Latest news with #EllenMacArthurFoundation
Forbes
6 days ago
- Politics
- Forbes
Campaigners Hopeful As Plastic Treaty Negotiations Set To Resume
EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 29: Surfers walk near debris including a plastic bottle washed up ... More on the beach by large waves on December 29, 2023 in El Segundo, California. Dangerous surf churned up by storms in the Pacific is impacting much of California's coastline with coastal flooding possible in some low-lying areas. (Photo by) Delegates and observers from around the world will gather next month in Geneva, Switzerland, for the next round of negotiations for a global treaty to tackle plastic pollution. The negotiations started in 2022, after more than 170 nations backed a historic UN resolution to end plastic pollution, with an international legally binding agreement. The talks initially concluded in December 2024, when no agreement was reached. Next month's meeting in Geneva will be the first-time negotiators have met since last year, but the question remains – will there be a breakthrough or not? The Ellen MacArthur Foundation's executive lead for plastics and finance, Rob Opsomer said he was hopeful for the next round of talks, in an interview. Opsomer added governments have really engaged and more preparatory work has been done since the last round in South Korea, which finished in December 2024 without a final agreement. He said there have been a number of major multilateral environmental deals agreed in the last six months, including the International Maritime Organisation deal on net-zero regulations for global shipping, a global strategy to finance biodiversity and a global science-policy panel on chemicals, waste and pollution. 'All of these are quite difficult and politically charged topics, and all of these have come to an agreement in the first half of 2025,' he told me. 'These agreements have shown that it is possible for multilateralism to deliver in the current world climate.' And in June, more than 90 governments around the world signed a joint declaration for an 'effective and ambitious' global plastic pollution treaty. Opsomer added one of the biggest points of contention at the next round of negotiations will be around reducing the amount of virgin plastics produced every year, with a large group of countries insisting it be part of the final agreement. He said another key sticking point will be around limiting the use of 'chemicals of concern' and financing arrangements for low-income countries. But Opsomer added there is a more common ground around the harmonization of product design. He said a more standardised approach would mean items like plastic bottles become more economically viable to collect, sort and reprocess. 'What we really are aiming for in Geneva this summer is an agreement, which has all the key elements and should be an agreement across the full life cycle of plastics, and which sets us up a process that can be strengthened over time,' added Opsomer. The WWF's vice president for plastic waste and business, Erin Simon said it wants member states to come together and finish what they started in 2022, in an email. Simon added countries need to agree on the language for a treaty, so the world can work together to finally end plastic pollution. 'Leaders need to find common ground and put country interest aside, while finding ways to maximize their collective power,' she told me. 'The treaty should include key elements and agreement on where alignment matters most – including defining what is problematic and how to make products moving forward, as well as capacity building and a plan for financing this major shift.' And the chairman and chief executive of S.C. Johnson, Dr. Fisk Johnson said plastic leaking into the environment is a huge planetary issue that affects us all, in a statement. Dr. Johnson added government regulation is crucial to tackling the plastic pollution crisis and voluntary efforts, while well-meaning, can only go so far. He said he hoped the new negotiations would lead to a broad agreement on some basic things and there is a mechanism in place to strengthen the treaty over time. 'If we miss the opportunity to reach even the most rudimentary agreement, I fear it will be years before things get started again, and by then we will have lost way too much ground,' said Dr. Johnson.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UK report calls for 30 percent packaging reuse target by 2035
A new report has urged the UK government to adopt a legally binding target for 30 percent of consumer packaging to be reusable by 2035, in a bid to curb waste and reduce the environmental impact of single-use packaging. The study, titled A 30% Reuse Future for the UK, was published by Reuse and Refill, a coalition of environmental groups, retailers, and packaging innovators, including Greenpeace, WRAP, Abel & Cole and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. It outlines a roadmap for scaling reusable packaging systems across sectors including grocery, personal care, e-commerce and food service. The report estimates that a national 30 percent reuse target could cut annual carbon emissions by over 2.5 million tonnes—the equivalent of taking 1.6 million cars off the road. This shift would also eliminate over 1.5 million tonnes of plastic and cardboard packaging waste each year. Campaigners argue that reuse systems could generate cost savings for retailers over time, compared with continually sourcing new single-use materials. At present, only 1–2 percent of consumer packaging in the UK is reusable. The report suggests scaling this to 10 percent by 2030 and reaching 30 percent by 2035. To reach these targets, the report proposes a combination of regulation, infrastructure investment and incentives. These include standardising reusable packaging formats, introducing mandatory reporting requirements, and providing start-up funding for reuse pilots. Organisations backing the report stress that voluntary initiatives alone will not deliver meaningful change. They call for clear government policy to encourage industry-wide adoption of reuse systems and suggest integrating reuse targets into extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes. Consumer interest in refillable and returnable packaging has been growing, particularly in the grocery and personal care sectors. Retailers such as M&S, Co-op and Tesco have trialled reuse schemes, while delivery platforms including Abel & Cole and Loop have explored circular packaging models. Despite early trials, uptake has been slow without regulatory backing. The report argues that stronger legislation could create a level playing field and accelerate business investment in reusable packaging systems, ultimately reducing reliance on single-use plastic and improving the UK's waste management outcomes. "UK report calls for 30 percent packaging reuse target by 2035" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Korea Herald
