Date : 26/07/2023

Relevance – GS Paper 3 – Environment – Efforts for sustainable development

Keywords – Circular economy, G-20, EPR, Steel Sector

Context –

India's G-20 presidency has brought to the forefront the importance of resource efficiency and circular economy as powerful strategies to minimize dependence on natural resources, reduce waste, and encourage sustainable design practices. These approaches play a pivotal role in achieving sustainable development and realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by decoupling resource utilization from economic growth. India's commitment to promoting the 'reduce-reuse-recycle' model over the traditional 'take-make-dispose' paradigm underscores its dedication to building a more sustainable and resilient future.

Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy: A Global Endeavor

Resource efficiency and circular economy have gained significant attention globally as essential components of sustainable development. With growing concerns over resource depletion and environmental degradation, these strategies offer promising pathways to address pressing global challenges. By minimizing resource consumption and maximizing the value of resources throughout their lifecycle, countries can move towards a more sustainable and circular economic model.

India's G-20 Presidency and Circular Economy Priorities

As the G-20 presidency for the year, India has identified four priority areas for advancing the circular economy:

1. Circularity in the Steel Sector: The steel industry plays a crucial role in infrastructure development and is witnessing increasing demand, especially in growing economies like India. However, traditional steel production processes contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. To ensure responsible resource consumption, G-20 member countries must collaborate in knowledge sharing, technology co-development, and technology transfer to transition towards a circular steel sector. This transition will reduce resource utilization, minimize wastage, and mitigate the sector's environmental impact.
2. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): EPR is a vital mechanism in promoting circular economy principles throughout the value chain. India has recognized the significance of EPR frameworks and emphasizes sharing best practices among G-20 member countries. By learning from each other's experiences and successes, G-20 nations can accelerate the adoption of circular economy practices, thereby promoting sustainable resource management.
3. Circular Bioeconomy: The consumption of biological resources has surged significantly over the years in G-20 countries. Biowaste, such as municipal and industrial waste and agricultural residue, has emerged as a global issue due to its improper disposal, leading to pollution, biodiversity loss, and global warming. Adopting a circular bioeconomy approach can minimize the extraction of virgin resources and provide effective waste disposal solutions. G-20 countries must collaborate to identify opportunities for utilizing biowaste as primary raw materials and substitutes for mineral resources, contributing to biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation.
4. Industry-led Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Coalition: Recognizing the pivotal role of industries in advancing resource efficiency and circular economy practices, India envisions an industry coalition to foster technological collaboration, enhance capabilities across sectors, mobilize de-risked finance, and promote proactive private sector engagement. Such a coalition will serve as a platform for G-20 nations to collectively drive the transition to a circular economy, emphasizing sustainable practices in industrial processes.

Resource Efficiency in the Steel Sector

Transitioning towards a circular steel sector is essential in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and reducing resource consumption. The G-20 member countries have committed to ambitious net-zero targets, making resource-efficient steel production a priority. However, traditional steelmaking processes are energy-intensive and resource-demanding. Collaboration among G-20 nations is critical in sharing knowledge, experiences, and best practices to develop innovative technologies and strategies for achieving a net-zero pathway for the steel industry. Emphasizing circularity in the steel sector will not only reduce environmental impact but also foster sustainable infrastructure development.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Recycling

EPR frameworks have proven to be effective in promoting the growth of recycling infrastructure and streamlining waste collection systems. In India, over 20,000 registered Producers, Importers, and Brand Owners (PIBOs) have taken up the responsibility for recycling and managing waste generated from their products. With comprehensive rules for e-waste and battery waste management, India's EPR framework serves as one of the largest in the world. Sharing best practices and lessons learned in implementing EPR among G-20 member countries can expedite the adoption of circular economy principles. Collaborative efforts will enhance the recycling and recovery of valuable resources, reducing the burden on natural resources and landfills.

Circular Bioeconomy and Biofuels

The rising consumption of biological resources poses significant challenges to biodiversity and environmental sustainability. Biowaste, if not managed properly, leads to pollution and contributes to global warming. Adopting a circular bioeconomy approach presents an opportunity to minimize the extraction of virgin resources and find innovative solutions for waste disposal. By utilizing biowaste as primary raw materials and substitutes for mineral resources, G-20 countries can reduce their environmental footprint and contribute to preserving biodiversity.

India has been proactive in adopting biofuels to address environmental challenges. Initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana support the establishment of second-generation (2G) ethanol projects that produce bioethanol from waste feedstock. The mandatory use of a blend of biomass pellets with coal in coal-burning thermal power plants and the GOBAR Dhan scheme to convert cattle dung and organic waste into compost, biogas, and biofuels are prime examples of India's commitment to sustainable agriculture and waste management. The Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) Scheme further promotes the use of Compressed BioGas (CBG) as a green transportation fuel, fostering the development of bioenergy infrastructure.

Industry-led Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Coalition

Industries play a vital role in driving resource efficiency and circular economy practices. India's vision for an industry-led coalition aims to enhance technological collaboration, build advanced capabilities across sectors, and mobilize de-risked finance for sustainable projects. Engaging the private sector proactively will foster innovative solutions and drive sustainable practices in industrial processes. Collaboration within this coalition will enable G-20 nations to collectively address global resource challenges and promote a sustainable and circular economic model.

Conclusion

India's G-20 presidency has placed resource efficiency and circular economy at the center of the global sustainability agenda. The 'reduce-reuse-recycle' model and circular economy strategies are essential in minimizing environmental impact and decoupling resource utilization from economic growth. Through its focus on circularity in the steel sector, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), circular bioeconomy, and an industry-led coalition, India aims to drive the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient future. By sharing knowledge, best practices, and innovative technologies, G-20 member countries can collectively address global challenges and promote sustainable development for a better tomorrow.

Source – The Hindu