Circularity

At #COP16, the #circulareconomy is being explored as an approach to achieving our #biodiversity goals as set out in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework through several key practices and principles: ♻️Elimination of Waste and Pollution— By designing products and systems that minimise waste and pollution—especially through reducing and redesigning plastics to be circular—we can protect the environment from harmful impacts. ♻️Circulation of Products and Materials— Circulating products and materials reduces the demand for new raw materials, allowing more space for natural habitats and promoting biodiversity. ♻️Regeneration of Nature— The circular economy’s emphasis on regenerating nature is crucial for biodiversity. Practices like regenerative agriculture—such as agroecology, agroforestry, and managed grazing—not only sequester carbon but also enhance soil health, boost biodiversity in surrounding ecosystems, and maintain agricultural productivity without encroaching on new areas. ♻️Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Economic Sectors— The circular economy serves as a powerful tool for integrating biodiversity into various economic sectors. Allowing businesses to recognise and invest in the living systems they depend upon. So, what innovative examples are already in action worldwide? Follow along as we spotlight change-makers from around the globe who are driving outcomes for nature! 🌍 #COP16columbia

🌍 How can the circular economy help advance global biodiversity goals currently being reviewed at COP16 Colombia? Why is this important for New Zealand? 🌍 Let’s face it, New Zealand is facing significant environmental challenges, holding the highest proportion of threatened indigenous species globally. This is concerning because 80% of our freshwater species, 70% of our animals, 90% of our fungi, and 40% of our plants are unique to this country. If these species vanish from New Zealand, they will be lost from the planet entirely. The decline in biodiversity here is driven by various pressures; including invasive species, land and sea use changes, direct exploitation, pollution, and climate change. These factors interact in complex ways, creating a cumulative impact that exacerbates the biodiversity crisis we are facing. For businesses the loss of biodiversity can show up in different ways, but almost always comes at a cost to replace what would be ‘free’ natural resource to draw from into something you have to buy. For example, buying bees in boxes to pollinate fruit trees versus being able to rely on the health of mother nature to provide this service. However, we have an opportunity to turn the tide. It is estimated that reversing New Zealand's biodiversity crisis could save the country around $270 billion over the next 50 years*, making it imperative for us to act now. The 2024 UN Biodiversity Conference (#COP16) in Colombia happening right now - representing a pivotal moment for global leaders to convert commitments into action, secure vital funding, and align biodiversity conservation with broader environmental and climate objectives. During this conference, delegates are assessing progress towards the 23 targets and four objectives set out in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. These goals aim to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, including the commitment to conserve 30% of land, water, and seas through protected areas and conservation measures. Several organisations at COP16 are discussing the role of the circular economy in achieving these biodiversity goals - emphasising several vital principles which recognise the importance of eliminating harmful materials, reducing habitat loss by increasing the circulation of materials and considering the importance of biodiversity to deliver economic outcomes of industry. The circular economy can be viewed as a transformative strategy that can help reverse biodiversity loss by reducing waste and pollution, conserving resources, regenerating ecosystems, and integrating biodiversity into economic activities. How might #circulareconomy principles enable #Aotearoa, #NewZealand to achieve its #biodiversity goals in partnership with businesses? 🌱 *Source: ‘'A Nature Positive Aotearoa’ EY New Zealand & WWF New Zealand

