By Xhabir Deralla and CIVIL Research Team
Introduction
The circular economy is restorative and regenerative by design. It is a system of economic activity that builds and rebuilds. One of the most important features of the circular economy is its ability to work effectively at all scales – for big and small businesses, for organizations and individuals, globally and locally. The basic principles of the circular economy are to eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials, and regenerate nature.
The approach of this article is journalistic rather than scientific, but it relies on numerous scientific research resources, as well as interviews and articles conducted by the Civil’s team of researchers and journalists.
In an era marked by geopolitical tensions and global uncertainties, the circular economy offers a resilient and sustainable alternative to traditional linear economic models. This article explores how conflicts and insecurities, such as the Russian aggression against Ukraine, hybrid warfare against the West, and other wars and conflicts, impact the implementation and advancement of circular economy principles.
So, while the essence of the circular economy is a tendency towards restoration and regeneration through new, innovative, and eco-friendly business models of production, reusing, and recycling, along with deep changes in consumer habits and social transformations, the essence of war is exploitative, degenerative, and destructive in every sense, for human lives and the planet’s health.
Impact of the Russian Aggression Against Ukraine: Ecocide
The Russian aggression against Ukraine has caused a real ecocide. According to information obtained by CIVIL MEDIA from Ukrainian diplomatic sources, 13 national natural parks, 8 reserves, and 2 biosphere reserves remain under Russian occupation. Over 20% of Ukraine’s nature conservation areas have been affected by the war. Almost a third of Ukrainian forests have been damaged. Up to 600 animal species have been affected, and 80 animal species are on the verge of extinction.
Greenhouse emissions related to the aggression have already reached 150 million tons of carbon dioxide. A vast area of 800,000 hectares of Ukrainian forests is engulfed in the war, with nearly three million hectares entrenched and burnt, which is comparable in size to three-quarters of Switzerland.
Russia’s aggression has already caused almost 2.4 trillion UAH (54.8 billion euros) in environmental damages in Ukraine. About 4,700 cases of environmental damage caused by Russia’s aggression have already been recorded, and the Prosecutor General’s Office is investigating 15 cases of ecocide. A total of 280 cases of environmental war crimes have already been recorded. Ukraine is the first country in the world to collect evidence of ecocide.
Ukraine is one of the most mined countries: 156,000 square kilometers remain potentially dangerous because of Russian mines and unexploded ordnance. This is about 26% of the total area of Ukraine, equivalent to the total area of numerous countries in the world. Around six million people in Ukraine face everyday dangers from mines; 289 people, including 15 children, have been killed in landmine blasts in Ukraine, and more than 665 people have been injured and maimed.
According to diplomatic sources, Ukraine’s authorities have an ambitious demining plan, aiming to return some 80% of contaminated territories to normal use within 10 years. To achieve this goal, Ukraine’s government has expressed interest in increasing the number of humanitarian demining programs by international institutions.
Impact of Conflicts on Green Transformative Policies and Practices
Apart from the horrific and tragic loss of lives and the deep, lasting trauma inflicted on people, wars cause the destruction of natural, industrial, social, and cultural resources. This results in longstanding damage not only to the countries directly affected but also at regional and global levels.
Current wars have several aspects that negatively impact the world’s efforts to develop green transformative policies and practices, including trends in circular economy development.
Throughout history, wars have always disrupted supply chains. In today’s interconnected and interdependent world, the negative effects of wars and conflicts on supply chains are more profound than ever. This disruption has significant implications for the development and implementation of circular economy initiatives.
Conflicts often lead to a scarcity of essential raw materials. For example, metals, rare earth elements, and other resources critical for manufacturing and recycling processes become difficult to obtain, hindering efforts to create closed-loop systems.
The scarcity of resources drives up costs, making it more expensive to produce goods sustainably. This financial strain can deter companies from investing in circular practices.
Furthermore, war zones and conflict areas make transportation routes unsafe or inaccessible, disrupting the movement of goods and materials necessary for recycling and remanufacturing. Uncertainty and delays in logistics can result in significant inefficiencies. This can cause interruptions in the supply of recycled materials, making it harder to maintain steady production cycles in a circular economy.
