Global circularity protocol for business launches framework – Trellis Group (formerly GreenBiz)

Report on the Launch of the Global Circularity Protocol (GCP)

Introduction

A science-based framework, the Global Circularity Protocol (GCP), has been launched to standardize circular business practices. Announced on November 11 during COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the protocol is a collaborative effort by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the One Planet Network. The GCP aims to provide a single, interoperable structure to scale circularity, analogous to the GHG Protocol for carbon emissions. This initiative directly supports the achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by creating a measurable and accountable system for corporate circularity.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The GCP framework is fundamentally designed to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Its implementation is projected to save 100–120 billion tons of cumulative materials by 2050 and avoid the equivalent of more than a year of global carbon dioxide emissions.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The protocol provides a direct mechanism for businesses to operationalize the principles of SDG 12. By guiding companies to design out waste and recirculate materials, it promotes sustainable consumption and production patterns, reduces resource depletion, and minimizes waste generation.

SDG 13: Climate Action

The GCP is positioned as a critical tool for climate mitigation. Proponents insist that achieving net-zero climate emissions is contingent upon the widespread adoption of circular economy principles. The protocol offers a pathway for businesses to reduce their carbon footprint by moving away from a linear “take-make-waste” model, thereby contributing significantly to climate action targets.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

By establishing a standardized approach, the GCP encourages innovation in industrial processes, product design, and business models. It fosters the development of sustainable infrastructure and promotes inclusive and sustainable industrialization, key targets of SDG 9.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The development of the GCP exemplifies a multi-stakeholder partnership. The process involved 150 experts from 80 organizations, demonstrating a robust collaboration between the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and industry alliances to achieve common sustainability objectives. Key partners include:

• Corporate Partners: Apple, Cisco, Google, IKEA, Panasonic, TOMRA, Trane
• Non-Corporate Partners: African Circular Economy Alliance, Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Greenhouse Gas Protocol

Regulatory Drivers and Market Context

The launch of the GCP is timely, coinciding with increasing regulatory pressure on businesses to manage waste and resources responsibly. These regulations underscore the global shift towards circularity and reinforce the objectives of SDG 12.

• The European Union is implementing the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws for packaging and fashion are expanding in Europe and the United States.
• The EU Circular Economy Act is anticipated for proposal in the next year.
• A central registry for digital product passports is mandated in Europe by July 2026 to enhance material traceability.

The GCP Implementation Framework

The protocol is detailed in a 236-page playbook that outlines a five-step process for integrating circularity into business operations and supply chains.

1. Define the Scope: Establish the primary use case for circularity, define the focus area (products, materials, or business units), and create a roadmap for data system implementation.
2. Map Circularity “Hotspots”: Align with GHG or CSRD standards, trace material flows across the value chain, and conduct a double materiality review to identify key risks, opportunities, and impacts.
3. Quantify Circular Performance: Measure inflows and outflows of recycled, renewable, and recovered materials. Establish baseline metrics for circular material usage and value creation, aligning with established standards.
4. Manage the Findings: Develop a circularity strategy and action roadmap by setting targets and key performance indicators that connect circularity metrics to financial and sustainability goals.
5. Disclose and Engage: Utilize the GCP framework for standardized reporting tailored to investors, regulators, and customers. Secure third-party assurance to enhance credibility for ESG filings and supply chain transparency.

Future Development and Systemic Impact

The GCP is an evolving framework, with future refinements planned. Key areas for development include methodologies for scaling product-level pilots to organization-wide efforts and establishing science-based targets for circularity across various sectors. The ultimate ambition is to create a connective framework between business action, financing, policy development, and system-level transformation, thereby accelerating progress towards a global circular economy and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  The article discusses the implementation of new, innovative business practices (“science-based framework for circular business practices”) and regulations like the EU’s “Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)” to make industries more sustainable and resource-efficient.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  This is the most central SDG. The entire article focuses on the Global Circularity Protocol (GCP), a framework designed to “prevent waste,” “designing out waste and reusing, recirculating and recycling far more materials.” It directly addresses sustainable production patterns by holding businesses accountable for waste and promoting a circular economy.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The article explicitly links circularity to climate goals, stating that “Reaching net zero climate emissions isn’t possible without designing out waste.” It quantifies the potential impact, noting the framework could “avoid the equivalent of more than a year of global carbon dioxide emissions.”

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The development and launch of the GCP is a clear example of a multi-stakeholder partnership. The article highlights that its development “has enlisted 150 experts across 80 organizations,” including the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, the One Planet Network, major corporations (Apple, Google, IKEA), and non-corporate partners like the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable

   The GCP is presented as a “playbook” for businesses to embed circularity “throughout their operations and supply chains.” This involves retrofitting industrial processes to align with circular principles and adopting new technologies and standards, which is the essence of this target.

2. Target 12.2: Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources

   The article states that if widely adopted, the GCP framework would “save 100–120 billion tons of cumulative materials through 2050.” This directly addresses the efficient use of natural resources by reducing the demand for virgin materials.

3. Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse

   The core purpose of the GCP is to help businesses “prevent waste” and promote “reusing, recirculating and recycling far more materials.” The article also mentions regulations like the EU’s ban on “destroying unsold clothing and shoes” and the rise of “Extended producer responsibility laws,” which are policy mechanisms aimed at this target.

4. Target 12.6: Encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices and integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle

   The GCP provides a structured process for companies to adopt sustainable practices. A key step in its playbook is “Disclose and engage,” which aims to create “standardized circularity reporting, ready-made for ESG filings and supply chain transparency,” directly fulfilling the objective of this target.

5. Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation

   The GCP acts as an educational tool and a framework to build institutional capacity. The “236-page playbook” is designed to walk businesses through the steps of implementing circularity, thereby improving their ability to mitigate climate change by reducing emissions linked to material extraction and waste.

6. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships

   The article describes the GCP as a collaborative effort involving business councils (“World Business Council for Sustainable Development”), international programs (“One Planet Network”), corporations (“Apple, Cisco, Google”), and civil society organizations (“Ellen MacArthur Foundation”), embodying the type of partnership this target aims to promote.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Material Savings

  The article provides a specific metric: “100–120 billion tons of cumulative materials” saved through 2050. This can be used as a key performance indicator for progress on resource efficiency (Target 12.2).

• Carbon Dioxide Emissions Avoided

  A direct climate-related indicator is mentioned: the avoidance of “the equivalent of more than a year of global carbon dioxide emissions.” This measures the impact on climate action (SDG 13).

• Metrics for Circular Material Flow

  The GCP playbook requires businesses to “Quantify circular performance” by measuring “the inflows and outflows of recycled, renewable and recovered materials.” This provides a direct indicator for waste reduction and recycling rates (Target 12.5).

• Material Intensity

  The article suggests considering “the material intensity per product” as a factor in quantifying performance. This is a specific indicator of resource efficiency in production (Target 9.4 and 12.2).

• Standardized Reporting

  The output of the GCP process is “standardized circularity reporting, ready-made for ESG filings.” The number of companies adopting this reporting standard serves as an indicator of the integration of sustainability information into corporate cycles (Target 12.6).

• Number of Participating Partners

  The article mentions “150 experts across 80 organizations” and lists several major corporations and non-corporate partners. The growth in the number and diversity of partners involved in the GCP can serve as an indicator of partnership effectiveness (Target 17.17).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: trellis.net