Committing to a circular economy for London – UCL BSEER signs Ellen MacArthur Foundation statement

With a commitment to being a zero-carbon city by 2050, the Ellen Macarthur Foundation has recognised London as city that can lead the way with tackling climate change and developing a new, circular economy.
 
Along with the London Waste and Recycling Board, the foundation identified higher education as one of five enabling sectors that can support London in this transition. Working together, the two organisations have developed a ‘direction of travel’ statement for London universities to indicate their ambitions in the circular economy space. The statement aims to unite London universities to achieve a vision whereby:

• Every student engages with the circular economy when they choose to study at an institution in London
• Applied research at London universities supports London’s businesses' circular ambitions
• All London’s higher education institutions are circular in their operations
• Students are empowered to drive forward circular economy activities both on and off campus within the City
• Higher Education institutions work closely with local and regional government in a variety of ways to support the City’s circular economy ambitions

UCL’s Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources is one of the first London University departments to sign this statement. Director of the School, Professor Raimund Bleischwitz, said:

London can be expected to face disruptive changes over the next months and year – we will do our best to shape the direction in favour of net zero carbon communities and a circular city. Together, our students, researchers and urban stakeholders will make London a more sustainable and inclusive space.“