Closing the loop: An electrified economy is a more circular economy, but only if we design it so. While replacing fossil fuel machines with electrical alternatives like solar panels and batteries might raise concerns about waste management, it actually opens up opportunities for redesign, reuse, recovery, and recycling. Innovators and entrepreneurs can create value throughout the lifecycle of energy assets, including reintegrating components back into manufacturing. Reusing the old in the new and mining our economy for the resources we need, rather than our ecology. Our Founder & CEO Louise Nash teamed up with the talented David Hall of Rewiring Aotearoa to deep dive into the circular potential of the energy transition. This collaboration is part of Rewiring Aotearoa's ‘Watt Now?’ explainer series—exploring avenues like recycling, re-use, modular design, and other circular opportunities. Together with Rewiring Aotearoa, we discuss the circular economy, its integration into energy system design, and the necessary policy strategies to support it. Using Circularity’s six Circular by Design methods we highlight the range of innovative pathways that can achieve a circular economy, many happening right here, right now in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Closed loop systems, smart materials, regenerative behaviours, circular business models, networked participation and embedded intelligence - enabling the future of electrification to be circular. A few great examples of this in action include: ♻️ Using smart materials — Solar paint: A technology that applies like regular paint but generates electricity from sunlight, using perovskite—one of the Earth's most abundant minerals—sprayed onto buildings or applied as a thin film on windows. ♻️ Using Circular Business Models — Lunaz: Instals clean-air powertrains in trucks and industrial vehicles, retaining up to 90% of materials and embedded carbon in the vehicle. ♻️ Using Closed Loop Systems — Phoenix Metalman Recycling: Recycles 98% of solar panel materials to recover aluminium, magnesium, silicon, iron, lead, cadmium, silver, glass, fibreglass, and polyurethane. ♻️ Using Embedded Intelligence & Neworked Participation — Digital opportunities for the circular economy: Utilising data can enhance waste reduction and improve traceability of materials, boosting circularity and supply chain efficiency. This approach can transform supply chains into supply circles, enabling efficient location and transport of spare parts for reuse. For example, RMI’s Battery Circular Economy Initiative (BCEI) Dashboard offers stakeholders insights into current and future supply chains. Explore the full article to discover three BIG ideas that can unlock the full potential of a circular energy transition: https://lnkd.in/gS-sz6vm 

At Circularity we’re designing a better way forward by reimagining a future where business is in tune with nature - not against it. Accelerating a circular economy is a vital strategy for businesses to achieve this goal. If this sounds like something you are interested in, we invite you to join our community. Learn more about the circular economy, real-world stories of circular design and measurement, and our XLabs NZ programme as we explore how we can support businesses to build their capability and unlock circular solutions that support their biodiversity, climate and economic targets. By sharing our stories and showcasing the leaps to improve the world around us, we hope to inspire you to do the same. We’ll be giving you not only the inspiration, but also the tools to redesign your world for better. Together, we are co-creating the future to be circular ♻️ Connect with us to stay up-to-date - + Sign up to our newsletter via https://lnkd.in/gQybDdcd 💻 Be sure to check out our October newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/g8Aenrbj Don’t forget to like, share, and comment on what interests you here, we’d love to hear your thoughts! As always, you can find us on hello@circularity.co.nz if you’d like to discuss any projects you might want to get started on. 

How do the new ISO Circular Economy standards support businesses in their transition to a circular economy? There is now a globally recognised standard for the circular economy just like there is for Food Safety, Environmental Management and Information Security. The ISO Circular Economy 59000 series which includes: + ISO 59004: Terminology, Principles & Guidance for Implementation + ISO 59010: Guidelines for the Transition of Business Models and Value Networks + ISO 59020: Measurement and Evaluation of Circularity What are the potential actions businesses can implement circular economy at pace and at scale? How can businesses and industries use these standards to drive outcomes for nature? Find out in our article on The Redesign of Everything: https://lnkd.in/gj4-Kimx