26-06-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
CATL and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation share ambition for a circular battery future
Announced during London Climate Action Week, the collaboration marks a new phase of ambition and action across the global battery system LONDON, June 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At London Climate Action Week, CATL and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation shared an ambition for accelerating the transition to a circular battery economy —that new battery production must be decoupled from the use of virgin raw materials. Doing so will enable a future where access, resilience, and sustainability go hand in hand — and where growth is no longer tied to extraction. Since forming their Strategic Partnership earlier this year, CATL and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation have been working together to map out how circular economy principles can be applied across the battery value chain. The shared ambition offers a starting point — a North Star — for the collaboration and innovation that must follow. It is intended to guide not only CATL, but a broad community of global stakeholders seeking to redesign the system for long-term success. The ambition was introduced by Jiang Li, vice president and Board Secretary of CATL at a high-level panel hosted by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The panel explored how stakeholders across research, industry, and government can work together to bring this ambition to life — and to identify what is needed to achieve it at scale. To help bring this ambition into focus, CATL has introduced a directional goal: that within 20 years, 50% of new battery production could be decoupled from virgin raw materials. This is a long-term marker — one that will guide how we explore circular models, scale partnerships, and invest in innovation across the value chain. Jiang Li highlighted that the circular economy will unlock new economic opportunities as well as environmental and social values. By 2040, the global battery recycling market is expected to exceed RMB 1.2 trillion (about 165 billion U.S. dollars), and the battery value chain could generate more than 10 million jobs—over half of which would be in developing countries. Four principles to guide industry transformation At the heart of this ambition are four practical principles, adapted from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's circular economy framework. These principles are designed to guide transformation across the battery value chain — from mining and manufacturing to mobility and energy systems. They offer a starting point to create further alignment with key stakeholders to design collaborative action to accelerate the shift toward a more circular battery economy. Rethink Systems. A circular approach requires systemic change across the battery ecosystem. By embedding circularity into each stage of the value chain, it becomes possible to support low-carbon development, reduce waste, and enable the continuous flow of materials. This principle emphasises optimising the structure and interactions of the value chain to enable more efficient and resilient use of resources. Redesign Products. Circularity begins at the design stage. Batteries must be built for longevity, disassembly, and second-life applications — using modular architecture and durable components. Designing with reuse and recycling in mind ensures that products can retain value for longer and be recovered more efficiently at the end of life. Rethink Business Models. New business models are essential to decoupling resource use from economic growth. By shifting from traditional ownership to shared, service-based, or second-life models, batteries can deliver greater utility and become more accessible to users. This principle supports the creation of economically viable pathways for circularity to scale. Recycle Materials. A high-performing recycling system is essential to circularity. Materials must be recovered efficiently and returned to high-value use, increasing the proportion of closed-loop recycling. This reduces dependence on virgin resources and helps establish a more sustainable, secure, and low-impact supply of critical raw materials. Jiang Li also shared examples of CATL's implementation of the four pillars. Piloting change through GECC To test and expand upon the shared ambition in real-world conditions, CATL is advancing the Global Energy Circularity Commitment (GECC) — Announced in March, GECC is an open, global platform where stakeholders from industry, cities, and academia come together to test circular economy solutions in practice. CATL looks to work with players across the value chain through this platform, exploring and sharing insights to help scale impact. This collective approach is key to building a resilient and sustainable battery system. Looking ahead This shared ambition is a starting point — a foundation for building new forms of collaboration, transparency, and systems innovation across the global battery landscape. CATL and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation will continue to engage with public- and private-sector partners to refine, expand, and operationalise the ideas set out here. "The circular battery system won't be built in a lab or a boardroom — it will be shaped through collaboration, testing, and shared effort," said Jiang Li. "This ambition is a signal to help drive that work forward. Achieving it will require global collaboration, cross-sector learning, and open engagement across the value chain — all of which the Ellen MacArthur Foundation has long championed."
