Circularity in the Built Environment: Maximizing CO2 Abatement and Business OpportunitiesW H I T E P A P E RD E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3In collaboration with McKinsey & CompanyImages: Getty Images, Unsplash© 2023 World Economic Forum. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system.Disclaimer This document is published by the World Economic Forum as a contribution to a project, insight area or interaction. The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are a result of a collaborative process facilitated and endorsed by the World Economic Forum but whose results do not necessarily represent the views of the World Economic Forum, nor the entirety of its Members, Partners or other stakeholders.ContentsForeword 3Executive summary 4Introduction 51 Transforming the resource loops in the built environment 61.1 Resource recirculation 81.2 Resource efficiencies 91.3 Resource utilization 92 Building with circular materials 102.1 Concrete and cement 132.2 Construction steel 152.3 Construction aluminium 172.4 Construction plastics 192.5 Flat glass 212.6 Gypsum 23Conclusion: Driving the circularity transition in the built environment 25Appendix: Modelling assumptions and results calculation 26Contributors 27Endnotes 28Circularity in the Built Environment: Maximizing CO2 Abatement and Business Opportunities2ForewordA multitude of complex global challenges, including health crises, geopolitical conflicts and economic difficulties, have inspired the narrative that the world has entered a “new normal”, where organizations must deal with crises and focus on resilience by default. Throughout this shifting normality, what has not changed is the urgent need to tackle one of the most prevalent issues of the century: combating climate change and its profound impact on the world. The built environment holds immense potential for positive change. Buildings and construction account for about 26% of global greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to their substantial consumption of energy and materials. However, there is an opportunity to transition from current consumption and production patterns to a more sustainable circular approach. By reimagining design processes, embracing cutting-edge technologies and exploring innovative business models, industry players can unlock greater value from existing assets, conserve crucial resources and reduce waste. The urgency of making this shift towards greater circularity cannot be overstated; each passing day without action exacerbates the challenges humanity faces.This white paper by the World Economic Forum’s Centre for Nature and Climate and the Centre for Energy and Materials, in collaboration with McKinsey, embarks on a comprehensive exploration of circularity’s potential to revol...
