The fight against climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity, although the crisis generated by the invasion of Ukraine is becoming an obstacle to moving in this direction in the short term. The rising prices of raw materials, energy and food understand the fact that we have entered a new situation where climate-neutral and circular business models are possible in the new economic era, which is characterized by decarbonisation. A scientific article has recently revealed that if we want to reach the 1.5 degree target set in the Paris Agreement, we must open not one oil field and not one coal mine. The reports of the expert panel of the UN on climate change (IPCC) warn us every year that the time is short and, in its latest report, it reveals the direct relationship of human activities with this global phenomenon.
However, this is not strictly an energy problem, the solution of which refers to a more complete vision of our economic model. For example, according to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) report, 90% of biodiversity loss and water stress comes from resource extraction and processing. If we add to this information that the OECD expects the global use of the material to more than double (from 79 Gt in 2011 to 167 Gt in 2060) in the next decades, the current climate and environmental crisis become very clear. a challenge combined that must be approached holistically. In fact, 45% of global emissions come from the generation of these materials. Therefore, we must build a regenerative economic model in which material inputs and waste, CO2 emissions and energy inefficiencies are eliminated through a circular economy. For this reason I am convinced that the circular economy should be at the center of the public policy of Gran Canaria in the coming years. I would say the only way.
The current economic model is based on “extract, produce and dispose”, that is, extract materials, turn them into goods and turn them into waste. As we well know, the planet’s resources are finite, this model has turned out to be ineffective and I would say almost fatal. Also, we should not confuse the circular economy with recycling. By this I do not mean that it is not necessary to consume 100% recycled materials, of course it is. But the focus of the circular economy is much broader.
On the other hand, it includes reducing the use of raw materials and encouraging innovative models based on production, reverse logistics, reuse and repair services, or shared services. And on the other hand, to promote ecodesign, that is, to reduce material and to promote longevity.
To explain this example, it is important to know the truth of each territory. Since the Canary Islands will also allow the development of circular and exportable systemic solutions. For this reason, field work has already been carried out that allowed us to prepare the Diagnosis of the Circular Economy of Gran Canaria in collaboration with multiple companies, institutions and civil society. This is the necessary first step to develop the 2030 Gran Canaria Strategy circulars that will be released soon. No one disputes the need to promote renovations in Gran Canaria, but we must be aware of our next challenge: to become the first in Europe to become a circular island region. Starting on our island makes sense: the economic and environmental benefits of closing cycles and loops will be felt quickly, and the medium scale of Gran Canaria offers the opportunity to develop innovative prototypes.
However, the circular economy must transcend a strictly technocratic vision, because a regenerative economy that benefits the biosphere cannot be understood without considering an inclusive social system. To reduce poverty, address inequality and improve working conditions. We also need a cultural change. In order to do this, we must demonstrate a new concept of society based on the resilience and revelation of community. For this reason, we are already preparing the launch of the second edition of the circular economy of the University of Experts for isolated Territories together with the ULPGC.
The leadership and involvement of public institutions is undoubtedly key, but these proposals go further than what can be proposed by the Cabildo. All of Gran Canaria’s society needs to be involved, from companies and consumers to town halls, as well as the university and technological community, to be more involved than they already are if we want to be successful. In short, the ambitious transition to a circular economy model requires a community of common goods to face future crises and be a powerful tool in the fight against climate change.
The fight against climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity, although the crisis generated by the invasion of Ukraine is becoming an obstacle to moving in this direction in the short term. The rising prices of raw materials, energy and food understand the fact that we have entered a new situation where climate-neutral and circular business models are possible in the new economic era, which is characterized by decarbonisation. A scientific article has recently revealed that if we want to reach the 1.5 degree target set in the Paris Agreement, we must open not one oil field and not one coal mine. The reports of the expert panel of the UN on climate change (IPCC) warn us every year that the time is short and, in its latest report, it reveals the direct relationship of human activities with this global phenomenon.
However, this is not strictly an energy problem, the solution of which refers to a more complete vision of our economic model. For example, according to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) report, 90% of biodiversity loss and water stress comes from resource extraction and processing. If we add to this data that the OECD expects the global use of the material to more than double (from 79 Gt in 2011 to 167 Gt in 2060) in the next decades, it becomes clear that the current climate is one of global and environmental crisis. a challenge combined that must be approached holistically. In fact, 45% of global emissions come from the generation of these materials. Therefore, we must build a regenerative economic model in which material inputs and waste, CO2 emissions and energy inefficiencies are eliminated through a circular economy. For this reason I am convinced that the circular economy should be at the center of the public policy of Gran Canaria in the coming years. I would say the only way.
The current economic model is based on “extract, produce and dispose”, that is, extract materials, turn them into goods and turn them into waste. As we well know, the planet’s resources are finite, this model has turned out to be ineffective and I would say almost fatal. Also, we should not confuse the circular economy with recycling. By this I do not mean that it is not necessary to consume 100% recycled materials, of course it is. But the focus of the circular economy is much broader.
On the other hand, it includes reducing the use of raw materials and encouraging innovative models based on production, reverse logistics, reuse and repair services, or shared services. And on the other hand, to promote ecodesign, that is, to reduce material and to promote longevity.
To explain this example, it is important to know the truth of each territory. Since the Canary Islands will also allow the development of circular and exportable systemic solutions. For this reason, field work has already been carried out that allowed us to prepare the Diagnosis of the Circular Economy of Gran Canaria in collaboration with multiple companies, institutions and civil society. This is the necessary first step to develop the 2030 Gran Canaria Strategy circulars that will be released soon. No one disputes the need to promote renovations in Gran Canaria, but we must be aware of our next challenge: to become the first in Europe to become a circular island region. Starting on our island makes sense: the economic and environmental benefits of closing cycles and loops will be felt quickly, and the medium scale of Gran Canaria offers the opportunity to develop innovative prototypes.
However, the circular economy must transcend a strictly technocratic vision, because a regenerative economy that benefits the biosphere cannot be understood without considering an inclusive social system. To reduce poverty, address inequality and improve working conditions. We also need a cultural change. In order to do that, we must demonstrate a new concept of society based on the resilience and revelation of community. For this reason, we are already preparing the launch of the second edition of the circular economy of the University of Experts for isolated Territories together with the ULPGC.
The leadership and involvement of public institutions is undoubtedly key, but these proposals go further than what can be proposed by the Cabildo. All of Gran Canaria’s society needs to be involved, from companies and consumers to town halls, as well as the university and technological community, if we want to be successful. In short, the ambitious transition to a circular economy model requires a community of common goods to face future crises and be a powerful tool in the fight against climate change.
