Net Zero Goals Intertwine With A Viable Circular Economy, Says Sustainability Tech Expert
Getting To Net Zero All About Circularity, Says AspenTech's Hasaneen Forbes
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The Concept of a Circular Economy
The concept of a circular economy has been around for decades. But recently, it has gained significant attention and action in various markets and sectors.
What is a Circular Economy?
A circular economy can be loosely defined as a processing, production, and consumption model that involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials and products. The goal is to extend the lifespan of these materials and products for as long as possible.
The Importance of Circular Economy in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
As industries and businesses strive to achieve net zero emissions targets, it is crucial to integrate viable circular economy pathways. Rasha Hasaneen, Chief Product and Sustainability Officer at AspenTech, emphasizes the significance of circularity in addressing climate change, waste reduction, biodiversity loss, and urban pollution.
Enhancing Circularity through Technology
Hasaneen believes that existing technologies can enhance circularity and contribute to a cleaner and greener world. The key lies in collaboration and the willingness to adopt these technologies.
Case Study: Co-Innovation for Circularity
Specialist industrial software vendors, like AspenTech, are repurposing their process control software to support circularity. For example, two major refiners are using AspenTech’s digital modeling and advanced processing solutions to convert cooking oil and plastics into biofuels and synthetic crude. This demonstrates how digital technologies can be deployed in non-traditional ways to enhance circularity and reduce carbon emissions.
Integrating Circular and Sustainable Solutions
The circular economy opens up opportunities for various industries to adopt intertwined circular and sustainable solutions. This “digital jump-start” approach allows for the optimization of processes, energy efficiency improvements, and the reduction of environmental impact throughout the economic value chain.
A Just Energy Transition
While pursuing circularity and a low-to-zero carbon future, it is essential to ensure a just energy transition. This means avoiding energy poverty and digital inequalities, particularly in emerging and developing economies. Innovation plays a crucial role in overcoming the sustainability, security, and affordability challenges of this transition.
Leapfrogging in Emerging Economies
Emerging economies have the opportunity to leapfrog traditional energy systems and adopt sustainable solutions from the ground up. For instance, African markets have successfully embraced mobile telephony without relying heavily on fixed-line telephony. Similar leapfrogging can be applied to power grid solutions and renewable energy in Africa, enabling a greener and more efficient energy infrastructure.
Greener Resource Extraction and Utilization
Technological advancements can support resource-rich emerging markets in greener and more efficient resource extraction and utilization. This ensures economic advancement without penalizing these countries for using their resources. Additionally, developing economies can serve as case studies for low-carbon deployments in the developed world, promoting a just and inclusive carbon transition.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
- Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP
-
SDG 13: Climate Action
- Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
- Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into their national policies, strategies, and planning
-
SDG 15: Life on Land
- Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats
- Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index
-
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services
- Indicator 7.1.1: Proportion of the population with access to electricity
-
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Target 9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
- Indicator 9.2.1: Manufacturing value added as a proportion of GDP and per capita
Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to the following SDGs:
– SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
– SDG 13: Climate Action
– SDG 15: Life on Land
– SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
– SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:
– Target 12.2: Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
– Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
– Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats
– Target 7.1: Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services
– Target 9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
– Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP
– Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into their national policies, strategies, and planning
– Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index
– Indicator 7.1.1: Proportion of the population with access to electricity
– Indicator 9.2.1: Manufacturing value added as a proportion of GDP and per capita
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.2: Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources | Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into their national policies, strategies, and planning |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats | Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index |
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Target 7.1: Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services | Indicator 7.1.1: Proportion of the population with access to electricity |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Target 9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation | Indicator 9.2.1: Manufacturing value added as a proportion of GDP and per capita |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: forbes.com
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