Emirates Environmental Group Highlights the Benefits of a Circular Economy

The Emirates Environmental Group (EEG), a UAE-based professional working group, with the mission of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in the country, will hold a panel discussion on the topic of “Circular Economy: Bringing Waste Full Circle” on the 29^th of August in Modul University Dubai. The event will be conducted in association with the Arabia CSR Network, Emirates Green Building Council, Clean Energy Business Council and with strategic support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP-ROWA office).

“The nation-wide event will strengthen the information platform on circular economy in the UAE and bring together like-minded stakeholders from all of the 7 Emirates, leveraging resources and fostering open conversation and knowledge sharing amongst producers, consumers and other key stakeholders linked to the circular economy notion. Focusing on Sustainable Development Goal 12, the panel discussion will address sustainable consumption and production patterns and redirect investment towards resource efficiency”, said Mrs. Habiba Al Mar’ashi, Chairperson of the Emirates Environmental Group.

The move from an economy based on extraction and consumption to one of regeneration and restoration has become an increasing priority for policymakers in the UAE and around the world. The traditional linear economic model results in massive amounts of waste due to its realiance on large quantities of easily accessible materials. According to the Managing Director of Epson, an unbelievable 90% of the global raw materials used in manufacturing become waste before the product even leaves the factory, while 80% of products made get thrown away within the first six months of their lifecycle.

The circular economy relies on system-wide innovation, which is underpinned by the transition to renewable energy sources. Mrs. Al Mar’ashi added, “Based on the simple concepts of reducing waste, reusing materials and redesigning how we create value from products and services, the circular economy has emerged as a beacon for moving away from the take-make-dispose culture, presenting an opportunity for a sustainable and inclusive economy. Overcoming the current extractive industrial model, it requires products to be designed-to-last but also designed for an easy end-of-life sorting, separation, reuse of materials and useful application of by-products and wastes. As evidence, the circular economy not only mitigates the negative environmental impacts but also brings about considerable cost savings, increases the competitiveness of the industries and delivers job opportunities.”

For the first time in the UAE, the critical topic of circular economy will be strategically covered in full scope, bringing together a diverse panel of speakers. The expert panelists from Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), ETUIX, German Imaging Technologies and AESG Engineering Specialist Consultancy will represent their entities, which incorporate the notion of circular economy at the heart of operations and will share best practices in promoting and implementing circular economy initiatives for global impact and transformative change. Sponsored by Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the meaningful panel discussion will explore how circular economy can address resource constraints and regenerate economic opportunities for a pollution free world, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.  

She further added, “With the growing solid waste management issue within the region, it is crucial for the UAE to adopt this paradigm shift. An average resident produces 1.8 to 2.4 kgs of waste per day, with 66% of the total generated waste disposed into landfills. A dialogue on profitable circular economy business models and initiatives will serve as an important platform for businesses to embrace the potential product benefits and inspire other players to copy and expand the notion geographically.”

In conclusion, Mrs. Al Mar’ashi said, “Circular economy provides environmental and societal benefits and represents a systemic shift that builds long-term resilience and generates economic opportunities. Emirates Environmental Group welcomes the public to attend the interactive panel discussion and join the audience that will comprise of government officials, business leaders, academia and undergraduate students to gain deep insights from the top experts in the notion of circular economy.”