Associated Press
26-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
CATL and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation share ambition for a circular battery future
Announced during London Climate Action Week, the collaboration marks a new phase of ambition and action across the global battery system LONDON, June 26, 2025 /CNW/ -- At London Climate Action Week, CATL and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation shared an ambition for accelerating the transition to a circular battery economy —that new battery production must be decoupled from the use of virgin raw materials. Doing so will enable a future where access, resilience, and sustainability go hand in hand — and where growth is no longer tied to extraction. Since forming their Strategic Partnership earlier this year, CATL and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation have been working together to map out how circular economy principles can be applied across the battery value chain. The shared ambition offers a starting point — a North Star — for the collaboration and innovation that must follow. It is intended to guide not only CATL, but a broad community of global stakeholders seeking to redesign the system for long-term success. The ambition was introduced by Jiang Li, vice president and Board Secretary of CATL at a high-level panel hosted by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The panel explored how stakeholders across research, industry, and government can work together to bring this ambition to life — and to identify what is needed to achieve it at scale. To help bring this ambition into focus, CATL has introduced a directional goal: that within 20 years, 50% of new battery production could be decoupled from virgin raw materials. This is a long-term marker — one that will guide how we explore circular models, scale partnerships, and invest in innovation across the value chain. Jiang Li highlighted that the circular economy will unlock new economic opportunities as well as environmental and social values. By 2040, the global battery recycling market is expected to exceed RMB 1.2 trillion (about 165 billion U.S. dollars), and the battery value chain could generate more than 10 million jobs—over half of which would be in developing countries. Four principles to guide industry transformation At the heart of this ambition are four practical principles, adapted from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's circular economy framework. These principles are designed to guide transformation across the battery value chain — from mining and manufacturing to mobility and energy systems. They offer a starting point to create further alignment with key stakeholders to design collaborative action to accelerate the shift toward a more circular battery economy. Rethink Systems. A circular approach requires systemic change across the battery ecosystem. By embedding circularity into each stage of the value chain, it becomes possible to support low-carbon development, reduce waste, and enable the continuous flow of materials. This principle emphasises optimising the structure and interactions of the value chain to enable more efficient and resilient use of resources. Redesign Products. Circularity begins at the design stage. Batteries must be built for longevity, disassembly, and second-life applications — using modular architecture and durable components. Designing with reuse and recycling in mind ensures that products can retain value for longer and be recovered more efficiently at the end of life. Rethink Business Models. New business models are essential to decoupling resource use from economic growth. By shifting from traditional ownership to shared, service-based, or second-life models, batteries can deliver greater utility and become more accessible to users. This principle supports the creation of economically viable pathways for circularity to scale. Recycle Materials. A high-performing recycling system is essential to circularity. Materials must be recovered efficiently and returned to high-value use, increasing the proportion of closed-loop recycling. This reduces dependence on virgin resources and helps establish a more sustainable, secure, and low-impact supply of critical raw materials. Jiang Li also shared examples of CATL's implementation of the four pillars. Piloting change through GECC To test and expand upon the shared ambition in real-world conditions, CATL is advancing the Global Energy Circularity Commitment (GECC) — Announced in March, GECC is an open, global platform where stakeholders from industry, cities, and academia come together to test circular economy solutions in practice. CATL looks to work with players across the value chain through this platform, exploring and sharing insights to help scale impact. This collective approach is key to building a resilient and sustainable battery system. Looking ahead This shared ambition is a starting point — a foundation for building new forms of collaboration, transparency, and systems innovation across the global battery landscape. CATL and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation will continue to engage with public- and private-sector partners to refine, expand, and operationalise the ideas set out here. 'The circular battery system won't be built in a lab or a boardroom — it will be shaped through collaboration, testing, and shared effort,' said Jiang Li. 'This ambition is a signal to help drive that work forward. Achieving it will require global collaboration, cross-sector learning, and open engagement across the value chain — all of which the Ellen MacArthur Foundation has long championed.' View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL)
Cision Canada
26-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
CATL and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation share ambition for a circular battery future
