Circular Economy

Transitioning to the Circular Economy is critical to ease demand on our planet’s natural resources and deliver sustainable economic growth. Regenerative by design, the objective of the transition is to minimise waste while providing a new world of opportunity for investors where preservation drives prosperity.

We are delighted to collaborate with the Financial Times on a series of three articles highlighting the benefits of adopting a Circular approach.
Explore how finance can help the transition to a circular economy, how digitalisation unlocks the circular economy and why reducing waste is a solid business opportunity .
Read the full articles below:

What is a Circular Economy?

*Data as at April 2020. Source: Message for Earth Day 2020

 

 

 

Why should we act now?

*Data as at April 2020. Source: Message for Earth Day 2020

 

Current linear model: take, make, use, waste

 

	Exhaustion of natural resources and water pollution • Rarefication of industrial materials and fossil fuels • 80 per cent of water waste is untreated before re-entering the ecosystem1
	Soaring CO2 emissions and waste • Global emissions of CO2 have risen by c. 50 per cent since 19902 • 5 tons of waste is produced by the average European each year3
	Deterioration of Biodiversity and living conditions • Loss of 83 per cent of wild mammal biomass and over 40 per cent of plants4 • Commodity shortages lead to mass starvation

 

All stakeholders are now embracing the circular economy transition

Regulations and Governments worldwide are moving fast forward on Circular Economy November 2019: African Durban Declaration March 2020: European Green Deals Circular Economy Action Plan July 2021: China’s 5-year Circular Economy Plan February 2021: Circular Economy strategies across Latin America

Society calls for action… Environmental activists and IPCC* report urge for changes in consumptions and waste Consumers are ready to adopt mindful consumption practices Geopolitical tensions stress the urgent need for resources sovereignty

Investors and companies are ready for circular economy integration EU taxonomy to include specifics on circular economy (criteria and thresholds) by end 2022 Increased numbers of companies are disclosing Circular economy’ KPIs** and strategies

1: January 2022, Visualized: The Circular Economy 101
2: June 2019, Plastic pollution facts and information
3: June 2022, Climate Change - United Nations Sustainable Development
4: May 2022, Waste and recycling

*IPCC = Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, **KPIs = Key Performance Indicators Source: HSBC Asset Management. June 2022. The commentary and analysis presented in this document reflect the opinion of HSBC Asset Management on the markets, according to the information available to date. They do not constitute any kind of commitment from HSBC Asset Management.

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Circular Economy helps resolve the world’s most pressing challenges

Circular Economy delivers on several UN Sustainable Goals, especially:

Examples:
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Every second, the equivalent of a rubbish truck load of clothes is burnt or buried in landfill.
In a circular economy for fashion, products are used more, made from safe and recycled or renewable inputs, “made to be remade”, recycled or composted. Hazardous substances to health or the environment are designed out³.

Goal 6: Clean Water & Sanitation
72 per cent of all water withdrawals are used by agriculture⁴. The most impacted regions (West Asia, Pacific) export scarce water through food and cotton products to net importers like Europe and North America.
Efficient textile and food production means massive decrease in water stress in Asia.

 

1: January 2022, Visualized: The Circular Economy 101
2: The Global Circularity Report 2021
3: Source: Fashion and a circular economy | Ellen MacArthur Foundation
4: February 2021, Scarcity | UN-Water

Source: HSBC Asset Management, June 2022. The commentary and analysis presented in this document reflect the opinion of HSBC Asset Management on the markets, according to the information available to date. They do not constitute any kind of commitment from HSBC Asset Management.

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