A total of 22 policies have been approved by the UAE Circular Economy Council focused on speeding up the launch of the circular economy model.

The policies will be centred around four sectors, namely manufacturing, food, infrastructure, and transport. Another 16 circular economy activities have also been recognised by the council, that will provide opportunities for businesses. These include remanufacturing electronic waste and the development of automated artificial intelligence-enabled waste management solutions.

“With the cabinet’s approval of the UAE Circular Economy Policy in January 2021, we have embarked on an ambitious and important mission to transition from a linear model to a circular economy approach. Our current linear economy consumes valuable materials and resources without being able to benefit from them after use, which represents waste in the modern concept of sustainability. Our approach seeks to protect our environment and to ensure the long-term economic and social prosperity of our country,” said Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment.

She added that 45% of global greenhouse gas emissions stems from manufacturing cars, clothes, food and other everyday products, highlighting the immense potential of the circular economy, that could lessen the current climate crisis, reports Gulf Business.

According to Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, meetings and workshops have been held recently by the Council’s Circular Economy Policies Committee, to boost the implementation of the UAE Circular Economy Policy.

“These policies will contribute to addressing all challenges the private sector is facing in its shift to a circular economy and support the country’s green development drive. The Committee continues its efforts to implement the UAE Circular Economy Policy 2021-2031 through programmes and projects that are set to attract investments to this field and expand its infrastructure. Efforts are also being exerted to establish a circular economy database, in addition to offering incentives to encourage the private sector to shift towards clean production methods,” he commented.

The UAE Circular Economy Council is made up of 17 representatives of federal and local government entities, private sector businesses and global organisations.