The economy, in general, suffers during conflicts. Financial resources are often diverted to defense and immediate recovery efforts, reducing funding available for sustainable projects and green technologies. Consequently, investors tend to be reluctant during times of war and conflict, which can lead to a reduction in funding for economic initiatives, including innovative circular economy endeavors. This hesitancy can stall the progress of developing and scaling new technologies and business models.
Wars and conflicts bring environmental degradation and loss of resources. The Russian aggression against Ukraine, for example, has led to the destruction of key infrastructure, including facilities needed for recycling and waste management, such as processing plants and collection systems. Rebuilding these facilities requires time and resources that could otherwise be used to advance circular practices.
Even minor military moves, not to mention vast military operations and occupation of territories, contribute to pollution and environmental damage, exacerbating the challenges of managing waste and recycling materials. This environmental degradation undermines efforts to restore and regenerate natural systems.
Policies and Strategies for Mitigating the Impact of Wars and Conflicts on Green Initiatives
While conflicts and insecurities pose significant challenges to the circular economy, understanding the specific impacts on supply chains can help in developing strategies to mitigate these effects. By focusing on localized production, resilient technologies, and supportive policies, it is possible to continue advancing circular economy principles even in the face of global disruptions.
Efforts to mitigate the destructive impact of wars require urgent action to create strategies for resilience, which inherently implies the enhancement of circular economy initiatives. These strategies include strengthening local production by encouraging local production and recycling to reduce dependency on global supply chains, which are vulnerable during conflicts.
Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kyiv government has promoted numerous community-based recycling and waste management projects to ensure continuity, even when larger supply chains are disrupted.
Developed countries have accelerated their efforts to invest in technologies that can operate effectively in conflict-affected areas, aiming to maintain circular practices despite disruptions caused by current wars and conflicts. These efforts include experimenting with various new business models that prioritize flexibility. These adaptable business models can respond to changing circumstances and supply chain uncertainties, thereby enhancing the economy’s resilience.
Western governments have initiated and implemented policies that prioritize the development and maintenance of circular economy infrastructure, even during times of conflict. Numerous examples illustrate how these governments are integrating circular economy principles into their policies and strategies. Ensuring that these initiatives remain robust and resilient in the face of conflicts and disruptions is particularly important.
Strengthening the Circular Economy: Five key strategies for resilience
Here are five comprehensive strategies aimed at strengthening the circular economy and enhancing its resilience in times of major crises.
One of the most prominent policies in this area is The European Green Deal of the European Union. The European Green Deal is a comprehensive plan to make the EU’s economy sustainable by turning climate and environmental challenges into opportunities across all policy areas.
As part of the Green Deal, the EU started implementing the Circular Economy Action Plan, adopted in March, 2020. It includes measures to reduce waste, extend lifecycles of products, and promote sustainable resource use. The plan emphasizes resilience and the importance of local, sustainable supply chains that can withstand disruptions, including those caused by wars and other major geopolitical crises.
Not less elaborate and significant is the National Recycling Strategy released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in November 2021. This strategy gives a new meaning to the catchphrase “reduce, reuse, recycle” with redesigned sustainable packaging aimed at building a circular economy for all. The key elements of the strategy focuses on improving the U.S. recycling system by reducing contamination, enhancing processing infrastructure, and strengthening the market for recycled materials. This strategy, too, includes provisions to ensure that recycling infrastructure remains strong and contains measures that secure continuation during emergencies, disruptions, and wars.
The United Kingdom works in these areas for a long time. One of the examples is the policy paper “Resources and Waste Strategy for England” dated in 2018, updated in 2021 as “Waste Management Plan for England”. These and other plans and strategies reveal how the UK government plans to preserve material resources by minimizing waste, promoting resource efficiency, and moving towards a circular economy. The strategy includes measures such as extended producer responsibility, consistent recycling collections, and tackling waste crime. These government plans and strategies emphasize the importance of maintaining resource security and supply chain resilience, which are critical during times of conflict.
The Nordic Council of Ministers has developed a unified approach to promoting a circular economy across Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden). The Nordic Working Group for Circular Economy (NCE) established a common regional policy that focuses on innovation, sustainable production and consumption, and cross-border cooperation to enhance circular economy practices.
The policy includes strategies for maintaining circular economy initiatives even during regional disruptions and emphasizes collaboration to enhance resilience.
