Towards a science-based circular economy observatory for WA

The Mapping WA’s circular economy Stage 1: Achieving Net Zero project is the first comprehensive assessment of the state of circularity in Western Australia, and is an important step in achieving emission targets, reducing environmental impact, and generating economic value while maintaining quality of life. The work has been completed, and its final report, Mapping the Circular Economy of Western Australia: Towards a Science-based Circular Observatory is available for download below.

With iMOVE on this project were the Department of Transport (WA), University of Western Australia (in partnership with Curtin University), and the Planning and Transport Research Centre (PATREC).

Transitioning to a circular economy

Natural resource consumption and waste generation are critical issues faced the world over, with circular economies becoming more important as we seek better ways to reduce waste, enhance product life span and keep products in use for as long as possible.

Transitioning from linear ‘take-make-waste’ models to a circular economy is a complex task however it is one that offers significant benefits. This report presents the first results of a multi- stage research project, providing insights into resource inflows, built stocks, and waste outflows––the socioeconomic metabolism––at the State, Greater Perth and municipal level.

Objectives

The objective was to develop a comprehensive, system-wide approach focused on core aspects of a circular economy to explore and evaluate circularity in Western Australia (WA).

This research offers initial results of a multistage project designed to provide the first comprehensive assessment of the state of circularity in WA. The work evaluates current local and international circular strategies in order to develop an integrated framework to illustrate the current state of play and provide a road map to expand and advance the circular economy in WA.

Global and local context

Despite the important relationship between material use, waste generation and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and the social, economic, and environmental benefits a circular economy offers, globally circularity is decreasing.

Australia has one of the world’s highest consumption rates and ranks amongst the top 10 countries globally for natural resource extraction with WA playing a significant role in both consumption and extraction. Australia also consumes more materials per capita than any other OECD or Asian-Pacific country and faces challenges in the area of waste management.

Globally, there is broad variation between the degree of circular progress amongst nations. The authors note that variations between countries likely exist for a variety of reasons and circularity results should be carefully interpreted. Amongst these causal factors are:

• the tools, benchmarking processes and target setting employed to monitor, measure, document and enhance circular endeavours;
• disparities of resource allocation, capacities, and strategies; and
• the level of government legislation and policy supporting circular endeavours.

Generally, policy frameworks for transitioning to a circular economy have employed 3R strategies (reduce, reuse and recycle), however, newer strategies have emerged which embrace broader, more synthesised 4R, 5R, 6R, 9R or 10R strategic views in an effort to provide more integrated paths forward.

WA’s state of circularity

Western Australia, one of the world’s most resource- and emission-intensive economies, has committed to becoming a low-waste circular economy; however, it lacks a consistent circular modelling framework in order to report and progress circular endeavours.

Western Australia is in a unique position to harness and exploit opportunities which could benefit across its entire value chain at multiple levels. Amongst these circular opportunities:

• economic diversification and innovation in job growth and resource efficiency gains;
• circularity as a way to help push towards net zero; and
• aligning investment and procurement with circular strategies.

The work here has highlighted the levels of resources used (particularly in greater Perth) and illustrates the material demands of WA’s economy and further emphasises the need for more circular practices in the industrial and end-use sector.

Report findings

Broadly speaking more can be done to drive Australia towards a circular economy. This work illustrates how Western Australia plays a significant role in both domestic and global material flows with material consumption and high levels of extraction presenting opportunities and challenges.

There is a need to better understand how resource efficiency supports productivity, and Australia (and its territories) require more consistent standards for measuring and benchmarking material flow and circularity.

Transitioning to a circular economy will require a more structured and harmonised approach that includes collaborative policy making. Engaging across multiple jurisdictional levels, each of whom have specific roles in facilitating and supporting circularity, is essential.

Recommendations

The authors identify eight focus areas for near term actions to help drive the circular economy transition in WA. A comprehensive breakdown of each systemic theme is available in the report with broad key themes below:

• policies and governance
• economic instruments
• supply chain diversification
• net zero alignment
• end of life management
• built environment
• enabling tools and technologies
• cross sectoral collaboration

The researchers emphasise the critical importance of using data driven tools to support circular outcomes and to monitor impact across sectors, they recommend the Western Australian Tool for Circular Horizons (WATCH) monitor and report on enhanced material flows and promote data driven decision making.

Amongst other recommendations, future research stages will focus on operationalising the digital circular monitor and conducting scenario modelling to gather deeper insight on potential circular response measures.

Conclusions

Maximising strategic advantages in WA so as to leverage circular opportunities will require significant advancements and important shifts in policy, technology, and cross-sector collaboration.

Download the final report

Download your copy of the final report, Mapping the Circular Economy of Western Australia: Towards a Science-based Circular Observatory, by clicking the button below.