While circularity is often assumed to be climate-smart, which is defined as reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions relative to the emissions associated with the production of virgin materials, the goals of closing material flows and reducing net GHG emissions relative to virgin materials are not always aligned. Inappropriately designed circular pathways could unintentionally counteract efforts to catalyze the climate transition. This report investigates the conditions that make circularity climate-smart by examining multiple circular pathways for seven discarded material streams (DMSs) across three key Canadian sectors: textiles, construction, and agrifood. [...] Key findings highlight that circularity, when designed and implemented effectively, can lead to significant GHG savings.
Resource: Climate-Smart Circularity: Guiding Decision-Making Through Data-Informed Standard Protocols