Experts advocate circular economy

Call for waste-to-value industries, green technologies, and policy reforms

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KARACHI:

Fostering a circular economy can help Pakistan cope with economic, environmental, and social crises, economic nationalists said.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, they highlighted the need to create a climate in which businesses can prosper and the national economy can grow by leaps and bounds.

Developed and many developing countries are shifting from a linear to a circular economy for better opportunities.

They said the circular economy presents a tremendous opportunity for large-scale manufacturing job creation in Pakistan through waste valorisation. For instance, the widespread burning of crop residues, which annually poses severe environmental hazards, can be transformed into an asset by converting this waste into high-value fuels such as sustainable aviation fuel and green diesel or into valuable chemicals like acids. Establishing new facilities for this purpose would generate numerous onsite jobs, including skilled roles for technicians, process engineers, and logistics specialists to manage biomass collection. Indirect job creation would span supply chain management, transport logistics, storage solutions, and distribution networks, alongside the development of supportive industries like equipment manufacturing, maintenance, and renewable energy.

Moreover, additional roles in research, development, and innovation would further expand employment opportunities.

They said the concept of a circular economy represents a transformative shift from traditional linear economic systems, which are characterised by the extraction of raw materials, production of goods, and disposal of waste.

In a circular economy, raw materials such as metals and oil are utilised to manufacture products like steel, car engines, and plastic bottles. At the end of their lifecycle, these products are recycled into new ones, thereby minimising the need for the continuous extraction of new resources and significantly reducing waste. This sustainable approach not only mitigates environmental impact but also enhances resource efficiency.

In contrast, the prevailing linear economic model, widely implemented across global economies, perpetuates a cycle of resource extraction, production, and disposal, leading to increased waste and the continuous need for new material extraction. The transition to a circular economy is imperative to address growing environmental challenges and foster a more sustainable and resilient economic system.

Eminent energy scientist and expert in a circular economy, Dr Adeel Ghayur, said, "Pakistan can strategically leverage the circular economy to address pressing environmental, economic, and social challenges through a multi-sectoral, policy-driven approach spearheaded by experts and technocrats. A key focus should be on sector-specific initiatives that deliver the greatest value for sustainable development, particularly in agriculture, textiles, construction, petrochemicals, and renewable energy."

He said that by integrating Industry 4.0 technologies and accessing global green financing mechanisms, Pakistan can accelerate its transition to a circular economy and maximise its potential benefits.

Industry 4.0 technologies refer to the fourth industrial revolution, characterised by the integration of advanced technologies such as 3D printing, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, robotics, and big data analytics, aimed at creating smart, automated, and interconnected manufacturing systems.

Additionally, establishing university degrees in a circular economy and a centre of excellence can meet the global demand for experts, positioning Pakistan as a leader.

He said the circular economy will address Pakistan's waste management challenges, reduce import dependency, and foster manufacturing job creation while bolstering energy and food security. By prioritising import-intensive products, Pakistan can gradually achieve self-sufficiency in these areas. Focusing on specific industries has the potential to establish Pakistan at the forefront of key sectors, such as solar panel recycling. Furthermore, Pakistan can unlock revenue generation from waste streams that currently pose significant environmental threats, such as crop residues. These residues can be converted into fuels like sustainable aviation fuel and green diesel, exemplifying the core principle of a circular economy—transforming waste into value.

He said the transition to a circular economy begins with the formulation of a comprehensive national strategy, integrating incentives, standards, regulatory frameworks, and public-private partnerships. Priority initiatives should include waste management systems, tax incentives, and support for innovation hubs that drive recycling and remanufacturing. Significant sectors in this transition include petrochemicals, plastics, water, renewable energy, and construction materials.

He said to fully realise this potential, it is essential to streamline policies and channel investments into renewable and green technologies, which are crucial for achieving economic self-reliance. These efforts, combined with consistent monitoring and evaluation, will promote long-term economic and environmental resilience for Pakistan's economy.

Climate Action Centre (CAC) Director Yasir Hussain said the circular economy is part of the emerging green economy. The circular economy is the circulation of materials as they move from industry to industry and product to product, minimising the production of waste, pollution, and carbon emissions while protecting and regenerating nature.

He said that in Pakistan, on the one hand, environmental laws restricting the dumping or release of harmful materials are not being implemented. On the other hand, there is circulation and reuse of material waste in industrial processes and society, but generally at a low-value level.

He said value addition requires the recovery of high-value molecules and substances, which necessitates recent technologies, redesigning, and eliminating materials beyond the lifecycle of products in society.