Embracing Systems Thinking for a Resilient Future 🌿 Systems thinking has long been recognized as a vital approach to addressing the complex challenges we face, particularly as we navigate the overshoot of our planetary boundaries. By understanding the interconnectedness of various systems—be it nature, laws, human behaviour, or our relationship with the future—we can more effectively unlock pathways for change. Why is this important? Because these challenges we collectively face are essentially system failures. It is systems that hold problems in place, making it almost impossible to solve with one action. If you're not using systems thinking to address problems in your organisation, you might find yourself constantly reacting to issues without resolution, with the internal fight or flight mode operating at full volume. By thinking systematically, we can understand these interconnections and feedback loops, identify root causes and start to identify how they respond to change. That is why we are excited to see 'Systems Thinking' acknowledged as a foundational principle in the new global ISO standards aimed at facilitating the transition from a linear to a circular economy. At Circularity, we use systems thinkings in a number of ways: ♻️ Mapping Ecosystems: We help businesses identify key areas within their ecosystem where they can shift from linear to circular practices, analysing material flows, nature dependencies, and impacts for maximum effect.    👥 Stakeholder Engagement: We assist organisations in pinpointing their system stakeholders, clarifying roles, and uncovering opportunities for collaboration.    ✍️ Co-Designing Solutions: Utilising our circular design innovation toolkit, we work together to explore diverse potential solutions, aligning outcomes with stakeholders and their specific contexts across a range of future horizons. Through this collaborative effort, businesses can accelerate their progress on critical challenges, fostering alignment and shared direction. It also often leads to cost savings. By determining what practices to discontinue, finding in-kind partners, and prioritising initiatives that yield positive environmental and social outcomes, organisations can enhance their economic resilience. Curious about the impact of seven years of our collective work? Check out our journey: Celebrating Our Collective Impact: https://lnkd.in/gZ_i3WrR How might systems thinking facilitate your business's transition to a circular economy? Reach out to us at hello@circularity.co.nz to begin your journey today!

Earlier this year our Founder and CEO Louise Nash had the pleasure of attending the Sustainable Brands Symposium where we had the opportunity to introduce and participate in Dr Leyla Acaroglu’s workshop, which included a discussion around the new ISO Circular Economy Standards. Since then we are thrilled to see she has done the hard work, developing a quick guide to the new ISO series. If you’re keen to learn more about new standards, check out her article here -  https://lnkd.in/gC6CPifC _____ Keen to know more? email us at hello@circularity.co.nz Found this interesting? Follow us and our founder Louise Nash.

How can businesses use the ISO Circular Economy 59000 series to create regenerative outcomes for nature? The ISO circular economy standards, especially the ISO 59000 family, create guidance and principles that drive positive outcomes for nature. Swipe through to see how these standards protect and restore our natural environment. These ISO standards drive systemic changes that benefit nature by encouraging organisations to rethink their relationship with their environmental goals, processes, measuring and communication. Since May of this year, when the standards were published, we’ve seen global changemakers become early adopters implementing these actions in their mahi. Swipe through to see some of our favourites. How might your business demonstrate circularity using these standards?

Are you booked to join us at our XLabs NZ circular economy workshops in Tauranga next week? We have limited spots left, so if you are interested we encourage you to secure a spot for your business today. Do you run a business based in Tauranga? Looking for innovative ways to give your company an edge, design out waste, reduce emissions and regenerate nature? Circularity, Tauranga City Council’s Resource Wise programme and Priority One Western Bay of Plenty are bringing an XLabs Circular Economy one-day workshop hosted at the Mt Maunganui’s Lifesaving Club. All businesses in Tauranga are invited to join us for a workshop on the 17th of October, with an additional workshop just for those who work in the Built Environment (tailored specifically for architects, developers and builders etc) on the 18th of October. You can select which suits you best in the registration form: https://lnkd.in/gaMKAVDP In just one day you will: ➕ Learn more about the circular economy, why it is important and the benefits of making the shift for your business. ➕ Use XLabs tools, exercises, circular-by-design methods and frameworks to identify a challenge, explore solutions and develop a roadmap to achieve your circular vision. ➕ Work alongside other businesses and leading circular economy experts to build your knowledge, capability and skills – and ultimately accelerate circular innovation in Tauranga. ➕ Make tangible progress towards reducing your impact. Attendance is free (thanks to the great people at Tauranga City Council), but spots are limited and conditions apply. Register now and grab the last few spaces.: https://lnkd.in/gDTSsqCh #circulareconomy #business #bayofplenty #design

How can your business make the transition towards a circular economy? The ISO - International Organization for Standardization has released the ISO Circular Economy 59000 series, which helps businesses globally understand new circular economy principles, support implementation steps, provide guidance for creating value networks, and enable measurable circular economy outcomes. Swipe through to discover guidance for implementing the three ISO standards to transition your business, industry or city to a circular economy. Together, we’re redesigning the future to be circular! _____ Keen to know more? 💻 email us at hello@circularity.co.nz Found this interesting? 👥 Follow us and our founder Louise Nash.