Around the globe, governments at all levels are accelerating climate action. The urgency for action on the green transition was well demonstrated at the COP26 in 2021, which has been further heightened by the need to strengthen energy security in the wake of the war in Ukraine. Whilst first and foremost a humanitarian crisis, the war has also exacerbated global pressures that pre-date it, including from rapidly rising energy prices, shortages of raw materials, and disruptions in value chains. These are already beginning to have impacts on production and consumption patterns that are likely to be long lasting. In turn, they are also accelerating the momentum towards the circular economy, due to its significant potential to improve resource efficiency and resilience, and its embodiment of clean energy sources.
Ireland is very much at the forefront of this acceleration, as witnessed by the Irish government’s Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy (2020-2025) and its Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy (2022).
However, the circular economy has a strong spatial dimension and needs to be a shared responsibility across levels of government, especially if its full benefits, including on local jobs and production, are to be realised. Both cities and rural areas need to contribute to this transition to make it happen. Similarly, other local actors such as SMEs, social enterprises, knowledge institutions and universities also have a critical role to play, not least in driving innovation, education and research as key engines for an effective transformation of business and behavioural models that deliver economic and social benefits.
This report reflects the outcome of a two-year policy dialogue with more than 100 stakeholders, including from beyond the traditional waste sector, and draws on the expertise and guidance of international peer reviewers. It comes at a critical time for Ireland in the development of its circular economy policy. Initiated in 2020, the policy dialogue has influenced the Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy, as well as other new and forthcoming plans and programmes such as the National Waste Management Plan and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Circular Economy Programme. The report offers a set of recommendations and concrete actions that Ireland can undertake to further promote, facilitate and enable the transition to the circular economy, capitalising on its political leadership and commitment to develop multi-sectoral approaches that can drive the shift to sustainable pathways.
The OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities (CFE) and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) of Ireland are proud of this collective journey and look forward to continued collaboration to make the circular economy part of the solution towards healthier, less resource-wasteful and more environmentally aware societies.
Lamia Kamal-Chaoui
Director, Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities, OECD
Ossian Smyth TD
Minister of State with responsibility for Communications and Circular Economy, Ireland