewardship. The construction sector accounts for the largest share of Europe’s material footprint and over 35% of its total waste. But it doesn’t have to be this way. The circular transformation of the built environment can generate significant economic, nature, climate, and social benefits that are are ready to be realised today. Explore the six strategies, rooted in circular economy principles, that can unlock the potential of a circular built environment in Europe: https://lnkd.in/dWnBTmiJ

“Textile waste is a direct result of our linear economic system – Extended Producer Responsibility policy (EPR) is a necessary part of the solution.” The Foundation’s Senior Policy Officer for Fashion, Valérie Boiten, spoke at the Irish Government’s Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications webinar on Extended Producer Responsibility for Textiles. Valerie spoke to key stakeholders from across the textile value chain in Ireland, presenting findings from our most recent report on EPR for Textiles. Highlights included: Mandatory, fee-based Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy is a necessary part of the solution to build a circular economy for textiles. Without EPR policy, the collection, reuse, and recycling of textiles is unlikely to be meaningfully scaled. If designed well, EPR can break away from its traditional downstream focus and deliver circular economy outcomes. Watch the full webinar: https://lnkd.in/dwxpYjbu Read our report on EPR for Textiles: https://lnkd.in/dFm9udWF

Measuring and reporting on progress towards circular economy outcomes plays a powerful role in setting direction, identifying opportunities, and demonstrating impact. Here at the Foundation, we are supporting the major corporate disclosure initiatives to reflect and drive the transition away from the linear take-make-waste economy to a circular economy that operates within #planetaryboundaries. We will be contributing insights to forthcoming revisions to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol). Drawing on the challenges faced by the businesses in our Network, we want to ensure that #climate #emissions inventories incentivise #circular business models. Find out more about the role of #measurement and #reporting in accelerating the transition to a #circulareconomy: https://lnkd.in/e5khmSBF

Investing in a circular built environment is an investment in the health of the economy, environment, and society. There is huge potential in Europe’s built environment. A circular transformation of this sector will be inspirational, tangible, and far-reaching. Our latest study – Building Prosperity: Unlocking the potential of a nature-positive, circular economy for Europe – outlines six strategies, rooted in #circulareconomy principles, that can realise substantial, system-wide benefits in the built environment sector and beyond.    Explore the report, and learn how a #circulareconomy can revitalise existing assets, maximise nature in cities, and optimise building design:  https://lnkd.in/ekhtu_xr

The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) yesterday published new guidance to help banks mobilise capital towards circular economy solutions to address global challenges including climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The guidance recognises the need for companies to measure and report on progress towards a circular economy, and for standardisation around key metrics on eliminating waste and pollution, circulating products and materials, and regenerating nature. It references our report — Navigating the circular economy reporting landscape — to highlight reporting frameworks that include these circular economy metrics, which can help banks comply with international environmental treaties. Read the report: https://lnkd.in/ebmVfyMY Learn more about the UNEP FI guidance: https://lnkd.in/ecBE4aW2

Showcasing food products that have been designed to help nature thrive We’re delighted that Fortnum & Mason has joined the Big Food Redesign Challenge as a retailer alongside Waitrose & Partners and Grupo Carrefour Brasil to support bringing Challenge products to market. The esteemed London retailer will be stocking their shelves with food that puts nature first in early 2025. This partnership aims to inspire innovation and action and drive positive change within the food industry. Learn more about the Big Food Redesign Challenge: https://lnkd.in/edDw6TWS