Inclusive Circular Economy as a Climate Change Mitigation Strategy: IPCC and Rethinking Sustainable Consumption and Production Models

Book: Intersectionality Between Climate Change and Sustainable Development Goals: A Socio-Legal Perspective from India by CSMFL Publications

by Rushank Kumar1 & Adithya Variath2
1Fifth Year Undergraduate Student, SVKM, Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, India; 2OICSD Scholar at the University of Oxford and Research Fellow, ISLC, University of Milan, Italy.
10.46679/9788196780524ch14
This chapter is a part of: Intersectionality Between Climate Change and Sustainable Development Goals: A Socio-Legal Perspective from India
ISBN (Ebook):978-81-967805-2-4
ISBN (Hardcover Print):978-81-967805-0-0
ISBN (Softcover Print):978-81-967805-3-1

© CSMFL Publications & its authors.
Published: August 28, 2025

Kumar, R., & Variath, A. (2025). Inclusive Circular Economy as a Climate Change Mitigation Strategy: IPCC and Rethinking Sustainable Consumption and Production Models. In N. Chaudhary & S. Chaturvedi, Intersectionality Between Climate Change and Sustainable Development Goals: A Socio-Legal Perspective from India (pp 229-246). CSMFL Publications.
https://dx.doi.org/10.46679/9788196780524ch14

Abstract

The transition from a linear economy to an inclusive circular economy is crucial for mitigating climate change and achieving sustainable development. The traditional “take-make-dispose” model has led to environmental degradation, resource depletion, and socio-economic disparities. A circular economy (CE) presents an alternative framework prioritizing reuse, recycling, and resource efficiency, reducing waste and minimizing carbon emissions. This paper examines CE’s potential in addressing climate change, aligning with IPCC recommendations and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It explores global CE strategies, highlighting successful models in the EU, Netherlands, and India while identifying challenges like regulatory gaps, lack of political will, and implementation costs. The study underscores CE’s role in economic growth, job creation, and innovation while advocating for stronger policies, public awareness, and corporate responsibility. By integrating CE principles, economies can shift towards a more sustainable and regenerative model, ensuring long-term ecological and economic resilience.

Keywords: Circular Economy, Resource Efficiency, Waste Management, Green Economy, Recycle, Reuse.

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