New research and modelling commissioned by ReLondon shows the potential for a more circular economy to create over a quarter of a million new jobs for people in London by 2030.
ReLondon says its new research, completed in collaboration with Valpak, reveals the potential economic growth and job increases possible over the next decade, if London’s businesses, policymakers and communities work together to adopt a circular economy and achieve the targets outlined in the London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s Environment Strategy.
Published in 2018, the Environment Strategy the Mayor of London published his draft London Environment Strategy for consultation. The strategy sets out measures to ensure London is a zero carbon city by 2050 and paves the way for zero waste, zero carbon buildings, and zero emission transport systems.
The report will be launched at Circular Economy Week, a week of events showcasing businesses, local authorities, community groups and others who are making London and other cities around the globe more circular.
As a first step the organisation is encouraging all businesses to get involved in their fifth annual Circular Economy Week.
CEO of ReLondon, Wayne Hubbard, said: “In producing this report, we’ve seen again that (the) circular economy is everywhere. It’s not just the reuse and recycling sector, but rather a system touching on almost every aspect of our lives and encompassing a whole raft of crucial activities and jobs that underpin it. This is why it’s so important to London’s low carbon goods and services sector.
“Transitioning to a low carbon circular economy will require action at all levels of society, from national government to consumers, businesses, and the education sector – but this new report shows that the job creation made possible by evolving to circular models can’t be ignored.”
ReLondon says circular economy growth could help London’s young labour force, as well as others who have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic by creating accessible, well-paid job opportunities for all people in London.
New jobs will be driven by increased public demand for planet-friendly products and services, the report says.
ReLondon says that if the capital meets the Mayor’s waste and recycling targets to prevent 450,000 tonnes of waste and increase the municipal recycling rate to 65%, 284,000 new circular jobs could be created – over and above the existing 231,000 circular jobs London has currently.
With under six months to go until COP27, ReLondon is calling for all those acting on the climate emergency to recognise the urgent need for investment in skills, training, and qualifications to support businesses as they transition to circular business models.
ReLondon is a partnership of the Mayor of London and the London boroughs that aims to improve waste and resource management and transform the city into a low carbon circular economy. ReLondon says its team delivers tailored support to government, businesses and citizens.