The French act of law (2020) contains about 50 measures providing for new obligations, new prohibitions, and new tools to better control and sanction offenses against the environment, to support companies in their eco-design initiatives, and to assist citizens in new consumption practices.
France has enacted laws to promote the circular economy. Key elements of the French legislation include measures to eliminate single-use plastics, improve recycling rates, and promote the repair and reuse of products.
The laws include provisions to enhance the resilience of supply chains and infrastructure, ensuring that circular economy practices can continue during times of crisis.
Adapting global strategies for local and regional resilience and circular economy development
Strategies developed by leading countries in the West should serve as guidelines for governments in the Western Balkans and other less developed regions to create solutions that benefit both people and the environment. By adopting policies that promote local, sustainable supply chains and investing in resilient infrastructure, these regions can enhance their ability to withstand disruptions.
Additionally, fostering public-private partnerships and encouraging innovation in recycling and waste management can further support the development of a robust circular economy. Engaging communities through education and awareness programs will also play a crucial role in ensuring the long-term success of these initiatives.
Furthermore, international organizations and partnerships can provide support and resources to countries affected by conflicts, helping them sustain circular economy efforts. By leveraging global expertise and resources, these regions can build a more resilient and sustainable future.
Recommendations for resilience and sustainability
- Invest in local recycling and manufacturing capabilities to reduce dependency on global supply chains.
- Promote community-based initiatives that support resource efficiency and sustainability.
- Advocate for policies that prioritize sustainability and circular economy principles, even during times of conflict.
- Engage international organizations to support circular economy initiatives in conflict zones.
- Encourage the development and deployment of technologies that can operate effectively in conflict-affected areas.
- Support research into materials and processes that enhance resilience and sustainability.
Conclusion
While conflicts and insecurities pose significant challenges to the implementation of a circular economy, they also underscore the critical need for resilient and sustainable practices. These turbulent times highlight the importance of adapting and reinforcing circular economy initiatives to withstand and recover from disruptions. By focusing on local solutions, innovative technologies, and supportive policies, it is possible to advance circular economy principles even in the most challenging times.
Local solutions, such as community-based recycling programs and localized production, reduce dependency on vulnerable global supply chains and enhance community resilience. Governments and businesses should invest in innovative technologies that can operate effectively in conflict-affected areas, ensuring the continuity of circular practices. These technologies can range from advanced recycling methods to modular and adaptable manufacturing processes.
Supportive policies are essential for fostering an environment where circular economy initiatives can thrive despite adversities. Governments must prioritize funding for sustainable projects, create incentives for businesses to adopt circular practices, and establish regulations that promote resource efficiency and waste reduction. Public-private partnerships can play a vital role in driving these efforts forward, combining resources and expertise to develop robust circular economy infrastructure.
Furthermore, raising awareness and educating communities about the benefits and practices of a circular economy can empower individuals to contribute to sustainability efforts. Grassroots movements and local initiatives can complement national and international strategies, ensuring a holistic approach to building a resilient circular economy.
By integrating these strategies, governments and societies can not only mitigate the adverse impacts of conflicts but also pave the way for a sustainable and regenerative economic future. This resilience will enable regions to recover more quickly from disruptions and continue progressing towards environmental sustainability and economic stability.
This analysis is part of the Western Balkans Circular Economy Week 2024, a regional initiative of the LogEx community, founded by the think-tank organization Balkan Forum from Kosovo, and with the support of Rockefeller Brothers Fund of the United States.
This year’s theme for Circular Economy Week was “Sustainable Bridges: Unite, Uplift, Upcycle,” wich took place from May 27 to 31. Organizations from the Western Balkans, members of the LogEx community, organized a multitude of parallel activities to promote good practices and knowledge related to the challenges and perspectives of the circular economy in the region.
This is work in progress. At this point, the author and the team are developing two new chapters of this analysis:
- Opportunities amidst conflict (Resource Efficiency and Self-Sufficiency; Rebuilding with Sustainability in Mind)
- Case studies: Ukraine and Middle East
The organization seeks for financial support from the donor community in order to continue work on these and other activities within its program platform. For more information on possibilities for cooperation and support, contact CIVIL at: [email protected]
