World Could Cut Resource Use 28 Per Cent by 2050 through Sustainable Consumption, Production, Deputy Secretary-General Tells Circular Economy Side Event

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, at the flagship European Union side event on the circular economy, in New York today:

Thank you for your focus today on the circular economy — a key means towards the transition to sustainability, and helping realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Let’s face it — the way we produce and consume is wasteful.  Most of the resources we use today end up in a landfill.  I know that you have actively discussed the challenge today.  Let me just make three very quick points.

First, I believe we have the right narrative:  needs versus wants.  Sustainable consumption and production, a central principle of the circular economy, is embedded in SDG 12.  And I believe there is a growing understanding that such an approach can help inform plans, policies and actions across the 2030 Agenda [for Sustainable Development].  Rethinking our actions so we stop throwing away; towards reusing and recycling — turning our waste to wealth.

Indeed, more and more countries are developing national policies to promote sustainable consumption (what we do) and production (how we do it) — at least 108 countries so far.  And 93 per cent of the world’s 250 largest companies are reporting on sustainability.

My second point is that as our global population grows, and economies develop, we must do more.  Much more.  Last year, global material resource use reached nearly 90 billion tonnes and it could more than double by 2050.  We learned how much plastic threatens our oceans.

The International Resource Panel suggests that such policies, actions and investments in previous sustainable consumption practices will benefit the environment and the economy.  By 2050, we could reduce nearly 28 per cent of global resource use and boost world economic activity by 1 per cent.  So we win, not lose.

My third and final point:  We need everyone working together — enabling policy, regulatory and financing frameworks to support citizen awareness, consumer preferences and market forces.  Individual choices can move entire markets, for instance, by actively choosing ethically produced goods, such as products sold under the Fair Trade label.

Thanks to efforts like yours, awareness is growing.  A more sustainable — circular — economy will be indispensable to balance material well-being with environmental stewardship at all levels.  Thank you for your commitment.