More and more people on earth are consuming more and more resources. Raw materials are becoming scarcer and natural habitats are being destroyed. The linear economy underpins this trend with its one-sided use of resources: Raw materials are mined, transformed into products that are then sold, used and then ultimately thrown away. Environmental problems such as a waste of resources, pollution and large amounts of waste are the result.
Circular economy: Ecologically necessary, technologically feasible, economically sensible
It's high time that a solution was found to combat this linear system. A holistic and sustainable economic approach that promotes the use of renewable energies, ensures energy efficiency and reduces carbon emissions is required. And the circular economy offers solutions for this. Unlike the linear economy, the circular economy keeps used materials and products in the overall cycle. This saves resources, strengthens regional value creation and offers opportunities for new business models.
Swiss spirit of innovation:
To solve this challenging equation - producing more efficiently with fewer resources - innovations are needed. And Switzerland is playing a pioneering role here: With its scarce natural resources, Switzerland has embedded the ability to use raw materials in an effective way into its DNA. It therefore knows how to overcome the conflict of goals that exist between environmental protection and excellent urban planning. The result: Switzerland is home to dynamic urban environments that stand out with their thriving industry, pioneering innovation and dense transport infrastructure; there's a good reason why Zurich and Geneva are two of the most popular cities in the world for living in.
Switzerland as a role model
Although Switzerland also produces a great deal of waste per inhabitant, 53 percent of the total amount is recycled and 47 percent is converted into energy. To this end, many companies and startups are doing pioneering work and driving the transition from a linear economy to a circular economy with outstanding innovations. Supported by the government, universities and colleges, as well as the private sector, centers of sustainability - so-called circular cities - are emerging.
Swiss Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai
Today, Switzerland is one of the world's leading innovation hotspots in the Cleantech sector. The know-how of Swiss universities, startups and innovation-driven companies will be presented at Expo 2020 in Dubai with the project "Circular Cities: Swiss solutions made globally". For this purpose, Swissnex Mobile and Switzerland Global Enterprise will be presenting various innovations in relation to a circular economy and working together with Swiss cleantech companies interested in new business opportunities in the Middle East. The exchange with local partners from the United Arab Emirates and the wider region should enable and facilitate the development of valuable relationships.
