Today (23 March), a new study, “Achieving Circularity – A low-emissions, circular plastic economy in Norway”, sets out a roadmap for all stakeholders to accelerate the transition towards a circular, low-emissions plastic system in Norway by 2040.
The study finds that existing solutions can achieve “unprecedented” levels of resource efficiency across seven sectors and provide an affordable and scalable means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
It states that the cost is not prohibitive and requires an annual additional investment of $54m (570m NOK) for 20 years, as well as that the transformation could create 1,300 additional jobs compared to 2020.
However, the study says that achieving this transition will require ambitious policies, innovation, capital investment, cross-value-chain collaboration, consumer engagement and labour force reskilling.
Achieving Circularity analyses 80% of the country’s plastic use across seven sectors: packaging, household goods, construction, textiles, electronics and electricals, automotive, and fishing and aquaculture.
The global treaty on plastic pollution offers a unique chance to shift towards a circular and low-emissions plastic economy.
The report was created by system change company Systemiq, in partnership with Handelens Miljøfond (Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund) and consultancy Mepex, with input from 16 international experts.
Amongst the report’s key findings were that only 22% of plastic across the seven sectors is reused or recycled and 70% of plastic is incinerated, which represents 7% of Norway’s GHG emissions. As well as that current policy and industry commitments are “inadequate” for transforming the Norwegian plastic system in a way that aligns with the goals of the European Green Deal, or the Paris and Glasgow climate agreements.
The study also found that the adoption of circular economy approaches in the plastics value chain – such as elimination, reduction and reuse, substitution as well as mechanical and chemical recycling – can increase circularity from 22% in 2020 to 70% by 2040 and reduce waste disposal by 35%.
However, the study states that circularity approaches alone are insufficient to align the system with Norway’s climate target and capturing residual emissions can reduce GHG emissions by 75% by 2040 relative to 2020 and decouple plastic from fossil fuel feedstocks.
This study further highlights that potential solutions must go beyond reusing and recycling plastic, to include fundamentally “rethinking” the uses of plastic through new business models and dematerialisation.
This study offers evidence-based recommendations on priority areas for a highly developed country’s plastic system.
Yoni Shiran, Partner and Plastics Lead at Systemiq, commented: “The global treaty on plastic pollution offers a unique chance to shift towards a circular and low-emissions plastic economy. This study offers evidence-based recommendations on priority areas for a highly developed country’s plastic system.
“This transition requires an ambitious combination of both upstream and downstream solutions, and it will require leadership and collaboration across industry, public sector, investors, and civil society.
“Only then can we seize this opportunity to shift to the low-emissions circular plastic systems Norway – and the world – needs.”
