Circular economy: supply of critical materials and indicators
The concept "circular economy" is part of the national and European political discussion on overcoming the throw-away economy. Two reports of the Academies Science Advisory Council deal with the aspects of "critical materials" in and "indicators" of a circular economy.
"Critical materials" are materials of great importance for different industries, but ones that could become scarce in future. One report therefore assesses in how far the supply of critical materials could be increased and their recycling rates be improved. The other report analyses the possibilities to measure the evolution towards a circular economy with relevant indicators.
The Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences support the scientific policy advisory work of EASAC in the programme areas biosciences, energy and environment by delegating scientists to working groups, in the present case Gunter Stephan, professor at the Department of Economics and the Oeschger Center for Climate Change Research of the University of Bern.