Announced during London Climate Action Week, the collaboration marks a new phase of ambition and action across the global battery system LONDON, June 26, 2025 /CNW/ -- At London Climate Action Week, CATL and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation shared an ambition for accelerating the transition to a circular battery economy —that new battery production must be decoupled from the use of virgin raw materials. Doing so will enable a future where access, resilience, and sustainability go hand in hand — and where growth is no longer tied to extraction. Since forming their Strategic Partnership earlier this year, CATL and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation have been working together to map out how circular economy principles can be applied across the battery value chain. The shared ambition offers a starting point — a North Star — for the collaboration and innovation that must follow. It is intended to guide not only CATL, but a broad community of global stakeholders seeking to redesign the system for long-term success. The ambition was introduced by Jiang Li, vice president and Board Secretary of CATL at a high-level panel hosted by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The panel explored how stakeholders across research, industry, and government can work together to bring this ambition to life — and to identify what is needed to achieve it at scale. To help bring this ambition into focus, CATL has introduced a directional goal: that within 20 years, 50% of new battery production could be decoupled from virgin raw materials. This is a long-term marker — one that will guide how we explore circular models, scale partnerships, and invest in innovation across the value chain. Jiang Li highlighted that the circular economy will unlock new economic opportunities as well as environmental and social values. By 2040, the global battery recycling market is expected to exceed RMB 1.2 trillion (about 165 billion U.S. dollars), and the battery value chain could generate more than 10 million jobs—over half of which would be in developing countries. Four principles to guide industry transformation At the heart of this ambition are four practical principles, adapted from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's circular economy framework. These principles are designed to guide transformation across the battery value chain — from mining and manufacturing to mobility and energy systems. They offer a starting point to create further alignment with key stakeholders to design collaborative action to accelerate the shift toward a more circular battery economy. Rethink Systems. A circular approach requires systemic change across the battery ecosystem. By embedding circularity into each stage of the value chain, it becomes possible to support low-carbon development, reduce waste, and enable the continuous flow of materials. This principle emphasises optimising the structure and interactions of the value chain to enable more efficient and resilient use of resources. Redesign Products. Circularity begins at the design stage. Batteries must be built for longevity, disassembly, and second-life applications — using modular architecture and durable components. Designing with reuse and recycling in mind ensures that products can retain value for longer and be recovered more efficiently at the end of life. Rethink Business Models. New business models are essential to decoupling resource use from economic growth. By shifting from traditional ownership to shared, service-based, or second-life models, batteries can deliver greater utility and become more accessible to users. This principle supports the creation of economically viable pathways for circularity to scale. Recycle Materials. A high-performing recycling system is essential to circularity. Materials must be recovered efficiently and returned to high-value use, increasing the proportion of closed-loop recycling. This reduces dependence on virgin resources and helps establish a more sustainable, secure, and low-impact supply of critical raw materials. Jiang Li also shared examples of CATL's implementation of the four pillars. At system level, CATL launched its Carbon Chain Management System to help decarbonize the battery value chain. In product design, CATL has extended battery lifespan significantly—its energy storage batteries now reach up to 18,000 cycles—reducing both materials demand and emissions. CATL also plans to deploy over 10,000 battery swap stations, improving battery efficiency and facilitating large-scale collection of retired batteries. In recycling, CATL operates the world's largest battery take-back network and in 2024 alone recycled around 130,000 tons of end-of-life batteries, recovering 17,000 tons of lithium salts. Piloting change through GECC To test and expand upon the shared ambition in real-world conditions, CATL is advancing the Global Energy Circularity Commitment (GECC) — Announced in March, GECC is an open, global platform where stakeholders from industry, cities, and academia come together to test circular economy solutions in practice. CATL looks to work with players across the value chain through this platform, exploring and sharing insights to help scale impact. This collective approach is key to building a resilient and sustainable battery system. Looking ahead This shared ambition is a starting point — a foundation for building new forms of collaboration, transparency, and systems innovation across the global battery landscape. CATL and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation will continue to engage with public- and private-sector partners to refine, expand, and operationalise the ideas set out here. "The circular battery system won't be built in a lab or a boardroom — it will be shaped through collaboration, testing, and shared effort," said Jiang Li. "This ambition is a signal to help drive that work forward. Achieving it will require global collaboration, cross-sector learning, and open engagement across the value chain — all of which the Ellen MacArthur Foundation has long championed."
