Report summary: Decent work in the circular economy

This report is authored by Circle Economy, the International Labour Organisation and the World Bank Group.

Report name

Decent work in the circular economy: An overview of the existing evidence base

Who wrote this report?

This report is the first output under the ‘Jobs in the Circular Economy’ initiative of Circle Economy, the International Labour Organisation and the Solutions for Youth Employment (S4YE) Programme at the World Bank. This initiative aims to address gaps in the evidence base for circular jobs through collaboration with an international community of research institutions, industry representatives, social partners, governments and public agencies.

Best quote

For the full potential of circular economy interventions to be realised — including helping to tackle issues from climate change mitigation and adaptation, social inequality and biodiversity loss to pollution — people's needs and livelihoods must be central to actions across countries and industries.

Key takeaways:

• By increasing the reuse and regeneration of products and materials, a total of 7 to 8 million new jobs can be created.
• The report finds that 84% of current research on circular employment focuses on countries in the Global North, failing to address people in countries in the Global South, atypical workers, women, migrants, youth and other vulnerable populations.
• Ultimately, more consistent and internationally relevant data, methods and subsequent evidence is necessary to create a stronger foundation for circular decision-making.

What’s in this report?

This report provides an overview of the status quo and the existing evidence on decent work within the circular economy. It summarises the current circular economy discourse and how it relates to decent work. It describes the evolution of this research area, the main types and levels of analysis currently being conducted and their application. Additionally, it explores five key and recurring research themes related to decent work and identifies corresponding research gaps that should be addressed. Further, this paper suggests key actions needed to realise the full potential of circular economy interventions. If managed well, they can help to tackle issues ranging from climate change mitigation and adaptation and social inequality to biodiversity loss and pollution. Ultimately, more evidence is needed to understand how the circular economy impacts people and their livelihoods. The circular economy has the potential to support the move to a low-carbon and more sustainable economy, in line with the principles of a just transition. Better evidence on how to create decent work in the circular economy is a vital step for this transition to be just. ​​

Why should you read this report?

To ensure that the inequality issues inherent to the linear economy aren’t reproduced in a circular economy, it is necessary to understand what is and isn’t working for people employed in circular labour markets — from government to industry, marginalised workers, research institutions, trade unions and civil society organisations. Employment and wider socioeconomic and environmental policies promoting circular economy interventions must embed decent work evidence and indicators to support human development and improvements to people’s wellbeing around the world. This report outlines a growing body of evidence on how and under what conditions the circular economy could support decent work and address social inequities more broadly.

Who is this report for?

The evidence and insights in this report will raise awareness and put tools in the hands of decision-makers, so that the circular economy can be a roadmap for the transformative and social-justice-led systems change that we need to set us on the right path. This will require the combined efforts of governments, employers and workers through social dialogue and the formulation of targeted and transformative policy. Processes should actively embrace the circular economy as a tool for sustainable economic development and a just transition towards sustainable low-carbon societies.

🔗 Read the full report here. 🔗

👋 You can write an article like this one! Share your thoughts with a community of public servants. Learn more

(Image Credit: Unsplash)